New Zealand not part of 'trifecta' with Cook Islands and China, Winston Peters says

Winston Peters says the Cook Islands has described its relationship with New Zealand as "part of a trifecta" when dealing with China.

The comment from the New Zealand foreign minister comes at a time of increased tension between Cook Islands and New Zealand. At the heart of that tension is four agreements Cook Islands signed with China in February.

Peters told Pacific Waves "there are things going wrong". He also rejected Cook Islands' Prime Minister Mark Brown's position that the two nations had a reciprocal relationship, therefore neither had to consult one another on foreign trade arrangements.

"They were required under our arrangement and agreement to consult with us when these matters might affect more widely themselves but also other countries and our relationship," Peters said.

"To describe us as part of a trifecta when we've got the special relationship for 60 years is utterly wrong."

A spokesman for Peters clarified Peters was referring to the way New Zealand had effectively been described as a third-party by the Cook Islands in its agreements with China.

Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. Under that arrangement, implemented in 1965, the country governed its own affairs, but New Zealand provided assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence.

Despite that, the current diplomatic rift has resulted in a pause in funding of $18.2 million by the New Zealand government. That occurred last month.

And while there have been ongoing discussions between the two nations, this week Prime Minister Mark Brown told a Cook Islands audience that if New Zealand could not afford to fund the country's national infrastructure investment plan - billed at $650 million - the Cook Islands would need to look elsewhere.

Brown also said in the address that funding the development needs of the Cook Islands was a major motivator in signing the agreements with China.

Peters' responded by challenging Brown to call a referendum - a position he doubled-down on when he spoke to Pacific Waves.

"They can let us know whether they want the relationship or whether they want independence," he said.

"Because if you behave like you want independence, then above all, that, should be up to the Cook Islands people to decide, not just a temporarily-empowered politician or government."

The whole population of the Cook Islands should have a say, he said.

"Politicians come and go, governments come and go, ministers come and go. But our purpose is to ensure the long-term, enduring relationship between the New Zealand people and the Cook Islands people."

Peters also touched on previous disagreements with the Cook Islands over its sovereignty and foreign policy arrangements.

"There were times in the past when this issue arose and we had agreements and pacts, declarations or statements … to give us the parameters of our future relationship, as we last did in [2001] under Helen Clark and [Terepai] Moate, who was then the prime minister of the Cook Islands.

"And here we are, 24 years … on and that has been called into question. So we are saying… if it's going to change, then we are accountable to the Cook Islands people.

Next month, the Cook Islands celebrates its 60th constitution anniversary. Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro was due to attend as the New Zealand government's representative. Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have said they would not attend - a move that has been labelled a snub amidst the break-down in bilateral relations.

Peters said Kiro was the appropriate representative from New Zealand.

"We're sending the highest person constitutionally in our country to go… this is very fitting."