Niue's leader has taken a swipe at New Zealand, saying its government officials are interfering with his country and violating its sovereignty.
Niue, a tiny Pacific nation of about 1500 people, is an independent country governed in free-association with New Zealand.
New Zealand provides much of Niue's finances and Niueans hold New Zealand passports.
Premier Toke Talagi said he was "very concerned" at the level of New Zealand government interference in his country with regards to his budget preparations and donor funding arrangements.
He said most Kiwi-funded projects benefited New Zealand expatriate companies and personnel far more than they helped locals.
"In our initial analysis, this government is very concerned at the lack of transparency with all these contracts that are signed by the New Zealand government on our behalf because we do not see these contracts at all," he said.
"This interference and subtle but very clear message seems to be a clear violation of our democratic and sovereign rights as a country," Mr Talagi said.
"I shall be writing to the prime minister, Helen Clark, to ascertain whether that is her official view or whether her officials are acting independently without her knowledge."
He said his government did not get a fair chance to make its case before it was "bombarded with instructions" from New Zealand.
"We send back to New Zealand $NZ8m annually plus all other donor funds we receive in various forms. That is why the balance of trade figures are so one-sided. They give and they take back as well, with interest," Mr Talagi said.
A spokeswoman for Miss Clark said she was aware of the comments.
"She values the good relationship with Premier Talagi and will be working to resolve the issues."
