South Pacific nation to declare independence – media

The Cook Islands archipelago is reportedly looking to fully separate from New Zealand

The Cook Islands nation is on track to fully separate from New Zealand in the near future, an Auckland-based outlet has reported, citing declassified documents obtained from the government.

The 15-island archipelago has been a self-governing territory since 1965, with the government in Wellington handling Avarua’s defense and funding its budget. Both recognize Charles III of the UK as their head of state.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has told New Zealand that the archipelago wants to establish a separate citizenship and to issue passports, 1News said on Monday, citing documents obtained from the government.

The government in Wellington has responded that this “would raise fundamental questions for our constitutional relationship and shared citizenship.”

New Zealand does not object to Cook Islands declaring full independence, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reportedly told Brown during a meeting last month, also according to 1News. However, Wellington “would have a duty to ensure that Cook Islanders who are New Zealand citizens have an opportunity to express a view on the full implications of such a development,” according to documents seen by the outlet.

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Any move towards full independence would require a referendum involving Cook Islanders, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has said in a letter, also seen by 1News.

The archipelago itself has a population of about 15,000, most of whom are citizens of New Zealand as well. Another 80,000 Cook Islanders live on the two islands of New Zealand, and about 85% were born there.

Cook Islands is about 1,900 miles away from New Zealand. First settled by Polynesians who sailed over from Tahiti, the islands had their first contact with European explorers in 1595. The archipelago was ultimately named after the British explorer Captain James Cook, who visited them in the 1770s.

During the 19th century, Cook Islands was a popular port of call for British, American and Australian whaling ships. In modern times, the nation’s economy is mainly based on tourists visiting its many beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs. Fishing, offshore banking and pearl exports help complement the islands’ budget, in addition to payments from New Zealand.

The US has already recognized Cook Islands as a sovereign nation, establishing diplomatic relations with Avarua in September 2023.