Former diplomat named Foreign Affairs head to repair New Zealand relations

Cook Islands has appointed a former diplomat as the new head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) with the primary mandate of mending diplomatic ties with New Zealand.

Elizabeth Wright-Koteka, who served as the Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand between 2018-2022, is the new MFAI secretary, the ministry leading the charge in rebuilding and enhancing bilateral relations with Aotearoa following a dispute over the Cook Islands' recent agreements with China.

Wright-Koteka, who has over three decades of experience in public service and leadership, currently heads Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), and will assume her new role on 1 March 2026.

Her appointment was announced by the Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC), which stated that Wright-Koteka's new role will include "rebuilding and enhancing bilateral relations with New Zealand, addressing current challenges and fostering mutual trust".

New Zealand has put a pause on $29.8 million direct budget payments to the Cook Islands government after the latter signed an Action Plan for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 and other agreements with China in February this year.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters then said they were not properly consulted and that the Cook Islands had breached its obligations under their special constitutional arrangement.

Wright-Koteka was the Cook Islands High Commissioner when Peters was serving as the Foreign Minister under the Labour coalition government led by former prime minister Jacinda Ardern from 2017-2020.

'An excellent appointment'

Cook Islands opposition leader Tina Browne is hopeful that Wright-Koteka would progress discussions between the two countries.

"It's an excellent appointment. I think she has the wealth of experience to carry the job through, especially with her experience as the former High Commissioner in Wellington," Browne said.

"I also think that she brings value to the team that is going to be progressing our discussions with New Zealand about our relationships. I think it is all positive. I want to congratulate her.

"I think infrastructure - ICI is going to miss out. However, I think Liz (Wright-Koteka) is at a better place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Cook Islands News has contacted Wright-Koteka for comment on her appointment.

The Office of the Public Service Commissioner said Wright-Koteka achieved the highest score among all shortlisted candidates, earning unanimous recommendation from the selection panel, following a rigorous recruitment process.

She was commended for her strategic vision, proven leadership, and ability to navigate complex national and international priorities.

Public Service commissioner Carl Hunter said Wright-Koteka's appointment marks a pivotal moment for the Cook Islands.

"Her leadership, vision, wisdom and experience in high-level diplomacy will be vital in navigating the complexities of foreign affairs and in securing the best outcomes for our people and our nation," Hunter said.

"During her time as secretary for Infrastructure Cook Islands during a three-year span, it has been a pleasure working with Mrs Wright-Koteka. I am therefore both confident and hopeful that the professional relationship between her and I when she transitions from ICI HOM to MFAI as Secretary on March 01, 2026, will continue to be collaborative, respectful and trusting."

According to the OPSC, Wright-Koteka's new roles focuses on:

• Rebuilding and enhancing bilateral relations with New Zealand, addressing current challenges and fostering mutual trust.
• Developing a modern foreign policy framework aligned with national priorities and global opportunities.
• Strengthening immigration services to support border security and economic prosperity, while improving service delivery for Cook Islanders and their families.
• Building capacity within MFAI, ensuring a professional and high-performing diplomatic corps.

Wright-Koteka has held senior roles in policy development, diplomacy and infrastructure management.

She currently serves as secretary of ICI, where she has successfully led a major turnaround of the Ministry, delivering improved performance and project outcomes.

OPSC states that her distinguished career includes:

• High Commissioner of the Cook Islands to New Zealand (2018-2022), where she strengthened bilateral relations and represented Cook Islands interests at the highest diplomatic level.
• Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister (2012-2017), overseeing national policy, planning, ICT, climate change, and emergency management.
• Extensive consultancy work on national policies, climate change programs, and development projects, including accreditation of the Cook Islands to the Green Climate Fund.
• Government acknowledged Wright-Koteka's contribution to ICI and would work closely with the OPSC to ensure continuity and progress within ICI during this transition. The process for the recruitment of a new HOM for ICI will commence shortly with the role to be advertised both nationally and internationally.

Wright-Koteka assumes her new MFAI HOM role on 1 March 2026. Joshua Mitchell will remain MFAI's acting secretary.

The role became vacant after Tepaeru Herrmann resigned in September this year after about a decade in the role.