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Category: Mark Brown

  • MIL-Evening Report: Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis

    By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/producer

    Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China.

    The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after the latter failed to provide satisfactory answers to Aotearoa’s questions about its partnership agreement with Beijing.

    The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs. But New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief, and defence.

    Helen Clark (middle) . . . Cook Islands caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. Image: RNZ Pacific montage

    The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Foreign Minister Winston Peters said had not been honoured.

    Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown both have a difference of opinion on the level of consultation required between the two nations on such matters.

    “There is no way that the 2001 declaration envisaged that Cook Islands would enter into a strategic partnership with a great power behind New Zealand’s back,” Clark told RNZ Pacific on Thursday.

    Clark was a signatory of the 2001 agreement with the Cook Islands as New Zealand prime minister at the time.

    “It is the Cook Islands government’s actions which have created this crisis,” she said.

    Urgent need for dialogue
    “The urgent need now is for face-to-face dialogue at a high level to mend the NZ-CI relationship.”

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has downplayed the pause in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China.

    Brown told Parliament on Thursday (Wednesday, Cook Islands time) that his government knew the funding cut was coming.

    He also suggested a double standard, pointing out that New Zealand had also entered deals with China that the Cook Islands was not “privy to or being consulted on”.

    Prime Minister Mark Brown and China’s Ambassador to the Pacific Qian Bo last year. Image: RNZ Pacific/ Lydia Lewis

    A Pacific law expert says that, while New Zealand has every right to withhold its aid to the Cook Islands, the way it is going about it will not endear it to Pacific nations.

    Auckland University of Technology senior law lecturer and a former Pacific Islands Forum advisor Sione Tekiteki told RNZ Pacific that for Aotearoa to keep highlighting that it is “a Pacific country and yet posture like the United States gives mixed messages”.

    “Obviously, Pacific nations in true Pacific fashion will not say much, but they are indeed thinking it,” Tekiteki said.

    Misunderstanding of agreement
    Since day dot there has been a misunderstanding on what the 2001 agreement legally required New Zealand and Cook Islands to consult on, and the word consultation has become somewhat of a sticking point.

    The latest statement from the Cook Islands government confirms it is still a discrepancy both sides want to hash out.

    “There has been a breakdown and difference in the interpretation of the consultation requirements committed to by the two governments in the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration,” the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said.

    “An issue that the Cook Islands is determined to address as a matter of urgency”.

    Tekiteki said that, unlike a treaty, the 2001 declaration was not “legally binding” per se but serves more to express the intentions, principles and commitments of the parties to work together in “recognition of the close traditional, cultural and social ties that have existed between the two countries for many hundreds of years”.

    He said the declaration made it explicitly clear that Cook Islands had full conduct of its foreign affairs, capacity to enter treaties and international agreements in its own right and full competence of its defence and security.

    However, he added that there was a commitment of the parties to “consult regularly”.

    This, for Clark, the New Zealand leader who signed the all-important agreement more than two decades ago, is where Brown misstepped.

    Clark previously labelled the Cook Islands-China deal “clandestine” which has “damaged” its relationship with New Zealand.

    RNZ Pacific contacted the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but was advised by the MFAI secretary that they are not currently accommodating interviews.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements

    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

    Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China.

    New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack of consultation regarding a partnership agreement and other deals signed with Beijing earlier this year.

    The pause includes $10 million in core sector support, which Brown told parliament this week represents four percent of the country’s budget.

    “[This] has been a consistent component of the Cook Islands budget as part of New Zealand’s contribution, and it is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism.”

    Brown said he was surprised by the timing of the announcement.

    “Especially Mr Speaker in light of the fact our officials have been in discussions with New Zealand officials to address the areas of concern that they have over our engagements in the agreements that we signed with China.”

    Peters said the Cook Islands government was informed of the funding pause on June 4. He also said it had nothing to do with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being in China.

    Ensured good outcomes
    Brown said he was sure Luxon could ensure good outcomes for the people of the realm of New Zealand on the back of the Cook Islands state visit and “the goodwill that we’ve generated with the People’s Republic of China”.

    “I have full trust that Prime Minister Luxon has entered into agreements with China that will pose no security threats to the people of the Cook Islands,” he said.

    “Of course, not being privy to or not being consulted on any agreements that New Zealand may enter into with China.”

    The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs. But New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief, and defence.

    The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Winston Peters said had not been lived up to.

    In a statement on Thursday, the Cook Islands Foreign Affairs and Immigration Ministry said there was a breakdown in the interpretation of the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration.

    The spokesperson said repairing the relationship requires dialogue where both countries are prepared to consider each other’s concerns.

    ‘Beg forgiveness’
    Former Cook Islands deputy prime minister and prominent lawyer Norman George said Brown “should go on his knees and beg for forgiveness because you can’t rely on China”.

    “[The aid pause] is absolutely a fair thing to do because our Prime Minister betrayed New Zealand and let the government and people of New Zealand down.”

    But not everyone agrees. Rarotongan artist Tim Buchanan said Peters is being a bully.

    “It’s like he’s taken a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook using money to coerce his friends,” Buchanan said.

    “What is it exactly do you want from us Winston? What do you expect us to be doing to appease you?”

    Buchanan said it had been a long road for the Cook Islands to get where it was now, and it seemed New Zealand wanted to knock the country back down.

    Brown did not provide an interview to RNZ Pacific on Thursday but is expected to give an update in Parliament.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mark Brown: Cook Islands ‘not consulted’ on NZ-China agreements

    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

    Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has suggested a double standard, saying he was “not privy to or consulted on” agreements New Zealand may enter into with China.

    New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has paused $18.2 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands due to a lack of consultation regarding a partnership agreement and other deals signed with Beijing earlier this year.

    The pause includes $10 million in core sector support, which Brown told parliament this week represents four percent of the country’s budget.

    “[This] has been a consistent component of the Cook Islands budget as part of New Zealand’s contribution, and it is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism.”

    Brown said he was surprised by the timing of the announcement.

    “Especially Mr Speaker in light of the fact our officials have been in discussions with New Zealand officials to address the areas of concern that they have over our engagements in the agreements that we signed with China.”

    Peters said the Cook Islands government was informed of the funding pause on June 4. He also said it had nothing to do with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon being in China.

    Ensured good outcomes
    Brown said he was sure Luxon could ensure good outcomes for the people of the realm of New Zealand on the back of the Cook Islands state visit and “the goodwill that we’ve generated with the People’s Republic of China”.

    “I have full trust that Prime Minister Luxon has entered into agreements with China that will pose no security threats to the people of the Cook Islands,” he said.

    “Of course, not being privy to or not being consulted on any agreements that New Zealand may enter into with China.”

    The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs. But New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief, and defence.

    The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Winston Peters said had not been lived up to.

    In a statement on Thursday, the Cook Islands Foreign Affairs and Immigration Ministry said there was a breakdown in the interpretation of the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration.

    The spokesperson said repairing the relationship requires dialogue where both countries are prepared to consider each other’s concerns.

    ‘Beg forgiveness’
    Former Cook Islands deputy prime minister and prominent lawyer Norman George said Brown “should go on his knees and beg for forgiveness because you can’t rely on China”.

    “[The aid pause] is absolutely a fair thing to do because our Prime Minister betrayed New Zealand and let the government and people of New Zealand down.”

    But not everyone agrees. Rarotongan artist Tim Buchanan said Peters is being a bully.

    “It’s like he’s taken a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook using money to coerce his friends,” Buchanan said.

    “What is it exactly do you want from us Winston? What do you expect us to be doing to appease you?”

    Buchanan said it had been a long road for the Cook Islands to get where it was now, and it seemed New Zealand wanted to knock the country back down.

    Brown did not provide an interview to RNZ Pacific on Thursday but is expected to give an update in Parliament.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal

    BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter;
    Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

    New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year.

    This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local political leader calling it “a significant escalation” between Avarua and Wellington.

    A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the Cook Islands did not consult with Aotearoa over the China deals and failed to ensure shared interests were not put at risk.

    On Thursday (Wednesday local time), Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament that his government knew the funding cut was coming.

    “We have been aware that this core sector support would not be forthcoming in this budget because this had not been signed off by the New Zealand government in previous months, so it has not been included in the budget that we are debating this week,” he said.

    How the diplomatic stoush started
     A diplomatic row first kicked off in February between the two nations.

    Prime Minister Brown went on an official visit to China, where he signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement.

    The agreements focus in areas of economy, infrastructure and maritime cooperation and seabed mineral development, among others. They do not include security or defence.

    However, to New Zealand’s annoyance, Brown did not discuss the details with it first.

    Prior to signing, Brown said he was aware of the strong interest in the outcomes of his visit to China.

    Afterwards, a spokesperson for Peters released a statement saying New Zealand would consider the agreements closely, in light of the countries’ mutual constitutional responsibilities.

    The Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship
     Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. The country governs its own affairs, but New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence.

    Cook Islanders also hold New Zealand passports entitling them to live and work there.

    In 2001, New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a joint centenary declaration, which required the two to “consult regularly on defence and security issues”.

    The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement.

    Peters said there is an expectation that the government of the Cook Islands would not pursue policies that were “significantly at variance with New Zealand’s interests”.

    Later in February, the Cooks confirmed it had struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching seabed mineral riches.

    A spokesperson for Peters said at the time said the New Zealand government noted the mining agreements and would analyse them.

    How New Zealand reacted
     On Thursday morning, Peters said the Cook Islands had not lived up to the 2001 declaration.

    Peters said the Cook Islands had failed to give satisfactory answers to New Zealand’s questions about the arrangement.

    “We have made it very clear in our response to statements that were being made — which we do not think laid out the facts and truth behind this matter — of what New Zealand’s position is,” he said.

    “We’ve got responsibilities ourselves here. And we wanted to make sure that we didn’t put a step wrong in our commitment and our special arrangement which goes back decades.”

    Officials would be working through what the Cook Islands had to do so New Zealand was satisfied the funding could resume.

    He said New Zealand’s message was conveyed to the Cook Islands government “in its finality” on June 4.

    “When we made this decision, we said to them our senior officials need to work on clearing up this misunderstanding and confusion about our arrangements and about our relationship.”

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in China this week.

    Asked about the timing of Luxon’s visit to China, and what he thought the response from China might be, Peters said the decision to pause the funding was not connected to China.

    He said he had raised the matter with his China counterpart Wang Yi, when he last visited China in February, and Wang understood New Zealand’s relationship with the Cook Islands.

    Concerns in the Cook Islands
     Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided nearly $194.6 million (about US$117m) to the Cook Islands through the development programme.

    Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne said she was deeply concerned about the pause.

    Browne said she was informed of the funding pause on Wednesday night, and she was worried about the indication from Peters that it might affect future funding.

    She issued a “please explain” request to Mark Brown:

    “The prime minister has been leading the country to think that everything with New Zealand has been repaired, hunky dory, etcetera — trust is still there,” she said.

    “Wham-bam, we get this in the Cook Islands News this morning. What does that tell you?”

    Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters in Rarotonga in February last year. Image: RNZ Pacific/Eleisha Foon

    Will NZ’s action ‘be a very good news story’ for Beijing?
     Massey University’s defence and security expert Dr Anna Powles told RNZ Pacific that aid should not be on the table in debate between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

    “That spirit of the [2001] declaration is really in question here,” she said.

    “The negotiation between the two countries needs to take aid as a bargaining chip off the table for it to be able to continue — for it to be successful.”

    Dr Powles said New Zealand’s moves might help China strengthen its hand in the Pacific.

    She said China could contrast its position on using aid as a bargaining chip.

    “By Beijing being able to tell its partners in the region, ‘we would never do that, and certainly we would never seek to leverage our relationships in this way’. This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence.”

    However, a prominent Cook Islands lawyer said it was fair that New Zealand was pressing pause.

    Norman George said Brown should implore New Zealand for forgiveness.

    “It is absolutely a fair thing to do because our prime minister betrayed New Zealand and let the government and people of New Zealand down.”

    Brown has not responded to multiple attempts by RNZ Pacific for comment.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands over China deal

    BACKGROUNDER: By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor/presenter;
    Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific; and Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

    New Zealand has paused $18.2 million in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership agreements with China earlier this year.

    This move is causing consternation in the realm country, with one local political leader calling it “a significant escalation” between Avarua and Wellington.

    A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the Cook Islands did not consult with Aotearoa over the China deals and failed to ensure shared interests were not put at risk.

    On Thursday (Wednesday local time), Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told Parliament that his government knew the funding cut was coming.

    “We have been aware that this core sector support would not be forthcoming in this budget because this had not been signed off by the New Zealand government in previous months, so it has not been included in the budget that we are debating this week,” he said.

    How the diplomatic stoush started
     A diplomatic row first kicked off in February between the two nations.

    Prime Minister Brown went on an official visit to China, where he signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement.

    The agreements focus in areas of economy, infrastructure and maritime cooperation and seabed mineral development, among others. They do not include security or defence.

    However, to New Zealand’s annoyance, Brown did not discuss the details with it first.

    Prior to signing, Brown said he was aware of the strong interest in the outcomes of his visit to China.

    Afterwards, a spokesperson for Peters released a statement saying New Zealand would consider the agreements closely, in light of the countries’ mutual constitutional responsibilities.

    The Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship
     Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. The country governs its own affairs, but New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence.

    Cook Islanders also hold New Zealand passports entitling them to live and work there.

    In 2001, New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a joint centenary declaration, which required the two to “consult regularly on defence and security issues”.

    The Cook Islands did not think it needed to consult with New Zealand on the China agreement.

    Peters said there is an expectation that the government of the Cook Islands would not pursue policies that were “significantly at variance with New Zealand’s interests”.

    Later in February, the Cooks confirmed it had struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching seabed mineral riches.

    A spokesperson for Peters said at the time said the New Zealand government noted the mining agreements and would analyse them.

    How New Zealand reacted
     On Thursday morning, Peters said the Cook Islands had not lived up to the 2001 declaration.

    Peters said the Cook Islands had failed to give satisfactory answers to New Zealand’s questions about the arrangement.

    “We have made it very clear in our response to statements that were being made — which we do not think laid out the facts and truth behind this matter — of what New Zealand’s position is,” he said.

    “We’ve got responsibilities ourselves here. And we wanted to make sure that we didn’t put a step wrong in our commitment and our special arrangement which goes back decades.”

    Officials would be working through what the Cook Islands had to do so New Zealand was satisfied the funding could resume.

    He said New Zealand’s message was conveyed to the Cook Islands government “in its finality” on June 4.

    “When we made this decision, we said to them our senior officials need to work on clearing up this misunderstanding and confusion about our arrangements and about our relationship.”

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in China this week.

    Asked about the timing of Luxon’s visit to China, and what he thought the response from China might be, Peters said the decision to pause the funding was not connected to China.

    He said he had raised the matter with his China counterpart Wang Yi, when he last visited China in February, and Wang understood New Zealand’s relationship with the Cook Islands.

    Concerns in the Cook Islands
     Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided nearly $194.6 million (about US$117m) to the Cook Islands through the development programme.

    Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne said she was deeply concerned about the pause.

    Browne said she was informed of the funding pause on Wednesday night, and she was worried about the indication from Peters that it might affect future funding.

    She issued a “please explain” request to Mark Brown:

    “The prime minister has been leading the country to think that everything with New Zealand has been repaired, hunky dory, etcetera — trust is still there,” she said.

    “Wham-bam, we get this in the Cook Islands News this morning. What does that tell you?”

    Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters in Rarotonga in February last year. Image: RNZ Pacific/Eleisha Foon

    Will NZ’s action ‘be a very good news story’ for Beijing?
     Massey University’s defence and security expert Dr Anna Powles told RNZ Pacific that aid should not be on the table in debate between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

    “That spirit of the [2001] declaration is really in question here,” she said.

    “The negotiation between the two countries needs to take aid as a bargaining chip off the table for it to be able to continue — for it to be successful.”

    Dr Powles said New Zealand’s moves might help China strengthen its hand in the Pacific.

    She said China could contrast its position on using aid as a bargaining chip.

    “By Beijing being able to tell its partners in the region, ‘we would never do that, and certainly we would never seek to leverage our relationships in this way’. This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence.”

    However, a prominent Cook Islands lawyer said it was fair that New Zealand was pressing pause.

    Norman George said Brown should implore New Zealand for forgiveness.

    “It is absolutely a fair thing to do because our prime minister betrayed New Zealand and let the government and people of New Zealand down.”

    Brown has not responded to multiple attempts by RNZ Pacific for comment.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –