New Zealand, Cook Islands sign defence and security declaration, reset relationship

By Lucy Craymer

WELLINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) – New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a new defence and security agreement on Thursday, seeking to reset ties after months of tension over the Cook Islands’ ​dealings with China and clarifying how the two sides will consult ‌going forward on defence and security matters.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement the declaration set out political commitments intended to remove ambiguity in their special constitutional relationship and allow governments of both Pacific island nations to move forward.

The Cook Islands are ‌a ​group of 15 small islands and atolls halfway between ⁠New Zealand and Hawaii, scattered ⁠across 2 million square km of resource-rich Pacific Ocean. It shares a constitutional “free association” with New Zealand under which it governs itself, while Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship and Wellington remains responsible for defence support ​if asked, making trust and consultation central to the relationship.

That arrangement came under strain after the Cook Islands deepened ties with China, with New ⁠Zealand saying it was not properly consulted on ⁠agreements signed between the Cook Islands and Beijing.

Peters said it ​was no secret that the two governments had had a series of “serious disagreements” ​since late 2024 and it had become clear that one of ‌the causes was a lack of understanding about the requirements of the constitutional relationship.

“This Declaration resolves this former ambiguity and provides clarity to both Governments so that we can move forward focused on the future, not the past,” he ⁠said.

The declaration sees the Cook Islands commit to uphold the defence and security interests of New Zealand, continue to permit the New Zealand Defence Force access, and ⁠engage on any request for ‌defence and security before engagement with other partners. In ⁠return, New Zealand commits to remain the primary defence ​and security ‌partner for the Cook Islands and increase engagement.

The New ​Zealand government ⁠said it will release funding that was suspended last year when the relationship hit a new low.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said he was very pleased with the signing of the declaration.

The two countries could “look to the future with restored confidence and renewed purpose,” he told a press conference.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; ​Editing by Lincoln Feast.)