New Zealand FM to discuss aid program with Cook Islands leaders

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully will be reviewing his government's development aid to the Cook Islands during a visit to the Pacific island nation this week.

McCully said Tuesday he would be there to attend the annual Cook Islands-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Forum.

The discussions with Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna and members of his Cabinet would cover a range of matters including New Zealand's development assistance to the Cook Islands and regional issues, McCully said in a statement.

"New Zealand and the Cook Islands have a special relationship based on our constitutional links and our shared history. New Zealand has a substantial aid program in place with the Cook Islands, which focuses on sustainable economic development, and the education and health sectors," he said.

The visit would also provide an opportunity to visit the redevelopment site of Tereora College, the Cook Islands national secondary school.

The New Zealand government announced last year it would help fund the rebuilding of Tereora College with up to 11.7 million NZ dollars (7.89 million U.S dollars) to mark 50 years of the two nations' free association.

The Cook Islands has been in a free association with New Zealand since 1965 and the arrangement enables the 15,000 people living in the islands to claim New Zealand citizenship and use the New Zealand currency.