New Zealand passport holders only need to wait five years to apply for permeant residency under the current rules while all nationals with other citizenship need to wait a minimum of 10 years. Photo: RNZ Pacific
Various national issues, including the introduction of a Cook Islands passport, changes to the country name and anthem, resolving traditional title disputes and support for seabed minerals exploration, were discussed at the 53rd Session of Te Kura Nui A Te Are Ariki last week.
This year, Te Kura Nui A Te Are Ariki - the House of Ariki Annual General Meeting (AGM), was held in two parts. Prime Minister Mark Brown opened the meeting at the Nikao CICC Nebo Hall.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Ui Ariki Ngateitei o te Kuki Airani Inc Society AGM was held followed by the Are Ariki AGM from Wednesday to Friday.
According to Tuaine Unuia, O-Tari-Kura o te Are Ariki (Clerk of the House of Ariki), Brown stated in his address that he was considering introducing a Cook Islands passport in the near future, while maintaining the New Zealand passport.
Unuia said the Ui Ariki supported the Prime Minister's plan for a Cook Islands passport "for our own identity for our iti tangata".
Cook Islands News contacted the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for further comments on this initiative.
The newspaper asked what the reason behind this proposal was, whether a new Cook Islands passport would have any impact on Cook Islanders' New Zealand citizenship and whether this initiative had anything to do with the country's push for UN membership.
OPM press secretary Jaewynn McKay replied: "At this stage, we have no comment on the introduction of a Cook Islands passport."
"The Prime Minister will be announcing several initiatives for our 60th celebrations in the coming months once further details have been finalised.
"There are a couple of working groups exploring various proposals, and we look forward to sharing more in due course."
The resolutions at Te Kura Nui A Te Are Ariki included bringing back the "tupuna" name for the Cook Islands and changing the current name to a Māori name, which would also necessitate a change to the national anthem.
However, further work and discussions would be held on these topics, Unuia said.
A number of speakers were also invited to speak on various issues of national interest at Te Kura Nui A Te Are Ariki. They included Dr Teina Rongo - To tatou Aorangi/Tauianga Reva, Bob Williams, Secretary of Te Marae Ora - Tanumate kite Moana/Ture o te avaava/Kaveinga Nui, Minita Tingika Elikana - Ture a te Are Ariki, Nooroa Teipo - Parani Apii - Akamarokura/Akaururu Ariki, and Tangata Vainerere - Ravenga tamanako anga no te taonga Māori
Unuia said that the Are Ariki supported Te Marae Ora's Act opposing burial at sea, but they have not yet reached a resolution on the matter.
"The reasons the Ui Ariki are opposing burials at sea is because of our moana… because of the fish," he said.
The ongoing disputes of traditional titles ending up in court was also on the discussion table.
Unuia explained that the Ui Ariki would prefer that the Taonga Māori not to be taken into court but instead to be settled within the kopu tangata.
He said the Ui Ariki wants to shut the door on people going to court for traditional title but acknowledged that there is a lot more work to be done into this issue.
The Ui Ariki support the seabed minerals exploration "for our iti tangata", and the Kaumaiti Nui will be a part of the Cook Islands delegation going overseas in the near future.
The recently endorsed Ariki were also presented their warrants at the 53rd Session of Te Kura Nui A Te Are Ariki. Tamatoa Teao Ariki of Aitutaki and Pepeu Makira Aliki of Pukapuka received their warrants by King's Representative Sir Tom Marsters.
Te au mema tei tomo ki roto i te uipa'anga - Nga Putokotoko/Va'a Araara, Te au ta'unga korero e per ate au rima raverave: Tou Travel Ariki - Kaumaiti Nui (Mitiaro), Tinomana Tokerau Ariki (Puaikura), Makea Karika George Ariki (Te Au O Tonga), Makea Vakatini Phillip Ariki (Te Au O Tonga), Pa Marie Teupokotini Ariki (Takitumu), Numangatini Tangitamaiti Ariki (Mangaia), Tamatoa Teao Ariki (Aitutaki), Manarangi O Pore Ariki (Aitutaki), Vaeruarangi Tuaine Ariki (Aitutaki), Ngamaru Tupuna Ariki (Mangaia), Rongomatane Nicholas Ariki (Atiu), Parua Upokoina Ariki (Atiu), Tetava Maara Ariki (Mitiaro), Tamuera Vainetutai Ariki (Mauke), Teau Anthony Ariki (Mauke), Tararo Ngamata Ariki (Mauke), Pepeu Enere Makirai Aliki (Pukapuka).
Te au Vaatuatua/Putokotoko e tae mai: Tiori Rangatira - vaa tuatua no Vakatini, Arerau Ma'ao - Putokotoko no Tamatoa Ariki, Teahui Tau'u - Vaa Araara no Akatokamanava, Renall Vogel - Kauono Putokotoko no Pa Ariki, Eugene Tatuava - Tuatea Mataiapo.
Additional reporting from Losirene Lacanivalu