New Zealand freezes millions in aid to Cook Islands over China ties - New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with ...

New Zealand has what is known as a "free association" relationship with the Cook Islands, and helps the latter with defence ...

FILE – New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters comments during an interview with The Associated Press in his parliamentary office in the capital, Wellington, Aug. 22, 2024.

Freeze emerges as NZ's leader visits China. News of the 18.2 million New Zealand dollar ($11 million) funding halt Thursday only emerged when a Cook Islands news outlet saw its brief mention in a ...

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters comments during an interview with The Associated Press in his parliamentary office in the capital, Wellington, Aug. 22, 2024. Credit: AP ...

The news - amid a stoush over the region's relationship with China - only emerged as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ...

Freeze emerges as NZ's leader visits China. News of the 18.2 million New Zealand dollar ($11 million) funding halt Thursday only emerged when a Cook Islands news outlet saw its brief mention in a ...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over the “breadth and content” of agreements the smaller Pacific nation has ...

The Cook Islands, population 15,000, has a large and lucrative exclusive economic zone, with Brown’s government exploring prospects for deep sea mining activity.

New Zealand and Australia have both become increasingly cautious about China’s growing presence in the Pacific and the threat it poses to their national security.

FILE - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters comments during an interview with The Associated Press in his parliamentary office in the capital, Wellington, Aug. 22, 2024.