New Zealand has rejected a proposal from the Cook Islands to introduce separate passports for its citizens while maintaining their New Zealand citizenship.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown had argued that a unique passport would “recognise our own people.” However, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters clarified that separate passports are only possible for fully independent nations.
“Such a referendum would allow the Cook Islands people to carefully weigh up whether they prefer the status quo… or full independence,” Peters said, adding that any change to the relationship would require a referendum.
The proposal has sparked criticism from Cook Islanders. Thomas Wynne, a Wellington-based Cook Islander, questioned the lack of public consultation: “What do the people of the Cook Islands want, and have they been consulted?”
With nearly 100,000 Cook Islanders living in New Zealand, many fear the move could impact access to New Zealand’s services, including healthcare.
Brown later assured, “We will not implement anything that affects our important status [with New Zealand].”