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Newsroom
21 hours ago
- Business
- Newsroom
Cook Islands saga another test for Govt's China policy as Luxon hits Beijing
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the 'areas of risk' in the strategic deal between the Cook Islands and China include security, defence, sovereignty and international border arrangements. These risk factors are now being worked through by officials from the two countries, and the Cook Islands foreign ministry says a new Formal Dialogue Mechanism has been set up to assess the agreement and identify risk mitigation. While a statement from the Cook Islands on Thursday says officials met in April and May, on Thursday the Cook Islands News revealed the New Zealand Government had pulled more than $18 million of development aid to the Pacific country on June 4. The timing could not have been much more awkward for the Prime Minister. The news dropped the same day Luxon held his first political talks in China, and on the eve of his high-stakes meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. While Luxon went out of his way to explain this retaliation was about the NZ-Cooks relationship – not China – Foreign Minister Winston Peters singled out the superpower's role in this relationship breakdown while in France just 10 days ago. 'As partners engage with our region, it is important that they do so in a manner that is transparent and supportive of good governance. 'Not all partners take this approach. Some ask Pacific partners not to publish agreements or avoid the Forum Secretariat when organising regional engagements,' he said, going on to say that 'external pushes' in the region were looking to 'coerce, cajole and constrain'. Friday's meetings between Luxon and Xi and Li would show whose version China deemed most plausible, with the potential the topic would make its way onto the agenda for the leaders' meetings. Among the other topics of disagreement between the two countries expected to be raised on Friday were China's combat exercises in the Tasman Sea and Pacific, China's actions in the Pacific more broadly, its unlawful actions in the South China Sea and human rights. Both sides acknowledged there would always be areas where the two countries disagreed, but the relationship was mature enough to talk about these issues – as long as that was done 'predictably, consistently, publicly and privately'. While the snags in the relationship were well-traversed, those in the room would be looking for the nuance in how China spoke about certain issues to get a better read of their feelings on particular matters. Beyond geopolitical issues, both countries would also raise the importance of the trading relationship – something Luxon had emphasised during the first two days of his fleeting first visit to China. While in Shanghai, members of the business delegation accompanying the Prime Minister signed deals expected to generate $871m. China is New Zealand's largest trading partner and two-way trade was worth $39 billion. But New Zealand exports accounted for just 0.3 percent of China's imports. 'So we just need a little bit more and we're doing exceptionally well for ourselves,' Luxon said. During Luxon's first political meeting with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining, both sides emphasised the strong trading relationship in their opening remarks. The PM in his first major political meeting of the tour, with Shanghai party secretary Chen Jining. Photo: Pool/Thomas Manch And in the afternoon he visited Fudan University to highlight the importance of the international student market as part of his Government's growth plan. But Labour foreign policy spokesperson Phil Twyford said there was a disconnect between Luxon's security and economic policies when it came to China. 'What I'm watching with the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing is whether or not he can bring together the two straight, very divergent narrative strands on our relationship with China that he and this Government have been maintaining now for some time,' he said. 'On one hand, it's a special relationship, our most important trading partner … On the other hand, there is hardly an official foreign policy and defence document in circulation right now that doesn't basically position China as a military threat to New Zealand.' Twyford said he saw those two things as 'quite a contradiction'. China and the US have led to a pull away from the historically bipartisan approach on foreign policy, with Labour criticising the Government's stance on Aukus and questioning the state of New Zealand's foreign policy. 'I have no doubt that his Chinese hosts will be watching very carefully to try to read the Prime Minister's sense of the relationship and where New Zealand wants to go with it, but right now, I think that contradiction is a vulnerability for New Zealand's national interests.' Luxon said he disagreed with Labour's categorisation, but not before taking a swing at the party by questioning who was in charge of foreign policy: Phil Twyford, Chris Hipkins, Helen Clark? 'This is a government that's been crystal clear from day one: our economic prosperity is very much tied to our security. This is a country that wants to lift its urgency and its intensity in all of its relationships across the Indo-Pacific. 'We can do well for ourselves in the years ahead, and it requires us to build relationships at a top-to-top level and then actually have our business sectors actually engage with each other,' he said.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ pauses funding to Cook Islands
world world politics 12:11 pm today The government has paused millions of dollars of funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership deals with China earlier this year. New Zealand told the Cook Islands government two weeks ago but no announcement was made - the story only coming to light when the Cook Islands News saw it mentioned in a report tabled in parliament. Cook Islands News Editor Rashneel Kumar spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Newsroom
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsroom
$18m cut to Cooks aid is ‘not about China'? I call BS
Analysis: Winston Peters has taken a leaf from Donald Trump's playbook, with news he's paused government-to-government development aid to our closest whānau in the Pacific. 'We want an assurance that our special relationship remains special,' he tells Newsroom. It's a response to the Cooks Islands' clumsy handling of a strategic deal between Avarua and Beijing this year, in which PM Mark Brown chose not to advise New Zealand of his plans. Cook Islands is an independent nation in many respects, but it relies on New Zealand for its currency, passport and security. That agreement entails transparency – a clause Brown chose to disregard. Nonetheless, with the decision to pause $18.2m in core sector support (there is other aid, for capital projects and NGOs, that appears unaffected) the New Zealand foreign minister is taking a sledgehammer to a walnut, and flouting the lip service that was once paid to keeping development aid decisions distinct from New Zealand's strategic priorities. Peters says the decision to suspend aid was made slowly, because New Zealand officials were asking a series of questions in writing and not getting satisfactory answers. 'That is, satisfactory answers that would enable us to account to the New Zealand taxpayer, and also, more importantly, to the Cook Islands people, the diaspora, both here and across the world, in Australia and New Zealand in particular. 'So we've got responsibilities ourselves here, and we wanted to make sure that we didn't put a step wrong in our commitment and our special relationship, which goes back decades.' Cook Islands News, which broke the story on Thursday morning (NZT), reports local concern at the move. Te Tuhi Kelly, a Cook Islands opposition candidate, describes the suspension of aid as 'a significant escalation'. He says the islands' government will now face internal pressure to balance Chinese engagement with preserving long-standing New Zealand ties and benefits. 'Other diplomatic avenues are likely to follow until transparency and consultation are restored.' Peters may present this as a bump on the road between the two Pacific nations, but in truth, it's about where New Zealand positions itself vis-a-vis the US and China. And it's ironic that while Christopher Luxon is over in Shanghai, glad handing CCP Government officials, Peters is quietly trying to tip the balance the other way in the Pacific. That's tacitly confirmed when he says he's seeking to hold the Cook Islands to account for policy decisions that go beyond the use of New Zealand development aid; that he's seeking accountability on behalf of Cook Islanders around the world. For what? For Mark Brown's decision to cosy up to Beijing, and invite that country to visit and advise and invest and help the Cooks exploit their seabed minerals resources. All highly contentious issues – but shouldn't Brown be directly accountable to his electorate for those? Do Cook Islanders want or need the intercession of Winston Peters, who's had a long and vexed relationship with that archipelago. (Remember the Winebox Inquiry?) So, when Peters tells us, 'This is not connected with China' … I call BS. China extended its Belt and Road Initiative to the Pacific in 2017, and a few months later the Cook Islands and Niue signed up. That blindsided Peters (who was foreign affairs minister then, too) and it seems he's not quite forgiven them. In the past six years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged it targets its development cooperation to countries where New Zealand has strategic interests – and it's implicit that there will be strategic or security expectations of those nations. But this goes further. The wholesale removal of core sector support – a meaty contribution of nearly $20m to the Cooks' $200m government revenues – is akin to America's shutdown of USAid this year. There's no nuance, no consideration of how the money is being used. So here's the briefing that Peters may not have sought: The purpose of this support is to enhance Cook Islands' ability to be self-sufficient. It supports schools, primary health, tourism and strengthening the public sector. It's the support at the top of the cliff, so the people of the Cooks don't end up in the air ambulances waiting at the bottom of the cliff. (Cook Islands doesn't have a tertiary hospital, so its people are flown to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland for surgery and hospital care.) And I know, from my time living in Rarotonga and editing Cook Islands News, that New Zealand's support buys soft power. Our High Commissioner to Avarua is an influential voice behind the scenes. For instance, when the Cooks Parliament proposed in 2019 to further criminalise homosexuality, New Zealand diplomats quietly reminded the Cooks government that the grant of New Zealand citizenship came with the expectation that Kiwi citizens' human rights would be respected. In all transactional relationships, especially where one party is bigger and stronger, there tends to be a carrot and a stick. Usually in diplomacy, the stick has been very much a last resort. But the Trump-style diplomacy now being adopted by Peters brings out the big stick at the slightest provocation. Soft power be damned. Peters says foreign affairs is not about ephemeral ministers and governments. 'It's about people-to-people relationships, and that's what I'm working on to make sure that this remains the same.' That's fair. It's just very hard to see how a wholesale shutdown of critical government-to-government development aid can do anything other than harm the long-term relationship.
RNZ News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Cook Islands environment group calls on govt to speak out against US Trump's deep seabed mining order
By Losirene Lacanivalu , Cook Islands News Hundreds of people peacefully rallied at sea in Rarotonga to protect the ocean from seabed activities in August 2024. Photo: Supplied / Ocean Ancestors Cook Islands' leading environmental lobby group is hoping that the Cook Islands government will speak out against the recent executive order from United States President Donald Trump aimed at fast-tracking seabed mining. Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) says the arrogance of US president Trump to think that he can break international law by authorising deep seabed mining in international waters is "astounding", and an action of a "bully." Trump signed the Unleashing America's offshore critical minerals and resources order late last month, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow permitting for deep sea mining. The order states, "It is the policy of the US to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development." NOAA has been directed to, within 60 days, "expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act." It directs the US science and environmental agency to expedite permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in the US and international waters. In addition, a Canadian mining company - The Metals Company has indicated that they have applied for a permit from Trump's administration to start commercially mining in international waters. The mining company had been unsuccessful in gaining a commercial mining licence through the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Te Ipukarea Society's technical director Kelvin Passfield told Cook Islands News , "The arrogance of Donald Trump to think that he can break international law by authorising deep seabed mining in international waters is astounding. "The United States cannot pick and choose which aspects of the United Nations Law of the Sea it will follow, and which ones it will ignore. This is the action of a bully." "It is reckless and completely dismissive of the international rule of law. At the moment we have 169 countries, plus the European Union, all recognising international law under the International Seabed Authority. "For one country to start making new international rules for themselves is a dangerous notion, especially if it leads to other States thinking they too can also breach international law with no consequences," he said. TIS president June Hosking says that the fact that a part of the Pacific (CCZ) was carved up and shared between nations all over the world is yet another example of 'blatantly disregarding or overriding indigenous rights'. "I can understand why something had to be done to protect the high seas from rogues having a 'free for all', but it should have been Pacific indigenous and first nations groups, within and bordering the Pacific, who decided what happened to the high seas. "That's the first nations groups, not for example, the USA as it is today." President Trump signs a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House on 17 April 2025 in Washington. Photo: AFP / Win MCNAMEE Hosking highlighted that at the March International Seabed Authority (ISA) assembly that she attended it was obvious that South American countries are worried. "Many have called for a moratorium. Portugal rightly pointed out that we were all there, at great cost, just for a commercial activity. The delegate said, 'We must ask ourselves how does this really benefit all of humankind?' Looking at The Metals Company's interests to commercially mine in international waters, Hosking said, "I couldn't help being annoyed that all this talk assumes mining will happen. "ISA was formed at a time when things were assumed about the deep sea e.g. it's just a desert down there, nothing was known for sure, we didn't speak of climate crisis, waste crisis and other crises now evident. "The ISA mandate is 'to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from the harmful effects that may arise from deep seabed related activities. "We know much more (but still not enough) to consider that effective protection of the marine environment may require it to be declared a 'no go zone', to be left untouched for the good of humankind," she added. Meanwhile, technical director Passfield also added, "The audacity of The Metals Company (TMC) to think they can flaunt international law in order to get an illegal mining licence from the United States to start seabed mining in international waters is a sad reflection of the morality of Gerard Barron and others in charge of TMC. "If the USA is allowed to authorise mining in international waters under a domestic US law, what is stopping any other country in the world from enacting legislation and doing the same? He said that while the Metals Company may be frustrated at the amount of time that the International Seabed Authority is taking to finalise mining rules for deep seabed mining, "we are sure they fully understand that this is for good reason. The potentially disastrous impacts of mining our deep ocean seabed need to be better understood, and this takes time." He said that technology and infrastructure to mine is not in place yet. "We need to take as much time as we need to ensure that if mining proceeds, it does not cause serious damage to our ocean. Their attempts to rush the process are selfish, greedy, and driven purely by a desire to profit at any cost to the environment. "We hope that the Cook Islands Government speaks out against this abuse of international law by the United States." Cook Islands News has reached out to the Office of the Prime Minister and Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) for comment.
RNZ News
01-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Palmerston Island in the Cook Islands facing critical power shortage
By Melina Etches , Cook Islands News The solar power station on Palmerston Island. Photo: Cook Islands / Stella Neale Palmerston Island is currently facing a critical power shortage due to the failure of its ageing diesel generator. The generator has long needed repairs beyond the capabilities of local administration staff. The generator is no longer operational, leaving the community entirely dependent on solar power-an insufficient solution for the island's energy needs. In response, residents are required to adopt strict power-saving measures to maintain a minimal electricity supply. The isolated island has been running on intermittent solar power since 19 April due to the generator not putting out the correct voltage (240 volts). Palmerston's Executive Officer (EO), Stella Neale says the solar energy system is shut down from 7pm - 7am to ensure that there is enough capacity in the battery banks to provide power supply to the island. Homeowners have been asked to turn off all their freezers before 7am to minimise overloading the system when the power supply is switched back on. A diesel generator is required to support the charge of solar batteries if there has not been enough sunlight hours or demand is greater than usual. "We are at a point where we are unable to keep the generator running at all because of faulty parts," said Neale, "we have been waiting since last year in July/August." Because of the isolation of the island - the only access is by sea; the huge issue is transportation. Due to irregular shipping schedules and limited berth availability, the parts for the generator and a mechanic have not been able to reach Palmerston. With limited berth, space available on the next scheduled shipping vessel MV Taunga Nui - the only vessel that ships from Rarotonga to Palmerston, the arrival of both the necessary technician and equipment remains uncertain. Neale is hoping for a last-minute solution that would allow the mechanic to travel to Palmerston and restore the island's power infrastructure. She said the generator supplements the solar energy when necessary. Yesterday (Monday), Neale said so far they have had no problems with the intermittent power supply. However, she is hopeful that this is only a short-term solution. "In the meantime, we carry on resolutely with prayers for sunny days and the goodwill of those angels who can make miracles happen," she said. Te Koutu Mana Tutara O Te Ipukarea Pa Enua Governance Officer at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Mata Takioa says, the heavy machinery parts for the generator are at Avatiu wharf. Most of the spare parts have been sourced from the mechanic's workshop, additional or specialised parts are procured from overseas suppliers as needed. Takioa says these parts will be shipped on the next available vessel, MV Taunga Nui, on its scheduled voyage to Palmerston next month on May 21. According to Takioa, at this stage, the passenger capacity on MV Taunga Nui has been fully allocated for its May voyage. "As a result, the Pa Enua Mechanical Overseer (mechanic) does not have a confirmed booking on this trip, however, we will continue to hold in case a berth opens up," she said, also confirming that the parts required for the generator will be shipped on this voyage. Installing the parts will require the support of the Island Administration staff with the mechanic providing remote assistance as needed, she added. "OPM is actively exploring alternative options to deploy the mechanic to Palmerston as soon as practical while ensuring all relevant regulations are followed. In the meantime, we remain committed to supporting the people of Palmerston in every way possible," Takioa said. Palmerston Island first received solar power on February 15, 2015, as part of the "Uira Natura O te Pae Tokerau" project. The new solar energy system officially became operational on February 21, 2015. To maintain battery charge and ensure the system functions properly, daily use of a diesel generator is still required. The continuous power supply is essential, as the island's fishermen rely on freezers to store their catches before shipping them to Rarotonga. The last ship left Palmerston on 3 March 2025. - Cook Islands News
