In the second and final part of “The Land of Milk and Honey” series, columnist Thomas Tarurongo Wynne continues his comparison of figures between Cook Islanders at home and in Aotearoa New Zealand, and examines what the data reveals about the two populations.

In the 2021 census in the Cook Islands, the median income stood at just $19,246. By comparison, in the Aotearoa 2023 census, Cook Islands Māori living in Aotearoa had a median income of just $33,800. At present, this amount will not provide a living wage in Aotearoa, necessitating multiple income sources for survival.

The seemingly higher income earned by our people in New Zealand is not reflected in this median income, as there is a broader employment landscape –though more options, better wages, and clearer pathways to progress, means more of our people may choose to leave – especially to the 21,000 now in Australia.

Meanwhile, back home, our economy is bound tightly to tourism, and the public sector – industries that are vital, but limited in their capacity to lift wages and provide long-term economic security.

This gap in income matters. It means that for many, staying in the homeland comes at the cost of economic opportunity. And while the cost of living in the Cook Islands may be lower in some areas, wages remain uncompetitive, pushing more of our people to leave in search of better lives elsewhere.

It’s a cycle that reinforces itself: lower incomes mean less disposable spending, less economic growth, and continued reliance on migration, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a better quality of life.

It’s also one reason we see higher homeownership in the Cook Islands than in New Zealand – despite the land tenure complexities. In Aotearoa, owning a home remains out of reach for too many of our people, despite our first migrant population buying homes.

And the consequences are visible. Rising youth gang involvement, increased incarceration, and social instability are symptoms of a deeper economic malaise. In 2023, during my presentation to Youth Court Judges, I highlighted this very point. Our young people are navigating a financial reality that often leaves them with few good choices – and some are making dangerous ones.

Yet amid these challenges, there are signs of strength.

Educational attainment among Cook Islands Māori – both at home and abroad – stands at 39.8 per cent. Identical rates. That’s no accident. It’s evidence of the deep value our people place on learning, wherever they are. The alignment with the New Zealand curriculum ensures consistency, and for those who return home, their contribution, especially in education, health, and public service, is vital.

But there’s a caveat. In Aotearoa, despite having qualifications, many Cook Islands Māori still find themselves blocked from higher-paying roles. Be it systemic inequality, underrepresentation or a bit of both.

In January this year, I wrote: “Our people have always recognised the transformative power of education. The question we should be asking is how we can make education more relevant, accessible, and inspiring for our people.” That question still stands.

To our education leaders, it has been a heartfelt relief to see the investment in our teacher’s college, making education not just a talking point, but a national priority. And the investment in the student support and consulting area at Tereora College.

To our educators: Use every tool available – especially the culturally grounded ones – to engage, uplift, and inspire.

To our communities: Stand beside our children. Champion their learning. Demand better on their behalf. With every Kuki in Teritary celebrated by Cook Islands Radio and online, we see the water table of achievement raised and the courses delivered by USP, broader, wider and more engaged with the world we now live in.

In the end, the measure of our future will not just be in dollars earned or degrees attained, but in how well we prepared our people to thrive, wherever we may be. And that education created a pathway to applying the learned knowledge for the future of our Ipukarea and its people, not just a plaque on the wall.