Parliament
Parliament approves amendments to Seabed Minerals Act
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
A Bill seeking to improve the overall seabed minerals regime was passed in Parliament yesterday.
Inflation is a reality: PM encourages homegrown food to combat rising prices
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Prime Minister acknowledges inflation’s impact on imported goods and suggests growing local food to combat it, while emphasising economic growth and Pa Enua development as long-term solutions.
Select committee receives three submissions on Amendment Bills
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Special Select Committee reviewing the three Constitutional Amendment Bills before Parliament has received three submissions.
Government seeks $16.5m in Supplementary Budget
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The Government seeks an additional $16.5 million through a Supplementary Budget to be tabled in today’s first Parliament sitting of the year.
Penrhyn by-election date confirmed
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Outer Islands, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands United Party will not nominate a candidate for the Penrhyn By-election.
Tapaitau remains in office, awaiting removal process
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister remains in office despite conviction while awaiting formal removal process and potential appeal.
Ministry of Justice seeks diaspora input on Cooks land law reform
Friday 19 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands is reforming its land laws and will hold public meetings in New Zealand, Australia, and Cook Islands to gather input from both residents and overseas Cook Islanders.
Select Committee prepares for public consultations on Amendment Bills
Monday 8 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Special Select Committee reviewing the three Constitutional Amendment Bills will convene next month.
Constitution overhaul aims for smoother government operation
Friday 5 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister has defended proposed constitutional amendments to increase ministerial numbers, enable proxy voting, and expedite post-election parliament, emphasising improved government efficiency.
PM Brown addresses consultation concerns around legislative change
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Amendment Bill 2023 and Land Facilitation of Dealings Amendment Bill 2023 is not a government bill, but a private members bill, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Lack of coordination between utility providers ‘putting pressure on our people’
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed by four major utility companies in the coming weeks, confirmed Albert Nicholas, Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
$300,000 in arrears : 47 businesses lag on Cook Islands Covid loan
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Local businesses are nearly $300,000 behind on payments of the $6.9 million loan issued by the Cook Islands Government to support them during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
Cook Islands’ international profile soars with COP28 and Forum leadership: Brown
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ profile on the international stage has never been higher than it is today, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
PAC chair Elikana demands transparency on public funds
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.
High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Green light for relief : Parliament passes medicinal cannabis import bill
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
Cook Islanders who require medicinal cannabis for their health’s wellbeing can now import or bring the item into the country, provided the product is being prescribed by an overseas medical practitioner.
Browne struggles to get answers over $640,000 vessel charter
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Opposition leader and Rakahanga MP Tina Browne has made little progress over the course of two days, in trying to get answers from Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana about a $640,000 charter vessel which left Rarotonga on Wednesday bound for Pukapuka.
Parliament sets 42 sitting days for 2024 session
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament approved 42 sitting days for 2024 yesterday, having managed to meet just over half the number of days allocated for 2023.
MPs back medicinal cannabis import
Thursday 14 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Health, National, Parliament
Debate on the use and importation of medicinal cannabis in the Cook Islands continues in Parliament today after gaining support from both Government and Opposition MPs.
