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Friday 20 June 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, New Zealand, Parliament, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown in Parliament on June 16, 2025. LOSIRENE LACANIVALU / 25061621
Cook Islands engages with countries “who respect our sovereignty”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown, calling New Zealand’s decision to pause $18.2 million in development assistance “patronising” and “inconsistent with modern partnership”.
Cook Islands engages with countries “who respect our sovereignty”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown, calling New Zealand’s decision to pause $18.2 million in development assistance “patronising” and “inconsistent with modern partnership”.
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Comments
David Sadler on 22/06/2025
Yes even in partnerships all things are not equal and to expect Cook Islands with 17,000 people to have as much say in the partnership with NZ having more than 5 million people shows naivity in PM Brown and not the skill set we need in our leader
Te Tuhi Kelly on 20/06/2025
Obfuscation, We all agree that the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand must evolve with respect and fairness. But let’s not confuse legal reality with political aspiration. The JCD may not be legally enforceable, but it formalises obligations like consultation, not just for the Cook Islands, but for New Zealand too. That means mutual respect, not unilateral moves. Yes, NZ signs deals with China. But NZ is fully sovereign. We are not, we are in free association. If we want the same level of autonomy, the solution isn’t selective outrage, it’s a clear, democratic mandate for independence. Until then, consultation is not a favour. It’s part of the deal. Sorry bout it. TBH it is a partnering arrangement not a partnership. If it was then the free association status needs to be visited so that the Cook Islands has full sovereignty rather than the partial one it has in terms of its foriegn arrangements.