Community leaders back Aotearoa amid concerns over Cook Islands-China ties

Community leaders in the Cook Islands are urging the government to prioritise efforts to repair diplomatic relations with New Zealand.

The calls follow a pause on New Zealand funding, which amounts to $18.2 million. They view the aid suspension as a fair response from Aotearoa.

The decision, announced last Wednesday, has sparked a range of reactions both within the diaspora and back in the islands.

Alfred Ngaro, a Cook Islander and former New Zealand MP, believes there is a need for dialogue between Rarotonga and Wellington, saying the funding halt will impact projects and the long-standing relationship.

He also believes that the Cook Islands' Prime Minister, Mark Brown, was aware of the potential consequences of entering into an agreement with China without consulting New Zealand, particularly given their existing relationship.

Ngaro told PMN News that the Cook Islands’ agreement with China, which aims to increase revenue from seabed minerals, raises concerns given past issues with Chinese projects.

“There have been numerous phone calls, and there have been conversations held with our Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Cook Islands Government, wanting to be able to sit down and have this conversation again.

“But those have not been heeded, they've not been listened to. The impact of that is that we've now got $20 million of core sector funding that has been suspended until such time as the Cook Islands and New Zealand can have this conversation.”

The funding was designated for "core sector support”, which includes health, education, and infrastructure.

The paused funding was designated for "core sector support”, which includes health, education, and infrastructure. Photo/Avarua Town Plan

Ngaro says that while Brown claims a contingency fund can cover the suspended funding, it will impact essential projects like battery replacements for solar farms and port funding for outer islands.

“There is a reliance on this funding, this core sector funding,” he says. “To say that this is not going to impact them would really be false, because it will have a significant impact upon them.

“But the greater impact is the relationship, the long-held relationship that New Zealand has with the Cook Islands.”

Ngaro believes that the Cook Islands' pursuit of increased revenue, particularly from seabed minerals, likely drove the agreement with China.

Listen to Dr Anna Powles' reaction to the Cook Islands-NZ fallout below.

He also says that while China has been a partner since 1997, past projects like the courthouse and police station have encountered problems.

“If the Cook Islands has had a partner that hasn't always upheld its side of the agreement and promises that it has made, then it really questions why you would continue to have a relationship?

“The government needs to take serious consideration because in the long term, New Zealand has been a partner that has provided much more benefit and support to the nation and its people for some time.”

Ngaro urges Aotearoa to continue its relationship with the Cook Islands despite the fallout.

“I hope that they will still uphold this long-standing, not just the tradition, but really just this friendship and relationship that has bonded throughout the years with the Cook Islands, " he says.

Critics claim that China is interested in Penrhyn, which served as a refuelling and staging point for US military aircraft during the war. Photo/Cook Islands government

“Our hope and prayers are that they will continue to open the lines. We want them to be able to continue to consult and talk so that we can have a resolution that has an outcome that benefits the nation of the Cook Islands and its people.”

Former Cook Islands Speaker Norman George says Prime Minister Brown must act in the best interest of the people and restore relations with New Zealand.

He says China cannot replace the unique benefits of the Cook Islands-Aotearoa partnership.

“We need to try and get back in touch with NZ, speak to the government there, and make amends,” George told PMN News.

“New Zealand's been so generous to the people of the Cook Islands, and it's up to us to make up for our shortcomings. It's not New Zealand's shortcomings, it's ours.”

Norman George says the Cook Islands government must make amends with New Zealand. Photo/Cook Islands News

George says the Cook Islands cannot rely on China, as it has relied on New Zealand.

“We’ve enjoyed free association with NZ for years, and we want to be able to continue to do that. I'm hoping the government can wake up, see this and grow up.”

George warns that the Cook Islands’ engagement with China is serious.

“They've got eyes on potential military connections or associations, and we have a deep harbour lagoon on the island of Penrhyn, very deep where the Americans used to anchor aircraft carriers,” he says.

“There is always something of interest to China. By courting our Prime Minister, our Prime Minister is prey, in the game, he doesn't realise the consequences of what he's doing, and it's unfortunate.”

Addrienne Hosking-Tinirau says she is concerned about the funding pause's economic implications. Photo/Supplied

Meanwhile, business leaders like Addrienne Hosking-Tinirau, chair of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, told PMN News they are concerned about the funding pause's economic implications and await further actions from the Cook Islands government.

“We acknowledge the announcement regarding the NZ government's decision to place a hold on funding to the Cook Islands Government,” Hosking-Tinirau says.

“We would expect the Cook Islands Government to carefully consider any impacts.

“We will now await their ( Cook Islands government) action on this matter before making any further comment.”