Politics
Parliament this week
Wednesday 24 March 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
Briefs from this week's two-day sitting of Parliament.
PM Brown heads to Aotearoa for travel bubble discussions with NZ PM Ardern
Wednesday 24 March 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Politics
Securing a new date for two-way travel with New Zealand is at the top of the agenda for Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Puna bids farewell with some words of advice
Wednesday 24 March 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
It was an emotional moment for former prime minister Henry Puna on Tuesday, as he bid farewell to Parliament while announcing his retirement as MP for Manihiki.
Mauke MP Tura appointed Speaker of Parliament
Tuesday 23 March 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
Tai Tura was last night sworn in as the new Speaker of Parliament at a special ceremony held at the Queen’s Representative His Excellency Sir Tom Marsters’ residence in Titikaveka.
Puna turns focus to Forum
Monday 22 March 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
Manihiki MP Henry Puna is looking forward to assuming the top Pacific Islands Forum role after the High Court dismissed the charter flight case that saw him facing fraud charges.
Parliament to convene on Monday
Saturday 20 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
Parliament is expected to receive updates from several select committees and elect Mauke MP Tai Tura as Speaker during a brief sitting next week.
PM Brown dismisses Opposition demand to suspend Tapaitau
Friday 12 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
The Prime Minister has brushed off demands from the Opposition to suspend his deputy and Cabinet member Robert Tapaitau, who is currently involved in an investigation into the tendering process for a $5.3 million project underway in the Pa Enua.
Democratic Party calls for suspension of Deputy PM
Thursday 11 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands Party-led Government is facing demands from the Opposition to remove an MP from Cabinet involved in an audit office investigation.
Parliament explains delay in appointment of new Clerk
Saturday 6 March 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
The Clerk of Parliament’s position has been re-advertised due to the small number of applications received, says Cook Islands Parliament.
Heather replaces Maoate as Demos deputy leader
Friday 5 March 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands Democratic Party Opposition leader has appointed a new deputy – a move to better prepare the Democrats for any voting option the government decides to run with.
Speaker's resignation catches MPs off-guard
Tuesday 16 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
Opposition MPs said the resignation of veteran Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament Niki Rattle was unexpected, and the Prime Minister was only notified of the development over the weekend.
PM Brown defends Puna’s selection
Saturday 13 February 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Pacific Islands, Politics, Regional
Pacific Islands Forum has been most effective when they have worked together as a single, unified body, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Parliament reform hits snag
Thursday 11 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
The Opposition Democratic Party says allowing travelling MPs to nominate a ‘proxy’ to stand in for Parliament votes during their absence isn’t a good option to increase the number of days the House sits every year.
Fractured Forum as Puna takes helm
Wednesday 10 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics
As Cook Islands politician Henry Puna prepares to assume the role of Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, he faces a monumental challenge in restoring the spirit of Pacific cooperation at a time when many say the region needs it most.
Clerk role challenged
Tuesday 9 February 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Politics
The Opposition is challenging why the job description for a top government job has been significantly changed in its re-advertisement.
Opposition party calls for review of ‘ageist’ driver’s licencing process
Saturday 6 February 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
An appeal has been made to the government to allow commonsense to prevail and get rid of the strict driver’s licence criteria that now applies to those aged sixty and over that’s already proving highly unpopular.
Opposition congratulate former PM Henry Puna
Thursday 4 February 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in National, Politics
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna was yesterday named the new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, becoming the first Cook Islander to take up the top regional role.
‘The region has made an outstanding choice’
Thursday 4 February 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in National, Politics
Congratulatory messages are flowing from every corner of the Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand for former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, who was yesterday voted in as the new Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Keu Mataroa new Cook Islands Consul General to NZ
Wednesday 3 February 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
Keutekarakia (Keu) Mataroa has been officially welcomed to his post as Cook Islands Consul General to New Zealand.
Parliament still looking for new Clerk
Tuesday 2 February 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands Parliament is hoping to appoint a new Clerk by early March.