“Happy Te Maeva Nui!”—a cheerful phrase that echoed across the Cook Islands as the nation celebrated 60 years of independence with reed dances, float parades, and choir performances. For a week, Kapa ...

Situated in the South Pacific, about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, is a tiny island nation that is home to around 15,000 people—and untold billions in assets from the world's ultrawealthy.

Last month, New Zealand’s political and media establishment erupted in outrage over the decision by the Cook Islands government to sign a wide-ranging strategic partnership agreement with China ...