New Zealand PM rules out UN membership for Cook Islands

The New Zealand government has ruled out allowing the Cook Islands to become a member of the United Nations, Television New Zealand (TVNZ) reported Wednesday.

The news came after Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna met with New Zealand counterpart John Key Tuesday in Auckland.

Puna told TVNZ last week that his country, which cannot join the UN because it is in free association with New Zealand, wanted to retain New Zealand citizenship and create a special deal to make it more autonomous.

A spokesperson for Key's office confirmed the Cook Islands' UN membership issue was discussed, but "the Prime Minister made it clear that New Zealand was not looking to change the existing relationship," said the report.

The Cook Islands wanted to join the world body because it was about to lose access to OECD (Organization for Economic Co- operation and Development) funding as it is graduating out of the least developed countries category.

The island nation is this year celebrating 50 years of self- government. Endi