The future of the Cook Islands Consulate office in Auckland remains uncertain as the government reviews its international diplomatic presence.

During Monday’s Question-and-answer session, Prime Minister Mark Brown addressed questions raised by the United Party leader Teariki Heather regarding the office, which has been closed for several years.

Heather asked whether the office was still open, stating that he was aware it was not.

Brown explained that the closure stemmed from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I would like to take you back to the year 2020," Brown said. "During that time, there was a quarantine imposed and so, including all the officers, they were also quarantined."

He noted that for two years during New Zealand’s lockdown, the consulate office remained unused, with staff, including the Consul-General, working remotely from home.

"And in fact, when the lease came due for renewal, we paid a significant amount for a building that no one was inside," Brown said.

Faced with financial constraints, the government opted not to renew the lease, choosing instead to wait and assess the situation.

"Since that time, our economy has been looking to recover. We have been very careful in where we put our money in those areas that need additional financing, such as renewal of lease, especially when our staff in Auckland have been so effective in being able to work remotely," Brown said.

He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) is currently reviewing the country’s overseas offices, including the roles of the High Commissioners in Wellington and Fiji.

"But from what I understand, the outcome of the review will determine what type of office we need in Auckland," he said.

Brown also hinted at a possible expansion of the country's diplomatic presence.

"With our growing international engagement, [we are considering] whether it is worthwhile for us to also look at considering a High Commission in Australia," he said.

The Auckland Consulate-General office had played a key role in serving the Cook Islands community in New Zealand, which numbers around 62,000 people.

In 2019, there were discussions about converting the office into a community engagement and health referrals centre, raising concerns about reduced diplomatic representation in Auckland. At the time, then-Prime Minister Henry Puna suggested the shift was driven by the need to support Cook Islanders traveling to New Zealand for medical treatment. The outcome of the current MFAI review will determine whether the Auckland consulate will reopen, be repurposed, or remain closed.