Cook Islands' PM describes NZ as 'family'

Checkpoint · Apr 21, 2026 · 7m

The family's back together again, with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown describing China as "a very good friend" while New Zealand is "family". The reunion between Cook Islands and Aotearoa was sealed with a defence agreement, signed this month. It follwed a major falling out between the two governments after the Cooks signed a strategic agreement with China last year. Cook Islands did not consult New Zealand on the deal despite repeated requests from the bigger nation. Eventually New Zealand paused nearly $30 million dollars in funding. Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown spoke to…