Teariki Heather warns the minimum wage increase from NZ$9.50 to $10 from 1 July could harm the people the minimum wage policy ...

The funding cut leaves the Cook Islands facing a sudden financial shortfall, prompting warnings that Wellington's approach could backfire What began as a quiet series of infrastructure deals between ...

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown in Harbin, China, February 2025 ...

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Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday labelled the funding pause "patronising" and pointed out he had not been consulted on any agreements New Zealand entered with China this trip. Luxon ...

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 ...

Cook Islands engages with countries “who respect our sovereignty”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown, calling New Zealand’s decision to pause $18.2 million in development assistance “patronising” and ...

New Zealand has halted more than $18 million in development assistance to its realm country. But the island's prime minister said his government was "aware" it was coming.

Tensions rise as New Zealand freezes millions of dollars in aid to Cook Islands over China deals - New Zealand says funding won’t resume until Pacific nation takes ‘concrete steps to repair relationsh ...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told lawmakers in Parliament on Thursday that the funding was “not halted, it’s paused” and downplayed the significance of the amount frozen.