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.

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

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.

The Cook Islands said Saturday it has struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching the Pacific nation's seabed mineral riches. The Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel and cobalt,

New Zealand has accused the Cook Islands government of a lack of transparency over its plans to strike a partnership deal with China. The tiny Pacific Island nation's leader, Mark Brown, is this week making his country's first ever state visit to Beijing in order to sign the agreement.

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

The Cook Islands said it has formalized cooperation pacts with China, including an action plan for a comprehensive strategic partnership and an agreement covering exploration for seabed minerals.