Assertive move against historic ally coincides with PM Christopher Luxon’s visit to China

Talks to lay groundwork for leaders’ summit in Beijing next month derailed by escalating tensions

Wellington says it has paused payment of some funding until Pacific island nation takes steps to ‘repair the relationship and restore trust’

New Zealand freezes funding to Cook Islands over China agreements, demanding relationship repair and trust restoration.

Wellington says the Cook Islands must take concrete steps to "repair" their relationship.

Assertive move against historic ally coincides with PM Christopher Luxon’s visit to China

Development allowance paused after Cook Islands signs wide-ranging trade and transport deals with Beijing