Fiji, April 4 -- Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he will only re-work constitutional ties with New Zealand if the new agreement makes it clear his country is now "more independent" - risking a fresh brawl with Wellington.

Brown has been caught up in a bitter dispute with New Zealand over contentious agreements he's signed with China, as well as his push to introduce a passport for Cook Islands.

New Zealand says both those moves are in breach of long-standing constitutional agreements from 1965, 1973 and 2001, which make it clear Cook Islands must consult with it over foreign policy and security issues.

Earlier this year, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said ties needed to be "reset" and suggested a new agreeme...