Politics
Water solution in sight for Mitiaro
Wednesday 21 March 2018 | Published in Politics
Mitiaro is soon to get relief for its failing water supply system.
NSDP goals 'progressing well'
Wednesday 21 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Cook Islands is progressing well towards its goals in the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) within its available resources, says the Office of the Prime Minister chief of staff, Bredina Drollet.
Preserving culture everyone's responsibility
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Politics
This is the fifth and final in a series of CINews articles on the new National Culture Policy initiated by the Ministry of Cultural Development. The policy addresses five strategic goals, and while its effects may not be noticed until later this year, it will introduce a number of significant changes. The final strategic goal is support and coordination.
Govt underspends on capital projects
Monday 19 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The government only spent half of its capital expenditure budget in the last financial period, according to the December 2017 quarterly financial report.
Cable dispute continues
Monday 19 March 2018 | Published in Politics
Telecommunications minister Mark Brown has hit back at claims by the Opposition that the planned Manatua submarine cable won’t necessarily result in lower prices for consumers and businesses.
Speaker checks out Fiji parliament
Friday 16 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Cook Islands Parliament Speaker Niki Rattle is in Fiji, observing the Fijian Parliment sitting in an effort to review and improve national Parliamentary Standing Orders, among other things.
National plan goals 'off-track'
Friday 16 March 2018 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands have a long way to go in achieving all the 16 goals in the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) by 2020.
Bid to boost business ties with NZ Maori
Thursday 15 March 2018 | Published in Politics
Last week’s visit by New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has reignited discussions between the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) and the Federation of Maori Authorities (FOMA).
Longtime NZ Super campaigner 'delighted'
Wednesday 14 March 2018 | Published in Politics
‘Lost Tribe’ campaign stalwart Les Priest says he’s “obviously delighted” that after years of fruitless lobbying for changes to the New Zealand pension eligibility laws, those rules will finally be altered in favour of realm countries such as the Cook Islands.
Pension portability changes 'best news yet'
Wednesday 14 March 2018 | Written by Jaimie Keay | Published in Politics
Last week while here in Rarotonga, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced changes to the pension portability scheme.
National goals 'off track'
Wednesday 14 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
A recent report has revealed that certain indicators measuring progress towards achieving 11 out of the 16 goals in the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) are either “of concern” or “off track”.
On course for deeper cooperation
Monday 12 March 2018 | Published in Politics
New Zealand Prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Cook Islands prime minister, Henry Puna, concluded successful discussions in Rarotonga this week, at the tail end of New Zealand’s week long Pacific Mission which also featured visits to Samoa, Niue, and Tonga.
Ministers remain on Rarotonga
Monday 12 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna and his Cabinet ministers will remain on the island next week.
Policy change excites meeting
Monday 12 March 2018 | Published in Politics
New Zealand Labour Party MP Carmel Sepuloni posted this photo of members of the visiting New Zealand delegation and Cook Islands cabinet ministers on Facebook, shortly after it was announced to the Cook Islands government that the superannuation portability legislation would be changed under the New Zealand Labour government.
Call for competition rules
Monday 12 March 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The planned multi-million dollar fibre optic undersea cable will not guarantee lower prices for Cook Islands consumers, say members of the Opposition.
Ardern wraps up Pacific mission
Monday 12 March 2018 | Published in Politics
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern and her cross-party delegation spent part of their final day on Rarotonga on Thursday enjoying a tour of the lagoon near Muri Beach.
Connections made at 'political speed dating'
Friday 9 March 2018 | Published in Politics
It had been described as something akin to ‘political speed dating’ but despite some of the high-profile personalities involved there was even less pressure than that at a mini-expo held for members of the visiting New Zealand delegation yesterday morning.
Ardern attends leadership lunch
Friday 9 March 2018 | Written by Jaimie Keay | Published in Politics
At her final event on her Pacific Mission trip, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was a key speaker at a special event held on the lawn at parliament to commemorate International Women’s Day.
Compliments flow at VIP dinner
Friday 9 March 2018 | Published in Politics
The leaders of the Cook Islands and New Zealand spoke glowingly about the relationship between the two countries at dinner hosted by the Cook Islands government on Wednesday night.
Graduation main issue: Ardern
Friday 9 March 2018 | Published in Politics
The possible graduation of the Cook Islands to developed status is a much more pressing issue than any possible bid for the country to join the United Nations, says New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.