New Zealand beefs up ties with Niue amid Cook Islands row

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FILE PHOTO: New Zealands Foreign Minister Winston Peters attends a press conference with the Nordic colleagues as they meet in Stockholm within the framework of the informal foreign and security policy cooperation between the Nordic countries (N5),in Stockholm, Sweden, October 29, 2025. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani via REUTERS/File Photo

SYDNEY - New Zealand said on Thursday it would strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with Niue, a self-governing island nation in free association with it, after their leaders met in Auckland.

The move follows a deterioration in relations with Cook Islands, with which New Zealand has similar ties. This week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand was extending until June 2026 its suspension of direct budget payments to the Cook Islands.

New Zealand suspended funding of NZ$18.2 million ($10.43 million) in June, over concerns about a lack of transparency in Cook Islands growing ties with China. The suspension amounts to NZ$30 million in two years of aid payments.

* Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Niue counterpartDalton Tagelagi agreed to adhere to a foundational politicaldeclaration. * Luxon said, By establishing the first enduring politicaldeclaration with Niue today, we are celebrating our relationshipof free association and setting out our responsibilities to eachother, as well as our shared goals. * The talks covered Pacific regionalism, security anddefence, climate, economy and governance issues. * Niue, known informally as the