Cook Islands remains 'committed' to New Zealand despite disagreements, trust issues

The Cook Islands government says it remains committed to the "enduring relationship" of free association with New Zealand. A second round of funding to the realm nation has been paused by New Zealand, bringing the total to almost NZ$30 million over two years. The disagreement between the two governments stems from four partnership agreements that Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed with China at the beginning of the year. The New Zealand government believed it should have been...