US Recognizes Cook Islands and Niue as independent states

[MR DARK BRANDON]

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/09/25/politics/new-us-diplomatic-relations/index.html

[Crumpets]

Wait... do they even recognize themselves as independent? I thought they were in "free association" or something with New Zealand.

[satsuma]

Wait... do they even recognize themselves as independent? I thought they were in "free association" or something with New Zealand.

They do! The US is far from the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands and Niue. However, the 3 countries in free association with the US are UN members, while the 2 in free association with NZ are not. The reason for this difference seems to be that Niueans and Cook Islanders have NZ citizenship, and NZ may stop granting them citizenship if they take that additional step. Meanwhile, countries in free association with the US have separate citizenship, but it grants them access to many of the same programs and protections within the US as US citizens have.

[Pouring Rain and Blairing Music]

I wonder if there’s any link between this and the fact that NZ has elections in a few weeks and the currently ruling Labour Party will likely be replaced by the National Party.

From August: National Party leader Christopher Luxon has said the party would "absolutely" accept Chinese money to fund its proposed road network and hit back at concerns.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

I wonder if there’s any link between this and the fact that NZ has elections in a few weeks and the currently ruling Labour Party will likely be replaced by the National Party.

From August: National Party leader Christopher Luxon has said the party would "absolutely" accept Chinese money to fund its proposed road network and hit back at concerns.

This is quite possible.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

There's kind of a thin line between them and the 3 countries in free association with the US. However, aside from what they'd give up from New Zealand if they were admitted to the UN, Niue has a GDP of only $25M a year, and couldn't really afford a UN ambassador.

[Senator Incitatus]

We will not rest until every hamlet in the former British Empire is its own independent country. Scatter the pieces to the wind.