Cook Islands’ recent decision to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China has certainly raised the hackles of our people in the Cook Islands and our relationship with New Zealand, writes Te Tuhi Kelly, leader of the Progressive Party.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has expressed that the Cook Islands government did not adequately consult with New Zealand regarding this agreement, which is a requirement under the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration between the two nations. Despite Prime Minister Mark Brown’s assurances of consistent and open engagement, Peters emphasised that meaningful consultation should occur before finalising such agreements, not after.

Domestically, many Cook Islanders feel that the government has not been transparent about the specifics of the agreement with China. Concerns have been raised about the potential implications for the nation’s sovereignty and its longstanding relationship with New Zealand.

In response to these apprehensions, Prime Minister Brown has stated that the partnership with China will focus on economic cooperation, including areas like trade, climate initiatives, investment, tourism, and infrastructure, while ensuring that the Cook Islands’ sovereignty and national interests remain paramount.

He also clarified that the agreement does not encompass any security aspects.

What I have written underscores the importance of transparent communication and thorough consultation with both domestic stakeholders and international partners when entering into significant international agreements. Balancing new partnerships with existing relationships is crucial to maintain trust and uphold national interests.

We've only just canned or put on hold the passport issue and now we have another diplomatic row in the offing. The issue for us is that many people do not trust China and its increasing influence in the Pacific.

We’ve all seen what happens when we engage with China as our brother and sister islands have found out to their detriment. We also now have a considerable underground swell of distrust with our Government, and this lack of transparency makes it hard to believe that our best interests are being considered.

Ask yourself this, do we want China building our infrastructure because that seems to be the nature of getting a loan from them. Look at our water reticulation system, Police building, Justice building, what an embarrassment, shoddy workmanship and poor materials. No, thank you

Now we have the Opposition parties coming out to play and the question was asked of them, where have you been since the general elections in 2022. If the Opposition had been actively holding the Government accountable from the start, they’d have more credibility now. But what it sounds like, is that people are frustrated with the entire political system, not just Brown’s government.

If the Opposition is only reacting now, after public pressure, it raises questions about whether they are genuinely fighting for the people or just trying to capitalise on the backlash. That could make it harder for them to gain public trust, even if a snap election happens.

Look, we have heard very little from the Demo’s and United in the last two years. Not one of them has the whit or the ability to write, argue, debate or push back against everything that this Government has been doing over the last four general elections. Nothing, nada and a great big fat nothing and you expect the people to believe you have their interests.

Well, the sad thing is that the very people who vote for you will be affected by your rag tag policies once they get in. They will forgive your past transgressions as you treat, beg, hand out cost of living benefits in the guise of cartons of chickens. Then landscaping in the form of cutting hedges, putting on massive kai kai, cutting lawns and trees, and making promises you cannot hope to give let alone afford.

If this continues will the last person who leaves paradise lost, please leave instructions for the immigrants who can now call themselves Cook Islanders because the disenchanted, the frustrated and our intellectuals and our cultural diaspora have left a sinking ship rather than staying to be subjected to more of the same. Because those that are left have allowed their blood ties to fog up their thinking processes and let the foxes in amongst the chickens and voted for the status quo … again.