Politics
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.
Brother-sister duo fulfil parents dream
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
Siblings Akaiti Puna, Member of Parliament for Manihiki, and Tukaka “Kaka” Ama, the new MP for Ngatangiia, have fulfilled their parents’ dream.
Government’s business will interfere with Parliament sitting, says PM
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday highlighted that in 12 years of being a Member of Parliament “it is no surprise that government’s business will interfere with Parliament sittings”.
New MPs get the nod: Committees established
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Parliamentary committees were established on day two of sitting with several new faces on board.
‘Govt exists to help our people across all fronts’
Thursday 23 March 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The Ceremonial Opening of the 18th Parliament of the Cook Islands – Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani – got underway yesterday morning from 10am at Te Are Karioi/National Auditorium (King’s Chambers).
United MPs raring to go
Wednesday 22 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Local, National, Politics
The Members of Parliament (MPs) of the newly formed Cook Islands United Party are raring to go now that Parliament is finally sitting.
