Proceedings underway in NZ following Cook Islands-China agreement

Details from an agreement signed last week between the Cook Islands and China have been disclosed.

The agreement emphasises significant economic opportunities for the Pacific island nation, focussing on trade expansion, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.

Both nations plan to explore further cooperation in the seabed minerals sector and finalise arrangements for seafood exports from the Cook Islands to China.

A China-Pacific Island Countries disaster management cooperation mechanism is expected to be established, along with introducing traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in the Cook Islands.

While the Cook Islands has aspirations to broaden its international presence, the government confirmed last month that it would not pursue United Nations and Commonwealth membership because it does not meet the necessary criteria and has an existing relationship with New Zealand.

As Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens, pursuing separate United Nations membership could threaten their citizenship rights under current treaties binding the two nations.

The New Zealand Government has expressed concerns over the agreement's lack of transparency.

Following the release of the details, New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, announced that further proceedings are underway to assess the agreement’s contents and implications for New Zealanders, Cook Islanders, and the wider Realm.

“We note, from various public statements by the Governments of the Cook Islands and China, that they signed a number of agreements last week,” Peters said.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Photo/Google Earth/Mark Brown Facebook

“We look forward to the release of all those agreements without delay so that the Cook Islands people and New Zealand can get clarity on the substance and scope of the intended cooperation between China and the Cooks. Consultation and transparency must lie at the heart of the New Zealand-Cook Islands relationship.”

As the Cook Islands Parliament convened for the first time this year, Prime Minister Mark Brown highlighted the rights and responsibilities of the island nation’s free association with Aotearoa.

Brown says that discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will take place “in due course”.

More than 400 people took to the streets a day after the prime minister returned from China, where he signed a strategic partnership deal. Photo/RNZ Pacific/Caleb Fotheringham

“It was reassuring in my discussions with Premier Li that China will step up in terms of meeting their carbon emission targets and supporting smaller island states to build resilience against the impacts of climate change,” the Cook Islands leader says.

“At the same time, we are strengthening economic diplomacy through initiatives like our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, which provides structured opportunities in trade, infrastructure, and the blue economy.

“This does not replace our longstanding relationships with New Zealand, Australia, and others, but rather complements them, ensuring that we have a diversified portfolio of partnerships.”

Opposition MP Teariki Heather criticised the agreement and its potential impact on relations with New Zealand.

Opposition MP Teariki Heather. Photo/CookIslands news

“This year, we’re celebrating our 60th year [of self-governance], and we should be celebrating with New Zealand, not against New Zealand,” Heather says.

Councillors voted on a no-confidence motion directed at the Cabinet and government after expressing serious concerns.

Hundreds of protestors marched on the Cook Islands Parliament earlier this week to oppose Brown’s recent actions.

Despite parliamentary rules prioritising the budget debate, which will postpone hearing the motion, Heather remains determined.

“This is very damaging for us here in the Cook Islands and, of course, our relationship with New Zealand,” he says.

“So I felt, and we felt, that we needed to do something for that purpose anyway.

“The government decides to avoid it, and we’ll clearly see that they don't have the confidence in themselves to govern.”