NZ criticism of Cook Islands’ passport proposal sparks dual citizenship debate

A Cook Islands historian says New Zealand’s response to the South Pacific nation’s proposed national passport is hypocritical, especially since it effectively represents dual citizenship.

The Cook Islands, which operates in free association with New Zealand, plans to launch a symbolic national passport to commemorate its 60 years of statehood.

New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, said the Cook Islands could only have its own passport if it gave up New Zealand citizenship.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown clarified that this initiative is meant to emphasise national pride rather than to abolish NZ citizenship or their constitutional relationship to Aotearoa.

Speaking to Khalia Strong on Pacific Mornings, Cook Islands’ author and historian Howard Henry said that while Brown has not elaborated on the long-term goals of the new passport, it ultimately embodies the idea of dual citizenship.

Henry criticised New Zealand’s “stumbling block” response, pointing out the inconsistency, as Kiwis are allowed dual citizenship with countries like Ireland or the United States.

“Why can't the Cook Islands be treated the same?

“The relationship with New Zealand and that is already firmly established, set in place over many years now, and that will continue - There will be no change to that.

“What they're saying is you can't have both and yet New Zealanders could have both if they want to have a New Zealand-Irish passport or a New Zealand-American passport.”

Listen to Howard Henry's full interview below.

A case of self-determination?

Henry views the passport initiative as a sign that the Cook Islands is “wanting to grow up a little bit more”.

“We've got enough self-determination now, right? The Cook Islands basically can operate as an independent country now [so] there's no reason why we can't do it.

“If you look back through history over the last 100 years, how many countries were a colonial territory? They gained their independence, and then over a period of time, they developed and they grew up.

“Their democracy [and] economies and it keeps evolving. Our economy is still evolving, still developing.

“There's challenges, of course, with all sorts of things that are happening within our social and economic society but those are challenges that are happening everywhere.”

NZ Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters warned the Cook Islands of potential implications for their longstanding constitutional relationship. Photo /file.

Call for consultation

Although Henry criticised New Zealand’s response, he acknowledged that the Cook Islands have also not been consulted regarding the long-term purpose of the passport initiative.

“It's almost like he's been flying a kite," he said of Prime Minister Brown.

“There needs to be, and will be I'm quite sure, a lot more consultation so that people are aware and informed and understand the big picture of what's happening and what's involved, and then they can make a decision.”

Henry said most residents do not wish to surrender their New Zealand passports and urged Brown to clarify the objectives of the passport initiative, especially since their NZ citizenship could be affected.

“Tell people what the long-term objective is and why this needs to happen so that people understand.

“At the moment, there has not been enough publicity [and] discussion within the community and within various organisations.”

Watch Winston Peters' full interview on the passport issue below.