Let’s do full independence!
Radio NZ reports:
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he will only re-work constitutional ties with New Zealand if the new agreement makes it clear his country is now “more independent” – risking a fresh brawl with Wellington.
Brown has been caught up in a bitter dispute with New Zealand over contentious agreements he’s signed with China, as well as his push to introduce a passport for Cook Islands.
New Zealand said both of those moves were in breach of long-standing constitutional agreements from 1965, 1973 and 2001, which made it clear Cook Islands must consult with it over foreign policy and security issues.
I agree the Cook Islands should be more independent. In fact they should be fully independent. But what Brown wants is all the perks of being part of the Realm of New Zealand, and none of the responsibilities.
So here’s what we should do:
- Referendum in Cooks on independence
- If they vote yes, we save $24 million a year in funding most of their Government
- We grandfather in existing Cooks residents as citizens, but anyone born after independence does not get NZ citizenship or residency