The halt in funding, which involves NZ$18.2 million, underscores heightened geopolitical tensions in the Pacific as New Zealand seeks assurances from the Cook Islands regarding their relationships amidst growing Chinese influence.
New Zealand Freezes Funding to Cook Islands Amid Concerns Over Chinese Agreements
New Zealand Freezes Funding to Cook Islands Amid Concerns Over Chinese Agreements
New Zealand has suspended millions in aid to the Cook Islands, reacting to recent Chinese agreements related to infrastructure and resources.
New Zealand has temporarily suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands due to wide-reaching agreements made between the smaller Pacific nation and China. The Cook Islands, which heavily relies on Wellington for development aid, struck numerous deals in February encompassing infrastructure, tourism, technology, and deep-sea mineral exploration, which New Zealand claims left them blindsided.
The funding freeze amounts to NZ$18.2 million (approximately $11 million, £8 million) and will continue until the Cook Islands "takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust," according to a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. This decision occurs amid rising concerns among Western allies, notably New Zealand and Australia, regarding China's expanding influence in the Pacific region.
While New Zealand government officials reiterated the importance of a strong bilateral relationship, they expressed hope for swift actions from the Cook Islands to allay their anxieties, allowing the resumption of support. The Cook Islands, emphasizing their regard for New Zealand's assistance over the years, stated their commitment to addressing the trust issues promptly.
The Cook Islands’ recent engagements with China coincided with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official visit to China, where he is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping, a timing which some analysts view as provocative. A spokesman for Peters argued that he does not anticipate negative reactions from Beijing, given New Zealand's established ties with the Cook Islands.
China has actively sought partnerships with smaller Pacific nations, including a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022 that raised alarm bells among Western nations. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown defended the deals as aligned with his country's "long-term interests" while reassuring Australia and New Zealand that these agreements would not undermine their longstanding partnerships.
However, the Chinese agreements have incited protests in Rarotonga, the largest island of the Cook Islands, and led to a parliamentary vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Brown, which he survived. New Zealand shares a "free association" relationship with the Cook Islands, providing essential support in areas like defense and foreign affairs.
Over the past three years, Wellington has injected NZ$194 million into the Cook Islands’ development, and many Cook Islanders, some of whom live abroad in New Zealand and Australia, hold New Zealand passports. The cultural ties between the Cook Islands Māori populace and New Zealand Māori contribute to the region’s sensitivity toward changes in diplomatic relationships. Previously, the Cook Islands had exhibited intentions to diversify its international ties, as evidenced by the stalled passport initiative last year following public backlash.
