Cook Islands seeks own passport, but New Zealand rejects proposal

Cook Islands seeks own passport, but New Zealand rejects proposal

New Zealand has turned down a proposal from the Cook Islands that sought to establish a distinct passport for its citizens while still permitting them to maintain their New Zealand citizenship.

The Cook Islands, a self-governing nation in the Pacific, maintains a “free association” status with New Zealand, which oversees its foreign affairs and defense.

Residents of the Cook Islands have the opportunity to live, work, and receive healthcare services in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Mark Brown has expressed a desire for Cook Islanders to possess their passports, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their identity. However, New Zealand has stated that this request cannot be fulfilled unless the Cook Islands achieves complete independence.

Documents obtained by local broadcaster 1News and reviewed by Reuters indicate that Brown has been advocating for a distinct passport and citizenship for residents of the Cook Islands for several months, all while seeking to preserve its status as a realm country of New Zealand.

Approximately 100,000 citizens of the Cook Islands reside in New Zealand, in stark contrast to the roughly 15,000 who remain on the Cook Islands themselves. Individuals who have resided in New Zealand for at least one year are eligible to participate in the country’s elections and referendums by contesting or casting their votes.

Recent reports indicate that tensions between the two nations regarding separate citizenship are rising. Leaders from both countries have engaged in discussions in recent months to address the issue.

In a statement made in November, Radio New Zealand reported that New Zealanders have the option to hold dual passports, with many citizens possessing passports from other nations, according to Brown.

“We will be doing the same thing,” he stated.

Some Cook Islanders have criticized the government, citing a lack of consultation regarding the proposal.

Thomas Wynne, a national from the Cook Islands residing in Wellington, expressed his concerns to Cook Islands News, stating, “The real question is what do the people of the Cook Islands want, and have they been consulted on this critical decision?” Will the decision be made by a select few representing the interests of the larger population?

Residents of the Cook Islands expressed concerns to 1News regarding the potential impact of such a decision on their access to essential services, including their healthcare rights in New Zealand.

On Sunday, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters concluded the discussion by stating that a separate passport and citizenship are reserved exclusively for fully independent and sovereign nations.

He stated that any alteration to the existing relationship between the two nations would necessitate a referendum.

“A referendum of this nature would enable the people of the Cook Islands to thoughtfully consider their preference between maintaining the current arrangement, which includes access to New Zealand citizenship and passports, or pursuing full independence,” he stated in a communication to the press.

“Should the Cook Islands government aim for independence from New Zealand, it is certainly a discussion we are prepared to engage in.”

In response to Peters’ statement, Brown emphasized that the Cook Islands would “not be implementing anything that affects our important status [with New Zealand],” as reported by 1News.

Niue, a small island in the Pacific, maintains a unique connection with New Zealand. While it enjoys internal self-governance, it depends on Wellington for defense and most of its foreign affairs.

Self-governing territories can be found in regions globally, such as Greenland and the Faroe Islands, both of which are associated with the Kingdom of Denmark. Additionally, Puerto Rico operates under the jurisdiction of the United States, particularly in matters of defense and foreign affairs.

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