Page 26 - IB February 2025

Cook Islands

COOK ISLANDS PM’S CHALLENGES

GO BEYOND CHINA

By Lisa Williams

It’s a cold weekend in one of the coldest
cities in Northeast China. Just before heading
back to Rarotonga from a controversial mission
to China, Prime Minister Mark Brown stepped
outside to film one of his regular ‘postcards to
the people’.
Ahead of the official release off the
government website, Brown in video selfie
mode, provided a newsy monologue on his
meeting with Premier Li Qiang and the 28-year
history of the Cooks-China relationship within
the context of other agreements with Australia
and New Zealand – all while finding time to
joke about the block of ice behind him.
Back from China as the new week started,
the text of the new comprehensive agreement
with China was released as promised, and met
with more questions, and a protest march on Mark Brown
Parliament.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration (MFAI) will decisions made by the leaders of the last 60 years – and what
continue co-ordination and implementation oversight of the those decades have delivered for Cook Islands people.
provisions of an action plan for the agreement in the months “The Prime Minister has listened - he’s been listening to
ahead. It includes provisions on greater cooperation in trade, the last 60 years of our statehood. He’s entrusted with the
tourism, seabed mining, seafood exports, marine resources, steering oar and his direction will help us weather the storms
and infrastructure (through the Belt and Road framework). of growth while trying to find safer lands and food ahead. As
MFAI says the agreement is in keeping with the approach people in the vaka, we all have a job to do to ensure our safe
taken for the “Aotearoa New Zealand – Kuki Airani Cook journey,” she said.
Islands Vaka Houroa / Vaka Purua” partnership signed in 2022 Wichman, who has recently been invested the traditional
and the “Cook Islands – Australia ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership” title of Koringo Mata Atua Rangatira, recognises the
signed in 2022. importance of traditional leaders to help keep the vaka on
On his return from Beijing, the Prime Minister did not track, but says Cook Islands youth are the biggest concern
meet protestors. Political commentators say this is a lost right now, and ensuring they “hit their mark as equals or
opportunity. above world citizens, if my support can give them even half
“There was a golden opportunity to engage and lead the that chance, the rest is up to them.”
story – not meeting the protest march was not a good look,” Clearly, Prime Minister Brown’s current focus will be on
noted one political observer. For many, the key issue is less checking in with MPs ahead of the looming no-confidence vote
about China, or a Cook Islands passport, or seabed mining, which has been filed by the Opposition, and is scheduled to be
or paying for water—all hot topics in recent times—and more tested towards the end of February.
about a building sense that too much trust has been lost Analysts from both sides of the house say it will be hard for
across a range of issues over the years. the Opposition to gain the 13 votes needed to dethrone the
But there are also many who feel that Brown is listening, PM. Whatever the result, the action will be a highly visible
and listening powerfully. reminder of what he needs to do more of before the country
Former Member of Parliament (MP) and a leading goes to the polls in 2025, ensure his government regains the
development economist to the region, Vaine Wichman, says trust and confidence of those who want proof that they are
it's time for Cook Islanders to look back and examine the being taken seriously by a government that listens.

26 Islands Business, February 2025