Politics
Cooks formalise diplomatic relations with Ireland
Thursday 24 November 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands and Ireland have committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral co-operation through formalisation of diplomatic relations at a signing ceremony in Wellington on Sunday.
Petition appeal dismissed: Cook Islands Party all clear to form coalition government
Thursday 24 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
The Cook Islands United Party’s petition accusing two independent Atiu candidates of treating has lost its appeal, and remains struck out, with the Cook Islands Party likely to seek costs.
‘No timeframe’ on proposed medicinal cannabis regulation
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Health, National, Politics
A medicinal cannabis advocate is calling on the Cook Islands Government to honour their promise to speed up medicinal cannabis law, but the Secretary of Health says there is ‘no timeframe’ for legislation.
PM’s party to seek costs after petitions dismissed
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A High Court judge has dismissed the Cook Islands United Party’s petitions that the Cook Islands Party’s policy of a tax-free threshold of $60,000 in the Pa Enua in lead up to 2022 general election amounted to bribery.
Cook Islands United Nations bid backed by New Zealand Green Party
Wednesday 16 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
New Zealand Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling for the Cook Islands to become a full member nation of the United Nations without having to relinquish dual New Zealand citizenship.
Judges reserve decision on Titikaveka petition appeal
Friday 4 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
Cook Islands United Party candidate Margharet Matenga’s petition that several voters in the Titikaveka electorate were ineligible and should not have been counted ‘is disenfranchising, and should be struck out’, a lawyer for elected MP Sonny Williams argues.
‘We’re after the same thing’ - PM Brown reacts to NZ’s call for ban on seabed mining
Thursday 3 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Business, National, Politics
As the New Zealand government moves towards a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims both governments are actually after the same thing. Matthew Littlewood and Caleb Fotheringham report.
Petitions alleging treating goes to Court of Appeal
Thursday 3 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National, Politics
Petitions accusing independent candidates of treating should not have been struck out, lawyer for the Cook Islands United Party argues.
Climate change conference details sketchy as PM leads delegation to Egypt
Wednesday 2 November 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Environment, National, Politics
As Prime Minister Mark Brown leads a significantly-sized delegation to a climate conference in Egypt - specific details surrounding the trip are sketchy.
Parliament prepares for first sitting
Tuesday 25 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
The initial 90-day period for the first sitting of Parliament following a general election will lapse in less than a week.
Niue Premier makes transit visit to the Cook Islands
Saturday 22 October 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi arrived in Rarotonga yesterday afternoon, in transit on his way to the 5th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Busan, South Korea next week.
Cooks and Aussies sign ‘milestone’ agreement
Wednesday 19 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Australia, National, Politics, Regional
A “milestone” agreement has been signed by Prime Minister Mark Brown and Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, but no money exchanged.
Cook Islands to sign strategic partnership deal with Australia
Monday 17 October 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands is hoping to secure funding from Australia to support its climate and disaster resilience efforts when Australian Foreign Minister visits the country this week.
‘Two countries but one people’: Cook Islands, New Zealand strengthen ties
Friday 14 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
The ties between the Cook Islands and New Zealand are stronger than ever, Prime Minister Mark Brown and New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta say.
Stakeholders want tourism and seabed mining included in talks with NZ Minister
Tuesday 11 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Local stakeholders hope tourism, seabed mining and the lack of available flights will be at the forefront of any conversation during New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s visit to the Cook Islands this week.
Cook Islands could expect ‘financial carrot’ from NZ Foreign Minister’s visit, says geopolitical analyst
Monday 10 October 2022 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Politics
The visit from New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister and the signing of the statement of partnership between the two countries this week will ‘very likely include some financial carrots’, says a geopolitical analyst.
New MPs learn the ropes
Wednesday 5 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
Four new Members of Parliament got a crash-course in procedures on Tuesday.
PM Brown gets U.S. Secret Service in flap
Tuesday 4 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown had the United States Secret Service “scrambling” after travelling on a public train from New York to Washington on his recent trip.
Cook Islands can now deal directly with United States, says PM Brown
Monday 3 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands recognised as a sovereign nation by the United States means direct engagement with the world’s biggest superpower, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Titikaveka seat recount returns same result
Monday 3 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in National, Politics
A recount of the hotly-contested Titikaveka seat has returned an identical result to the final count of the 2022 general election.
