<h1>Consultation requirement under free association prompts funding freeze until trust is restored and obligations are met.</h1> New Zealand suspended scheduled payments and will not consider major new funding until the Cook Islands addresses breaches of the consultation requirement under the free association compact. The paused funds were earmarked as core sector support with audit oversight, and New Zealand contends recent Cook Islands agreements with China exceeded consulted scope, creating a trust deficit that must be remedied before funds resume.