A diplomatic scuffle with the Cook Islands. Plus: What went down at Waitangi.

The Cook Islands prime minister, Mark Brown, has provoked the wrath of the New Zealand foreign minister with his decision to head to China to sign a new strategic deal. By failing to consult on the pact, says Winston Peters, the Cook Islands is in breach of commitments made as a member of the New Zealand realm.

Toby Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas put on their geopolitical goggles to assess the strain in relations, whether it represents a diplomatic failure, and how it fits in the tussle between China and the United States for influence in the Pacific enters a new phase, marked by Donald Trump pursuing an isolationist approach.

Plus: How did Tama Potaka and co perform at Waitangi last week, who else stood out on the paepae, and did Christopher Luxon come up with some new material when he took his Waitangi speech on tour to Ngāi Tahu in Akaroa?

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