The Cook Islands, the New Zealand and Australian governments have signed an agreement marking the first official joint New Zealand and Australian aid programme to the Islands.
In it, New Zealand has promised to give 4 million US dollars and Australia 1 million US dollars in programmed aid every year to the Cook Islands.
The money will go to improve the Cook Islands management of aid programmes with the potential to reduce administrative processes.
NZAID will manage the day to day operations of the combined programme and the three governments will meet regularly to set strategic directions.
