Politics
Prime Minister gets ceremonial welcome home
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown got the full welcome when he arrived back in Rarotonga.
Concerns raised over EO’s absence from Rakahanga
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands, Politics
The executive officer (EO) for Rakahanga has been asked to return to the island after concern raised about his alleged frequent absences.
Titikaveka MP uses Constituency Fund to buy roasters for his village
Thursday 4 May 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The four tapere (sub-district) of Titikaveka – Tikioki, Akapuao, Turoa and Vaimaanga – have received roasters which will help lighten their cooking duties in upcoming community events.
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to be held in November
Tuesday 2 May 2023 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum, Politics, Regional
The date for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PILFM) in the Cook Islands has been confirmed. The 52nd Forum Meeting, held in the Cook Islands for the first time since 2012, will take place between November 6 to 10.
PM Brown discusses sustainable long-term development partnership with South Korean counterpart
Tuesday 2 May 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown is in South Korea this week, as part of his engagements with the Asian Development Bank.
Cook Islands and China talk forward co-operation
Thursday 20 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Cook Island Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Mark Brown met with the Ambassador for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to New Zealand and the Cook Islands, His Excellency, Wang Xiaolong in Rarotonga yesterday.
Decriminalising homosexuality: Opposition MPs say new Bill contravenes God’s law
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Sweeping changes to the Crimes Act, including the decriminalising of homosexuality, were passed in Cook Islands Parliament, despite some strong views that the changes will contravene God’s law.
Parliament passes $60k tax free threshold for Pa Enua
Saturday 15 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
People living in the Pa Enua won’t be paying tax unless they earn over $60,000 a year, thanks to the passing of a new Bill.
Parliament debates ‘Pa Enua $60k tax-free threshold’ Bill
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
Debate on the Bill creating a tax-free threshold of $60,000 for the Pa Enua residents is underway.
Parliament briefs
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
Minister for Health Rose Toki-Brown says Te Marae Ora (TMO) has a plan in place not only for Mangaia but for all Pa Enua to have dentists.
Opposition raises concern over Government’s push for seabed mining
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne has spoken out in Parliament about her concerns with the Government’s pace in pushing ahead with seabed mineral exploration.
Cook Islands United Party faces hefty legal bill
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party could be facing a costs order of more than $30,000 for their failed electoral petitions, but the party leader says he has “no regrets”.
Key bills in Parliament
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Politics
A number of key bills including amendments to the Crimes Bill will be presented in the second meeting of the 18th Parliament which starts at 1pm today.
Term limits eased for Cook Islands Democratic party leaders
Wednesday 5 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A new remit for the Cook Islands Democratic Party will relax the four-year term limit for its leaders.
PM assured AUKUS deal will not breach Rarotonga Treaty
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Environment, National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has said he has received assurances that the recent Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) proposals will not contravene the Treaty of Rarotonga.
Parliament to sit for more than 40 days
Thursday 30 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Politics
Over 40 days - a massive improvement on the number of Parliament sittings, have been marked down in the ‘Draft Sitting Programme’ calendar which has been set by the Business Committee.
New Mauke MP ‘humbled’ to be part of Government
Monday 27 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Independent MP Stephen Matapo, who is part of the Cook Islands Party led coalition government, is looking forward to getting Mauke on the move.
AUKUS deal concern: PM raises caution over nuclear submarine project
Monday 27 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Politics, Technology
Prime Minister Mark Brown has sounded a word of caution about the planned Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) nuclear submarine project.
‘Remember that the people put you in this position’
Saturday 25 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Parliament resumed this week after a delay of several months due to electoral petitions. Cook Islands News senior journalist Matthew Littlewood talks to the Party leaders about their hopes and aspirations for this term.
PM Brown defends $5.4m Air NZ tax decision
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown faced a grilling in Parliament on the $5.4 million the Government has had to pay back in tax to Air New Zealand.
