Will’s Word: NZ-Cook Islands relations at breaking point

The relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands has reached breaking point, and it’s hard to see how Prime Minister Mark Brown can hold onto his position after mishandling the situation so badly.

The Cook Islands is due to sign an agreement with China, but Brown has failed to share these plans with New Zealand, even though it's a clear requirement.

It's a serious breach of the trust that underpins the relationship between our two nations.

Our Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has repeatedly asked for transparency, but Brown has ignored those requests.

Brown’s response to the criticism has been frustratingly tone-deaf.

Rather than taking responsibility for the breach and trying to repair the damage, he’s downplaying the issue as just part of international relations.

This kind of dismissive attitude shows a lack of respect for New Zealand and frankly, for the partnership that has supported the Cook Islands for decades.

Brown is choosing to alienate New Zealand, and his leadership is quickly becoming untenable.

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At this point, it’s hard to see how Brown can recover from this debacle.

His failure to act in good faith has seriously undermined the trust between the two nations, and if he continues down this path, the consequences for his political future will be severe.

The Cook Islands may be sovereign, but they’re also closely tied to New Zealand, and Brown’s handling of this situation is jeopardising that relationship.