My Perspective: Should NZ start treating Pacific nations like partners and not dependents?

One of the big headlines last week was that New Zealand was pausing over $18 million in development assistance planned for the Cook Islands' 2025-2026 financial year.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand's decision to pause development aid is patronising and will harm the country's most vulnerable citizens.

Could this move mark the end of New Zealand administering the Cook Islands as a colony?

I had a really good conversation with former Cook Islands policy analyst William Numanga, who mentioned that the island nation is growing wary of being treated like a little brother. Honestly, I get that, but there's also the risk.

Most Pacific Island nations would die to have the access Cook Islands nationals have to New Zealand's health care, education, and more.

Could the Cook Islands be taking this for granted?

It's a complicated relationship that involves equal parts family, foreign policy, and finance.

Yes, Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens. Yes, they benefit from that tie, but when New Zealand flexes its financial muscle to signal disapproval, let's say side eye.

At what point does a partnership become paternalism? New Zealand says trust has been broken over the Cook Islands government's agreement with China.

Fair enough, but again, communication is a two-way street.

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If New Zealand wants to remain the preferred partner in the region, and must I say, in a time when geopolitical tensions are extremely tight, it might need to start treating Pacific nations like partners, not dependents.

I know we already treat each other as a Pacific family as well. So, that's a good point to have there.

But I guess this situation proves that. And we've seen this with Kiribati, and again, with Tokelau and the helicopters.

So, let's see what happens next, and who could potentially be next, if that trust has been broken.

Because the next time the Cook Islands feels pushed away, or even that might be now, China will still be their chequebook open.

And that's my perspective.