Former Cook Islands MP urges caution in global power dynamics

As the Cook Islands prepares to celebrate 60 years of self-governance, former Cabinet Minister and diplomat, Iaveta Short, says the country is at a critical crossroads.

Short says the Cook Islands is caught between the aspiration for full independence and the economic necessity of its ongoing relationship with New Zealand.

He says there is also a need to navigate carefully in foreign relations, especially regarding China and the United States, while advocating for strong ties with Aotearoa to maintain regional stability.

In an interview on Pacific Mornings, Short discussed the complexities of self-determination.

"Our government thinks that we are basically sovereign in the sense that we make all our own laws and there's no law that we cannot make,” he says.

“The only thing we have not yet been able to do is completely sever our ties with New Zealand and the reason we could not do that is because it requires a special process.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown. Photo/Supplied

“It has to have a two-thirds majority in Parliament and it has to have a referendum with a two-thirds support by the people and you're not going to get that.”

Short says the Cook Islands' reliance on New Zealand’s financial aid is central to the hesitance surrounding full independence.

His comments follow the New Zealand Government’s decision not to send any ministers to the Cook Islands’ 60th anniversary celebration of self-governance.

Watch Iaveta Short's full interview

The absence comes after Foreign Affairs Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, announced a pause on $18.2 million in development funding to the Cook Islands due to a lack of consultation over a recent agreement with China.

Instead of distancing from New Zealand, Short advocates for strengthening ties and improving local infrastructure.

"Without New Zealand’s support, I don't know how many times New Zealand gives us millions of dollars. Every now and again, we get funded,” Short says.

"What I think we should be doing is promoting our relationship with New Zealand and saying to New Zealand we are part of you, we should have a better school here, we should have a better secondary school, we should have a better hospital.”

Short also warned against the Cook Islands becoming entangled in global political rivalries, particularly with major powers like China and the US.

He specifically referenced recent controversies over agreements with China, calling for a cautious approach in international relations.

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

"I think sometimes we get ourselves caught up in these things unknowingly, and we should have been a little bit more sensitive to these things.

"Let's not be foolish. There are world affairs that are changing. The alliances are changing, and we in the Cook Islands have an important position in the Pacific. And I think New Zealand doesn't want us to start playing around with countries like China.”

Short believes the Cook Islands should embrace its unique dual-nationality identity.

"The Cook Islands appreciate the fact that we can get on the plane and fly to New Zealand, get a job whenever we can.

“They know how people from Fiji and other countries can't do that when they go to New Zealand.

“We appreciate the fact that we are people with two countries, us and New Zealand. Not many people have that right.”