The Cook Islands has announced five-year agreement with China for the exploration of seabed minerals. New Zealand has urged the self-governing nation to keep to its "free association" relationship with Wellington.

The Cook Islands said on Saturday it has struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching the Pacific nation’s seabed mine

The South Pacific country of Cook Islands has unveiled the details of a deal with China to boost cooperation after the pact provoked a rare diplomatic clash with the nation’s chief benefactor, New Zealand,

Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.

The tiny Pacific nation’s partnership agreement with China was signed amid a furious diplomatic row with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler.

Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands visited China to discuss marine science, climate resilience, and economic cooperation. The trip, which raises security concerns in New Zealand, includes plans to sign a strategic partnership.

The Cook Islands’ pact with China has been furiously denounced by New Zealand as breaching the neo-colonial constitutional arrangements with its Pacific neighbour.

Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has called for a reset in government-to-government relations with the Cook Islands after its Pacific neighbor signed agreements with China without consultation.