by Mike Bain- The Daily Examiner.
There’s controversy over a New Zealand MP taking part in an anti-government protest in the Cook Islands.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has taken part in a rally against Mark Brown’s government over its new strategic partnership with China.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Rarotonga on Tuesday to voice their opposition to a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement signed between the Cook Islands and China. The deal, which covers areas such as seabed mining, education, and disaster management, has raised concerns about the potential impact on the Cook Islands’ close relationship with New Zealand.
Among the protesters was Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, who joined the rally to show solidarity with the local community. Ngarewa-Packer, who was in the Cook Islands for her 30th wedding anniversary, said she was asked by community members to join the protest. She expressed concerns about the lack of consultation by the Cook Islands government and the potential political and cultural implications of the deal.
“I’m here on a personal visit, and arrived at the airport and got swamped and was asked if I could come and support,” Ngarewa-Packer told RNZ Pacific. “There’s a group that we’re really concerned about the change of the passport and the impact, not only what it means politically, but what it means is whakapapa.”
The protest comes just days after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown returned from a state visit to China, where the agreement was signed. The deal has been criticized for its lack of transparency and the potential for increased Chinese influence in the region. New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has called for a thorough analysis of the agreement and emphasized the need for consultation and transparency.
Ngarewa-Packer’s participation in the protest has sparked debate about the appropriateness of a New Zealand MP involving herself in the internal affairs of another country. When asked about this, she replied, “I’ve actually objected to a few things that Mark Brown has done politically. His aggression on seabed mining is one of them, so I don’t think it’ll be a surprise to many here in the citizens of the Cook Islands in Aotearoa.”
The Cook Islands government has defended the agreement, stating that it will strengthen economic diplomacy and provide opportunities for trade, infrastructure, and ocean resources. However, opposition leader Tina Browne has called for more transparency and consultation with the Cook Islands people and New Zealand.
As the debate continues, the outcome of this agreement and the involvement of Te Pāti Māori MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer in the protest will likely have lasting implications for the relationship between the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and China.
