The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up of 15 islands and atolls spread over 700 square miles (1.9 million square kilometres)

Australia, New Zealand and the US have been moving to counter China’s growing strategic and diplomatic influence in the past three years by striking agreements with nations, including Tuvalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea, aimed at shoring up their status as the region’s primary security partners.

Cook Islanders have also questioned secrecy around the agreement. Tina Browne, leader of the opposition Democratic party told New Zealand based radio station 531pn that people wer

New Zealand expressed renewed concern on Monday about the Cook Islands' prime minister travelling to China this week to sign agreements without properly consulting with Wellington despite the two nations' constitutional ties.

New Zealand has expressed concerns over the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Browns visit to China to sign agreements without prior consultation, despite their constitutional ties. The move has heightened fears