Cook Islands have had a proposal to introduce separate passports for its citizens while retaining New Zealand citizenship rejected. 

The office of New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the Cook Islands can only have its own passport if it gives up NZ citizenship. 

The Cook Islands operates in free association with New Zealand, conducting its own affairs. But, New Zealand is responsible for its foreign affairs and defence, plus Cook Islanders can live, work and access healthcare here. 

International Relations Professor Robert Patman tells Tim Beveridge it is not clear how widespread the want for independence is in the Cook Islands.  

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says they need their own passport to “recognise our own people”. 

Patman says there is a concern that Prime Minister Brown is putting a good relationship with NZ in jeopardy with this initiative. 

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