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February 20, 2025
Peters calls for transparency in China-Cook Islands deal
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On February 20, 2025
Download AudioForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the Cook Islands public and New Zealand deserve transparency regarding the Cook Islands government’s deal with China.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Cook Islands and China was made public online overnight, outlining a five-year plan for economic, environmental, health, education, infrastructure, and disaster management developments.
Peters says for over 60 years, New Zealand and the Cook Islands have been constitutionally bound to consult with each other, with the most recent arrangement established in 2001 by former Prime Ministers Helen Clark and Terepai Maoate.
He says reporting from China and the Cook Islands about their agreements has been inconsistent, raising skepticism among both New Zealanders and Cook Islanders.
“Between the two of them. We’re getting information with better clarity from China about the number of agreements, and we’re asking, Well, can we see them, please? Because we are constitutionally bound on behalf of the Cook Islands arrangement with the Cook Island people, and dear I say, New Zealand taxpayer, who pay all of us and who are our masters, we’re bound to see what the ramifications are for all those groups,” says Peters.
Winston Peters will be travelling to China in the coming days, where he expects to hear their perspective on the arrangement.
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