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UN bid will not be raised during PM's Cook Island visit

Author
Frances Cook,
Publish Date
Tue, 4 Aug 2015, 5:27PM
Prime Minister John Key is currently visiting the Cook Islands. (Frances Cook)
Prime Minister John Key is currently visiting the Cook Islands. (Frances Cook)

UN bid will not be raised during PM's Cook Island visit

Author
Frances Cook,
Publish Date
Tue, 4 Aug 2015, 5:27PM

The subject of whether or not the Cook Islands can join the United Nations is such a sore subject, it’s not being raised in official talks.

Prime Minister John Key is currently visiting the Pacific nation to celebrate 50 years of its independence in free association with New Zealand.

The visit comes only two months after the Cook Islands was forced to choose between a bid for a UN seat, and a continued close relationship with New Zealand.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna reports they don't want to interrupt celebrations, but the issue will be brought up again at a later time.

"We've chosen in our discussions not to touch on that subject. Prime Minister Key is here at our invitation to join us in our celebrations. When you turn 50, that's midlife. You are growing up and it's part of growing up. It's as simple as that."

Prime Minister John Key said although the topic might come up another time, New Zealand has already made its position clear.

"Would you allow the South Island to vote against the North Island at the UN? ... The answer is no. Now it's obviously radically different because they have a different constitutional structure, but in principal, for the purposes of the United Nations, these are New Zealanders."

Meanwhile the next generation of Cook Islanders is getting a boost, with New Zealand committing $12 million to helping rebuild the national secondary school. 

John Key said it’s fitting to mark the occasion with an enduring gift, and it’s just the beginning.

"New Zealand is going to underwrite at least $42 million worth of aid over the next three years. In fact the number is likely to be greater than that. It'll go into a variety of areas. Education's obviously at the forefront of that."

 

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