Archive · 19 Jun 2025
New Zealand Halts Aid to Cook Islands Over China Deal
New Zealand has stopped giving money to the Cook Islands because the Cook Islands made a deal with China without asking New Zealand first.
The Cook Islands is a friend of New Zealand.
The Cook Islands and China made a deal that included things like mining.
New Zealand is not happy because they want to be involved in decisions that concern them.
New Zealand is also worried about China's growing influence in the area.
New Zealand halted $11 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands.
The pause is due to the Cook Islands' strategic partnership agreement with China.
The Cook Islands signed the agreement with China in February, covering areas like deep-sea mining.
New Zealand cited lack of consultation as a reason for the funding pause.
The funding pause comes as New Zealand's Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with the Chinese President.
- Who
- New Zealand and Cook Islands governments.
- What
- New Zealand paused development assistance payments to the Cook Islands.
- When
- Announced on Thursday.
- Where
- Cook Islands.
- Why
- Due to lack of consultation regarding a strategic partnership between the Cook Islands and China.
New Zealand's Perspective
Cook Islands' Perspective
Sovereignty vs. Influence
New Zealand's Perspective
Concerned about lack of consultation and growing Chinese influence in the Pacific.
Cook Islands' Perspective
The Cook Islands may view the partnership with China as beneficial and a matter of its sovereign foreign policy choices.
- Funding Paused
- $11 million (NZ$18.2 million)
- Countries Involved
- New Zealand, Cook Islands, China
- Cook Islands Status
- Self-governing in free association with New Zealand
- NZ Funding to Cook Islands (past 3 years)
- US$116 million (NZ$194 million)
- Key Issue
- Lack of consultation over China partnership
- Date of Strategic Partnership
- February
