Cook Islands opposition rejects independence, calls for greater self-sufficiency

Cook Islands leader of the opposition Tina Browne Photo: Caleb Fotheringham

The leader of the Cook Islands opposition Tina Browne wants the country to be more self-sufficient, but says there is no desire to be independent from New Zealand.

The Cook Islands marks 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on 4 August.

Rarotonga has been flooded with high-profile visitors, including the Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa and leaders from French Polynesia, Niue, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

But New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters are not present. The Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro is representing New Zealand at the event instead.

"The politicians recognise that it's sad that New Zealand's not here, but Cook Islanders are great at celebrating events and that's exactly what we're doing," Browne said.  

Peters has challenged Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown to hold an independence referendum.

However, opposition leader Browne said it was not needed.

"We don't need a referendum to say to New Zealand that we don't want independence, not now."

She said she agrees with her government's direction in trying to be more self-sufficient.

"I understand [the] government's decision to go out looking for development funds, and I agree with that direction. But I certainly don't agree to [severing] our relationship with New Zealand."

Browne said she was concerned about the contents of the agreements, particularly the overarching Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China.

She said having China's support in maritime development, such as building ports in the Northern Group, or being involved in deep sea mining could undermine national security.

"Just have a look around in the Pacific and how others are engaging with China and what the outcomes are. I certainly don't want us, the Cooks, to be in that situation."

Another opposition MP Teariki Heather, who is the leader of Cook Islands United Party, said he wants Prime Minister Brown to apologise to the New Zealand government.

He disagrees that New Zealand needed to consult with the Cook Islands, which Brown has suggested is a requirement under the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration.

"We don't aid New Zealand, New Zealand aids the Cook Islands," Heather said, who led a protest against Brown's leadership in February.

Heather said he had not read the agreements between China and the Cook Islands - which have been made public.

Looking to the future, Heather wants a bigger focus on agriculture, so that eggs for example are farmed domestically, not imported from New Zealand or Samoa.

Heather said he was also very concerned about depopulation.

"We have nothing here at the moment to serve our people… we need our people to live and stay in our paradise."

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown declined a request for an interview.

New Zealand Green MP and Cook Islander Teanau Tuiono in Rarotonga, collecting his scooter license Photo: Caleb Fotheringham

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson and fellow MP Teanau Tuiono are the only New Zealand MPs attending the celebrations.

As a Cook Islander, Tuiono said it was important for him to be in Rarotonga.

"But also, that relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands is something that should be celebrated. It's 60 years, so it's incredibly significant for the people here, but also for our communities back home in Aotearoa."

Tuiono said it was important to remember the long-shared history of the Cook Islands, including family ties with Māori from Aotearoa and Cook Islands Māori, WWI participation, as well as the contribution Cook Islanders make in New Zealand society.