• New Zealand has formally rejected a proposal by the Cook Islands government for its own passport and citizenship, stating that these are privileges reserved for fully independent countries, but is open to discussions if Cook Islanders vote to be an independent nation.
• The Cook Islands is a South Pacific self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand that manages its own domestic and international affairs and has its own constitution – but its citizens hold New Zealand citizenship.
• Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is the biggest advocate for a distinct Cook Islands passport, arguing that having a passport would not impact his territory’s relationship with New Zealand.
• The Cook Islands government has stated that it is not interested in pursuing independence from Wellington.

New Zealand has formally rejected a proposal by the Cook Islands to create its own sovereign passport and citizenship, stating that such measures are only available to fully independent nations – which the Cook Islands is not – but added that it would be willing to discuss these terms provided that Cook Islanders voted to be independent.

The Cook Islands, a grouping of 15 islands and atolls in the South Pacific with a population of approximately 15,000, was first incorporated into the British Empire as a dependent territory of New Zealand in 1901. Its islanders only gained New Zealand citizenship in 1948, and by 1965 Wellington granted the Cook Islands the status of a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand.

This means that the Cook Islands has its own constitution and conducts its own domestic and international affairs. But its people have New Zealand citizenship, and Wellington is constitutionally obligated to assist when it comes to foreign affairs, natural disasters and defense. As New Zealand citizens, Cook Islanders also have the right to live and work in New Zealand. (Related: Small islands that climate change alarmists warned would disappear are actually growing, study shows.)

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has clarified that this is not possible under the existing constitutional framework.

In a statement released on Dec. 22, a spokesperson for New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters emphasized that a separate passport, citizenship and United Nations membership are exclusive to sovereign and independent countries.

“If the goal of the Government of the Cook Islands is independence from New Zealand, then of course that’s a conversation we are ready for them to initiate,” added the spokesperson, indicating Wellington’s willingness to recognize Cook Islands independence, provided that such a move was done through a free and open referendum among its population.

Peters’ ministry argued that such a referendum would allow residents to weigh the benefits of retaining New Zealand citizenship and passports against the prospect of full independence.

Nearly 100,000 people who identify as Cook Island Maori currently reside in New Zealand, further strengthening the cultural and familial bonds between the two nations.

“We deeply value Cook Islanders as New Zealand citizens – including the almost 100,000 who live in New Zealand,” said Peters’ spokesperson. “Cook Islanders are members of our diverse family, with their own distinct cultural identity.”

New Zealand’s position has been reiterated by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who has also ruled out the possibility of a Cook Islands passport under the current free association arrangement.

Cook Islands government not interested in seeking independence

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has been pushing the case for the Cook Islands to have its own passport distinct from New Zealand. Brown has been arguing that it would not affect the unique relationship between the two nations.

In a letter to Brown in September 2024, Peters expressed concerns that a Cook Islands passport would “raise fundamental questions for our shared constitutional relationship and shared citizenship.” Brown has argued that the proposal is an “internal matter” and likened it to New Zealanders holding dual passports from other countries.

Despite New Zealand’s rejection of the passport proposal, Brown has indicated that the Cook Islands has no intention of seeking independence from its free association with New Zealand.

“The Cook Islands would not be implementing anything that affects our important [relationship with New Zealand],” said Brown in a press briefing.

BigGovernment.news has more stories like this.

Watch this short video discussing the struggle by Maori both in New Zealand and in the Cook Islands for sovereignty from Wellington.

This video is from the Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

GreatGameIndia.com

Reuters.com

RNZ.co.nz

NIT.com.au

Brighteon.com