New Zealand and the Cook Islands have signed a Defence and Security Declaration in Rarotonga, setting out how the two governments will handle defence, security and consultation under their free association relationship. As part of the move, New Zealand will restore financial support to the Cook Islands that had been paused.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the declaration resolves “a lack of a shared understanding” about defence and security responsibilities that had fuelled disagreements since late 2024. He said the document provides clarity for both governments and allows the relationship to move forward.

At the core of the declaration:

• The Cook Islands will consult New Zealand in good faith on defence and security matters that may affect New Zealand’s interests and constitutional responsibilities, and engage with New Zealand on any defence or security requests before approaching other partners.
• The Cook Islands will continue to permit New Zealand Defence Force access to its territory, including its exclusive economic zone, to uphold shared security commitments.
• New Zealand will remain the Cook Islands’ primary defence and security partner, increase defence engagement and provide capacity and capability support.
• Both governments commit not to enter activities or agreements with other partners that would undermine these commitments, and to maintain regular, structured dialogue and information-sharing.

Peters said New Zealand paused parts of its funding to the Cook Islands Government while the two sides worked through their differences, and that support would now resume. The release did not specify which funding lines were paused or the amounts involved.

The declaration sits alongside earlier documents that shape the relationship, including the 1973 exchange of letters between Prime Ministers Norman Kirk and Albert Henry, the 1983 Letters Patent and the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration. The free association relationship dates to 1965; Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens, and New Zealand carries constitutional responsibilities in external affairs and defence, exercised in consultation. Both governments also undertook to uphold the defence and security interests of the Realm of New Zealand as a whole.

Peters thanked Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and his government for the negotiations and said both sides now had “shared certainty about the contours” of the relationship. The full text of the declaration has been published.