Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.

The public quarrel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — is a victory for Beijing.

AVARUA: Hundreds of Cook Islanders gathered outside the parliament in Avarua to protest the government’s new strategic partnership with China and plans for a Cook Islands passport.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday his country must “reset” its relationship with the Cook Islands government after its Pacific neighbour signed agreements with China without consultation.

The tiny Pacific nation’s partnership agreement with China was signed amid a furious diplomatic row with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler.

The Cook Islands has announced a controversial deal with China focusing on seabed mineral cooperation, stirring tensions with New Zealand—its key ally. The pact, lacking concrete security initiatives,

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said he would release soon the full details of a comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed between China and his country, which has raised concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties.

The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China - a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. The deal was signed by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown during a visit to Beijing.