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Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row over China ties with New Zealand

Cook Islands PM re-elected despite row over China ties with New Zealand
South China Morning Post Tuesday 18 August 2026, 07:00 UTC By Maria Siow 1 min read
Key Points

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s securing of another term, despite a dispute with New Zealand over his government’s deals with China, suggests voters are more focused on the cost of living than geopolitical concerns, analysts have said. Brown’s Cook Islands Party is on track to win a fifth consecutive term in government. According to preliminary results from last week’s general election, the party will obtain 18 seats – up from its previous 12 – in the 24-member parliament, giving it...

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown’s securing of another term, despite a dispute with New Zealand over his government’s deals with China, suggests voters are more focused on the cost of living than geopolitical concerns, analysts have said. Brown’s Cook Islands Party is on track to win a fifth consecutive term in government. According to preliminary results from last week’s general election, the party will obtain 18 seats – up from its previous 12 – in the 24-member parliament, giving it a...
Cook Islands (LOCATION) China (LOCATION) New Zealand (LOCATION) Mark Brown (PERSON) Brown (PERSON)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

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