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The Advertiser
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
New Zealand wants justification for US bombings in Iran
Anxious leaders in New Zealand are not supporting, yet not criticising, the United States' strikes on Iran as it seeks a justification of the raids. Donald Trump's administration entered the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict on Sunday (AEST) with bombing raids on three facilities. Ahead of the operation, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said the right response "cannot be more military action", and after the attacks, he said his position remained the same. "We want to see a peaceful secure and stable Middle East. The way to get there is a political solution rather than military action ... it's through dialogue and diplomacy," he told Radio NZ. New Zealand, like Australia and the US, is steadfast that Iran cannot be allowed to establish a nuclear arsenal. However, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that did not extend automatically to support for the US strikes as that would only be "justified by the level of nuclear preparedness by Iran". "We'd be very wise to keep our counsel and find out the facts, get a proper analysis and ensure that what we're talking about is true," he told Newstalk ZB. Mr Peters, in his third stint as foreign minister in a political career lasting half a century, said the "level of inflection we're talking about, potentially" was akin to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. "The worst thing about a crisis is what you see is not always what you get," he told Radio NZ. "It could be far, far, far, far worse and that's the tragedy we might face, we just don't know." Defence Minister Judith Collins has sent a Hercules aircraft under NZDF command to the region to help airlift citizens in the war zone. New Zealand already has dozens of military personnel engaged in the region, and deployed a small group to assist as part of a US-led coalition to stop Houthi strikes on international shipping in the Red Sea. Both Mr Peters and Mr Luxon, in Europe this week for a NATO summit, have previously spoken of New Zealand's concern of a world where the rules-based system is "giving way to power". "A return to a world where raw power is the primary determinant in advancing states' interests would be a harsh world indeed," Mr Luxon told the Lowy Institute in Sydney in 2024. In Belgium on Monday (AEST), Mr Luxon said he wanted conflicts resolved through negotiation. "New Zealand doesn't want to see a nuclear-armed Iran destabilising its neighbours," Mr Luxon said. "We don't want to see Gaza under Israeli occupation. "We don't want to see Hamas holding onto hostages. "The answer in all of those cases, in all of the conflicts in the Middle East, is dialogue and diplomacy not military action." New Zealand also announced a fresh contribution to Ukraine's defence on Monday, offering $NZ16 million ($A15 million) in its war against Russia. Anxious leaders in New Zealand are not supporting, yet not criticising, the United States' strikes on Iran as it seeks a justification of the raids. Donald Trump's administration entered the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict on Sunday (AEST) with bombing raids on three facilities. Ahead of the operation, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said the right response "cannot be more military action", and after the attacks, he said his position remained the same. "We want to see a peaceful secure and stable Middle East. The way to get there is a political solution rather than military action ... it's through dialogue and diplomacy," he told Radio NZ. New Zealand, like Australia and the US, is steadfast that Iran cannot be allowed to establish a nuclear arsenal. However, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that did not extend automatically to support for the US strikes as that would only be "justified by the level of nuclear preparedness by Iran". "We'd be very wise to keep our counsel and find out the facts, get a proper analysis and ensure that what we're talking about is true," he told Newstalk ZB. Mr Peters, in his third stint as foreign minister in a political career lasting half a century, said the "level of inflection we're talking about, potentially" was akin to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. "The worst thing about a crisis is what you see is not always what you get," he told Radio NZ. "It could be far, far, far, far worse and that's the tragedy we might face, we just don't know." Defence Minister Judith Collins has sent a Hercules aircraft under NZDF command to the region to help airlift citizens in the war zone. New Zealand already has dozens of military personnel engaged in the region, and deployed a small group to assist as part of a US-led coalition to stop Houthi strikes on international shipping in the Red Sea. Both Mr Peters and Mr Luxon, in Europe this week for a NATO summit, have previously spoken of New Zealand's concern of a world where the rules-based system is "giving way to power". "A return to a world where raw power is the primary determinant in advancing states' interests would be a harsh world indeed," Mr Luxon told the Lowy Institute in Sydney in 2024. In Belgium on Monday (AEST), Mr Luxon said he wanted conflicts resolved through negotiation. "New Zealand doesn't want to see a nuclear-armed Iran destabilising its neighbours," Mr Luxon said. "We don't want to see Gaza under Israeli occupation. "We don't want to see Hamas holding onto hostages. "The answer in all of those cases, in all of the conflicts in the Middle East, is dialogue and diplomacy not military action." New Zealand also announced a fresh contribution to Ukraine's defence on Monday, offering $NZ16 million ($A15 million) in its war against Russia. Anxious leaders in New Zealand are not supporting, yet not criticising, the United States' strikes on Iran as it seeks a justification of the raids. Donald Trump's administration entered the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict on Sunday (AEST) with bombing raids on three facilities. Ahead of the operation, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said the right response "cannot be more military action", and after the attacks, he said his position remained the same. "We want to see a peaceful secure and stable Middle East. The way to get there is a political solution rather than military action ... it's through dialogue and diplomacy," he told Radio NZ. New Zealand, like Australia and the US, is steadfast that Iran cannot be allowed to establish a nuclear arsenal. However, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that did not extend automatically to support for the US strikes as that would only be "justified by the level of nuclear preparedness by Iran". "We'd be very wise to keep our counsel and find out the facts, get a proper analysis and ensure that what we're talking about is true," he told Newstalk ZB. Mr Peters, in his third stint as foreign minister in a political career lasting half a century, said the "level of inflection we're talking about, potentially" was akin to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. "The worst thing about a crisis is what you see is not always what you get," he told Radio NZ. "It could be far, far, far, far worse and that's the tragedy we might face, we just don't know." Defence Minister Judith Collins has sent a Hercules aircraft under NZDF command to the region to help airlift citizens in the war zone. New Zealand already has dozens of military personnel engaged in the region, and deployed a small group to assist as part of a US-led coalition to stop Houthi strikes on international shipping in the Red Sea. Both Mr Peters and Mr Luxon, in Europe this week for a NATO summit, have previously spoken of New Zealand's concern of a world where the rules-based system is "giving way to power". "A return to a world where raw power is the primary determinant in advancing states' interests would be a harsh world indeed," Mr Luxon told the Lowy Institute in Sydney in 2024. In Belgium on Monday (AEST), Mr Luxon said he wanted conflicts resolved through negotiation. "New Zealand doesn't want to see a nuclear-armed Iran destabilising its neighbours," Mr Luxon said. "We don't want to see Gaza under Israeli occupation. "We don't want to see Hamas holding onto hostages. "The answer in all of those cases, in all of the conflicts in the Middle East, is dialogue and diplomacy not military action." New Zealand also announced a fresh contribution to Ukraine's defence on Monday, offering $NZ16 million ($A15 million) in its war against Russia. Anxious leaders in New Zealand are not supporting, yet not criticising, the United States' strikes on Iran as it seeks a justification of the raids. Donald Trump's administration entered the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict on Sunday (AEST) with bombing raids on three facilities. Ahead of the operation, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said the right response "cannot be more military action", and after the attacks, he said his position remained the same. "We want to see a peaceful secure and stable Middle East. The way to get there is a political solution rather than military action ... it's through dialogue and diplomacy," he told Radio NZ. New Zealand, like Australia and the US, is steadfast that Iran cannot be allowed to establish a nuclear arsenal. However, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that did not extend automatically to support for the US strikes as that would only be "justified by the level of nuclear preparedness by Iran". "We'd be very wise to keep our counsel and find out the facts, get a proper analysis and ensure that what we're talking about is true," he told Newstalk ZB. Mr Peters, in his third stint as foreign minister in a political career lasting half a century, said the "level of inflection we're talking about, potentially" was akin to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. "The worst thing about a crisis is what you see is not always what you get," he told Radio NZ. "It could be far, far, far, far worse and that's the tragedy we might face, we just don't know." Defence Minister Judith Collins has sent a Hercules aircraft under NZDF command to the region to help airlift citizens in the war zone. New Zealand already has dozens of military personnel engaged in the region, and deployed a small group to assist as part of a US-led coalition to stop Houthi strikes on international shipping in the Red Sea. Both Mr Peters and Mr Luxon, in Europe this week for a NATO summit, have previously spoken of New Zealand's concern of a world where the rules-based system is "giving way to power". "A return to a world where raw power is the primary determinant in advancing states' interests would be a harsh world indeed," Mr Luxon told the Lowy Institute in Sydney in 2024. In Belgium on Monday (AEST), Mr Luxon said he wanted conflicts resolved through negotiation. "New Zealand doesn't want to see a nuclear-armed Iran destabilising its neighbours," Mr Luxon said. "We don't want to see Gaza under Israeli occupation. "We don't want to see Hamas holding onto hostages. "The answer in all of those cases, in all of the conflicts in the Middle East, is dialogue and diplomacy not military action." New Zealand also announced a fresh contribution to Ukraine's defence on Monday, offering $NZ16 million ($A15 million) in its war against Russia.
Perth Now
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
New Zealand wants justification for US bombings in Iran
Anxious leaders in New Zealand are not supporting, yet not criticising, the United States' strikes on Iran as it seeks a justification of the raids. Donald Trump's administration entered the spiralling Israel-Iran conflict on Sunday (AEST) with bombing raids on three facilities. Ahead of the operation, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said the right response "cannot be more military action", and after the attacks, he said his position remained the same. "We want to see a peaceful secure and stable Middle East. The way to get there is a political solution rather than military action ... it's through dialogue and diplomacy," he told Radio NZ. New Zealand, like Australia and the US, is steadfast that Iran cannot be allowed to establish a nuclear arsenal. However, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said that did not extend automatically to support for the US strikes as that would only be "justified by the level of nuclear preparedness by Iran". "We'd be very wise to keep our counsel and find out the facts, get a proper analysis and ensure that what we're talking about is true," he told Newstalk ZB. Mr Peters, in his third stint as foreign minister in a political career lasting half a century, said the "level of inflection we're talking about, potentially" was akin to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. "The worst thing about a crisis is what you see is not always what you get," he told Radio NZ. "It could be far, far, far, far worse and that's the tragedy we might face, we just don't know." Defence Minister Judith Collins has sent a Hercules aircraft under NZDF command to the region to help airlift citizens in the war zone. New Zealand already has dozens of military personnel engaged in the region, and deployed a small group to assist as part of a US-led coalition to stop Houthi strikes on international shipping in the Red Sea. Both Mr Peters and Mr Luxon, in Europe this week for a NATO summit, have previously spoken of New Zealand's concern of a world where the rules-based system is "giving way to power". "A return to a world where raw power is the primary determinant in advancing states' interests would be a harsh world indeed," Mr Luxon told the Lowy Institute in Sydney in 2024. In Belgium on Monday (AEST), Mr Luxon said he wanted conflicts resolved through negotiation. "New Zealand doesn't want to see a nuclear-armed Iran destabilising its neighbours," Mr Luxon said. "We don't want to see Gaza under Israeli occupation. "We don't want to see Hamas holding onto hostages. "The answer in all of those cases, in all of the conflicts in the Middle East, is dialogue and diplomacy not military action." New Zealand also announced a fresh contribution to Ukraine's defence on Monday, offering $NZ16 million ($A15 million) in its war against Russia.
Scoop
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand Government Feigns Neutrality In US-Israeli War Against Iran
New Zealand's right-wing National Party-led coalition government is seeking to portray itself as uninvolved in the murderous US-Israeli assault on Iran and neutral in the escalating war in the Middle East. On July 13, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Israel's unprovoked missile strikes against Iran as 'unwelcome' and 'potentially catastrophic.' He told reporters, 'The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action… What we want to see is the parties coming together and having a conversation.' Speaking to Radio NZ on June 17, however, Foreign Minister Winston Peters refused to condemn Israel's ongoing attacks, which by then had killed hundreds of people. Asked whether his government 'supports Israel taking this unilateral action,' Peters replied: 'we do not take sides in a conflict of this nature.' He called for 'de-escalation and diplomacy' but added that 'Iran is not an innocent player in this.' He said both sides were engaged in 'provocative behaviour.' Such statements amount to a falsification of what is taking place and a defence of Israel. The regime in Israel, led by fascist criminals, is engaged in a genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and has waged illegal wars against Lebanon, Syria and now Iran. Its aim, working with the full collaboration of the US, is to expand Israel's borders and redivide the entire Middle East in favour of the imperialist powers. The pretext given by Israel—that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon—is a transparent lie, just like the lies that Iraq had 'weapons of mass destruction' that were told to justify the criminal US-led invasion and destruction of Iraqi society. After President Donald Trump demanded the 'unconditional surrender' of Iran's government and said there were no plans to kill its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'for now,' the New Zealand Herald asked Peters on June 18 whether he would support a US strike on uranium enrichment in Iran. The foreign minister replied that 'we do not believe in war when we haven't fully exhausted negotiations and diplomacy.' He added that New Zealand was a 'small country, way out here in the Southwest Pacific… I wish New Zealanders would understand our limitations here.' The reality, however, is that New Zealand is actively supporting Israeli and US military operations in the Middle East. In January 2024, a group of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel were sent to Saudi Arabia to assist in the US bombing of targets in Yemen, in response to the Houthi forces' efforts to stop ships from supplying the Israeli war machine. New Zealand is a minor imperialist power allied with the US and a member of the US-led Five Eyes intelligence sharing network, raising further questions about its involvement. Asked during a press conference on June 16 whether New Zealand had received advance notice from the US about the attack on Iran, Peters replied, 'Well, we don't make those discussions public.' If the NZ military had foreknowledge of the illegal Israeli missile strike and kept quiet, that would make it complicit in the attack. The far-right Platform podcast's host Sean Plunket asked Peters the next day whether or not the NZ military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia had 'provided any intelligence or material support to the Israeli operation' against Iran. The foreign minister replied: 'Even if I could confirm that, I would not be doing that,' because to do so would endanger the lives of these personnel. The entire political establishment is nervous about widespread anti-war sentiment in New Zealand, which has been expressed in repeated protests against the genocide in Gaza. The opposition Labour Party's deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told RNZ on June 17, 'we don't support what Israel is doing and we don't support [Iran's] response either.' Like Peters, she called for 'diplomacy' between the two sides. Sepuloni expressed support for the government's decision to join Canada, Australia, the UK and Norway in imposing sanctions on Israel's extreme right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. She called for 'greater sanctions,' including on companies operating illegally in the occupied Palestinian territories. All of this is completely hollow and is intended to divert attention from the fact that Labour continues to support the military alliance with the US, which is funding and supplying Israel's military and supports the complete ethnic cleansing of Gaza and war against Iran. Previous Labour Party-led governments have sent troops to the criminal US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2022 Jacinda Ardern's Labour-led government, which included the Greens, sent hundreds of troops to Britain to assist in training Ukrainian conscripts to fight in the US-NATO proxy war against Russia. Labour agrees with the current government's plan to double military spending over the next few years, from 1 to 2 percent of GDP—at the expense of social programs that working people rely on. The aim, spelled out in numerous official documents and statements, is to prepare the military for joint operations with the US and Australia, particularly against China, which is considered the main 'threat' to US global hegemony. The war against Russia over Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, the war against Iran and the military build-up against China are all interconnected fronts in a rapidly developing world war aimed at seizing resources and markets and resolving the crisis of capitalism centred in the US. New Zealand's ruling elite is preparing to deepen its involvement on all these fronts, behind the backs and against the will of the population, who are overwhelmingly against war. The working class must take action to stop the war, but for this it needs its own socialist political party and strategy—in opposition to all the capitalist parties including Labour and its allies. The only way to put an end to war is through the unified action of the international working class to abolish the source of war: the capitalist system. Those who agree with this must take the decision to become politically active and join the Socialist Equality Group, which is fighting to build a section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world party of socialist revolution, in New Zealand. By Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 22 June 2025
The Advertiser
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
China could win from Cook Islands-New Zealand spat
Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements." Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements." Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements." Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements."
Perth Now
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
China could win from Cook Islands-New Zealand spat
Confusion and concern is mounting over a growing spat between New Zealand and Cook Islands, which analysts believe could result in stronger ties between the Pacific island nation and China. New Zealand is withholding key aid, worth $A16.8 million, to its former colony after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a pair of secretly negotiated agreements with Beijing earlier this year. Kiwi Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended the move as necessary after Mr Brown broke agreements it had with New Zealand. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," a spokesperson for Mr Peters said. Mr Brown argues that New Zealand is acting cruelly, given that funding is worth more than four per cent of his country's budget. "It is targeted, and has always been targeted, towards the sectors of health, education, and tourism," he told parliament this week. Cook Islands is only semi-independent, governing in "free association" with Wellington after breaking away in 1965, with its citizens afforded Kiwi passports and the benefits of New Zealand citizenship. However, those perks come courtesy of a promise to consult with New Zealand on defence and security matters. Both sides agree there has been a breakdown in the interpretation of the key pact - the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration - which underpins relations. The rift is causing ructions both internally and in the region. Locals have rallied alongside the Cook Islands opposition parties in support of keeping ties to New Zealand, given its deep historical ties, which extend to a majority of Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Pacific analysts, including Massey University associate professor Anna Powles, believe Mr Peters' call to withhold aid could deepen Mr Brown's ties with Beijing. "(It) opens the door for increased Chinese engagement with the Cook Islands," she told Radio NZ. "This could be a very good news story for China, and it certainly puts New Zealand in a weaker position, as a consequence." Dr Powles described the situation as "pretty messy", which threatened to boil over at September's Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Solomon Islands. "The negotiation between the two countries, between New Zealand and Cook Islands, needs to take aid as a bargaining chip off the table for it to be able to continue, for it to be successful," she said. While the aid cut was made clear to the Cook Islands a fortnight ago, it has been made public this week as New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon undertakes a state visit to China. Speaking from Shanghai, Mr Luxon affirmed his support for the decision - but said it would not cloud his talks with the superpower. "Our issue is really with the Cook Islands. It's between Cook Islands and New Zealand," he said. "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands government wasn't open and transparent about its international agreements."
