Former Cook Islands PM urges continued Cook Islands–New Zealand partnership

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Puna says Cook Islanders recognise the importance of preserving their constitutional relationship with New Zealand.

His comments follow a multi-million dollar funding suspension confirmed last year after relations between the two countries became strained.

“We are New Zealand citizens and we want to maintain that relationship for the future,” Puna says.

“The Prime Minister made that very clear in his constitution speech last year.”

The Cook Islands marked 60 years of free association with New Zealand last year. Under the constitutional arrangement, the Cook Islands manages its own domestic affairs while Aotearoa is responsible for defence and foreign affairs and provides budgetary support.

Both countries are preparing for general elections this year.

Listen to Puna's full interview below.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters says discussions between the two countries are ongoing but could take time to resolve.

“There's still a work in progress, no updates at the moment, but that probably is because we've just finished the Christmas season, it's the new year and everybody's gone back to work,” Peters told William Terite on Pacific Mornings recently.

Responding to a suggestion by Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi about the need for a Realm Roundtable session during the same interview, Peters said he's open to hearing anyone's suggestions.

“I would not jump to a conclusion and give you a response until we've thoroughly considered such an idea but that's the Pacific way,” Peters told Terite.

Puna says there’s been progress privately with a high-level visit expected soon.

The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in 'free association' with New Zealand. Located between French Polynesia and American Samoa. Photo/Supplied

“I understand that there has been movement behind the scenes, not in public and I believe that pretty soon, maybe in the next couple of weeks, our Prime Minister will be in New Zealand, to discuss that very issue.”

He says despite geopolitical pressures and growing global interest in the Pacific, Cook Islands voters are likely to prioritise economic performance and stability over foreign policy tensions.

As Cook Islanders head to the voting booth this year, Puna reaffirms his confidence in the Cook Islands Party which he was made president of last July.

“If we can campaign on the basis that the government has been solid, stable, and has generated economic growth for the country over the past 15 years, then people are not blind, they can see and they can appreciate that.”

Puna also touches on his new position as the interim director of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center following a renewed and expanded strategic focus on Pacific economic security beginning this year.

NZ Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters. Photo/PMN News

“I remember meeting President Obama here [in Hawai’i] with other Pacific leaders when he was President, and then just before I hosted the forum in Rarotonga in 2012, we met Hillary Clinton here at the East-West Center.

“So in many ways, you know, East-West Center is a convening, a meeting place between the Pacific and the US.”