The Cook Islands, a group of 15 beautiful islands in the Pacific, might be about to separate completely from New Zealand. This surprising news came from an Auckland-based news outlet, which obtained documents from the government that had been kept secret until now.
The Cook Islands have been self-governing since 1965, meaning they manage most of their own affairs. However, New Zealand still handles the defense and helps with funding the country’s budget. Both nations also share the same head of state, King Charles III of the UK.
Recently, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown told New Zealand that his government wants to go a step further. They are aiming to create a separate Cook Islands citizenship and start issuing their own passports. While New Zealand is not completely opposed to this idea, they have concerns. New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that full independence would raise serious questions about their relationship and shared citizenship.
New Zealand, however, has made it clear that it wouldn’t stand in the way of Cook Islands declaring full independence. But, Luxon added that Cook Islanders who are also New Zealand citizens must have a say in the decision through a referendum. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, agreed, saying that a vote would be needed to gauge the people’s opinion on what full independence would mean for them.
The Cook Islands has a population of about 15,000 people, many of whom are also citizens of New Zealand. In fact, there are about 80,000 Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. Most of them were born in New Zealand, and this has created a special connection between the two nations. But now, the Cook Islands government is considering whether it’s time to take the next step in their journey toward complete independence.
While the Cook Islands’ economy relies on tourism, fishing, offshore banking, and pearl exports, they still receive some financial support from New Zealand. However, the recent developments show that Cook Islands is growing more confident in its ability to stand alone.
In a major shift, the United States already recognizes the Cook Islands as a sovereign nation, having officially established diplomatic relations with them in September 2023. This move could be a sign of how things are changing for the small island nation.
What happens next will depend on the people of the Cook Islands. If they choose independence in a referendum, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the country.
