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RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
New Zealand not part of 'trifecta' with Cook Islands and China, Winston Peters says
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, left, and Cook Islands Prime MinisterMark Brown. Photo: RNZ/Pacific Islands Forum/123RF Winston Peters says the Cook Islands has described its relationship with New Zealand as "part of a trifecta" when dealing with China. The comment from the New Zealand foreign minister comes at a time of increased tension between Cook Islands and New Zealand. At the heart of that tension is four agreements Cook Islands signed with China in February. Peters told Pacific Waves "there are things going wrong". He also rejected Cook Islands' Prime Minister Mark Brown's position that the two nations had a reciprocal relationship , therefore neither had to consult one another on foreign trade arrangements. "They were required under our arrangement and agreement to consult with us when these matters might affect more widely themselves but also other countries and our relationship," Peters said. "To describe us as part of a trifecta when we've got the special relationship for 60 years is utterly wrong." A spokesman for Peters clarified Peters was referring to the way New Zealand had effectively been described as a third-party by the Cook Islands in its agreements with China. Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand. Under that arrangement, implemented in 1965, the country governed its own affairs, but New Zealand provided assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief and defence. Despite that, the current diplomatic rift has resulted in a pause in funding of $18.2 million by the New Zealand government. That occurred last month. And while there have been ongoing discussions between the two nations, this week Prime Minister Mark Brown told a Cook Islands audience that if New Zealand could not afford to fund the country's national infrastructure investment plan - funding the development needs of the Cook Islands was a major motivator in signing the agreements with China. Peters' responded by challenging Brown to call a referendum - a position he doubled-down on when he spoke to Pacific Waves . "They can let us know whether they want the relationship or whether they want independence," he said. "Because if you behave like you want independence, then above all, that, should be up to the Cook Islands people to decide, not just a temporarily-empowered politician or government." The whole population of the Cook Islands should have a say, he said. "Politicians come and go, governments come and go, ministers come and go. But our purpose is to ensure the long-term, enduring relationship between the New Zealand people and the Cook Islands people." Peters also touched on previous disagreements with the Cook Islands over its sovereignty and foreign policy arrangements. "There were times in the past when this issue arose and we had agreements and pacts, declarations or statements … to give us the parameters of our future relationship, as we last did in [2001] under Helen Clark and [Terepai] Moate, who was then the prime minister of the Cook Islands. "And here we are, 24 years … on and that has been called into question. So we are saying… if it's going to change, then we are accountable to the Cook Islands people. Next month, the Cook Islands celebrates its 60th constitution anniversary. Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro was due to attend as the New Zealand government's representative. Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon have said they would not attend - a move that has been labelled a snub amidst the break-down in bilateral relations. Peters said Kiro was the appropriate representative from New Zealand. "We're sending the highest person constitutionally in our country to go… this is very fitting."
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland cafe sees further drop-off in customers after street closure
Hoardings that were in place around the former Fitzroy Hotel in Auckland's CBD in July 2024. . Photo: Rose Garratt An Auckland city cafe owner is worried for his business after the road it sits on was effectively turned into a cul-de-sac. Hoardings have been placed around the former Fitzroy Hotel in the inner city, as the cracked building is deemed dangerous and unstable. But it's having a knock on effect on nearby businesses, with footfall down and parking limited. Nick Worthington owns The Tuesday Cafe, which sits on one of the affected streets. He told Checkpoint he was only first made aware of the hoardings when builders turned up and began erecting them last week. He said the hoardings were six feet high, and blocked off certain entrances to the back street they were situated on. "Now that back street hasn't got access for pedestrians to come down off Wakefield St... so you've just got no foot traffic. You've got no passing traffic. No one's coming down the street. If you come into it, you can't get out the street. "For a cafe it's marginal at the best of times, so it's not ideal." Worthington said while it was fair to put up the hoardings in order to ensure safety, what came next had been unclear. "They don't have a plan beyond putting the hoardings up because they think the building is potentially unsafe... I think not having a plan of how this is gonna flow is pretty scary." The Tuesday Club on the corner of Lyndock Street looking up towards the former Fitzroy Hotel when half of the street was boarded up in 2024. Photo: Google Maps The Tuesday Club consists of three floors of workshops, gallery space and offices, with the cafe the only public fronting space and key point of income for the business. "The cafe, you know has just been sort of making ends meet... it's been running servicing the building." Worthington said times had already been challenging, with the street closure now presenting further struggles. "We've had Covid, we've had major building works down the street, which frequently block off the street, it's been challenging anyway. "We've been working very, very hard to just, you know, get the people back." He said they had seen a further drop-off of customers, and they were now forced to think of new ways to attract people. He started by inviting any council employee to visit for a free coffee and a chat about how the issue could be solved. The former Fitzroy Hotel in Wakefield Street, Auckland from 1909. Photo: E Gilling, Auckland Weekly News Auckland Council compliance manager Adrian Wilson told Checkpoint they had informed businesses in the area prior to the hoardings going up, and had spoken to the affected businesses in the area and provided them with both assistance and guidance on the matter and would continue to do so. He said the council was currently waiting on the owner of the dangerous building at 75-77 Wakefield Street to conduct the work necessary to remove the danger. The owner has been asked for confirmation of contractor engagement no later than Friday, 1 August 2025, with physical works to commence no later than Tuesday, 19 August 2025. The council cannot confirm when the site will be made safe, however once this is confirmed they will review the need for the hoarding. The former Fitzroy Hotel was built in 1854-55 and is considered the oldest brick building the Auckland's city centre. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Gumboot Friday gets green light for second year of funding
Gumboot Friday has had a green light for its second year of funding but has had its targets increased after meeting the minimum numbers set for its first year. Last year the process by which the charity was awarded 24 million dollars funding came under scrutiny by the auditor-general who said the way the decision came about was "unusual and inconsistent". But mental health Minister Matt Doocey has backed the charity saying it's helping thousands of young people get access to support faster. Founder of Gumboot Friday Mike King, spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
