Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said he would release soon the full details of a comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed between China and his country, which has raised concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties.

China and the Cook Islands signed an action plan last week for a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, giving further details about a deal expected to raise concerns in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Mark Brown struck a strategic partnership with China this month, irking Cook Islands’ opposition and New Zealand.

The tiny Pacific nation’s partnership agreement with China was signed amid a furious diplomatic row with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler.

Cook Islands deal has implications for Pacific security, but particularly for New Zealand, the United States, and Australia.

New Zealand is calling for “consultation and transparency” as a deal struck between the Cook Islands and China is released as tensions over the agreement persist. The “Action Plan 2025-2030″ for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Cook Islands and the People’s Republic of China was published this afternoon following weeks of speculation and a visit to China by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown last week.

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.

New Zealand’s foreign minister is meeting senior officials in China just days after New Zealand and Australia said that Chinese warships should have given more warning before live-fire exercises in wa

The Cook Islands' PM Mark Brown defended a new partnership pact with China and urged his country not to depend on handouts from "big brother" New Zealand.

New Zealand’s foreign minister is meeting senior officials in China just days after New Zealand and Australia said that Chinese warships should have given more warning before live-fire exercises in waters between their countries.