17 Feb 2025

Cook Islands PM hoping to speak to NZ govt to heal rift with China

From Checkpoint, 5:29 pm on 17 February 2025

The Cook Islands Prime Minister is hoping to have an opportunity to talk with the New Zealand government to heal some of the rift from his China trip. Mark Brown returned to Avarua on Monday afternoon following his week-long state visit where he signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership" to boost his nation's relationship with Beijing. Prior to signing the deal, he said that there was "no need for New Zealand to sit in the room with us" after the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister raised concerns about the agreement. Caleb Fotheringham reports from Rarotonga.