Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon. Tingika Elikana and Minister of Health Hon. Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown were hosted by New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon. Winston Peters, Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon. Dr Shane Reti and Minister for Climate Change Hon. Simon Watts MP in the Bay of Islands 24th May 2024 for the 8th Annual Cook Islands-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Forum.
Ministers discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues emphasising the unique nature of the relationship and committed to elevate cooperation in a number of areas.
Minister Elikana welcomed with appreciation New Zealand’s commitment to supporting education, health, and tourism outcomes in the Cook Islands by providing NZD 20 million in Core Sector Budget Support over the next two years.
DPM Winston Peters further confirmed an additional NZD 10.5 million over the next three years in support of continued public sector strengthening in the Cook Islands.
Ministers tasked officials to jointly develop a joint declaration to align with the Cook Islands 60th anniversary in 2025 to encapsulate the shared aspirations of both governments for the relationship. Officials will meet through the Joint Ministerial Forum Working Group before the end of the year.
Ministers Elikana and Toki-Brown were supported by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health.
Please see MFAI website link for the Joint Ministerial Forum outcomes document.
https://mfai.gov.ck/important-resources
Queries regarding this media release to be directed to [email protected]