Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has outlined in Parliament the steps his government has taken to repair relations with New Zealand, insisting that the nation will protect its sovereignty while working to rebuild trust.
In a detailed statement delivered on 18 November, Brown said his government had “engaged consistently” with New Zealand through every formal channel available, including ministerial forums, senior-officials meetings, bilateral talks and a new Formal Dialogue Mechanism established to address Wellington’s concerns about the Cook Islands’ development partnership with China.
Brown said officials had responded to every request from New Zealand and provided full briefings to both Cabinet and the Opposition “to minimise misinformation”, emphasising that the Cook Islands had acted in good faith throughout the year.
Brown confirmed he has written multiple times since February to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, reiterating the Cook Islands’ commitment to the relationship and seeking direct political dialogue. He said the Cook Islands had offered “practical, forward-looking proposals” to mitigate New Zealand’s stated concerns, including defence and security arrangements reaffirming New Zealand as the primary partner. However, the New Zealand Government’s decision to pause NZ$29.8 million in Core Sector Support and public-sector funding has created uncertainty for the Cook Islands’ budget and public service. Brown stressed that while his government is committed to repairing the relationship, it cannot allow any erosion of Cook Islands sovereignty or international standing.
The prime minister highlighted three priorities guiding his government’s approach: protecting national sovereignty, safeguarding the country’s international reputation, and ensuring long-term economic resilience. He reminded Parliament that the Cook Islands has acted independently in global forums for decades, with the full knowledge and support of successive New Zealand governments. Brown also warned against over-reliance on a single development partner, saying recent events underscored the need for a diversified approach. He called for calm, restraint and respect from all political leaders as sensitive discussions continue, urging MPs to support officials working to restore trust.
Brown concluded by reaffirming the Cook Islands’ commitment to the constitutional relationship with New Zealand under the Joint Centenary Declaration, describing the nation as a “proud, self-governing state within the Realm”. He said the government would remain open, engaged and focused on solutions—so long as the partnership is grounded in “clarity, consistency and respect on both sides.”
