The Cook Islands prime minister says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with Beijing which is expected to be signed next week.

The South Pacific country of Cook Islands has unveiled the details of a deal with China to boost cooperation after the pact provoked a rare diplomatic clash with the nation’s chief benefactor, New Zealand,

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.

Cook Islanders protest outside parliament against Prime Minister Mark Brown's strategic partnership with China :::: Avarua, Cook Islands:: Tere Carr, Resident"I would say that the actions of our Prime Minister in the last three weeks has been someone of a person who owns,

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has called for a reset in government-to-government relations with the Cook Islands after its Pacific neighbor signed agreements with China without consultation.

Why a deal with China has strained New Zealand’s ties with the Cook Islands - Beijing’s growing influence in the South Pacific has hit the close relationship between Wellington and the Cook Islands