The Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna has been invited to New Zealand by the prime minister John Key to hold their first formal discussions as leaders of two countries which share a special relationship.
Florence Syme Buchanan reports from Rarotonga
"Mr Puna who is meeting prime minister Key for the first time, is expected to leave today on what will be his first official overseas trip since taking office almost three month ago. Discussions between the prime ministers will focus on the NZAid programme in the Cook Islands. Mr Puna says he's pleased that so far New Zealand has expressed strong support for Cook Islands renewable energy polices and the direction it is taking on that. Prime minister Puna says he's particularly glad that NZAid has supported his government's plans for waste management and his administration is getting on with that right now."
