Politics
Govt surplus soars to $24m
Monday 25 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The government has posted a surplus of $23.63 million, which is about 54 per cent higher than the estimated sum for the second quarter of the 2018/19 financial year ending December 31, 2018.
Getting to know NZ's new top diplomat in Cooks
Saturday 23 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Tessa Te Mata was appointed the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands last year. Te Mata took over the role last month. She is the second female high commissioner in the Cook Islands and woman of Pacific heritage to head a New Zealand diplomatic post in the Pacific. Te Mata, a qualified lawyer, is also of Cook Islands descent. CI News senior journalist Rashneel Kumar talked to Te Mata about her goals, challenges and anticipations in her new role.
Forgery complaint against MP
Saturday 23 March 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Politics
Police have confirmed they have received a complaint related to a prominent Member of Parliament of the Cook Islands.
National Environment Service has a new head
Friday 22 March 2019 | Published in Politics
The Public Service Commissioner Russell Thomas is pleased to announce the appointment of Nga Puna as the new director for the National Environment Service (NES).
Progressive over climate change
Friday 22 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna says the country wants to be progressive rather than defensive on both the mitigation and adaptation fronts when it comes to climate change.
Youth council's new execs
Thursday 21 March 2019 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Politics
Last week on March 13 the Cook Islands National Youth Council (CINYC) elected the 2019 -2021 executive committee at their triennial general meeting held at the Atiu hostel.
Country loses long serving public servant
Thursday 21 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands has lost a long serving and well respected civil servant Aukino Tairea.
Double party for MP Brown
Thursday 21 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Re-elected MP Te-Hani Brown had to postpone her birthday celebrations leading up to Monday’s by-election on Atiu for fear of it being misconstrued by her opposition as “treating”.
Brown rules out ministerial job
Wednesday 20 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Te-Hani Brown has ruled out the possibility of taking up a ministerial position as she joins the Cook Islands Party-led coalition government.
Demos support House of Ariki on name change
Tuesday 19 March 2019 | Published in Politics
The Democratic Party is supporting the House of Ariki decision not to change the name Cook Islands, but add a traditional Maori name that truly reflects the people and culture.
Convincing win for Te-Hani
Tuesday 19 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Independent candidate Te-Hani Brown posted a convincing victory in yesterday’s by-election on Atiu.
PM in Fiji
Monday 18 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna is expected to be in Fiji this week to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of the South Pacific (USP).
Glassie denies supporter confusion
Saturday 16 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Democratic Party candidate Nandi Glassie has denied any confusion among his supporters arising from Teariki Heather’s involvement in one of his rallies ahead of Monday’s by-election for the vacant Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua seat.
PM condemns Christchurch shooting
Saturday 16 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna has joined his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern and many leaders around the world in condemning the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch on Thursday.
Youth council to elect new president
Wednesday 13 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Cook Islands National Youth Council (CINYC) will elect a new president at its annual general meeting tonight.
PM Puna visits Te Mato Vai Matavera intake
Monday 11 March 2019 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna spent time with David Sloan, the Te Mato Vai GHD water engineer along with Te Mato Vai contractors McConnell Dowell as they conducted a site inspection of the Matavera intake with landowners and media last week.
Ministers home
Saturday 9 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
All ministers except deputy prime minister Mark Brown are expected to remain on Rarotonga this week.
Climate change policy approved
Saturday 9 March 2019 | Published in Politics
The Cabinet of the Cook Islands has approved the Cook Islands Climate Change Policy drafted by the Climate Change Cook Islands (CCCI) office, at the Office of the Prime Minister.
PM welcomes NZ's new top diplomat
Saturday 9 March 2019 | Published in Politics
“We acknowledge the Cook Islands has been active in its regional and international engagements,” said Her Excellency Tessa Temata as she presented her credentials to Prime Minister Henry Puna yesterday.
Wigmore at food biodiversity talks
Friday 8 March 2019 | Published in Politics
Ministry of Agriculture’s director for crop research William Wigmore launched the State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture Report at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters recently.
