Politics
Aussies and locals mark new relationship
Wednesday 21 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Cook Islands, New Zealand and Australian dignitaries gathered on Friday night to celebrate the Cook Islands’ participation in the new Colombo Plan programme, launched in April.
Bishop has his day in court
Tuesday 20 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands Police Service’s prosecution team believes the evidence is stacked against former Minister of Marine Resources Teina Bishop in a significant bribery case.
Everyone home this week
Monday 19 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna returns to Rarotonga this week after over two weeks of international meetings.
Budget fight over technicalities
Friday 16 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The Opposition is accusing the Government of breaking the law and misleading the public about its spending.
Bishop case goes to court next week
Friday 16 October 2015 | Published in Politics
On Monday One Cook Islands leader Teina Bishop will have his day in court after a two year investigation into alleged dodgy dealings while he was Minister of Marine Resources.
Code of conduct overdue, says MP
Friday 16 October 2015 | Published in Politics
One of Parliament’s newest MPs believes a formal code of conduct for all politicians is long overdue and she’s getting one ready to table at the next sitting.
PM speaks out on disaster risk
Thursday 15 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna has told an international audience it would be naive to disregard any future relocation of displaced people due to natural disasters – a real possibility with the impacts of climate change in the Pacific.
Protection from domestic violence
Thursday 15 October 2015 | Published in Politics
This story is the third in a series about the Family Law Bill 2015, which – if passed by parliament – could drastically change the way child protection and domestic violence issues are dealt with in the Cook Islands. This story covers the Domestic Violence section of the proposed Bill.
Call for public submissions
Thursday 15 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The public can have their say on the Family Law Bill 2015 by making public submissions to the special select committee made up of Cook Islands Party MP for Vaipae-Tautu Mona Ioane, Cook Islands Party MP for Rakahanga Toka Hangai, Cook Islands Party MP for Teenui-Mapumai Rose Toki Brown, Democratic Party MP for Tamarua Tetangi Matapo, Democratic Party MP for Titikaveka Selina Napa and One Cook Islands Party MP for Tupapa George Maggie.
Push to keep US boats here
Tuesday 13 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The government is pushing to keep US purse seiners in our waters despite stormy seas for the treaty which brought about $8 million to the national economy during the last financial year.
OPM won't reveal Manihiki payout details
Tuesday 13 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The Prime Minister’s Office is refusing to release details behind the decision to pay over $40,000 to Manihiki landowners, revealing there was very little discussion on the controversial compensation payout.
PM in Geneva
Monday 12 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna will be absent from his seat at the top of the Cabinet table again this week, travelling from Geneva to Tahiti then on to Japan.
Puna says people's interests come first
Monday 12 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna says he had taxpayers in mind when the government signed the failed contract with Pacific Schooners.
Brown got it wrong, says Beer
Saturday 10 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The Opposition believes the government signed off spending $3.3 million of public money in Executive Council, not the $2.6 million as announced by Minister of Finance Mark Brown.
PM crash row 'smear campaign'
Saturday 10 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Attempts by the Democratic party to get answers from police for not following through with an accident case involving the prime minister have been derided by a government official as resembling a smear campaign.
Crash back to haunt PM
Friday 9 October 2015 | Published in Politics
A car accident late last year involving prime minister Henry Puna that police didn’t process like a normal case by laying charges and having it dealt with in the High Court, has come back to haunt the country’s leader a year later.
Korean fishing venture in hot water
Thursday 8 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Allegations of dodgy practices and law violations have emerged involving controversial Korean fishing company Dongwon, which is currently licensed to fish in Cook Islands waters.
Land concerns go to the top
Thursday 8 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The Koutu Nui have taken peoples’ concerns over the Land Court interpretation of occupation right to Minister of Justice Nandi Glassie.
'Sweetheart' deal used taxpayer funds
Tuesday 6 October 2015 | Published in Politics
Government used taxpayer funds and special conditions to give an unparalleled sweetheart deal to a company co-owned by a Cook Islands Party political stalwart who also sits on at least four major state boards.
Leaders in the learners' seats
Tuesday 6 October 2015 | Published in Politics
The nation’s leaders have become learners this week as part of a special United Nations Development Programme to better understand the workings of parliament.
