Former Cook Islands Deputy PM calls on NZ to reclaim control over health and education

A former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands is calling for the nation to reconsider rejoining New Zealand.

Prominent lawyer Norman George argues that self-government has failed and urges New Zealand to take control of education, policing, and healthcare in the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, sharing the same Head of State, King Charles III.

New Zealand has constitutional responsibilities in matters such as foreign affairs, disaster response, and defence.

The Cook Islands has been self-governing since August 2025, almost 60 years. Cook Islanders are also New Zealand citizens and hold New Zealand passports.

George describes the current political leadership under Prime Minister Mark Brown as undemocratic and dismissive of opposition voices.

"Cook Islands sovereignty is a mess, abused by the politicians and there's no democracy," George tells PMN.

"Our education system here is an absolute disaster, there's not one single New Zealand-educated teacher.

“All our teachers are from other Pacific islands, and by no means, I am not critical of them, but I can tell you in my book, none of them are good enough to teach my children and grandchildren.”

Norman George is a Cook Islands politician and former Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister, and Cabinet Minister. George was first elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands in 1983. He represented the electorate of Tengatangi–Areora–Ngatiarua for 21 years. Photo/Cook Islands News

A veteran Cook Islands politician, George was first elected in 1983. He served over 30 years in parliament including terms as speaker, deputy prime minister, and a cabinet minister. He lost his seat in the 2014 general election.

George also suggests that the Cook Islands should have at least three dedicated seats in the New Zealand Parliament, similar to Māori electorates.

“With New Zealand's approval and blessing, of course, we certainly are not demanding it.

“It's the kind of thing we want discussed because before, when we had internal self-government, nobody ever raised the idea, hey, we shouldn't be in a rush to go for self-government if you let us have some seats in your house.”

Responding to George’s suggestions, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledges the deep constitutional ties between the two nations.

“We have a very special relationship with the Cook Islands, it's coming up 60 years, and with that, it's a very special constitutional arrangement where we have certain rights and responsibilities to each other,” Luxon says.

NZ Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

But, Luxon was cautious about responding to George's specific proposals.

"Any change or evolution of those arrangements, we're always up for the conversation, but it would need to come from the Cook Islands people,” Luxon says.

“I'm not going to react just to an individual's idea. Anything that is concrete and proposed would come through proper channels for proper debate and discussion.

“But we do have very strong constitutional arrangements with a realm country arrangement that has obligations on both parties.”

George recently voiced his views in a letter to the editor of the Cook Islands News to "rattle the cage of thinkers in our community".

But he adds integration back to New Zealand needs to be carefully considered, and only progressed with the consent of the people of the Cook Islands and New Zealand.

The Cook Islands' Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has been approached for comment.