Politics
Public prompted MMR probe
Thursday 8 November 2012 | Published in Politics
It was the power of the public voice through the media which prompted the government watchdog to investigate the marine resources ministry.
Seabed mining protested in PNG
Thursday 8 November 2012 | Published in Politics
More than 24,000 Papua New Guineans have signed a petition calling for the government to stop the controversial plan to mine the seabed in the Bismarck Sea.
Treasure hunters visiting
Tuesday 6 November 2012 | Published in Politics
Members of the treasure-hunting company which discovered a wreck sunk in World War II carrying around seven million ounces of silver is arriving in Rarotonga today.
PSC hits back at job loss claims
Friday 2 November 2012 | Published in Politics
Public service commissioner Russell Thomas has invited Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen to talk over his claims that public servants are being threatened with losing their jobs should they speak out against the government.
PB Matua could 'isolate' northern Cooks
Thursday 1 November 2012 | Published in Politics
A proposed chartered shipping service by a vessel servicing Tokelau could be in doubt as a result of Uma Shipping Cook Islands’ successful licence.
Abolition a 'total lie'
Wednesday 31 October 2012 | Published in Politics
The president of the Cook Islands Party says rumours of the Tamarua seat being abolished are a “total lie” being propagated by the opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen.
Family lend support to Miss Cook Islands
Wednesday 31 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has given niece and reigning Miss Cook Islands Teuira Napa’s Miss Earth campaign a financial boost ahead of her departure to the Philippines tomorrow.
New ombudsman at last
Tuesday 30 October 2012 | Published in Politics
A new ombudsman will be announced when Parliament sits on November 8.
Tamarua seat's future in doubt
Monday 29 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Leader of the opposition Wilkie Rasmussen is calling on government to come clean about exactly what it intends to do about the vacant Tamarua seat in Mangaia.
'Think equal' to reduce gender violence
Monday 29 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Some Pacific countries have the worst gender violence rates in the world, undermining other development in the region.
No date for by-election
Saturday 27 October 2012 | Published in Politics
No by-election date has been set yet for the Tamarua electorate in Mangaia.
Toxic Turangi fire worries neighbours
Thursday 25 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Plumes of toxic smoke enveloped Turangi on Tuesday afternoon when yet another fire ripped through the former recycling yard dubbed the Turangi dump.
Rasmussen: Cook Islands first
Tuesday 23 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen believes Prime Minister Henry Puna has “embarked on the wrong course” by addressing the needs of the Pacific region rather than the Cook Islands.
Call for greater fisheries transparency
Friday 19 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) has suggested that the Cook Islands consider carefully the “lack of transparency in commercial fisheries”, an issue that resonates with developing countries worldwide.
China second most likely to pay bribes
Friday 19 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Environmental group Te Ipukarea Society (TIS), which has been vocal about its concerns over government’s relationship with Chinese multinational fishing companies, this week sent Cook Islands News a link to a Bribe Payers Index Report commissioned by German non-profit Transparency International.
Competition over northern routes
Thursday 18 October 2012 | Published in Politics
The government is planning to call for tenders for the northern hemisphere airline routes for the first time ever.
'Satirical' radio role for Rasmussen
Tuesday 16 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen has labelled the donation of 135 laptops from the Tan Foundation as “eroding democracy” in a new show summarising the previous week’s current affairs on Matariki FM.
CI govt presses case for war pension
Monday 15 October 2012 | Published in Politics
The Cook Islands government has reiterated it is doing what it can to help Vietnam war veteran Bill Framhein and others missing out on New Zealand superannuation.
House sits on November 8
Saturday 13 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Parliament will next convene in just under a month’s time to discuss a swathe of legislation, including bills relating to employment and local body governance.
PM to lecture in Fiji
Saturday 13 October 2012 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna flies to Fiji on Monday, to address the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on challenges the Pacific faces and how to encourage future growth.