Latest news with #MarkBrown
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Cook Islands PM decries New Zealand's ‘patronising' aid pause
Cook Islands PM Mark Brown defended his nation's ties with China, saying they did not 'compromise' its independence. PHOTO: AFP WELLINGTON - Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on June 20 condemned 'patronising' neighbour New Zealand, which halted aid to the Pacific island nation after it signed a slew of deals with China. Major partner New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands, citing a 'lack of consultation' over agreements struck with China in February. Self-governing Cook Islands has a 'free association' pact with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence. 'The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is defined by partnership, not paternalism,' Mr Brown said in a speech to Parliament. 'Decisions to unilaterally pause core sector support reflect a patronising approach inconsistent with modern partnership.' Mr Brown defended his nation's ties with China, saying they did not 'compromise' its independence, adding that no military or defence arrangements had been made. 'No debt commitments, no erosion of our national sovereignty,' he told Parliament. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Beijing on June 20, where he was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. 'There are no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest between China and New Zealand,' Mr Xi told Mr Luxon, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. The readout did not directly mention Beijing's relationship with the Cook Islands or Wellington's spat with its former colony. Mr Luxon meanwhile reaffirmed in a statement New Zealand's interest in the 'peace, security and prosperity of the Pacific'. 'Repair and restore trust' The Cook Islands caught New Zealand off guard when it signed a string of agreements with China covering deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues. A New Zealand government spokesperson said aid had been paused because of a 'lack of consultation' surrounding the agreements. New Zealand provided US$116 million (S$149.09 million) to Cook Islands over the past three years, according to government figures. It was due to make an US$11 million development payment in the coming months and would not consider resuming funding until the Cook Islands government took steps to 'repair the relationship and restore trust', the spokesperson added. China and the Cook Islands have both pushed back, with Beijing's foreign ministry saying on June 19 that the deals 'should not be interfered with'. Mr Brown added that the nation had been 'open and transparent'. China has looked to boost diplomatic, economic and security ties with Pacific Island nations in recent years, sowing unease among traditional regional powers the United States, Australia and New Zealand. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Cook Islands PM says China deals do not ‘compromise' sovereignty
WELLINGTON: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday defended a string of contentious deals with China, saying they did not 'compromise' the Pacific island nation's sovereignty. The agreements prompted major donor New Zealand to halt aid funding to close partner the Cook Islands, citing a 'lack of consultation'. The Cook Islands has a 'free association' relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence. Brown defended the Cook Islands' right to engage with international partners such as China. The deals, signed in February, did not 'compromise Cook Islands' sovereignty', he said. The Cook Islands caught New Zealand off guard when it signed a slew of agreements with China covering deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues. Brown said his nation was still 'committed' to having strong ties with New Zealand, and hoped to strengthen the partnership. 'We deeply value the support New Zealand has provided over the years and continue to prioritise respectful, open, and forward-looking dialogue.' New Zealand on Thursday said it had paused a planned US$11 million development assistance payment for the next financial year. It provided US$116 million (NZ$194 million) to the Cook Islands over the past three years, according to government figures. A spokesman for New Zealand's foreign minister pointed to a 'lack of consultation' surrounding the 'agreements signed by the Cook Islands and China' as a reason for the aid pause.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
China deals do not ‘compromise' sovereignty
WELLINGTON: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday defended a string of contentious deals with China, saying they did not 'compromise' the Pacific island nation's sovereignty. The agreements prompted major donor New Zealand to halt aid funding to close partner the Cook Islands, citing a 'lack of consultation'. The Cook Islands has a 'free association' relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence. Brown defended the Cook Islands' right to engage with international partners such as China. The deals, signed in February, did not 'compromise Cook Islands' sovereignty', he said. The Cook Islands caught New Zealand off guard when it signed a slew of agreements with China covering deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues. Brown said his nation was still 'committed' to having strong ties with New Zealand, and hoped to strengthen the partnership. 'We deeply value the support New Zealand has provided over the years and continue to prioritise respectful, open, and forward-looking dialogue.' New Zealand on Thursday said it had paused a planned US$11 million development assistance payment for the next financial year. It provided US$116 million (NZ$194 million) to the Cook Islands over the past three years, according to government figures. A spokesman for New Zealand's foreign minister pointed to a 'lack of consultation' surrounding the 'agreements signed by the Cook Islands and China' as a reason for the aid pause.
South China Morning Post
7 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Cook Islands defends China deals after US$11 million New Zealand aid pause
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday defended a string of contentious deals with China, saying they did not 'compromise' the Pacific island nation's sovereignty. The agreements prompted major donor New Zealand to halt aid funding to close partner the Cook Islands, citing a 'lack of consultation'. The Cook Islands has a 'free association' relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence. Brown defended the Cook Islands' right to engage with international partners such as China. The deals, signed in February, did not 'compromise Cook Islands' sovereignty,' he said. The Cook Islands caught New Zealand off guard when it signed a slew of agreements with China covering deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues.
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
China could win from Cook Islands-New Zealand spat
Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements." Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements." Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements." Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements."
