Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Mark Brown: Cook Islands 'not consulted' on NZ-China agreements
RNZ
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June 19, 2025
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Tiana Haxton Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was "not privy to or consulted on" agreements New Zealand may enter into with China. New Zealand Foreign...
New Zealand Freezes Cook Islands Aid Over Concerns About CCP Links
The Epoch Times
·
June 20, 2025
While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in Beijing encouraging CCP officials to increase trade and tourism with New Zealand, his Foreign Minister Winston Peters appears to have taken Cabinet by surprise by announcing a freezing of aid to the...
'Puts New Zealand in a weaker position' - expert on Peters' Cook Islands move
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...
NZ halts Cook Islands aid over PRC row
Taipei Times
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said yesterday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
Robert Patman: International Relations Expert says Luxon will "set the record straight" over Cook Islands dispute
Newstalk ZB
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June 19, 2025
An International Relations Expert says the Prime Minister will set the record straight in China regarding the pause on Cook Island aid funding. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has put millions of dollars in developmental aid on hold - saying trust...
Bridging Divides: A call for new dialogue amid NZ's suspension of aid to the Cook Islands
Pacific Media Network
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As a Cook Islander and political analyst, I am deeply concerned by the New Zealand Government’s recent decision to pause core budgetary aid to the Cook Islands. The action was taken in response to the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic...
Luxon meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid Cook Island controversy
RNZ
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June 20, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands in front of photographers. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people - Chinese...
New Zealand Cuts Millions in Funding to Cook Islands Over China Ties
The Epoch Times
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June 19, 2025
New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands due to the island group’s deepening ties with China. A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on June 18 that New Zealand had decided...
China could be major beneficiary of New Zealand's move on Cook Islands - security expert
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement. Photo: LIU BIN The decision by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters to suspend payment of aid to the Cook Islands could backfire on the New Zealand...
PM Brown: Cook Islands not consulted on NZ-China deals amid funding pause
Cook Island News
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon witnessed the signing of $871 million of commercial agreements between NZ businesses and their Chinese partners. Picture: CHRISTOPHER LUXON Cook Islands was “not privy to or consulted on” any agreements New Zealand...
Xi to Luxon: No China-New Zealand conflict, even as Cook Islands pivot raises eyebrows
Malay Mail
·
June 20, 2025
BEIJING, June 20 — Chinese President Xi Jinping said today that Beijing had “no fundamental conflicts of interest” with New Zealand, as he welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on an official visit. Luxon’s trip comes at a time of tension with...
Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal
Asia Pacific Report
·
June 19, 2025
BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter; Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands...
New Zealand pauses Cook Islands aid over China deals
Deutsche Welle
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday said millions of dollars in funding for the Cook Islands would be suspended while his government examines the "breadth and content" of agreements with China. Luxon, who is visiting China...
Funding for Cook Islands halted over China row
The Manila Times
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June 19, 2025
WELLINGTON — New Zealand announced on Thursday that it was suspending NZ$18.2 million ($10.97 million) in budget funding to the Cook Islands, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the...
New Zealand Halts Funding Amid Cook Islands-China Ties
Asume Tech
·
June 19, 2025
In a significant diplomatic move, New Zealand has suspended millions in funding to the Cook Islands due to growing concerns about the Pacific nation’s agreements with China. Officials from the New Zealand Foreign Minister’s office announced that...
New Zealand stops funding to Cook Islands in row over China
TVC News Nigeria
·
June 19, 2025
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said on Thursday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally-linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group’s deepening ties with...
New Zealand cuts funding for Cook Islands in response to China deals
The Times
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New Zealand has cut millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands in retaliation over the Pacific nation’s deepening ties with China. Relations between Wellington and Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, which is 1,800 miles northeast of New...
New Zealand freezes Cook Islands financial aid over China ties
NHK
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New Zealand has announced it halted millions of dollars in financial aid to the Cook Islands. The move comes amid Wellington's growing concern over the island group's deepening ties with China. In a statement on Thursday, the government said about...
Luxon plays down Cook Islands funding pause
Otago Daily Times
·
June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has down-played a pause of nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China. Luxon spoke to media in Shanghai hours after it became public that New Zealand paused $18.2...
No need to give China heads-up over decision to halt Cook Islands funding - Luxon
RNZ
·
June 19, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government saw no need to give China a heads-up over its decision to halt funding for the Cook Islands. Addressing reporters in Shanghai, Luxon made the comments hours after confirmation New Zealand had...