There's claims the Cook Islands were left in the dark over New Zealand pausing funding. 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters says a $20-million-dollar pot of development aid won't resume until trust is restored between our countries, who operate under a special relationship. 

Its Prime Minister signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without giving New Zealand any insight on the deal. 

Cook Islands journalist Rashneel Kumar says the Government was caught off guard - and he explained that it has tried to ease fears the agreement with China may have caused. 

LISTEN ABOVE

There's claims the Cook Islands were left in the dark over New Zealand pausing funding.&nbsp;
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says a $20-million-dollar pot of development aid won't resume until trust is restored between our countries, who operate under a special relationship.&nbsp;
Its Prime Minister signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, without giving New Zealand any insight on the deal.&nbsp;
Cook Islands journalist Rashneel Kumar says the Government was caught off guard - and he explained that it has tried to ease fears the agreement with China may have caused.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Rashneel Kumar: Cook Islands journalist on New Zealand pausing funding to the Cook Islands

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a9c905ac-54c9-46f5-8981-b301005fce50/transcript