Cook Islands PM beats no-confidence motion, attacks NZ

Opposition parties accused Prime Minister Mark Brown of jeopardising relations with New Zealand. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)

The Cook Islands opposition has failed in a bid to topple Prime Minister Mark Brown's government over his handling of relations with New Zealand.

The spat between Cook Islands and New Zealand bubbled over in parliament on Wednesday (AEDT), when Mr Brown beat a no-confidence vote 13-9.