Henry Puna calls New Zealand's involvement in Cook Islands politics 'improper'

Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna Photo: Pacific Islands Forum

Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna says he thinks it is "improper" for New Zealand to involve itself in the "domestic affairs" of the island nation and issues between the two countries should be resolved behind closed doors.

Puna has become the new president of the Cook Islands Party, the same party that Prime Minister Mark Brown leads.

When asked whether he became president of the party because of the current state of the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand governments, Puna said his interest was domestic, "to see the Cook Islands Party become stronger and remain united".

Mark Brown, left, and Henry Puna. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has challenged Brown to hold an independence referendum' following agreements the Cook Islands signed with China in February that Wellington feels it was not consulted on.

Puna said Peters' comments are in the minds of the Cook Islands people.

"Given the special nature of our relationship with New Zealand, it must be underpinned by respect.

"I think it is a bit improper for New Zealand to be involving themselves into our domestic affairs. I don't think that is respectful of our relationship"

Puna said he wants the Cook Islands and New Zealand to talk about "these slight complications" in private.

He said it "was a bit tough" that New Zealand paused $18.2m in development funding last month while meetings between foreign officials were still taking place but said it was New Zealand's call.

Puna said the Cook Islands Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was very similar to a partnership agreement New Zealand signed with China in 2014.

"So really, there is nothing unusual about it, but you will also notice that security is not an issue in that agreement, for obvious reasons."

The diplomatic row between the Cook Islands and New Zealand has come to a head. Photo: RNZ Pacific

When asked why it was obvious, Puna said the Cook Islands was mindful of New Zealand's and its other partners security concerns. But he added that security in the traditional sense is not a big issue for Pacific leaders.

"For us, security really is about being safe from the effects of climate change, and not with the traditional army, armed activities, that New Zealand and the others are concerned about."

Puna said he "would have quite happily signed [the agreements with China]" if he was in Brown's place and he signed a similar agreement, while also making a state visit in 2013.

He said there are opportunities with China. One is the Cook Islands and China are halving the cost of a $6m interisland vessel.

"Our government raised that with New Zealand years ago, and it was flatly rejected that, you know, they wouldn't help," Puna said.

The New Zealand government has said the Cook Islands can not have United Nations membership while it remains in free association.

It was something Puna wanted while he was prime minister and for a period it was floated by Brown.

"I had a conversation with the legal office of the United Nations, who told me quite openly that, in their view, we were qualified to be admitted as a member of the UN," Puna said.

"But given our special relationship with New Zealand, I decided to raise the issue with Prime Minister John Key and the officials in Wellington at the time, their response was very clear. They didn't agree with it, so we didn't push it."

The Cook Islands is currently celebrating 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.

Puna said he was proud of where the country has come.

He said a major achievement over the past 60-years was building the international airport. It unlocked tourism in the country, which underpins the economy.

For the future, Puna wants the economy to be the focus.

"Everything else will fall into place and I'm confident that we have the makings of, you know, a growing and a sound economy…these nights watching our young ones on the stage at the auditorium, performing with pride. I have a lot of confidence in our future, in the hands of our young people."