The funding cut leaves the Cook Islands facing a sudden financial shortfall, prompting warnings that Wellington's approach ...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on his first official visit to China, said the Cook Islands had not been transparent and open about its comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

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

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

WELLINGTON – 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 made with China ...

New Zealand's latest action was an “entirely avoidable consequence of Cook Islands’ strategic flirtations with China,” said Mihai Sora, analyst with the Australia-based thinktank Lowy Institute.

“Both New Zealand and the Cook Islands are important partners of China,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in Beijing. “China-Cook Islands cooperation targets no third ...