Latest news with #Cooks
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Christopher Luxon Concludes China Trip: 'No Evidence' Of Collaboration With Russia, Iran Or North Korea
Christopher Luxon has wrapped up his trip to China, dismissing suggestions the superpower is working with Russia, Iran or North Korea to undermine the West - as alleged by NATO's top official. The prime minister says he also stressed to China's leaders that engagement in the Pacific must advance the region's interests, but refused to say whether the recent Cook Islands crisis was raised by either side. Speaking late Friday at New Zealand's embassy in Beijing, Luxon said he was leaving "very, very convinced" the bilateral relationship was in "a really strong place and in good heart". The comments followed a day of top-level meetings at the Great Hall of the People, capping a three-day visit to China, Luxon's first as prime minister. The prime minister and his officials now fly on to Belgium and then to the Netherlands, where he will attend the annual NATO summit. Asked about NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte's recent warning that China is working together with Russia, Iran and North Korea, Luxon noted the "Dutch directness" - but indicated a "difference of opinion". "We haven't seen evidence of those four powers coordinating in a way, actively against the West," Luxon said. "We've seen bilateral associations, say, between Russia and North Korea, with respect to the war in Ukraine. We've seen bilateral arrangements between Iran and Russia as well, but we haven't seen evidence of a wholesale force." The rest of the delegation was now returning to New Zealand on the air force 757. Cook Islands questions linger The talks came a day after revelations NewZealand suspended nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands, after its agreements with China earlier this year. Luxon repeatedly refused to say whether that issue, or any other, was discussed behind closed doors. "We need to respect that they are private diplomatic conversations that need to be respected in the privacy of the sanctum." A media statement issued at the end of the trip said Luxon had raised "the need for engagement in the Pacific to take place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities". Pressed to clarify, Luxon said the concern had been well-canvassed: "Making sure that… all major powers that aren't part of the Pacific family… respect the centrality of the Pacific Island Forum." While none of China's leaders directly mentioned the Cook Islands crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun earlier said China's cooperation with the Pacific nation "should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party". Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday labelled the funding pause "patronising" and pointed out he had not been consulted on any agreements New Zealand entered with China this trip. Luxon denied any double standard, but said he had "nothing more to add" on the subject. "I'm not going to get into it. I've spoken ad nauseam about the Cooks and the challenge." The prime minister's statement also said he raised "rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific" including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Final talks with Xi and Li Before speaking to reporters, the prime minister took part in an official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall and then a sit-down with his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. In opening remarks, Li spoke of global turbulence and the need for "mutually beneficial cooperation". He said he had been "deeply impressed" by Luxon's friendship and hospitality during his 2024 visit to Wellington. In response, Luxon said the international challenges made ongoing dialogue more important "even where we differ". The meeting ended with the signing of 11 agreements, promising cooperation in areas including customs, food safety, and tourism. Luxon - and the wider business delegation - then stayed on for a banquet dinner at the Great Hall. Earlier on Friday, Xi said the bilateral relationship had experienced "many ups and downs" but remained respectful and at the forefront of China's Western ties. Luxon meanwhile described the bilateral relationship as "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all," he said. Speaking to RNZ before departure, Luxon said he had established "good rapport" with both leaders during their previous meetings. The prime minister last met Xi in November at the APEC summit in Peru. At the time, Luxon characterised their conversation as "warm, positive and constructive" but noted clear differences over the AUKUS defence pact and missile testing in the Pacific.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Explainer: Why Has New Zealand Paused Funding To The Cook Islands Over China Deal?
Article – RNZ New Zealand has halted more than $18 million in development assistance to its realm country. But the island's prime minister said his government was 'aware' it was coming. Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific , RNZ Pacific New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local political leader calling it 'a significant escalation' between Avarua and Wellington. A spokesperson for Peters said the Cook Islands did not consult with Aotearoa over the China deals and failed to ensure shared interests were not put at risk. On Thursday (Wednesday local time), Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told parliament that his government knew the funding cut was coming. 'We have been aware that this core sector support would not be forthcoming in this budget because this had not been signed off by the New Zealand government in previous months, so it has not been included in the budget that we are debating this week,' he said. How the diplomatic stoush started A diplomatic row first kicked off in February between the two nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown went on an official visit to China, where he signed a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' agreement. The agreements focus in areas of economy, infrastructure and maritime cooperation and seabed mineral development, among others. They do not include security or defence. However, to New Zealand's annoyance, Brown did not discuss the details with it first. Prior to signing, Brown said he was aware of the strong interest in the outcomes of his visit to China. Afterwards, a spokesperson for Peters released a statement saying New Zealand would consider the agreements closely, in light of the countries' mutual constitutional responsibilities. The Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. The country governs its own affairs, but New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence. Cook Islanders also hold New Zealand passports entitling them to live and work there. In 2001, New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a joint centenary declaration, which required the two to 'consult regularly on defence and security issues'. The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Peters said there is an expectation that the government of the Cook Islands would not pursue policies that were 'significantly at variance with New Zealand's interests'. Later in February, the Cooks confirmed it had struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching seabed mineral riches. A spokesperson for Peters said at the time said the New Zealand government noted the mining agreements and would analyse them. How New Zealand reacted On Thursday morning, Peters said the Cook Islands hadn't lived up to the 2001 declaration. Peters said the Cook Islands had failed to give satisfactory answers to New Zealand's questions about the arrangement. 'We have made it very clear in our response to statements that were being made – which we do not think laid out the facts and truth behind this matter – of what New Zealand's position is,' he said. '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 arrangement which goes back decades.' Officials would be working through what the Cook Islands had to do so New Zealand was satisfied the funding could resume. He said New Zealand's message was conveyed to the Cook Islands government 'in its finality' on 4 June. 'When we made this decision, we said to them our senior officials need to work on clearing up this misunderstanding and confusion about our arrangements and about our relationship.' Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in China this week. Asked about the timing of Luxon's visit to China, and what he thought the response from China might be, Peters said the decision to pause the funding was not connected to China. He said he had raised the matter with his China counterpart Wang Yi, when he last visited China in February, and Wang understood New Zealand's relationship with the Cook Islands. Concerns in the Cook Islands Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided nearly $194.6 million (approximately US$117m) to the Cook Islands through the development programme. Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne said she was deeply concerned about the pause. Browne said she was informed of the funding pause on Wednesday night, and she was worried about the indication from Peters that it might affect future funding. She issued a 'please explain' to Mark Brown: 'The prime minister has been leading the country to think that everything with New Zealand has been repaired, hunky dory, etcetera – trust is still there,' she said. 'Wham-bam, we get this in the Cook Islands News this morning. What does that tell you?' Will NZ's action 'be a very good news story' for Beijing? Massey University's defence and security expert Anna Powles told RNZ Pacific that aid should not be on the table in debate between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. 'That spirit of the [2001] declaration is really in question here,' she said. 'The negotiation between the two countries needs to take aid as a bargaining chip off the table for it to be able to continue – for it to be successful.' Powles said New Zealand's moves might help China strengthen its hand in the Pacific. She said China could contrast its position on using aid as a bargaining chip. 'By Beijing being able to tell its partners in the region, 'we would never do that, and certainly we would never seek to leverage our relationships in this way'. This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence.' However, a prominent Cook Islands lawyer said it was fair that New Zealand is pressing pause. Norman George said Brown should implore New Zealand for forgiveness. 'It is absolutely a fair thing to do because our prime minister betrayed New Zealand and let the government and people of New Zealand down.'
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Explainer: Why Has New Zealand Paused Funding To The Cook Islands Over China Deal?
New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year. This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local political leader calling it "a significant escalation" between Avarua and Wellington. A spokesperson for Peters said the Cook Islands did not consult with Aotearoa over the China deals and failed to ensure shared interests were not put at risk. On Thursday (Wednesday local time), Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told parliament that his government knew the funding cut was coming. "We have been aware that this core sector support would not be forthcoming in this budget because this had not been signed off by the New Zealand government in previous months, so it has not been included in the budget that we are debating this week," he said. How the diplomatic stoush started A diplomatic row first kicked off in February between the two nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown went on an official visit to China, where he signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" agreement. The agreements focus in areas of economy, infrastructure and maritime cooperation and seabed mineral development, among others. They do not include security or defence. However, to New Zealand's annoyance, Brown did not discuss the details with it first. Prior to signing, Brown said he was aware of the strong interest in the outcomes of his visit to China. Afterwards, a spokesperson for Peters released a statement saying New Zealand would consider the agreements closely, in light of the countries' mutual constitutional responsibilities. The Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. The country governs its own affairs, but New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence. Cook Islanders also hold New Zealand passports entitling them to live and work there. In 2001, New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a joint centenary declaration, which required the two to "consult regularly on defence and security issues". The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Peters said there is an expectation that the government of the Cook Islands would not pursue policies that were "significantly at variance with New Zealand's interests". Later in February, the Cooks confirmed it had struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching seabed mineral riches. A spokesperson for Peters said at the time said the New Zealand government noted the mining agreements and would analyse them. How New Zealand reacted On Thursday morning, Peters said the Cook Islands hadn't lived up to the 2001 declaration. Peters said the Cook Islands had failed to give satisfactory answers to New Zealand's questions about the arrangement. "We have made it very clear in our response to statements that were being made - which we do not think laid out the facts and truth behind this matter - of what New Zealand's position is," he said. "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 arrangement which goes back decades." Officials would be working through what the Cook Islands had to do so New Zealand was satisfied the funding could resume. He said New Zealand's message was conveyed to the Cook Islands government "in its finality" on 4 June. "When we made this decision, we said to them our senior officials need to work on clearing up this misunderstanding and confusion about our arrangements and about our relationship." Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in China this week. Asked about the timing of Luxon's visit to China, and what he thought the response from China might be, Peters said the decision to pause the funding was not connected to China. He said he had raised the matter with his China counterpart Wang Yi, when he last visited China in February, and Wang understood New Zealand's relationship with the Cook Islands. Concerns in the Cook Islands Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided nearly $194.6 million (approximately US$117m) to the Cook Islands through the development programme. Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne said she was deeply concerned about the pause. Browne said she was informed of the funding pause on Wednesday night, and she was worried about the indication from Peters that it might affect future funding. She issued a "please explain" to Mark Brown: "The prime minister has been leading the country to think that everything with New Zealand has been repaired, hunky dory, etcetera - trust is still there," she said. "Wham-bam, we get this in the Cook Islands News this morning. What does that tell you?" Will NZ's action 'be a very good news story' for Beijing? Massey University's defence and security expert Anna Powles told RNZ Pacific that aid should not be on the table in debate between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. "That spirit of the [2001] declaration is really in question here," she said. "The negotiation between the two countries needs to take aid as a bargaining chip off the table for it to be able to continue - for it to be successful." Powles said New Zealand's moves might help China strengthen its hand in the Pacific. She said China could contrast its position on using aid as a bargaining chip. "By Beijing being able to tell its partners in the region, 'we would never do that, and certainly we would never seek to leverage our relationships in this way'. This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." However, a prominent Cook Islands lawyer said it was fair that New Zealand is pressing pause. Norman George said Brown should implore New Zealand for forgiveness. "It is absolutely a fair thing to do because our prime minister betrayed New Zealand and let the government and people of New Zealand down." Brown has not responded to multiple attempts by RNZ Pacific for comment.
1News
4 days ago
- Business
- 1News
NZ pauses nearly $20m in funding to Cook Islands after China agreements
New Zealand has paused nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. New Zealand raised concerns in February, after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown travelled to China, prior to signing its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the global powerhouse. The deal covered economic, infrastructure and maritime cooperation, as well as seabed mineral development. It comes amid concerns around China's growing influence in the Pacific. In a statement this morning, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said $18.2 million in development funding for the 2025/26 financial year allotted to the Cook Islands, which is in free association with New Zealand, would not continue 'until the Cook Islands Government takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust'. Significant new funding would also not be considered. ADVERTISEMENT 'This decision was taken by Minister Peters in early June, and communicated at the time via letter to Cooks Prime Minister Mark Brown.' An agreement between Cook Islands and China is signed, in a video snapshot supplied by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. (Source: Reuters) According to the statement, New Zealand had provided $194.2 million to the Cook Islands through its development programme over the last three years. It said the 'breadth' of the agreements signed between the Cook Islands and China, and the lack of consultation with New Zealand, 'illustrate a gap in understanding between the Cook Islands and New Zealand governments about what our special relationship of free association requires'. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including what will happen to food after supermarket blaze, Trump's dithering over the Middle East, and winter car care tips. (Source: 1News) 'Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association.' Under the constitutional agreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands, the nations must cooperate and consult on any issues of defence and security and advise each other of any risks to either state. ADVERTISEMENT Foreign Minister Winston Peters with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. (Source: 1News) The spokesperson said New Zealand assessed its development plan in the Cook Islands to ensure it wasn't undermined by the 'increased cooperation' the island nation was planning with China. 'This was required because the Cook Islands Government did not engage with New Zealand in advance of their discussions and agreements with China to ensure our shared interests were not put at risk.' It said New Zealand's concerns and the assessment were 'clearly foreshadowed' to the Cook Islands' Government. Peters this morning told media he had not spoken to anyone from the Cook Islands Government over the last couple of days as 'they'd been told about that a long time ago'. 'This is not new,' he said. The Minister's spokesperson said payments and new funding would not continue until the Cook Islands' Government took 'concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust'. ADVERTISEMENT The surprise move, seen as a win for Beijing, has set alarm bells ringing in Wellington. (Source: 1News) 'New Zealand hopes that steps will be taken swiftly to address New Zealand's concerns so that this support can be resumed as soon as possible.' The announcement came as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visits China. He was due to meet with President Xi Jinping this week. Peters said he was not worried that China would perceive New Zealand's move negatively. 'I went and told the Chinese about our special relationship a long, long time ago. And I went back on my last visit to iterate that there.' He said the constitutional arrangement was 'totally understood' by China. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters speaks to media this morning. (Source: 1News) He said it would not impact Luxon's visit to China, as it was a matter between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's to do with our relationship, and what we've committed ourselves to.' Speaking to Breakfast this morning, senior National Minister Chris Bishop said that while he was 'just getting my head around' New Zealand's move, it reflected that the Cook Islands' growing relationship with China had been of concern to New Zealand. Labour MP Kerian McAnulty and National Minister Chris Bishop react to New Zealand's move to pause funding to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China. (Source: 1News) 'The special relationship we have of free association between the Cooks and New Zealand has been essentially tarnished somewhat.' Labour's Kerian McAnulty said that while the Cooks' recent move had been concerning, an 'extraordinary piece of news had been thrown at us', especially while the Prime Minister was in China. 'Winston Peters has a lot to answer for today.' He did say, however, the concerns raised by Peters were 'entirely valid' but pulling funding was a "different matter" that should have been further consulted on. ADVERTISEMENT Their relationship with New Zealand meant the Cook Islands were free to make its own moves on policies and partnerships — at home and abroad — while enjoying the benefits of a New Zealand passport and citizenship, plus substantial investment and aid. However, it must consult with New Zealand on any issues of defence and security. In February, hundreds gathered outside the Cook Islands parliament in Avarua to Protest Brown's recent moves. People have taken to the streets to protest the Cook Islands Prime Minister's recent decisions. (Source: 1News) Protesters had concerns around a proposed Cook Islands passport, which had since been put on the 'back burner', a controversial cryptocurrency bill, and the country's recent deals with China. In February, Brown said the Cook Islands valued its relationship with New Zealand, and would "expect the same respect in return". "Disagreements, though difficult, are an inevitable part of international relations, but they should never define the entirety of our engagement". Brown said New Zealand had signed its own agreement with China, and there was no reason why the Cook Islands couldn't. ADVERTISEMENT "As a developed country now, we are required to engage with our development partners on an equal footing," he said.
Newsroom
4 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.
