Politics
Govt set to spend extra $1.7 million
Wednesday 25 March 2015 | Published in Politics
In a rare political move yesterday, the government gained approval to spend an additional $1.7 million to pay for new coins and ‘top up’ the civil list budget.
Hard work ahead for new Minister
Wednesday 25 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Cabinet’s new ‘young gun’ Albert Nicholas has his work cut out for him, as the new Minister for Internal Affairs, Ombudsman, Youth and Sports, and Punanga Nui.
PSC tight-lipped on Ponia
Tuesday 24 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The Public Service Commission is keeping quiet over an incident in Auckland involving Marine Resources Secretary Ben Ponia.
Wait for Chinese money best for Apii Nikao, says Brown
Tuesday 24 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Waiting for $10 million from China to build the new Apii Nikao modern learning school is the best solution for the project, says Minister of Finance Mark Brown.
Machinery problems to be looked at
Tuesday 24 March 2015 | Published in Politics
More than $4 million worth of Chinese-donated heavy machinery is headed to its final destination in the outer islands this week, but there are already reports that the machines are suffering mechanical problems.
Fuel pipe plan comes with cost benefits
Tuesday 24 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The debate around the proposal to install a mooring and pipeline just offshore from Rarotonga to allow medium sized tankers to discharge fuel in bulk has been a bit onesided to date. People opposed to the plan have clearly stating their views, but little if anything heard from people who support the idea.
Budget occupies Ministers' time
Monday 23 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Cabinet will be sitting tight on Rarotonga this week with a busy week of budget negotiations set to go ahead.
New bill targets domestic violence
Friday 20 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands could see a radical change in the way domestic violence is dealt with if the Family Law Bill is passed by Parliament.
CIP hits back at Bishop claims
Friday 20 March 2015 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands Party has hit back at claims by One Cook Islands that they must win the Vaipae-Tautu by-election or risk having a ‘plastic quorum’ in parliament.
Vaka-jumping law 'useless' says political scene veteran
Friday 20 March 2015 | Published in Politics
Lawyer and former politician Norman George is calling anti-party hopping legislation ‘useless’, saying it needs serious attention before any political party thinks about using it.
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.
