The instrument of ratification indicates that in accordance with the special relationship which exists between New Zealand and the Cook Islands and between New Zealand and Niue, there have been consultations regarding the Convention between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Cook Islands and between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Niue; that the Government of the Cook Islands, which has exclusive competence to implement treaties in the Cook Islands, has requested that the Convention should extend to the Cook Islands; that the Government of Niue which has exclusive competence to implement treaties in Niue, has requested that the Convention should extend to Niue. The said instrument specifies that accordingly the Convention shall apply also to the Cook Islands and Niue.
In this regard, on 17 March 2004, the Secretary-General received from the Government of New Zealand, the following communications:
In respect of the Cook Islands:
"... the Government of New Zealand ratified the Convention on 2 June 1987;
... the Government of New Zealand declared, on ratification, that its ratification extended to the Cook Islands;
... the Cook Islands is a self-governing State in a relationship of free association with New Zealand, and possesses in its own right the capacity to enter into treaties and other international agreements with governments and regional and international organisations;
... the Government of the Cook Islands acceded to the Convention in its own right on 22 December 2003;
... the Government of New Zealand declares that, by reason of the accession to the Convention by the Government of the Cook Islands, it regards the Government of Cook Islands as having succeeded to the obligations under the Convention of the Government of New Zealand in respect of the Cook Islands,
... [the Government of New Zealand] declares that, accordingly, as from the date of the accession to the Convention by the Government of the Cook Islands, the Government of New Zealand ceased to have State responsibility for the observance of the obligations under the Convention in respect of the Cook Islands."
In respect of Niue:
"... the Government of New Zealand ratified the Convention on 2 June 1987;
... the Government of New Zealand declared, on ratification, that its ratification extended to Niue;
... Niue is a self-governing State in a relationship of free association with New Zealand, and possesses in its own right the capacity to enter into treaties and other international agreements with governments and regional and international organisations;
... the Government of Niue acceded to the Convention in its own right on 22 December 2003;
... the Government of New Zealand declares that, by reason of the accession to the Convention by the Government of Niue, it regards the Government of Niue as having succeeded to the obligations under the Convention of the Government of New Zealand in respect of Niue;
... [the Government of New Zealand] further declares that, accordingly, as from the date of the accession to the Convention by the Government of Niue, the Government of New Zealand ceased to have State responsibility for the observance of the obligations under the Convention in respect of the territory of Niue."