By Melina Etches, Cook Islands News
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown arrives at Tuurangawaewae Marae Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
A motion of no confidence has been filed against the Prime Minister and his Cabinet following the recent fiasco involving the now-abandoned Cook Islands passport proposal and the comprehensive strategic partnership the country will sign with China this week.
Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather said Prime Minister Mark Brown should apologise to the people and "graciously" step down, or else he would move a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament.
Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere on Wednesday morning (Thursday NZ time) confirmed that a motion of no confidence has been filed, and he has placed the notice with the MPs.
Parliament will convene for the first time this year on Monday, 17 February, to consider various bills and papers, including the presentation of the supplementary budget.
Heather, an Opposition MP, is concerned with Brown's lack of consultation regarding the passport issue, which the Prime Minister later confirmed was "off the table", and the China agreement with New Zealand.
New Zealand has raised concerns that it was not properly consulted, as required under their special constitutional arrangement. However, PM Brown said he had advised them and does not believe the Cook Islands is required to provide the level of detail New Zealand is requesting.
"He (Brown) has handled the situation badly. He has to step down graciously but if he doesn't, I'm putting in a no confidence vote in Parliament, that's the bottom line," Heather told Cook Islands News yesterday.
"I will move that motion and if there's no support at least I've done it, I've seen it through."
Heather also said that he believes the Prime Minister should apologise to the people of the Cook Islands.
"A simple apology, he made a mistake, that's it."
Cook Islands News reached out to the Leader of the Opposition Tina Browne for comment on Heather's no confidence motion.
Browne on Sunday told PMN that residents were angry, and there is mounting pressure and strong feeling that the PM Brown "should go" (step down).
The Prime Minister has the confidence of his Cabinet Ministers, who are backing their leader and the China agreement, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Tingika Elikana.
Brown is in China on a state visit with his delegation. Yesterday marked the third day of the visit, during which he will oversee the signing of a Joint Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with China. He is also expected to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping.
The content of the agreement and its signing date remain unknown.
"At this stage, discussions regarding the agreement are still ongoing, and it would be premature to confirm a signing date at this time. However, once there are any formal developments, we will ensure updates are shared through an official MFAI media release," a spokesperson for the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration told Cook Islands News yesterday.
Public protest
A public protest march will convene at Parliament House on Monday to challenge the government's direction for the people of the Cook Islands.
Heather is spearheading the "peaceful" protest march, rallying citizens against PM Brown's controversial proposal to introduce a Cook Islands passport.
Over 100 people attended Heather's public meeting on Monday evening at the Aroa Nui Hall to voice their concerns about government's actions disregarding the voices of the people.
"Do we just sit around no. Te inrinaki nei au e te marama nei kotou te iti tangata," Heather said.
"We have to do this for the sake of our country. This is not a political protest, it's people of the Cook Islands uniting to protest, if you understand the consequences, you will understand the reason why."
Although Brown has since ditched the proposal after New Zealand warned it would require holders to renounce their New Zealand one, "the damage is done".
This has sparked heated debates about national identity, sovereignty and the implications for the Cook Islands relationship with New Zealand.
Heather has taken onboard the concerns of citizens and argued that such a move could undermine the historical ties and shared citizenship that have long defined the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
He has no confidence in Brown's statement that the proposed Cook Islands identity passport is "off the table".
"I think it is off the table for now… but for how long?" Heather questioned.
"Then there's the impact of what he has done with our relationship with New Zealand so we are very much concerned about that.
"We are making a statement. The march is actually to show the government of New Zealand that we the people of the Cook Islands don't agree with the Prime Minister on that.
"We want New Zealand to see that the people of the Cook Islands - that we love to keep our passport, that we care about our relationship as well."
Heather said they are also concerned about New Zealand's reaction to the Cook Islands proposed agreement with China.
He welcomes members of the community to join the "peaceful" protest.
On Monday morning, drummers will be located on both sides of Parliament House on the main road. At 10.45am, the proceedings will start when people start moving towards Parliament. Heather wants all protestors to bring along their New Zealand passports.
Heather would like to remind people not to use dirty language at the protest - "auraka e autara viiviii, don't bring your dirty laundry…"
