Cook Islanders worry over China amid anniversary party

As the Cook Islands marks the 60th anniversary of its free association with New Zealand, local residents are openly expressing their concerns about the government’s growing ties with China and public statements made by Prime Minister Mark Brown.

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

Pacific Mornings host William Terite is in Rarotonga and spoke with stallholders at the Punanga Nui Market.

Mehau Piho, who has operated A&M Pearls in Manihiki since 1989, says that while the local economy is slowly recovering from Covid-19, deeper concerns remain.

“It’s really hard to get workers. Technicians are now just slowly coming back, but there are not many [pearl] farmers left in Manihiki,” she says.

Piho enjoys selling directly to customers and educating tourists about the Cook Islands’ iconic black pearls.

Mehau Piho (right) of A&M Pears at Punanga Nui Market. Photo/PMN News/William Terite

“I love to sell them myself, rather than getting somebody else to do it. I love sharing with the tourists, to let them know what they’re buying. They buy locally, even though we have other pearls here from Tahiti.”

When asked about the recent tensions between New Zealand and the Cook Islands over relations with China, Piho is frank: “I think our government needs to be careful in what they're saying. I get a lot of feedback from people saying, ‘Oh, New Zealand needs us’. I say, ‘Hey, it works both ways’. New Zealand's been there for us over 60 years now.”

When asked about her feelings towards the government, Piho has mixed opinions and calls for greater transparency.

“There’s been some good things, but there’s also been negatives … Even to this day, I still don’t know what they signed. I don’t think a lot of people know what our government signed.

“[The government] needs to be a bit more transparent with the people, because it's the people who put them there. They’re supposed to be thinking of the people … but for me, I think they’ve got a different agenda.”

Saro Taia Rasmussen, chief executive of Te Poreho Products, at the Punanga Nui Markets Photo/PMN News/William Terite

Saro Taia Rasmussen, who owns Te Poreho Products, enjoys the freedom of island life but is concerned about the rising cost of living and running a business.

“I make all these by hand - necklaces, bracelets, even little costumes and outfits. I use these shells - they don’t really have them here in Rarotonga; they come from the Northern Islands, so they’re hard to get too.”

While he enjoys living in Rarotonga, Rasmussen finds the political relationship with China complicated.

“I don’t like it, but on the other hand, it could bring more work for the people here.”

Locals and tourists enjoy live music at the Punanga Nui Market. Photo/PMN News/William Terite

A local woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her journey of running a painting and pareu business as a means of survival and healing after personal loss.

Having returned to the Cook Islands after 26 years abroad, she finds the anniversary celebrations deeply meaningful but is concerned about the future.

“Two years ago, my husband died, and I needed to put food on the table … I know the Lord helps me, and it’s my passion. I’m my own boss - no one has to tell me what to do.”

“It is so important to me because it is part of me. I was born in the Cook Islands, raised in the Cook Islands … what we do here brings back memories of the generations that have gone. I love being a Cook Islander and I love New Zealand, I do … and I’m so worried now about what’s going to happen to us.”

A national public holiday on 4 August marks the establishment of the Cook Islands as a self-governing nation.

Dame Cindy Kiro, New Zealand’s Governor-General, will deliver a keynote address on Constitution Day at the National Auditorium in Avarua on Monday.

PMN Cook Islands producer Susnation Seta speaks about the celebrations in Rarotonga, including Te Maeva Nui cultural festival.