Transcript
Henry Puna's visit to Wellington was with three of his key ministers, finance minister Mark Brown, health minister Nandi Glassie and internal affairs minister Albert Nicholas.
Welcoming them, New Zealand's deputy prime minister Winston Peters spoke of his government's commitment to the Cooks as part of a broader, diverse region.
"It's that diversity and the need to really understand the individual differences of each Pacific country which underpins our Pacific reset."
This will have sat comfortably with Mr Puna who said despite New Zealand's "Pacific Reset" his country will continue to develop its strong relationship with China.
Mr Puna said managing the relationship with care and sensitivity should be of little concern to New Zealand and that the friendship with New Zealand was a long and enduring one.
"There is nothing we will do to jeopardise that relationship because it involves a very serious issue for all Cook Islanders, you know New Zealand citizenship."
Another serious issue for Cook Islanders is the country moving to 'developed nation' status, and how this will impact on aid.
'Developed nation' status would exclude access to Overseas Development Assistance.
The finance minister Mark Brown says he expects another two years worth of data on Gross National Income will confirm the country's graduation, but more aid will be needed.
He says with the impact of climate change, 10 to 15 years of prosperity can be wiped out in one event.
"Our message as part of the small island states is that the criteria for assessing and accessing ODA needs to be a bit more broadened than just the very narrow financial measure. You've got to take into account these issues around vulnerability, social issues and also the factors of economy of scale."
Mark Brown says the cost and impact of infrastructure investment on a small population is huge and he believes the solution lies in partnerships with development partners and innovative finance solutions.
Prime Minister Puna welcomed New Zealand's renewed focus on the Pacific at a time of geopolitical change in the region.
"The Pacific in my view is turning into a contestable space and it can be argued that many Pacific nations have 'reset' their foreign policy positions a number of years ago and perhaps New Zealand and Australia are just now catching up."
