Politics
No person is above the law: Brown
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, Local, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed Tongareva seat is vacant after former deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau’s conviction, triggering a by-election within 60 days.
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.
No charges against Ex-NZ MP: Daughter speaks following explosive family feud on Aitutaki
Wednesday 10 January 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics
Cook Islands Police will not pursue charges against former New Zealand National Party government minister who was alleged to have assaulted his sister at their mother’s funeral in Aitutaki. Candice Luke reports.
Family feud explodes at mother’s funeral in Aitutaki
Tuesday 9 January 2024 | Written by RNZ | Published in Local, National, New Zealand, Outer Islands, Politics, Regional
A former New Zealand National Party government minister has been interviewed by Cook Islands Police after a family feud turned violent as the coffin of his late mother was being carried into her Aitutaki home last week.
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.
‘No guts’: Senior lawyer slams proposed cannabis legislation
Tuesday 12 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Health, National, Politics
A senior lawyer has lambasted proposed legislation supporting availability of cannabis in the Cook Islands, saying it has ‘no guts’.
Cooks warms to cannabis debate
Monday 11 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Health, Local, National, Politics
‘Hemp could have a commercial benefit for Cook Islands’
Opposition Leader’s $30,000 New York ‘lunch’ draws flak
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
The Leader of the Opposition has copped criticism for spending over $30,000 on a New York trip to celebrate the anniversary of a non-profit foundation that operates as a global network of female political leaders at the national level.
Pardon for Papa Arapati long overdue: PM Brown
Thursday 2 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands ‘godfather of modern politics’ and first premier, the late Albert Royle Henry or better known as Papa Arapati, has been given a formal pardon by the King’s Representative (KR) Sir Tom Marsters.
Tapaitau reinstated a second time as charges still pending
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National, Politics
Robert Tapaitau has been reinstated as Deputy Prime Minister for the second time after suspension amid criminal charges, but a leader of an Opposition party says the reinstatement is ‘unfair’.
A jet-setting spree : MPs’ travel bill draws criticism from former politicians
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Members of Parliament (MPs) have incurred significant travel-related costs in recent months, but no one from the Government or Opposition has yet justified the spending.
Breakdown of MP travel spending: PM, Opposition leader at the top
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
A breakdown of the spending figures shows the event attended, departure and arrival dates, airfare costs, accommodation costs, meals/incidentals, additional allowances and totals for each of the 14 MPs, for the period July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Cook Islands MP-elect Nicholas has her eye on Pacific peoples portfolio
Tuesday 24 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, New Zealand, Politics, Regional
The only Pacific MP-elect in New Zealand’s National Party has her eye on the Pacific peoples portfolio.
PM Brown congratulates NZ PM designate Luxon following his election night success
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has congratulated New Zealand Prime Minister-designate Christopher Luxon, the leader of the National Party, on winning the elections over the weekend.
Cook Islanders on their way home: Remaining 28 to depart Israel on Friday
Tuesday 10 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Politics, Tourism
Cook Islanders stranded in war-torn Israel are making their way home as Israeli-Hamas conflict intensifies.
Elikana chairs Forum Trade Ministers meet
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
The Associate Minister for Justice, Finance and Economic Management, Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Tingika Elikana, chaired the Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in Suva this week.
Brown discusses more transport connectivity for air and sea with Fiji
Monday 14 August 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown met with Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics, Biman Prasad in the margins of the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) in Suva last week.
Extra legal assistance ‘urgent’ for Ombudsman’s Office
Monday 17 July 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands Office of the Ombudsman has launched a plea for extra legal assistance.
Politics, a chapter ‘well and truly closed’: Puna
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Pacific Islands, Politics, Regional
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna says he has no plans to return to local politics.
MPs worry about Crown Law’s resources
Monday 26 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands MPs are concerned that Crown Law’s resources might be stretched.
