Politics
MP Akaiti Puna makes intentions clear
Friday 25 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Outer Islands, Politics
The newest Member of the Parliament says she’s not in the House to make up numbers but for a greater cause to serve the people of this country.
Call for PM’s house a ‘tongue in cheek’
Friday 25 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
The Cook Islands Prime Minister should have a permanent place of residence paid by the government, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Minister proposes delaying 2022 elections
Friday 25 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
If Covid-19 means the country’s financial situation doesn’t improve, elections should be postponed in a bid to save money, says Cabinet Minister George Angene.
$1.4m approved for Crown Law
Thursday 24 June 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
Leader of the Opposition Tina Browne supported the $1,405,029 allocated for the Crown Law office in Parliament on Tuesday.
Parliament updates
Thursday 24 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
The Opposition Democratic Party yesterday gave up their question time to speed up the process of the Appropriation Bill debate which is now in the Committee of Supply.
A new look for lawmakers
Wednesday 23 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
With the relaxing of the dress code, the majority of male MP’s attending Tuesday's Parliament session opted for a traditional necklace over a tie.
Ties now optional in Parliament
Tuesday 22 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
Neck ties are now optional in Parliament, announced Speaker Tai Tura during Tuesday's sitting.
Floral Fridays in the House
Friday 18 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
The smell of floral ei katu and ei kaki filled Parliament’s debating chamber on Friday as Members of the House celebrated Kia Orana Day in traditional attire.
Parliament to brighten up with Kia Orana Fridays
Thursday 17 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
To embrace the “Kia Orana values” all Members of the Parliament can exchange their suit and tie for a pareu shirt and dress on Fridays.
Puna a Manihikian at heart
Tuesday 1 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in National, Politics
Akaiti Puna was sworn in yesterday as Manihiki’s new Member of Parliament on Monday during a flash sitting.
Parliament begins today with financial budget on the agenda
Monday 31 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Politics
Parliament will convene at 1pm today to begin their May-June sitting, with recently reinstated Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere confirming several bills are expected to be tabled for discussion this week.
Demos support Samoa’s PM- elect Mata’afa
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
Cook Islands Opposition leader Tina Pupuke Browne has extended congratulations and support to Samoa’s prime minister-elect Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, encouraging the first woman to ever hold the post to continue “standing firm and unwavering.”
Manihiki ‘wasn’t ready to let Henry go’
Friday 7 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The sound of drum beats accompanied the welcome back to Rarotonga yesterday afternoon of Manihiki’s newly elected Member of Parliament, Akaiti Puna.
One Cook Islands celebrates seven years
Thursday 6 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The One Cook Islands (OCI) political movement celebrated its seventh birthday on the island of Aitutaki last week.
Stage set for anticipated Manihiki by-election
Saturday 1 May 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
One hundred and thirty voters are listed on the electoral roll for the Manihiki by-election to be held on Wednesday, May 5.
PM Brown gets big welcome in Nukuroa
Friday 30 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown is on his first official visit to the Southern Group island of Mitiaro.
Puna aims to keep Forum together
Thursday 22 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
The incoming Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum intends to push ‘as hard and as fast as I can, so that the Forum family will remain intact and complete as it is’.
Vainerere is back in the House
Thursday 22 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in National, Politics
Tangata Vainerere was officially confirmed as the new Clerk of Parliament – for the second time around – by the Parliament, just over a year after he was sacked in March 2020.
Akaiti Puna named CIP candidate
Tuesday 13 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Politics
It will be a three-way battle in the upcoming by-election for the Manihiki seat left vacant following the resignation of former prime minister Henry Puna.
Demos reveal Manihiki candidate
Thursday 8 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in National, Politics
The Opposition Democratic Party has announced Munokoa Maraeara as their candidate for the Manihiki by election to be held on May 5.
