Politics
Puna praises of our cultural heritage
Monday 9 November 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna spoke of the importance of cultural heritage at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris this week where he said Cook Islands’ cultural heritage was not buildings and monuments. “Our cultural heritage is centuries of calendars for fishing and planting, traditional navigation, using our ocean and environment to signal our weather, drum beats and dance steps. These are the things that have made our country what it is, and are still all in use today.”
Aid relationship moves up a gear
Saturday 7 November 2015 | Published in Politics
An historic arrangement has been signed by the Cook Islands and New Zealand governments which consolidates New Zealand’s aid programme and delivers it mainly through the Cook Islands Government budget.
Government investigates document leak
Saturday 7 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The government is investigating how a local publisher got his hands on confidential legal documents, and is exploring options to ensure an investigation into government spending is not compromised by the leak.
Delays undermine financial reports
Saturday 7 November 2015 | Published in Politics
Because Cook Islands government annual financial statements haven’t been audited since June 2011, the value of subsequent financial statements is compromised, the International Monetary Fund says.
Anti-corruption moves rubbished
Friday 6 November 2015 | Published in Politics
Minister of Parliamentary Services Nandi Glassie has become a champion against corruption.
Purse seining deal detailed
Thursday 5 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The nets of Spanish purse seiners could be collecting skipjack tuna in Cook Island waters for the next eight years.
Pitt's TV outburst lashes government
Thursday 5 November 2015 | Published in Politics
A defiant George Pitt took to Cook Islands Television on Tuesday night to air his views on constitutional expert Dr Alex Frame’s draft legal opinion on Government spending.
Publisher: 'I will not go to court'
Wednesday 4 November 2015 | Published in Politics
Cook Islands Herald publisher George Pitt says he will not go to court over defying a High Court injunction forbidding him from broadcasting or publishing the contents of a legal opinion written by Dr Alex Frame about government spending.
Finance Minister targeted in FIU investigation
Wednesday 4 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The Financial Intelligence Unit is allegedly investigating supposed ‘corrupt activities’ undertaken by Minister of Finance Mark Brown.
Chinese to build Apii Nikao
Monday 2 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The Chinese government will be tendering the construction of Apii Nikao to its own construction companies.
MINISTERS TRAVEL DIARY
Monday 2 November 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna is heading to Paris this week to participate in United Nations education talks.
Spain contradicts MMR on fishing deal
Saturday 31 October 2015 | Published in Politics
If the European Union and Spanish government are to be believed, it seems our Ministry of Marine Resources may have been economical with the truth about an agreement for Spanish purse seiners to fish in Cook Islands waters.
Transparency urged over fishing deals
Friday 30 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Negotiating multimillion dollar fishing deals behind closed doors, the Ministry of Marine Resources is being urged to keep its promise to be transparent about future purse seining deals.
No proof behind money handout
Friday 30 October 2015 | Published in Politics
It has been revealed that government advanced compensation to 10 Manihiki islanders based purely on their claims of entitlement and in the absence of genealogies.
Demos would phase out purse seining
Friday 30 October 2015 | Published in Politics
A Democratic Party government would phase out purse seine fishing, says Opposition leader William “Smiley” Heather.
Samoan PM helps launch venture
Thursday 29 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The Prime Minister of Samoa was the guest speaker at the opening of the Cook Islands’ Federal Pacific Insurance branch last night.
NZ Maori king offered Aitutaki land
Tuesday 27 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The New Zealand Maori King Movement is to look at land development opportunities in the Cook Islands as part of a new cultural covenant partnership signed earlier this week.
PM snubs Demo Party's open letter
Tuesday 27 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna has refused to meet with the Opposition to discuss their open letter demanding the recovery of excess unauthorised expenditure of public money.
Little joy in Key's reply to open letter
Friday 23 October 2015 | Published in Politics
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has not given the Opposition much ammunition against the government in his response to their open letter.