The New Zealand government stated on the 19th that it has suspended aid to the Cook Islands due to controversies arising from agreements made between the Cook Islands and China.
According to AFP, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Peters said in a statement that New Zealand has "suspended" payments, and unless the Cook Islands takes "concrete actions" to restore trust, the payments will not be resumed.
Located in the South Pacific, the Cook Islands is a country with a population of approximately 17,000, maintaining a "free association" relationship with its former colonial ruler, New Zealand. Although the Cook Islands practices self-governance, it must consult with New Zealand on matters of security, defense, and foreign policy.
In February this year, the Cook Islands signed a series of agreements with China involving deep-sea mining, regional cooperation, and economic issues, catching New Zealand off guard.
The spokesperson for Peters stated that the lack of consultation indicates a "gap in understanding" between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. As a result, New Zealand has suspended these payments, and unless the Cook Islands government takes specific actions to repair the relationship and restore trust, New Zealand will not consider providing substantial new funding.
According to government data, New Zealand has provided $116 million NZD (492 million MYR) in aid to the Cook Islands over the last three years.
New Zealand has suspended the payment of $11 million NZD (46.67 million MYR) in development aid planned for the next fiscal year.