Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he is very concerned about the "rapidly deteriorating relationship" between the government and the Cook Islands.
It comes as Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is in Beijing to sign an agreement with China - but the New Zealand government said he failed to consult with it on the proposed agreement.
The Joint Centenary Declaration between the Cook Islands and New Zealand required the two to consult regularly on defence and security issues.
Christopher Luxon, in his post-cabinet press conference on Monday called out his counterpart for not being transparent.
"Anything that's of a defence or security nature is obviously of great importance to New Zealand.
"It's captured in our constitutional arrangements that we talk very openly and transparently about that, and that's what we need to see," he said.
But Hipkins said the kind of "megaphone diplomacy" being used by the coalition was not helping.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ/Samuel Rillstone
"Well if they think going public with this sort of spat is going to improve that situation I suspect they're going to be proven very wrong."
A more diplomatic approach was needed, Hipkins said.
He warned the government against responding to the Cook Islands with "muscular diplomacy", such as withholding aid money, as was done with Kiribati.
Luxon said there were points of difference between the governments - but they had a good relationship.
He would not comment on any sanctions or response to the Cook Islands until the government knew more about what is in the agreement with China.
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