More Top Stories

Environment

Plastic bags banned

2 July 2025

Letters to the Editor
Economy

No debt in China deal

8 February 2025

Economy

$541.7m tourism earnings

25 January 2025

Court
Economy

Parliament brief

Saturday 28 June 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament

Share

Parliament brief
Parliament of the Cook Islands.

Leader of the United Party Teariki Heather has focused on the issue of departure tax and airfare costs, particularly for Pa Enua residents.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Heather said, “We have a departure tax that we have spoken about with NZ and we have categories with these departure tax.

“As we recall, previously we used to pay our departure tax to BCI however our minister managed to include this with the airfare so within the times that we have come, I believe this is one of the revenues that has helped our country,” he said.

Heather raised concerns about the high cost of inter-island travel.

“Question here is, in regards to the airfare to the outer islands, it’s around the mark of 800 which is very costly, and also the fare for travelling by barge,” he said.

“If we can find ways to reduce these airfares because this is the plea of our people and this is also the 60 years of our constitution.”

In response, Prime Minister Mark Brown noted that the government does not control the airline, which is privately owned.

“Had this been our company then we can look at ways to reduce the airfares however this company is owned by (owner of Air Rarotonga) and other shareholders,” Brown said.

“If we are to request this company to reduce the price to half the price of airfares, it is not them that will lose their income it will have to be us that will have to subsidise their airfares,” he explained.

However, the Prime Minister acknowledged Heather’s point and indicated the government may look into it.

“This is a good idea for us maybe if we can request this company to reduce the airfare during this time of our constitution,” he said.

--

Matavera Member of Parliament Vaitoti Tupa questioned the government’s level of assistance to the national athletes travelling to Palau.

“Question is, is there any support that we are providing for the athletes that are heading to represent us in Palau?” he queried.

Minister of Sports Mac Vaine Mokoroa responded that, for the first time under the current government, athletes had not requested financial assistance.

“This is the first time during this government’s tenure our team of athletes have not requested financial assistance. This is a good outlook and we are happy with what the athletes are doing,” Mokoroa said.

“This is the spirit that we need as they endeavour to represent our country.”

Mokoroa said the only request received from the athletes was for him to represent the government at the Games.

“What they requested is that I represent us and the government so my apologies as there is not enough funding so I will be the sole representative,” he said.

He added that his main purpose for attending is to receive the hosting flag, as the Cook Islands will be hosting the next edition of the Pacific Mini Games in 2029.

“My main intention of going to this event is that we will be hosting the Mini Games in 2029 and that will be the responsibility of myself and the president of CISNOC to accept the flag so that we can bring it back to the Cook Islands.”

Mokoroa ended by offering encouragement to the athletes, saying: “So I am giving our words of encouragement to all our athletes to represent our small nation and to come back in high spirit and also with a lot of glory and may our prayers guide them and look after them.”