Originally Posted by
Rustydfa
we have an election coming and keeping NZ going is far more important than looking after the Cooks, realm country or not.
Such short term thinking. You actually want to drive the Pacific countries into the arms of the Chinese?
NZ *needs* to open up to the Pacific as fast as it can. It needs it far more than it needs Australia. We need the workers and we need the spend the countries direct to NZ and we need the good will and the political position.
Keep the money here rather than spending overseas is best, we get nothing of real value from the Cooks so why spend money.
The Cooks spend the vast majority of their income importing things from NZ and Australia: tourist spend *there* comes directly back *here*.
If they need money be cheaper to give them a bigger than usual cash handout rather than let people here spend money there. After all just the money grabbers wanting the border open, the people do not, as they are educated enough to know the Cooks do not have the facilities to deal with the bug.
The 1950's called and want your outdated and inaccurate paternalistic viewpoint back.