New Zealand’s top spy has warned of the security risks posed by China’s growing influence in the Pacific and said his agency would ramp up scrutiny of the Cook Islands after the nation deepened ties with Beijing.

The agreement is being denounced as a threat to New Zealand and used to justify its ongoing integration into US-led plans for war against China.

New Zealand’s top spy has warned of the security risks posed by China’s growing influence in the Pacific and said his agency would ramp up scrutiny of the Cook Islands after the nation deepened ties with Beijing.

The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty. A range of deals Prime Minister Mark Brown signed with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which the Cooks is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.

New Zealand's foreign minister said he had raised concerns over China's recent live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea during meetings with Chinese leaders on Wednesday.

In a vote on Wednesday afternoon (Tuesday, Cook Islands time), the man who has been at the centre to controversy in the past few weeks, deated the motion by 13 votes to 9. Two government ministers were absent for the vote. The motion was put forward by the opposition MP Teariki Heather, the leader of the Cook Islands United Party.

Cook Islands Prime Minister survived a no-confidence vote Wednesday, blaming “misinformation” from former colonial ruler New Zealand for destabilising his Pacific country. Parliament voted 13 ...

In a geopolitical manoeuvre that should alarm every nation invested in Pacific stability, the Cook Islands has fallen prey to Beijing’s predatory diplomacy. The recently signed

The Cook Islands' prime minister survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, blaming "misinformation" from former colonial ruler New Zealand for destabilising his Pacific country. The parliament ...