Aotearoa New Zealand’s Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says Cook Islanders’ protest against their government over key decisions resonate with the feelings of New Zealand Māori in Aotearoa “with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us”.

Seated in the front row outside the Cook Islands Parliament House, Ngarewa-Packer joined Monday’s peaceful protest, demanding certainty about New Zealand passports under the special constitutional relationship between the two countries.

She is visiting Rarotonga with her husband for a personal kaupapa, to celebrate their 30^th wedding anniversary.

In the past few days, Ngarewa-Packer has met with members of the local community who, she said, are really concerned with what’s going on.

“First and foremost, there’s concern about the separation of whakapapa – the separation from Aotearoa,” said Ngarewa-Packer, who is also the Pasifika spokesperson for Te Pāti Māori.

 “I think that what was really significant is that no one has asked to have their separation from New Zealand in their passport, no one has asked to have the degree of complication going over in China without being involved and I think what I could resonate with is how we as Māori are feeling in Aotearoa with a lot of decisions being made about us, without us.

“I think it was that recognition of tautoko.”

Ngarewa-Packer highlighted people’s frustration over a lack of consultation regarding key issues.

Despite being in the Opposition, she agrees with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters that the Cook Islands government failed to consult adequately on the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China.

“The fact that there was no confidence because there’s been no korero, no engagement to know what are the consequences of this decision,” she said.

“The Cook Islands is the “tuakana” (elder) for us in Aotearoa. There will always be that obligation and I think there has to be, I absolutely support the recognition and the fact that there is an obligation.”

Ngarewa-Packer has been to multiple protests.

“You can never beat our indigenous protest because it’s got that mana. I don’t like what your government is doing but it doesn’t mean I don’t like you.”

On Tuesday, Cook Island Prime Minister Mark Brown reaffirmed that the controversial Cook Islands passport proposal is no longer being pursued and has assured the public that the country’s relationship with New Zealand remains strong.

On Monday, Brown said he was unaware of Ngarewa-Packer’s presence during the protest.

“I was just advised now that she was there, so I have no real idea what she was there for.”

Brown said he could not comment about her involvement because he had not spoken with her.

Ngarewa-Packer won Te Tai Hauāuru seat in the 2023 NZ general election. She is the co-leader of Te Pāti Māori alongside Rawiri Waititi, the chief executive of the Ngāti Ruanui iwi, an iwi leader and activist.