New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
25 October 2023
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
John Smith
T +64 4 439 8000
F +64 4 472 9596
[FYI request #24259 email]
OIA 28825
Tēnā koe John Smith
I refer to your email of 27 September 2023 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
‘Would you be able to provide a list of countries which have established "diplomatic
relations" with the Cook Islands and Niue respectively? Please also give each date of
establishment.
The Cook Islands and Niue have a special constitutional relationship with New Zealand. In 1965
and 1974, following an act of self-determination under United Nations auspices the Cook Islands
and Niue respectively became self-governing in “free association with New Zealand”. Following
this, both countries adopted their own constitutions and established their own governments.
Both countries have their own individual international legal personalities, conducting
international relations as though they are independent states, and have established diplomatic
relations with other countries, as they see fit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) does not speak on behalf of other
governments’ diplomatic relations. Your request is therefore refused in full under the following
sections of the OIA:
7(b): to avoid prejudicing relations between any of the Governments of New Zealand;
the self-governing State of the Cook Islands; and the self-governing State of Niue;
7(c): to avoid prejudicing the international relations of the Governments of the self-
governing State of the Cook Islands; and the self-governing State of Niue.
I note that you can seek this information from the respective governments of Cook Islands and
Niue via their High Commissions in Wellington. Contact details for each High Commission can be
found on the Ministry’s website:
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands/cook-
islands-high-commission/
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/niue/high-commission-
for-niue/
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to official information
requests where possible. Therefore, our response to your request (with your personal information
removed) may be published on the Ministry website:
www.mfat.govt.nz/en/about-us/contact-
us/official-information-act-responses/
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Corbett
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
