Winston Peters in the news as NZ’s foreign minister tackling tensions with China and regional diplomacy. Longtime NZ First founder (1993) and ex-minister.
New Zealand and the Cook Islands signed a declaration in Rarotonga, clarifying their relationship and resuming aid funding. The move follows a period of tension caused by a secret Chinese deal and aims to strengthen security ties, with New Zealand reaffirming its role as the Cook Islands' main partner.
A cross-party group of New Zealand MPs has been barred from entering China for one year after visiting Taiwan in May. Beijing says the trip violates China’s sovereignty and has warned of consequences, while New Zealand officials describe the ban as a drastic departure from long-standing practice. Taiwan condemns Beijing’s move as interference in international parliamentary diplomacy.