Cook Islands election: PM Mark Brown speaks on the diplomatic crises that defined his year
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown discusses the diplomatic challenges of his term, including a rift with New Zealand and the nation's role in geopolitical competition between China and Western powers. The interview comes ahead of a closely contested general election.
Why it matters
The Cook Islands are increasingly significant in the geopolitical struggle for influence in the South Pacific.
Cook Islands prime minister speaks to the Guardian ahead of the Pacific island nation’s general election. Cook Islands prime minister speaks to the Guardian ahead of the Pacific island nation’s general election. Pacific leaders: in their words Cook Islands election: PM Mark Brown speaks on the diplomatic crises that defined his year The prime minister tells the Guardian that last year’s diplomatic rift with ally New Zealand could be on voters’ minds as they head to the polls
Prefer the Guardian on Google As voters in the Cook Islands prepare to head to the polls in a high-stakes general election, they will have much to reflect on. Over recent years, politics in this small island nation has been defined by fierce debates about deep-sea mining , diplomatic rifts with ally New Zealand and a major reshaping of the country’s foreign partnerships.
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