Cooks Independence

Stuff reports:

The Cook Islands is pushing for independence from New Zealand – but the price for its people is that their children will lose their New Zealand citizenship.

Can’t have both.

It is understood the Cooks see a vote at the UN as an important bargaining chip that could give them greater influence and leverage to secure more aid and economic development cash. Puna is keen for what officials are calling “the money and the bag” option – full independence while retaining NZ citizenship – but that is unlikely to be granted. 

The impolite way of interpreting this is that if they get a vote at the UN, they can sell that vote for lots of money. The UN and FIFA have a bit in common at times!