Foreign Affairs

The Ministry is the primary agency of the Government of the Cook Islands entrusted with representing and advancing the nation’s interests on the regional and international stage.

What we do

• Bilateral relations. Relationships with partner countries: New Zealand first, then Australia, China, Japan, the United States and others.
• Regional and multilateral engagement. The Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Community, the other Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific agencies, and the United Nations.
• Ocean diplomacy. Maritime interests, marine biodiversity, equitable access to ocean resources, and traditional knowledge in global ocean policy.
• Trade and economic diplomacy. Market access, quality investment and a more diverse economy, through trade agreements and international networks.
• Climate advocacy. Stronger commitments and climate finance, under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Smaller Island States. Advocacy so that regional and international agendas carry the priorities of the region’s smallest members.
• Treaties and agreements. Negotiating, ratifying and keeping the record of the instruments the Cook Islands is party to.
• Development cooperation. Coordinating the support the Cook Islands receives from, and gives to, its partners.
• Consular assistance. Helping Cook Islanders in serious difficulty overseas, through our missions in Wellington, Auckland and Suva.

Key partnerships

• New Zealand: the Waka Hourua / Vaka Purua Statement of Partnership. Joint action on health, education, infrastructure and public service development, within the free association relationship reaffirmed in the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration.
• New Zealand: the Declaration on Defence and Security. New Zealand is the Cook Islands’ partner of choice on defence and security.
• Australia: the ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership. Security, economic resilience and climate adaptation. The Cook Islands and Australia maritime partnership provides critical maritime assets and capabilities.

Cook Islanders overseas

The Cook Islands diaspora, mainly in New Zealand and Australia, contributes to national development through cultural exchange, the transfer of skills and knowledge, and social and economic initiatives.

The Ministry works with the Cook Islands Development Agency NZ and with diaspora communities to create pathways for Cook Islanders abroad to take part in the country’s development.

Help overseas

Contact the nearest Cook Islands mission. See Consular Assistance.