Episode Details

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he's aware there's strong interest in the outcomes of his China visit, and will share details in the coming days.  

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has expressed concern the Cook Islands didn't properly consult New Zealand on its proposed agreements with China.   

Brown says he's engaged in critical discussions over the past days, opening the door to such collaboration as expanding marine research, and improving climate resilience.   

He says every conversation is guided by what's best for the Cook Islands. 

Dr Lachlan McNamee, Lecturer of Politics at Monash University, told Kerre Woodham that since the agreement is likely be focusing on things like fishing and deep sea mining, you can see why Brown may not have thought it was necessary to consult New Zealand. 

However, he says, it’s still a bit impolite, and is probably a legacy of the bad blood that was created last year when the proposal to create a separate Cook Islands passport was vetoed. 

McNamee says the situation is certainly not something you would expect between close diplomatic partners like New Zealand and the Cook Islands. 

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