Cook Islands opposition leader says talks with New Zealand could wait until after election

The leader of the Cook Islands United Party says major talks with New Zealand could be put on hold until after both countries have gone through their upcoming elections.

Te Ariki Heather says if his party wins the 12 August election, it would pause efforts to reset relations with Wellington until New Zealand’s own general election later this year.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Heather said timing would be key to repairing what he described as a strained relationship under current Prime Minister Mark Brown.

"Our plan is, once we take government, we wait until the 7th of November when New Zealand makes their decision on who's the government," Heather says.

"Looking at next year will be sort of a priority for us to come across to New Zealand and sort of like to discuss our relationship."

New Zealand officials have previously stressed that the Cook Islands’ relationship with Wellington is built on a long-standing constitutional arrangement, with both countries closely linked through citizenship and shared responsibilities.

“New Zealand and the Cook Islands are close partners, with many constitutional, Pacific, and people-to-people links,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says.

Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship under the current free association arrangement, which has shaped the relationship between the two countries for decades.

Heather also moved to rule out any move towards a separate Cook Islands passport.

Te Ariki Heather says the Cook Islands values its long-standing relationship with New Zealand and has no plans to introduce a separate passport. Photo/PMN News

He said the country’s ties with Aotearoa must remain central.

"We will never in the Cook Islands have our own passport," he said. “We love our relationship with our people in New Zealand, Australia and everywhere else and we want to keep New Zealand associated or citizenship with New Zealand. “

The Cook Islands government has previously said it remains committed to its relationship with New Zealand while maintaining its own identity.

“Celebrating Cook Islands identity while preserving our relationship with New Zealand,” Brown’s office has said in a previous statement on constitutional ties.

Domestically, Heather says the rising cost of living and inflation and a new water tariff are among the biggest concerns for families.

He said the United Party would push to reduce reliance on imported food by investing more in farming and fishing and encouraging people back to the homeland.

Te Ariki Heather says boosting agriculture is central to the United Party's plan to reduce reliance on imported food and strengthen food security. Photo/Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture

‘It’s a focus for us to try and reduce NCDs in Cook Island and the only way we can do that is go back to the land, plant and vegetables and everything else.

“When we take government, we're going to really increase the budget for agriculture,but also demand power in that area and encourage our people to go back and plant in the land.

Heather also criticised Brown’s economic outlook, saying it does not reflect the pressure households are feeling from higher freight and import costs.

‘It’s not as rosy as the Prime Minister thinks it is because the increase in our freight costs and everything else will have a huge impact on all imported goods to the country now, but more so in the area of where our GDP is rising as well.

Prime Minister Brown has said strong tourism numbers have helped the Cook Islands avoid a five per cent drop in GDP.

However, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management has warned the economy could still face inflation pressures and a possible downturn.

Listen to Cook Islands United Party Leader Te Ariki Heather on Pacific Mornings with William Terite

Heather said his party is ready for the campaign ahead with policy work already well underway.

“We've been ready since the beginning of this year,” he says. “We've been working hard, getting all our manifesto policies ready.”

Under the current arrangement, New Zealand retains responsibility for defence and foreign affairs at the request of the Cook Islands, while the country remains self-governing in free association.

The Cook Islands goes to the polls on 12 August to elect 24 members of parliament.