Politics
Sacked minister expected back at the weekend
Friday 21 September 2018 | Written by Richard Moore | Published in Politics
Former Cabinet minister Albert Nicholas is expected to return to Rarotonga by the end of the weekend.
Elikana excited at new role in parliament
Wednesday 19 September 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Newcomer Tingika Elikana is excited with the prospect parliament will provide him in serving his people and the nation in his four-year term as the Member of Parliament (MP).
New MPs in the spotlight at parliament
Wednesday 19 September 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Eleven new Members of Parliament (MPs) are expected to make their maiden speeches when the opening session of the Parliament starts today at 1pm.
Ambassador pays a visit
Friday 14 September 2018 | Published in Politics
Republic of Korea Ambassador to the Cook Islands, Seung-bae Yeo, presented his credentials as ambassador to the Cook Islands at a ceremony at Government House on Wednesday
PM to nominate Speaker
Friday 14 September 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna will nominate the Speaker when the first session of the Parliament since the 2018 general election takes place on Wednesday next week from 1pm.
Parliamentarians learn roles
Friday 14 September 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The facilitators of the three-day induction workshop for the new and returning Members of Parliament (MPs) say they were pleased with the enthusiasm of those who attended.
Praise for stance on children's rights
Wednesday 12 September 2018 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands is advanced in its application of the rights of children including health, education, social policies, water sanitation, “all the things that are important to grow healthy children,” says the newly-appointed UNICEF representative of Pacific Island countries, Sheldon Yett.
Puna previews region's 'eye in the sky'
Saturday 8 September 2018 | Published in Politics
Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna and Foreign Affairs minister Marise Payne took to the Yaren international airport tarmac to provide the closing side event of the Nauru Leaders Forum.
Rakahanga petition fails
Saturday 8 September 2018 | Published in Politics
Democratic Party leader Tina Browne’s Rakahanga petition has failed, giving final confirmation to the Cook Islands Party’s position in government.
Parliament staff attend course in Fiji
Friday 7 September 2018 | Published in Politics
The Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji and McGill University of Canada, is hosting regional participants to a two-week intensive management course specifically designed for senior secretariat staff of Parliament.
Leaders hail new surveillance planes
Thursday 6 September 2018 | Published in Politics
Pacific Forum Leaders have welcomed the increased air surveillance capacity of the new Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Aerial Surveillance Program funded by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP).
Murienua petition fails, Arioka named MP
Thursday 6 September 2018 | Published in Politics
The Murienua petition has been decided, with Cook Islands Party candidate Patrick Akaiti Arioka named the elected Member of Parliament for the electorate by the High Court of the Cook Islands.
Management course for secretariat staff
Wednesday 5 September 2018 | Published in Politics
Twenty-eight participants from nine national parliaments including the Cook Islands are involved in a two-week intensive management course in Fiji, designed for senior secretariat staff of parliament.
China sparks fireworks at Forum summit
Wednesday 5 September 2018 | Published in Politics
A tense exchange sparked some high level fireworks at the Forum Leaders summit in Nauru on Monday as China’s head of delegation walked out after a flare-up on speaking rights at the Dialogue Partners session.
No-one owns up to writing mystery press release
Tuesday 4 September 2018 | Published in Politics
No-one is owning up to writing a press release, supposedly from the Democratic Party, which sets out options for using a $37 million “surplus” announced by the government recently.
Forum underway with SIS meeting
Monday 3 September 2018 | Published in Politics
Leaders of the Smaller Island States of the Pacific Islands Forum gathered yesterday morning (CI time) for the first meeting of the 49th Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru.
Minister visits agricultural sites on island
Saturday 1 September 2018 | Published in Politics
New Agriculture minister Rose Brown visited a number of agricultural establishments on Friday, including an organic fertiliser company, some schools, a hydroponic farm and vanilla orchard.
One-vote Mauke win will stand, court decides
Thursday 30 August 2018 | Published in Politics
The cliffhanger general election result in Mauke, which saw the Cook Islands Party’s Tai Tura win the seat by one vote, will stand, the High Court has decided.
Special Atiu welcome for Brown
Saturday 25 August 2018 | Published in Politics
The new Health minister and Atiu MP for the electorate of Teenui-Mapumai, Vainetutai Rose Toki Brown, was treated to a special welcome last Wednesday for her first visit back home as a Minister of the Crown.
Manatua Cable plans will proceed
Thursday 23 August 2018 | Written by Jaimie Keay | Published in Politics
The government is proceeding as planned with the implementation of the Manatua Cable project, a four-country partnership between the Cook Islands, Niue, French Polynesia and Samoa.