New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in funding to the Cook Islands over agreements the smaller Pacific nation made with China.

New Zealand has what is known as a "free association" relationship with the Cook Islands, and helps the latter with defence and foreign affairs. In the last three years, Wellington provided NZ$194m in funding to the Cook Islands, according to government figures.

The agreements prompted major donor New Zealand to halt aid funding to close partner the Cook Islands, citing a “lack of consultation”. The Cook Islands has a “free association” relationship with its former colonial ruler New Zealand,