The Cook Islands archipelago is reportedly looking to fully separate from New Zealand.
The Cook Islands nation is on track to fully separate from New Zealand in the near future, an Auckland-based outlet has reported, citing declassified documents obtained from the government.
The 15-island archipelago has been a self-governing territory since 1965, with the government in Wellington handling Avarua’s defense and funding its budget. Both recognise Charles III of the UK as their head of state.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has told New Zealand that the archipelago wants to establish a separate citizenship and to issue passports, state media outlet 1News said on Monday, citing documents obtained from the government.
The government in Wellington has responded that this “would raise fundamental questions for our constitutional relationship and shared citizenship.”
New Zealand does not object to Cook Islands declaring full independence, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reportedly told Brown during a meeting last month. However, Wellington “would have a duty to ensure that Cook Islanders who are New Zealand citizens have an opportunity to express a view on the full implications of such a development,” according to documents seen by the outlet.
Any move towards full independence would require a referendum involving Cook Islanders, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a letter.
The archipelago itself has a population of about 15,000, most of whom are citizens of New Zealand as well. Another 80,000 Cook Islanders live in New Zealand, and about 85% were born there.
Cook Islands is about 1,900 miles away from New Zealand. First settled by Polynesians who sailed over from Tahiti, the islands had their first contact with European explorers in 1595. The archipelago was ultimately named after the British explorer Captain James Cook, who visited them in the 1770s.
During the 19th century, Cook Islands was a popular port of call for British, American and Australian whaling ships. In modern times, the nation’s economy is mainly based on tourists visiting its many beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs. Fishing, offshore banking and pearl exports help complement the islands’ budget, in addition to payments from New Zealand.
The US has already recognised Cook Islands as a sovereign nation, establishing diplomatic relations with Avarua in September 2023.
Image credit: Flynn Powell
Have the Cook’s been offered a better deal by China?
By the yanks possibly.
They have looked at the political swamp in Wellington and decided they don’t want to set foot in it….I understand completely……
Don’t blame them.
After watching what happened to those Pacific islands being subjected to the Ardern family father and daughter tyranny I think any island which is New Zealand administered should make a move to escape. I don’t know why the Pacific islands can’t form some sort of conglomerate, establish sovereignty, write a constitution which will protect the people, invite a few Russian diplomats for a holiday, then sit back and wait for the bidding to begin.