Mark Brown says Cook Islands officials have engaged 'consistently' with New Zealand

Prime Minister Mark Brown says the Cook Islands government has operated with complete transparency throughout the dispute with New Zealand.

Brown provided a comprehensive statement in parliament on his government's efforts to address tensions with Aotearoa on Wednesday (Tuesday, Cook Islands time).

He took the opportunity to set out the steps the Cook Islands government has taken to address the country's relationship with New Zealand, stating that it was important for parliament and the people to get clarity about what has happened, "what we have put forward, and where we intend to go from here."

He highlighted the Cook Islands has consistently written to Wellington since February, reaffirming its commitment to the relationship while setting out the Cook Islands' legal and constitutional position.

He said the government has tabled several forward-looking proposals, including risk mitigation measures, a modernised consultation process under the Joint Centenary Declaration, direct political engagements, security arrangements that reaffirm New Zealand as the primary partner, and "a workable set of deliverables to rebuild mutual trust and confidence across both government administrations."

Brown used the moment to reaffirm the Cook Islands' constitutional standing.

He reminded parliament that the Joint Centenary Declaration is treated "as a formal codification that is equivalent in status to a treaty."

Although the Cook Islands shares a Head of State and citizenship with New Zealand, he stressed the islands remain self-governing and independent in external affairs.

New Zealand recently decided to extend its pause on direct budget payments to the Cook Islands government, bringing the total amount of paused budget payments to $29.8 million, covering the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, a spokesperson for the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters earlier confirmed to Cook Islands News.

The backdrop to all of this is the signing of several agreements between the Cook Islands and China in February, including the Action Plan for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030.

The deal spans areas such as trade, infrastructure, ocean science, aquaculture, and climate resilience, but crucially does not include security cooperation.

New Zealand has stated that it was not properly consulted ahead of the deal, prompting criticism from Wellington that the Cook Islands breached its obligations under their special constitutional arrangement.

Prime Minister Brown says Cook Islands officials have attended every scheduled meeting, have responded to every letter, and continue to seek constructive pathways to address the concerns raised by New Zealand.

To counter speculation, Brown told the House: "In the interests of transparency and to minimise the level of speculation and potential for misinformation, the full timeline of political and official engagement has been detailed in formal briefings provided to both Cabinet and also to members of the Opposition."

He emphasised the government's actions are motivated not by accepting New Zealand's interpretation of events, but by the Cook Islands' national interest.

"Despite any assertions to the contrary, I confirm that our ministers and officials have been working diligently, working towards addressing New Zealand's concerns. Not because we accept every interpretation offered, but because it is in our national interest to remove uncertainty and to restore confidence."

New Zealand recently decided to freeze an additional $11.6 million in core sector budget support for the 2026/27 financial year, after it had already paused $18.2 million for the current 2025/26 financial year in June.

NZ Foreign Minister's spokesperson says the decision to extend the pause of direct budget payments to the Cook Islands Government to a second financial year was communicated in a letter from Minister Peters to Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on 13 October 2025.

Brown confirmed that on October 13, New Zealand advised the Government that it would continue to pause the core sector support and public sector strengthening fund, totalling $29.8 million over two years.

"This now totals $29.8 million, spread across two years, and this decision makes implications for our forward budget and for parts of the public service."

New Zealand has stated the pause will remain until steps are taken to repair confidence and trust.

During the question-and-answer session, Matavera MP Vaitoti Tupa voiced frustration among the public and government staff, telling Parliament: "They have made statements similar to what the PM had reviewed. And this, I believe, we have provided what was requested of us; however, they have not given the response that we needed."

Referring to the China partnership, Tupa said he was advised that if withdrawal was necessary, the Cook Islands was willing to do so, and that advisers "met with New Zealand" and "withdrew all these."

He asked the PM: "What does New Zealand want from this government and the people of this country? I believe that's what everyone wants to hear."

In response, Brown said, "New Zealand has been clear in their communication with us, that they would like the Cook Islands to take steps to restore trust and confidence in our relationship."

The details of these steps, he said, are still being negotiated "between our officials and New Zealand officials."

He quoted former Prime Minister the late Albert Henry's statement to the United Nations in 1965.

"We went ahead and exercised the right of self-determination, even in our smallness. We are proud to be self-governing in an association with New Zealand, which is entirely free. I would like to stress the point that we are not under anyone's domination or control. I will repeat that. We are not under anyone's domination or control," Brown quoted.

Brown told MPs those words "remain central" to how the Government approaches the current standoff.

He also warned that any erosion of sovereignty "will have far-reaching and long-term impacts on the development aspirations of our country."

The PM said officials are also protecting the country's international reputation, telling MPs: "Our legitimacy flows from the will of the Cook Islands people, not from any external validation."

He urged all sides of the House to "uphold the integrity of our democratic institutions" and respect the work of officials tasked with restoring trust.

Brown described the current situation as "an opportunity for our partnership to evolve further," with both sides needing clarity and respect.

"We remain open, engaged, and focused on solutions. But a strong relationship depends on clarity, consistency, and respect on both sides," he added.

"We remain in full support of our free association relationship, and continue to be available to discuss the options and proposals that we have put on the table where we can strengthen our consultation process and modernise our partnership."