Australia, New Zealand and the US have been moving to counter China’s growing strategic and diplomatic influence in the past three years by striking agreements with nations, including Tuvalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea, aimed at shoring up their status as the region’s primary security partners.

However, New Zealand says it was not properly consulted over the plans, leading to what Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described as a "dispute". The Cook Islands is hugely reliant on New Zealand under a longstanding "free association" agreement that provides it with defence and financial support.

The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up of 15 islands and atolls spread over 700 square miles (1.9 million square kilometres)

New Zealand has expressed concerns over the Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Browns visit to China to sign agreements without prior consultation, despite their constitutional ties. The move has heightened fears

The Cook Islands PM is in Beijing to sign an agreement with China - but the government says he failed to consult with NZ on the matter, as is required.