New Zealand has rejected the Cook Islands’ request for a separate passport while allowing citizens to keep New Zealand citizenship. The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation, is in “free association” with New Zealand, which manages its foreign affairs and defense. As a result, Cook Islanders can live, work, and access healthcare in New Zealand.
Cook Islands’ Request for Separate Passports
Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands asked for separate passports to better recognize the identity of Cook Islanders. However, New Zealand officials responded by stating that such a change would only be possible if the Cook Islands became fully independent.
Documents Reveal Ongoing Push for Change
According to documents obtained by 1News and seen by Reuters, Brown has been advocating for separate passports and citizenship for months. He has hoped to maintain a close relationship with New Zealand while gaining greater autonomy. Currently, about 100,000 Cook Islanders live in New Zealand, compared to 15,000 on the islands. Those living in New Zealand for at least a year are eligible to vote and contest elections.
Tensions Over Separate Citizenship
As a result, tensions between New Zealand and the Cook Islands have been rising over this issue. Leaders from both nations have held several talks in recent months. Brown argued that, like New Zealanders with dual passports, Cook Islanders should have the right to carry separate passports. “New Zealanders are free to carry dual passports, and there are a number of New Zealanders who have passports from other countries. It is precisely the same thing that we’ll be doing,” he stated in November.
Public Concerns and Lack of Consultation
Meanwhile, some Cook Islanders have expressed concern over the lack of consultation on the proposal. Thomas Wynne, a Cook Islander living in Wellington, raised questions about whether the people had been consulted properly. “What do the people of the Cook Islands want, and have they been consulted on this critical decision?” he asked. Furthermore, others worried that such a move could impact their access to services like healthcare in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Responds
In response, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, closed the matter by stating that separate citizenship and passports are only available to fully independent nations. He also added that any change to the current relationship would require a referendum. “Such a referendum would allow the Cook Islands people to carefully weigh up whether they prefer the status quo, with their access to New Zealand citizenship and passports, or full independence,” he explained.
Cook Islands Responds
In turn, Brown emphasized that the Cook Islands would not make any decisions that could harm its important relationship with New Zealand. “We are not implementing anything that affects our important status with New Zealand,” he reassured.
Similar Relationships in the Pacific
Finally, a similar arrangement exists between New Zealand and Niue, another Pacific island. Niue is self-governing but relies on New Zealand for defense and foreign affairs. Moreover, other regions with similar relationships include Greenland, the Faroe Islands (part of Denmark), and Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory).
