Cook Islands' Prime Minister Henry Puna, seen here with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, is keen to expand his country's international influence.

The Cook Islands is pushing for independence from New Zealand – but the price for its people is that their children will lose their New Zealand citizenship.

Prime Minister Henry Puna is due to visit New Zealand in next week.

He is eyeing a seat on the United Nations for the tiny nation and he has put talks on greater autonomy on the table.

The New Zealand Government warnsCook Islanders would lose their guaranteed right to work in this country, as it tries to stave off the risk off a sudden mass migration to New Zealand.

Just this month, foreign affairs minister Murray McCully opened a $20 million solar power project in the Cooks' outer islands, intended to stem the flow of islanders abandoning their homes and moving to Auckland.

New Zealand and Australian concerns that independence would simply speed up the exodus have been reinforced by the luke-warm response to independence plans from New Zealand-based Cook Islanders.

Puna's visit comes as the Cooks celebrate the 50th anniversary of self-government in free association with New Zealand, a status that leaves New Zealand responsible for defence and foreign policy in consultation with the Cook Islands' Government.

Under the arrangement its citizens are entitled to New Zealand passports and free access to work here in contrast with other Pacific nations with close links to New Zealand, such as Samoa and Tonga, which face quotas.

It is understood the Cooks see a vote at the UN as an important bargaining chip that could give them greater influence and leverage to secure more aid and economic development cash. Puna is keen for what officials are calling "the money and the bag" option – full independence while retaining NZ citizenship – but that is unlikely to be granted.

New Zealand would likely insist on a referendum if the Cooks decides to seek full independence, especially given the small majority Puna's Cook Island Party has in Parliament. He commands 13 votes in the 24 seat Parliament but only after the recent defection of a candidate from another party.

Politicians and officials spoken to here say a referendum would likely fail if a change meant an end to automatic work rights and NZ citizenship.

The "money and the bag" option could also fall foul of international opinion. Not only could it be interpreted as a grab by New Zealand for an extra seat at the UN, it could create an unwelcome precedent for counties such as France, the United States and Britain and their dependencies in the Pacific and elsewhere. Sources said it would also create a controversial precedent strengthening Palestine's case for a place in the UN.

It is understood Puna's delegation and New Zealand officials will exchange legal and constitutional views on the issue during Puna's upcoming visit.

McCully declined an interview on the issue this week and the office of the Cook Islands secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration did not respond to an interview request.

Many Cook Islanders living in New Zealand were alarmed by the prospect of the relationship with New Zealand ending, though others saw positives to increased autonomy.

"Who does Puna think he is? Our people would be devastated," said Vaine Areora, secretary of the Auckland Cook Islands Sports Association.

She said there were no jobs in the Cook Islands and the automatic New Zealand citizenship provided opportunities that would not otherwise exist. "Why do we need to move away from New Zealand?"

There were fears about whose influence would replace New Zealand's in the region. "The thing I fear is bringing China into the Cook Islands. We don't want that to happen," said Reverend Henry Whichman.

Increasingly poor and undeveloped, there is nothing in the Cook Islands to keep the younger generation, he said.

"There is nothing there for them. That is why we migrate here to get a better life. Only the old folks return not the young ones. If they go independent that will make things worse."

But, there would be benefits to being less reliant on New Zealand and increasing autonomy, according to Stan Wolfgramm, Pasifika social and economic advocate.

He believes the opportunity offered in New Zealand, especially for young people to leave and never return, is a double-edged sword that has contributed to the economic and social decay of the Cook Islands.

"One of the biggest issues the Cook Islands faces is depopulation – whether putting a barrier up is the right answer to depopulation," he said.

However, he was concerned by the the aspirations behind independence and whether membership at the UN was in fact just in pursuit of more aid money.

"They are taking away these things, but what are we replacing it with? What is the strategy behind it and what are the new determining factors that are greater than the current relationship," he said.