Dear Editor, Constitution Amendment (No 30) BIll, which proposes to expand the Cabinet from six to eight ministers. This bill also seeks to remove the provision that allows for the appointment of Ministers from outside the ranks of elected Members of Parliament.

At first glance, the intention seems to be to enhance the government's capacity to manage and govern. However, a closer look suggests that such changes are not necessary and could even be counterproductive.

The Cook Islands has a small population and unique island challenges, and has long been served by a compact and focused Cabinet. The existing structure of six ministerial roles has proven to be sufficient for overseeing the nation's key portfolios. The rationale behind this lean approach is straightforward, smaller Cabinets tend to be more agile, allowing for quicker decision-making and more cohesive teamwork.

An increase in the number of ministers raises questions about the potential for bureaucratic expansion and inefficiency. With more individuals in charge, the risk of overlapping duties and inter-ministerial competition could grow, potentially leading to confusion and delays in implementing policies. Moreover, the intimate nature of the Cook Islands' political landscape means that a larger Cabinet could result in a dilution of accountability, as responsibilities become more dispersed.

The proposal to prevent individuals who are not elected Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers further underscores the importance of democratic legitimacy in the governance process. While such appointments can bring in specialised expertise, they may also undermine the representative nature of the government, as these individuals have not been directly chosen by the people to serve in such capacities.

Ultimately, the strength of a government should not be measured by the number of its ministers but by the effectiveness and efficiency of its actions.

The Cook Islands has a history of independence and self-governance, and its small but capable team of ministers reflects the community-centric values of the nation. As such, the current proposal to increase the number of ministerial roles to eight does certainly not align with the country's needs or its tradition of streamlined governance.

Sammy Mataroa