No senior NZ Govt officials to attend Cook Islands Constitution event

There will be no top New Zealand Government representation at the Cook Islands Constitution celebrations in three weeks' time, showing a continuation of the serious rift between the two countries.

The Cook Islands is marking 60 years in free association with New Zealand on August 4 but 1News understands neither Prime Minister Christopher Luxon or Foreign Minister Winston Peters will be attending.

The breakdown in relationship remains in limbo after the Cook Islands signed a number of controversial deals with China earlier this year without consulting New Zealand which it is required to do under a constitutional arrangement. There is also a difference of opinions between the political leaders what that constitutional arrangement means.

Last month Peters told the Cook Islands Government it was suspending more than $18 million of core sector support funding as a result.

"We were asking a series of questions in writing and not getting satisfactory answers," he told media at the time.

Luxon said the Cook Islands Government "is not transparent about its international agreement it did in this case with China".

Officials from both countries are continuing to meet to try and bridge the impasse but so far that hasn't happened.

Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will lead a delegation – including some members of Parliament – to the 60th anniversary celebrations after an invitation from Sir Tom Marsters, the King's Representative in the Cook Islands.

1News understands the delegation is keen to show the strong people-to-people links despite the political fallout.