The land of milk and honey? Or did we leave the milk and honey behind, writes Thomas Tarurongo Wynne.

I have nearly completed two years of study looking at the migration of our people to Aotearoa and this was one of the many questions I asked respondents and enquired of our community. I thought it would be interesting to look at the last census statistics both in the Cook Islands and here in Aotearoa and see what that milk and honey was looking like.

For some and a very small group of privileged people at home, what I call “brown privilege”, no pun intended, as opposed to what is often termed white privilege. The milk has been very good, and the honey in plentiful supply for them and their families and supporters. But for the many, the milk has often curdled, is sour and there has been no honey to speak of.

But it would be fair to say that for the most part our population here in Aotearoa has had a similar experience, though there is evidence showing a new Uto generation coming through that is changing the narrative and lived experiences of our diaspora or migrant population.

So I thought we might do a small comparison of figures, and see what the data tells us about our two populations. This is part one of two.

Cook Islands Māori resident (2021): 15,040 (12,000 Māori), Cook Islands Māori in NZ (2023): 94,176

The Cook Islands Māori population in New Zealand is over six times larger than the total population residing in the Cook Islands itself. This reflects the extensive migration patterns that have taken place over generations since the beginning of my research, capturing those first voices internally and externally. This diaspora has created strong social, economic and cultural links between the Cook Islands and New Zealand, where Cook Islands Māori here in Aotearoa, have struggled to maintain their identity but adapted to new economic and social conditions.

Having now lived and worked in Aotearoa for the past four years, it is clear to me that the circle of learning and change has not come back home, and our people here need that desperately – on both sides. Our families, our men and women left in the 1940s and through to today for work in the factories of a bustling New Zealand 1950s, and the freezing works. And as much as the benefit of access to money and education was at the front of our migrant population’s minds, the cost has been heavy, and the gains intergenerational.

This idea of free association and the cost it has had on our migrant population is one we should also consider at our 60 years celebrations. What should be clear is that leaving behind family, land, culture and language is a cost we have paid dearly to advance ourselves and our host country. Because free association with New Zealand has never been free, we have paid a high price for that relationship, and one that needs to be carefully considered in the mutual journey ahead for the Cook Islands and New Zealand.

Cook Islands (2021): 34.6 years, Cook Islands Māori in NZ (2023): 22.3 years

The median age in the Cook Islands is significantly higher, indicating an aging population with fewer younger residents. This aligns with trends of younger generations migrating to New Zealand for educational and employment opportunities. In contrast, the younger median age of the Cook Islands Māori population in New Zealand suggests a youthful demographic structure with more children and young families.

This aging trend places increased pressure on healthcare systems, aged care services and economic dependency ratios. Something we see with aged care needing to be privatised, and the health system wrestling with some of the highest obesity rates. Though I do question, is it another strategy we need, or simply more budget and people on the ground.

It reminded me of sitting and listening to Auckland University PhD student, Eliza Puna, speak of our young people, and she made a comment that still resonates for me.

“Our youth are not just the future of this country,” she said, “they are our present.”

“They are our present,” I thought, she is so right. So often we look at engaging with our youth when they are “older” or somewhere in the future. And by doing that, maybe we miss the opportunity we have to do that with them now, rather than waiting till “later”.

Cook Islands (2021): $19,246, Cook Islands Māori in NZ (2023): $33,800

The significantly higher median income for Cook Islands Māori in New Zealand reflects better access to higher-paying employment markets and a broader range of career opportunities. In contrast, the Cook Islands’ economy, heavily reliant on tourism, and the public sector, offers fewer high-income opportunities.

While the cost of living in the Cook Islands is lower in some respects, wages are generally not competitive, which continues to drive migration to New Zealand. Though the median income for those living in Aotearoa is well below the median income for New Zealanders. Respectfully, $33,000 is not enough to live on in Aotearoa, and for many of our people, the struggle is real and reflected not only in their wages but also the many who do not own their own home. Milk and Honey, next week I will look at home ownership, health and education.