Rarotonga: New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a Defense and Security Declaration in Rarotonga on Thursday, Wellington said in a statement. The declaration follows the self-governing South Pacific Island nation's agreement with China last year, which had heightened tensions with New Zealand.

According to Anadolu Agency, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that the strategic environment faced by both countries is increasingly complex and contested, marking the most significant point of contention since their free association began in 1965. Peters emphasized the importance of New Zealand and the Cook Islands maintaining clarity about their special relationship and responsibilities in defense and security matters.

Peters acknowledged a series of serious disagreements between the two governments since late 2024. He noted that the new declaration resolves ambiguities and provides clarity, allowing both governments to focus on future cooperation rather than past conflicts.

Tensions arose after New Zealand requested details of the Cook Islands' pact with China, which remain undisclosed. The Cook Islands, with a population of just over 15,000, maintains a free association with New Zealand, sharing a head of state and citizenship rights.

In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning addressed reporters, affirming that the Cook Islands is an important cooperation partner in the South Pacific. She stated that the partnership between China and the Cook Islands is based on equality and does not target or involve third countries, emphasizing that it should not be disrupted by any external parties.