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The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which it is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.

Prime Minister Mark Brown says his decisions will be based on the "long-term interests" of the Cook Islands, which are remote, resource-rich and vulnerable to climate change.

The Cook Islands has had what's known as a "free association" relationship with New Zealand, a former coloniser, since the 1960s - meaning Wellington helps on issues like defence and foreign affairs, and that Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship.

He recently abandoned a proposal to introduce a Cook Islands passport following a public outcry.

He believes that the recent developments in the Cook Islands are "all part of that little great game that's going on between Australia and China and New Zealand in the Pacific. It's a whack-a-mole kind of game."