I write to correct the mislabelling and blunder made to call the PM’s visit to the People’s Republic of China. It cannot be called a “State Visit”. State visits are only made by fully independent countries, like Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, etc.

Our official status is Self-Government in Free Association with New Zealand.   We are not a fully independent state, we retain our NZ citizenship and ceded our defence and foreign affairs (upon request) to New Zealand. Our acting head of state, the King’s Representative is delegated to us in right of NZ, by the King of England.

What kind of advice is being given to the PM by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?  Has there been prior consultation with NZ Foreign Affairs before this sensitive travel is agreed to?

I question the depth and competence of this ministry to handle sensitive matters like this. Poor New Zealand and poor DPM Winston Peters for being totally ignored by our present government. We have PM Mark Brown running off to China with oversized boots and large hat of head of independent state.  

On behalf of the people of the Cook Islands, I give my sincerest apologies to the people and government of New Zealand and especially to our dear brother, the Hon. Winston Peters.

Yours sincerely,

Norman George,                                                                                                                            

(Former MP and proud Cook Islands Kiwi)