Dear Editor, Prime Minister Mark Brown accuses New Zealand of using its media to undermine his government, as if the anger Cook Islanders are feeling is somehow manufactured by foreign newsrooms.

Let’s be clear: the backlash against proposed seabed mining, the concerns over China’s influence, and the outrage over the passport proposal are not driven by New Zealand media – they come from the Cook Islands people who feel unheard, ignored, and sidelined.

If Brown had taken the time to properly consult, to be transparent about his government’s dealings, and to respect the voices of his people, there would be no space for so-called “media manipulation”. Instead, his government has operated behind closed doors, then lashed out when the public demands accountability.

Sovereignty without the people? Brown insists that this is about the Cook Islands’ sovereignty and self-determination, yet what is sovereignty without the will of the people? True self-determination means making decisions with the

people, not imposing them from the top down and then blaming external forces when there’s pushback.

It is deeply ironic that Brown accuses New Zealand of acting without consultation, yet he has done exactly the same to his own people. If sovereignty is to mean anything, it must start with leadership that listens – not just when it is politically convenient, but before life-changing decisions are made.

Brown’s government claims it is not afraid of accountability. Prove it. Consultation is not an afterthought. It is not an inconvenience. It is the foundation of trust between a government and its people. If he truly wants to lead, he must first listen.

Cook Islanders deserve a leader who owns his decisions – not one who hides behind blame. The people have had enough. It’s time for Mark Brown to face them.

(Name and address supplied)