Politics
Visit cements our links with Spain
Thursday 19 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Strengthening relations between Spain and the Cook Islands is the aim of a visit to Rarotonga by the Spanish Ambassador this week.
Party-hopping futile, says Opposition
Wednesday 18 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Allegations that the Cook Islands Party is luring more Democratic MPs to party-hop into government have surfaced, and the Opposition says the strategy will cause more harm than good.
Bishop protests shipping service cut
Wednesday 18 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Aitutaki MP Teina Bishop has written to Matson South Pacific and Uma Shipping Ltd in a last-ditch effort to stop monthly shipping services to Aitutaki from being cut from two voyages a month to one.
Meeting invites public feedback
Tuesday 17 March 2015 | Published in Politics
A public meeting was held last night to present information on the development of the Cook Islands purse seine fishery.
MPs move riles Demo Party camp
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The decision by Albert Nicholas to accept the Ministerial offer from the Cook Islands Party (CIP) Government has caused much anger within the Democratic Party nationally and within the constituency of Avatiu, says party leader Wilkie Rasmussen.
Glassie to lead Geneva delegation
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Internal Affairs minister Nandi Glassie, who is also responsible for the division for persons with disabilities, will lead a country delegation to Geneva, Switzerland in April to report on the Cook Islands progress regarding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Cabinet could be in relaxed mode
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
It is expected Cabinet will be considerably more relaxed this week after the appointment of Democratic Party MP Albert Nicholas as a member of government.
Ponia's fate remains unknown
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
A cautious approach is being taken on the investigation into the Secretary of Marine Resources Ben Ponia for alleged inappropriate behaviour in New Zealand last month.
Sewerage debate 'political moonshine'
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Dear Editor, It is unfortunate that the Minister of Finance, Mark Brown, in his March 13 reply to my letter of two days earlier, chose to describe the issues I raised as a ‘gripe’.
Police deny interference in MP cases
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Police deny there has been any political interference with high-profile investigations into two Members of Parliament, despite the slow progress with both cases.
Nicholas jumps to the other side
Monday 16 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Avatiu Albert Nicholas has changed sides to join the Cook Islands Party.
OCI claim voter shift on Aitutaki
Friday 13 March 2015 | Published in Politics
One Cook Islands are confident they will have a win in Vaipae-Tautu and claim Cook Islands Party voters are moving their way.
More fishing up for negotiation
Friday 13 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) has been granted approval by Cabinet to undertake a second round of negotiations to assign the remainder of the 1,250 days purse seine allocation for 2015.
More machines on our wish list
Thursday 12 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Just two months after being given $6 million worth of Chinese-donated diggers, graders and excavators, the government is asking China for more heavy machinery to send to the Pa Enua.
Better done right, says Brown
Thursday 12 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Many groups are angry at the government for not consulting with landowners or offering compensation for the use of their land.
Getting to grips with machines
Wednesday 11 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Pa Enua machinery operators donned boots and high visibility vests this week to take part in a government-funded workshop to familiarise them with new Chinese-donated equipment.
Country awaits $21 million in Chinese funding
Tuesday 10 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands is waiting for the green light from China on more than $21 million for a number of large-scale projects.
Win in Vaipae-Tautu could produce several scenarios
Tuesday 10 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The future of the Cook Islands government has come down to one crucial seat, but there could be many outcomes from the Vaipae-Tautu by-election, leaving the future uncertain for all parties.
PM unfazed by spying talk
Tuesday 10 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Despite the possibility that emails sent by Prime Minister Henry Puna have been collected by the New Zealand government as part of a ‘full-take’ spying operation, the Prime Minister is remaining quiet on the allegations.
Split vote not a concern says, OCI leader
Monday 9 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The Democratic Party and One Cook Islands decision to each put up their own candidates in Vaipae-Tautu is raising questions about the coalition between the two parties, once described as ‘strong’.
