12 Feb 2025
Cook Islands finalising controversial partnership with China
Cook Islanders are bracing for potential backlash from a controversial partnership deal with China, which is expected to be finalised any moment now. The planned comprehensive strategic partnership agreement has angered the New Zealand government, which says it was not consulted as required under their special constitutional arrangement. Prime Minister Mark Brown has been in Beijing for the past few days to confirm the agreement, while reporter Caleb Fotheringham is on the ground in the Cook Islands, he spoke to Lisa Owen.