New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday his country must “reset” its relationship with the Cook Islands government after its Pacific neighbour signed agreements with China without consultation.

The public quarrel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — is a victory for Beijing.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has used a policy address to remind the Cook Islands of their responsibilities under a longstanding pact with New Zealand.

A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island nation's government showed.

More than 400 people took to the streets a day after the prime minister returned from China, where he signed a strategic partnership deal. The Cook Islands government has released the text of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement that it has signed with Beijing.

The Cook Islands, a nation of 17,000 people spread across the South Pacific, holds strategic significance beyond its size. Along with 13 other Pacific island nations, it controls vast maritime zones t

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.

A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships, but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific nation’s government showed.

The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China - a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. The deal was signed by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown during a visit to Beijing.