Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand's not the only one in the dark about a potential deal between the Cook Islands and China.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is heading to Beijing, where he's expected to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership.
He says it's part of a broader strategy to strengthen relations with all of its key partners and expand economic opportunities.
MFAT says it would have expected to be fully consulted on such a deal - but wasn't.
Winston Peters told Mike Hosking New Zealand's been blindsided, and we're not the only ones.
He says they've asked for information over a number of months, but it hasn't been shared with them or the Cook Island people.
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