The Ministry coordinates the development cooperation the Cook Islands receives and gives, and anchors it in national development priorities.
New Zealand
Free association with New Zealand, founded on shared kinship, shared citizenship and a shared history, is the most important relationship the Cook Islands has. It provides access to international markets, development funding, technical expertise, institutional collaboration, regional security cooperation and labour mobility.
The Waka Hourua / Vaka Purua Statement of Partnership sets out joint action on health, education, infrastructure and public service development.
Australia
The ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership covers security, economic resilience and climate adaptation. The Cook Islands and Australia maritime partnership, several decades old, provides critical maritime assets and capabilities.
Other partners
The Cook Islands maintains development relationships with China, Japan, the United States and others, and pursues Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships across trade, infrastructure, ICT and the blue economy.
The Cook Islands asserts its autonomy in foreign affairs while affirming its free association with New Zealand.
The diaspora
Cook Islanders in New Zealand and Australia are development partners in their own right, contributing skills, knowledge, investment and cultural exchange. The Ministry works with the Cook Islands Development Agency NZ and with diaspora communities.