Anna Powles: Massey University Associate Professor in the Centre for Defence and Security Studies on the meeting between Winston Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown

A Pacific security expert says the Foreign Minister's visit to the Cook Islands today follows hard work to repair relations. 

Winston Peters is meeting Prime Minister Mark Brown again, the two having met in Auckland last month. 

Peters paused almost $30 million in support last year after Brown signed a strategic partnership with China without consulting New Zealand. 

Massey University's Anna Powles told Mike Hosking relations have been a priority for the Cooks in recent months. 

She says Elizabeth Wright-Koteka was appointed head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the explicit goal of mending diplomatic ties with New Zealand. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.