Will’s Word: Is Henry Puna the statesman the Cook Islands needs?

Broadcasting from Rarotonga this past week, one thing has become abundantly clear. While the island is buzzing with colour, dance and pride for Te Maeva Nui, don't get me wrong, the political undercurrent is also pretty impossible to ignore.

So amid the celebrations, one man has re-emerged: Henry Puna, the former Prime Minister and current President of the Cook Islands Party. He may have stepped away from frontline politics, but the man still speaks and carries himself like a leader.

In my extended interview with him, in face-to-face time, Puna was calm, measured, and dare I say, razor sharp. There were no cheap shots, just clarity, reflection, and his steady hand.

Where others might have buckled under the questions I was asking, particularly around the Cook Islands deal with China, or fired back at New Zealand's decision to freeze funding, Puna struck a different tone.

Diplomatic but firm, reflective but unapologetic. In some ways, he reminded me of Winston Peters. You got the sense he genuinely believes in Cook Islands sovereignty and self-determination, but also understands the delicate balancing act required in a region increasingly caught between global powers.

In this case, China. Puna, put simply, understands the machinery of both Rarotonga and Wellington. He has personal relationships with New Zealand's political leadership and more importantly, he understands the importance of not letting pride get in the way of progress.

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As tensions simmer between the two nations, the question inevitably becomes whose best place to dial things down? I'm not saying he needs to step into any particular role. Perhaps being president is enough to do this.

Perhaps Puna is who they need to mend relations with New Zealand. Perhaps Puna may still be a statesman capable of fixing this relationship with Aotearoa. Only time will tell.

That's Will's Word.