When the Cook Islands celebrated 50 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand, former Prime Minister John Key was a guest of honour.
A decade later not only will his successor, Christopher Luxon, not be attending the Islands’ 60th Constitution Day, but neither will New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
It’s a very obvious and very public message to Cook Islands leaders, and in particular Prime Minister Mark Brown, that New Zealand is very concerned about burgeoning ties between Rarotonga and Beijing.
Under the NZ-Cook Islands “free association” agreement, the Cook Islands governs its own affairs, but Wellington provides assistance, including in foreign affairs and defence….
NZ Leaders Skip Cook Islands Anniversary Event Concerned With Beijing Deals
