New Zealand extends suspension of nearly $30m in Cook Islands aid

Sunday 9 November 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 10 Nov 2025, 8:53am

In this story Winston Peters, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mark Brown, Cook Islands Government

New Zealand has extended a pause on approximately $30 million in aid to the Cook Islands. Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the decision following partnership agreements signed between the Cook Islands and China. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon cited concerns regarding transparency within the Cook Islands government.

How they headlined it

11h

Sun 4:59pm7:28pm9:40pmMon 8:53am

1. 1NewsSun 9 Nov 2025, 4:59pm

   New Zealand suspends nearly $30m in aid to Cook Islands (opens in new tab)

2. RNZSun 9 Nov 2025, 7:28pm

   New Zealand 'reluctantly' extends pause in Cook Islands funding (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldSun 9 Nov 2025, 9:40pm

   New Zealand extends pause on $29.8m Cook Islands funding after China deal (opens in new tab)

4. StuffMon 10 Nov 2025, 8:53am

   NZ has a ‘challenge and particular issue ... about transparency’ with Cook Islands government, Luxon says (opens in new tab)