New Zealand has turned down a proposal from the Cook Islands to introduce a distinct passport for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship.
The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation in “free association” with New Zealand, relies on Wellington for its foreign affairs and defense. Cook Islanders enjoy the right to live, work, and access healthcare in New Zealand.
Prime Minister Mark Brown had advocated for separate passports to “recognise our own people.” However, New Zealand clarified that such an arrangement would only be possible if the Cook Islands achieved full independence.
Documents shared with local broadcaster 1News and reviewed by Reuters revealed that Brown had been lobbying for a separate passport and citizenship for months while maintaining the Cook Islands’ realm status under New Zealand.
While nearly 100,000 Cook Islanders reside in New Zealand, only about 15,000 live on the islands. Those who have lived in New Zealand for at least one year are eligible to vote or stand in its elections and referendums.
Tensions between the two nations have reportedly risen over the citizenship issue, with several high-level talks held in recent months. In November, Brown told Radio New Zealand, “New Zealanders are free to carry dual passports, and many hold passports from other countries. We aim to do something similar.”
However, some Cook Islanders criticized their government for insufficient public consultation on the matter. Thomas Wynne, a Cook Islander based in Wellington, questioned whether the people had been consulted on such a critical decision or if it was being made unilaterally.
Other residents expressed concerns that a separate passport might jeopardize their access to New Zealand services, such as healthcare.
On Sunday, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters effectively closed the discussion, stating that a separate passport and citizenship could only be granted to fully sovereign nations. He added that any changes to the current arrangement would require a referendum.
“Such a referendum would allow Cook Islanders to decide whether they prefer the current benefits of New Zealand citizenship or full independence,” Peters said in a statement. He emphasized that New Zealand was open to discussions if the Cook Islands government pursued independence.
Like the Cook Islands, the Pacific island of Niue shares a similar self-governing status with New Zealand, depending on Wellington for defense and foreign affairs. Globally, other self-governing territories, such as Greenland and the Faroe Islands under Denmark and Puerto Rico under the US, follow comparable arrangements.
