Politics
New party 'serious alternative'
Thursday 15 November 2018 | Written by Jaimie Keay | Published in Politics
The leader of the new Cook Islands United Party, former deputy prime minister Teariki Heather, says he wants to give the country a serious future alternative to the Cook Islands Party and the Demos. The former deputy prime minister says CIUP will launch their political campaign on November 24 at 6pm at the Arorangi sports clubhouse. The party’s banner features a rainbow, which Heather says is symbolic of God’s covenant of love. “That is what the party is founded on.” It also has 15 stars, which he says represent all of the Cook Islands. “We will “never forget those islands, north or south.” The party’s goal Heather says, is to “give hope to our people,” and finally bring about political reform and minimise the costs of government, with fewer MPs. Heather says the costs of running the country are continuing to escalate. And having a number of years’ business experience as chief executive of long-established contractors T&M Heather, he says he wants to build a stronger economy by being mindful of the country’s spending. “Our people had a tough time in the’96 recession and I don’t want to see us go through something like that again. That’s one of the most important issues for me.” Following his exit from politics and the CIP party at the general election in June, Heather says he was content to go back to his construction business and spend more time with family. Since then however, he has been approached by various “politically disheartened” members of the local community and the Pa Enua, asking him to step up and form his own party. And it’s not the first time he has attempted to launch a new political party. Following a stint as the first mayor of Puaikura in 1998 and at the urging of his parents, Heather launched the Cook Islands National Party, with the aim of achieving political reform, including a shorter Parliamentary term. The party disbanded after just 11 months. At the time he says he felt he was alone “on the fence” between the Democratic Party and the CIP. He then joined the CIP under Geoffrey Henry as a junior MP. He was appointed to Cabinet in December 2010 after the Cook Islands Party won the 2010 election and served as Minister of Infrastructure & Planning and Justice. In December 2013, he was appointed deputy prime minister, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Marsters. He lost his seat in this year’s general election on June 14, with Nooroa o Teariki Baker taking his seat in parliament. Former minister of Health, Nandi Glassie and former MPs Moana Ioane, and Tau Isamaela have joined with Heather after also being defeated in the election. Heather says he was not disheartened with the CIP, but since leaving the party had been approached to form an alternative to the “status quo”. He has since brought together similarly-minded politicians in their aim of having 24 candidates contesting the next election in four years’ time He says he doesn’t necessarily have aspirations to become leader of the country, and it’s not key to forming the party just yet. However, he says, “I have to lead as there is no one else stepping up... I’ve faced the challenge before and I’ll face it again, whether successful or not.” He adds that people may say, “Oh you may have a new party, but are they capable of running the country?” “And the answer to this is yes. We’ve been there, we’ve done that.” He says the party will be a serious contender by the time of the next general election in 2022 or any other by-election in the meantime “The country has prospered and I would like to keep that going.” Heather says he was content where he was in life but didn’t want to be what the Mangaians call “Aringa me kare atika”. The phrase means in English, “I should have done something.” – Chris Taylor
Teina Rongo offers to be stand-in help for RAPPA
Wednesday 14 November 2018 | Published in Politics
RAPPA Democratic Party candidate Dr Teina Rongo says given that prime minister Henry Puna and Speaker of Parliament Niki Rattle are unwilling to divulge the whereabouts of former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament Albert Nicholas, he is willing to take up the responsibilities of the absent MP.
Brown talks up wealth from ocean floor
Tuesday 13 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Public consultations regarding government’s plan to open tenders for the exploration of the Cook Islands’ seafloor have ended on Rarotonga.
OPM wants Stuff story retracted
Monday 12 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) media adviser Thomas Wynne has released details of a formal complaint submitted to Fairfax Media regarding an article published on New Zealand’s Stuff website.
PM greets Air Tahiti Nui's new jet
Friday 9 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna has been treated to an inspection of Air Tahiti Nui’s latest aircraft, a state-of-the-art Boeing Dreamliner.
Rumours cause distress
Friday 9 November 2018 | Published in Politics
A spokesperson for the family of Ivirua MP Tony Armstrong has called for an end to what they describe as a “distressing series of rumours” making the rounds through the “coconut wireless”.
Finding peace in prison
Thursday 8 November 2018 | Published in Politics
George Maggie was in and out of prison for 24 years before he learned how to control his mind.
By-election verdict reserved
Thursday 8 November 2018 | Published in Politics
The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision on whether an interim stay on a by-election in the Rakahanga electorate, brought about by last week’s resignation of MP Toka Hagai, will stand or be lifted.
Prime minister off to APEC meeting
Wednesday 7 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Prime minister and Foreign Affairs minister Henry Puna will join Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders in a dialogue with APEC Leaders hosted by Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby later this month.
PM cancels China trip, but Maggie goes
Wednesday 7 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna is understood to have cancelled a planned trip to China this week after Rakahanga Cook Islands Party MP Toka Hagai abruptly resigned his seat late last week.
PM urged to 'come clean' on Nicholas
Wednesday 7 November 2018 | Published in Politics
RAPPA Democratic Party candidate in the June 2018 elections, Dr Teina Rongo, has challenged prime minister Henry Puna, deputy prime minister Mark Brown and the Speaker of Parliament, Niki Rattle, to “come clean” on the whereabouts of former Cabinet minister and Member of Parliament Albert Nicholas.
Rakahanga MP resigns
Wednesday 7 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Rakahanga MP Toka Hagai has resigned his seat following a Court of Appeal hearing involving Democratic Party leader Tina Browne.
Second sitting next month
Tuesday 6 November 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The second session of Parliament post 2018 general election will be held next month, confirmed the acting Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere.
Minister Maggie heads to China
Monday 5 November 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Business Trade Investment Board minister George Maggie will be in China this week to attend the China International Import Expo (CIIE) which will be held from November 5 to 10.
Mokoroa reveals plans for Nikao-Panama
Saturday 3 November 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Minister for Police and Internal Affairs and Nikao-Panama MP Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa has reassured his people that he will keep his constituency abreast of all developments.
Ratification of PACER put on hold
Friday 2 November 2018 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands ratification of the PACER Plus Agreement is on hold, says deputy prime minister and Finance minister Mark Brown.
Immigration law changes progress
Friday 2 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Progress towards legislative changes to the Immigration law continues with near-final consultations to be facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) on proposals for Immigration legislation and regulations over the next month.
Trump better off on another planet - Puna
Friday 2 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna says if he could eject US president Donald Trump to another planet, he would.
Wright-Koteka new High Commissioner
Thursday 1 November 2018 | Published in Politics
Elizabeth Wright-Koteka will be the Cook Islands’ next High Commissioner to New Zealand.
Ministry issues dog Audit
Thursday 1 November 2018 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Politics
Cook Islands government ministries have a real problem when it comes to documentation supporting their figures in official financial statements.