The Cook Islands Prime Minister has welcomed changes to the superannuation portability for New Zealanders retiring to the realm countries.
After many years of campaigning by the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, the New Zealand government recently announced it would make it easier to collect the pension.
Currently, those wishing to retire to these countries have to be resident and present in New Zealand at the age of 65.
But under the planned changes, they only need to be have been in New Zealand for at least 10 years from the age of 20 - including five years since turning 50.
Henry Puna says he can now attract his people back home when their age allows them to work and contribute to the economy.
"It recognises what we've argued all along, that once you qualify for the New Zealand pension, or super, residents in the realm countries should amount to residents in New Zealand. That is a massive step forward and I'm very very happy with that."
Henry Puna.
The changes are due to take effect in mid-2015.