Politics
Last year an eye-opener, says former Demo leader
Tuesday 5 January 2016 | Published in Politics
Former Democratic Party leader and CI News columnist Wilkie Rasmussen says 2015 was an “eye-opener” for him.
MPs' stance disappoints road safety council head
Wednesday 23 December 2015 | Published in Politics
Politicians who continue to pay lip service to the community-wide initiative to make motorcycle helmets compulsory by law probably haven’t even bothered to read the 2015 Strategic Road Safety Plan, says Road Safety Council chairman Brent Fisher.
Leaders drop ball on issue
Wednesday 23 December 2015 | Published in Politics
The leaders of the Cook Islands missed the opportunity to put the helmet issue back on the table this week and the Clerk of Parliament is calling for the two major parties to start working together.
More schooner scandal
Saturday 19 December 2015 | Published in Politics
Henry never intended to sail schooner north, report says
Short sitting brings attack
Friday 18 December 2015 | Published in Politics
The Opposition is criticising the government for a short sitting of parliament where national leaders were unable to discuss of the nitty-gritty issues impacting the country.
Trifling query prompts self- congratulation
Wednesday 16 December 2015 | Published in Politics
Question time has been the liveliest part of parliament this week, with new kid on the block Minister of Internal Affairs Albert Nicholas causing eyes to roll when he asked another Minister a “patsy” question.
Parliament over for the year
Wednesday 16 December 2015 | Published in Politics
And that’s a wrap… Prime Minister Henry Puna closed the doors on parliament yesterday afternoon after a record short two-day sitting.
Cabinet gets down to business
Monday 14 December 2015 | Published in Politics
All six members of Cabinet will be in Rarotonga this week as parliament begins its sitting today.
Rumours rifeas MPs gather at parliament
Monday 14 December 2015 | Published in Politics
Rumours are rife ahead of today’s sitting of parliament with the government remaining tight-lipped about what’s on the agenda.
Committed to battle corruption
Friday 11 December 2015 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
As the world marked International Anti-Corruption Day this week, the Cook Islands showed a new commitment towards fighting corruption in this country.
OCI and Demos part company
Tuesday 1 December 2015 | Published in Politics
There is trouble in paradise for the One Cook Islands and Democratic Party coalition, with One Cook Islands severing ties with the main Opposition Party.
Nicholas kicked out of Demos
Wednesday 18 November 2015 | Published in Politics
There’s no going back now for Albert Nicholas.
Party allocates 'shadow' portfolios
Wednesday 18 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The Democratic Party is shaping up by allocating “shadow” ministerial portfolios to a number of its Members of Parliament.
Frame opinion raises questions
Thursday 12 November 2015 | Published in Politics
THE HIGH profile Dr Alex Frame legal opinion that government has been trying to keep under wraps examines limits on unauthorised spending and exposes government’s flawed thinking on its own financial laws.
Culture under Audit investigation
Wednesday 11 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The Ministry of Cultural Development has come under the scrutiny of the Audit office after a complaint was lodged alleging the misuse of public funds in the lead up to and during Te Maeva Nui 50.
Former MMR Minister faces corruption charge
Tuesday 10 November 2015 | Published in Politics
Teina Bishop’s future is now in the hands of the High Court.
'Payment' investigated
Monday 9 November 2015 | Published in Politics
The Revenue Management division has initiated an internal investigation after a small business owner complained to media she was being targeted for unorthodox lump sum payments by a RMD staff member.
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.
