New Zealand has signed a defence and security declaration with the Cook Islands, repairing a relationship damaged when the tiny South Pacific nation entered a strategic agreement with China. This move signals a strategic realignment in the Pacific region, where New Zealand seeks to reassert influence against Chinese encroachment. The declaration covers joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and maritime security cooperation, though specific financial commitments remain undisclosed. Cook Islands leaders framed the pact as strengthening regional stability without targeting any nation, though analysts see it as a direct response to China's growing Pacific presence.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister described it as 'rebuilding trust' after the Cook Islands' 2019 security pact with Beijing. The agreement underscores New Zealand's push to maintain its traditional security partnerships in the face of China's expanding Pacific ambitions.