On a recent visit to the Cook Islands, New Zealand Major General Dave Gawn made a visit to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister to meet with the Hon. Tom Marsters, who is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
During the cordial visit, the following issues were discussed-
GENERAL DISCUSSION POINTS
The continuing value and strength of the long-standing bilateral relationship between CI and NZ was noted in very broad terms.
The forthcoming CI/NZ Mutual Assistance Programme talks (3-7 Oct) were noted.
Visit to Rarotonga in November of a junior New Zealand army contingent for leadership training was discussed with possible benefits to the Cook Islands. More details will be released as arrangements are finalised.
The NZ Navy is contemplating military exercises of some type in the Cook Islands over the next year or two. The Minister noted that we have been generally supportive of such activities under the SOFA Agreement (below) as NZ assistance is often called on in the cases of natural disasters.
In 1993, the Cook Islands and New Zealand concluded a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) setting out the terms under which the New Zealand military may en-ter the Cook Islands (with formal approval of this Government) and operate in the Cook Islands (determined on a case-by-case basis).
There may be particular activities the NZ Navy might be able to carry out in the Outer Islands (e.g., provision of dental treatment), this possibility was be raised by the DPM.
The Minister also thanked the Major General for New Zealand’s support and assistance in-
Support for Cook Islands Police - NZ naval officers have assumed day-to-day responsibility of assisting the Cook Islands Police and training them as appropriate in the operation of Te Kukupa and maritime surveillance.
• New Zealand support for maritime surveillance - Australia, NZ and France coordinate assistance in aerial surveillance of the Cook Islands EEZ.
This is the Major General’s first visit to the Cook Islands.
He was also accompanied on the visit to the DPM by the NZ High Commissioner, John Carter.
Background to Status of Forces Agreement
Status-Of-Forces Agreement (SOFA) is defined as an agreement that play a vital role in preserving command authority, guaranteeing fair treatment of individual service members, and conserving scarce resources. The SOFA is usually an integral part of the overall military bases agreement that allows military forces to operate within the host country.
As part of its on going defence cooperation programme with the States of the South Pacific region, New Zealand has for years been conducting military exercises in the island countries with a view to enhancing its capacity to respond quickly and effectively to requests for assistance. Recognizing its responsibilities under section 5 of the Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964 with respect to the defence of the Cook Islands, a number of such exercises had been carried out in the Cook Islands over the years. While New Zealand’s assistance in this regard was appreciated by the Cook Islands, in each case the exercises have been carried out with the prior, written approval of the Cook Islands Government.
- DPM Office Media Release

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