New Zealand and Cook Islands Sign Defense Declaration Amid Tensions with China
On April 1, 2026, New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a defense and security declaration to restore bilateral ties strained by the Cook Islands' partnership with China. This agreement aims to clarify security expectations and promote cooperation, while addressing New Zealand's concerns over China's influence in the Pacific region.
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New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters signed a defense and security declaration with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on April 1, 2026, marking a significant step in mending bilateral relations that had soured due to the Cook Islands' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China announced in February 2025. New Zealand suspended nearly NZ$30 million in core support funding to the Cook Islands by late 2025, prompting fiscal challenges for the island nation.
The new declaration emphasizes that New Zealand is the Cook Islands' partner of choice in defense matters and prohibits compromising agreements with third parties, particularly China. Despite this, the Cook Islands maintains its self-governing status.
The ongoing competition for resources and influence in the Pacific, particularly around deep-sea mining, highlights the complexities of these relationships. New Zealand's shift towards a more security-focused strategy parallels similar moves by Australia and the United States, aiming to limit China's reach in the region.
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