New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made ...

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

New Zealand has halted funding to the Cook Islands over what it considers the small Pacific nation's deepening ties with China.

A Massey University security and defence observer says the New Zealand government's tactic of trying to punish partners over their decision-making is short-sighted.

Foreign Affairs minister Winston Peters informed the Cook Islands government of the decision in early June. However, it only became public on Thursday (June 19) after media reports in the Cook ...

New Zealand, which is the smaller Pacific nation's biggest funder, won't consider any new money for the Cook Islands until the relationship improves, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston ...

A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement that New Zealand had decided in early June to suspend payment of NZ$18.2 million (S$14.1 million) in core sector support ...

NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters informed the Cook Islands government of the decision early this month, but it only became public on June 19 after a Cook Islands news outlet saw its brief ...

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.

New Zealand "paused" the payments and would not resume them until the Cook Islands took "concrete steps" to restore trust, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.