Cook Islands celebrates 60 years of partnership with New Zealand amid geopolitical tensions

Crowds gathered in Auckland as the Cook Islands community celebrated its language week and 60 years of free association with New Zealand.

The 60th Anniversary and Opening of Cook Islands Language Week 2025 kicked off on Monday in Glen Innes at the Te Oro Music and Arts Centre. This is part of a series of events planned for the week.

Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni were present and spoke at the event. Reti acknowledges the 16 years of Cook Islands language weeks, praising Mama Tupou Manapori and Mama Mi’i Tarapu for their contributions to the language.

Sepuloni says the long-standing relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand, “like any good relationship, has had its ups and downs”. Despite challenges, she says both nations have persevered and that there have been more positive moments than negative.

In his speech, Peters detailed the “unique relationship” between the Cook Islands and New Zealand, saying that throughout the 60 years, New Zealand consistently supported the economic and social development of the Pacific island nation.

Cook Islands Consular Keutekarakia Mataroa spoke on behalf of Prime Minister Mark Brown. He recognised the ancestral history and connection between Aotearoa and the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands’ Consul Keutekarakia Mataroa at the celebrations in Auckland on Monday. Photo/PMN News/Aui’a Vaimaila Leatinu’u

“To our modern-day settlers who came to work, and continue our settlement in Aotearoa. Cook Islanders have made immense contributions to the social, economic and cultural fabric of New Zealand. From healthcare, education, arts, sports, business to public service, our people have helped shape this nation.”

Mataroa reiterated the Cook Islands' commitment to its ongoing constitutional relationship with New Zealand, saying that despite recent challenges, the focus remains on clarity, dialogue, and nation-building supported by their shared citizenship and future.

This event follows a fallout over a deal the Cook Islands signed with China in February, which led New Zealand to pause $18.2 million in funding due to concerns over a perceived “lack of transparency”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at the 60th anniversary event in Auckland. Photo/PMN News/Aui’a Vaimaila Leatinu’u

In an in-depth interview with Pacific Mornings host William Terite, former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and current President of the ruling Cook Islands Party, Henry Puna, commented on the aid suspension.

“It's like being, as they say, whipped or beaten with a broomstick because we've been misbehaving,” Puna says. At the Auckland anniversary event, Peters chose not to respond directly to Puna’s remarks, instead emphasising the celebration of “60 years of success”.

"We're not going to be sidetracked, detoured, or misrepresented because that last comment would be a sad misrepresentation. Because I haven't seen it, I'll wait until I've seen [Puna] say it,” Peters says.

Listen to Part One of an extensive interview with Henry Puna below.

Event MC and Cook Islands community leader, Caren Rangi, says the anniversary feels like trying to “celebrate a wedding anniversary when the husband and wife aren’t speaking”.

“But with goodwill, I have confidence that we'll get through this because there's too much to be lost if we don't for both countries. Just reflecting on the speeches from both Minister Peters and from Carmel Sepuloni, 60 years is a long time to be in a relationship,” Rangi says.

“As long as there's will on both sides to have dialogue and to have the hard conversations, then the only way can be forward. It’s only going to work well if both sides have got a clear and consistent idea of what partnership means and what the current arrangement means for each of them.”

Caren Rangi. Photo/Supplied

Despite the political backdrop, Rangi says the day is “full of joy”, where communities gather to sing, dance, and speak the Cook Islands’ language, showcasing the presence of all age groups. She commends the Cook Islands community for its consistent engagement.

Prior to the Te Oro event, she attended the official launch of Cook Islands Language Week at the Manukau Institute of Technology. “The fact that our people are here, that they're wanting to mark these occasions,” Rangi says.

“We hear our reo spoken, young people, old people, our culture. These are all really great things to be joyful for and our challenge and our opportunity is how we continue to do that.

“To all of our communities, as we observe the relationships between the New Zealand community, the New Zealand Government and our Cook Islands government, my message to our communities is to be kind.

“We need this relationship. It's mutually beneficial to both countries. Some of us live in both countries. We need the relationship to work because we've got to look at the next 60 years and what that's going to mean for the success of our people.”