The Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Terepai Maoate, has called on New Zealand to make more effort to close the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Sir Terepai told a meeting of Pacific trade ministers this week in Rarotonga that the long standing trade imbalance is growing steadily.
He says by removing import levies the Cook Islands has made it even easier for New Zealand companies to sell there and he called on New Zealand to reciprocate by cutting consumption tax, and other levies he says still apply.
But New Zealand's Associate Trade Minister, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, who was at the meeting, says Sir Terepai needs to also consider the impact of trade in services.
"Most of the tourists that travel to the Cook Islands are actually from New Zealand. We also contribute in that way and we also know the aid investment that also goes into the Cook Islands. And the point about the trade meeting is that we are very very committed to try and enhance trade capacity and opportunities for the island countries."
New Zealand's Associate Trade Minister, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
