Parliament
Economy positive, strong signs of recovery: PM Brown
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the country’s latest financial year report to June 2023 shows the country’s economy is very positive and showing signs of strong recovery.
Cooks women MPs at Power Forum
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands women parliamentarians are in New Zealand attending a Pacific Women in Power Forum that began this week.
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands, Parliament
The Lady Samoa IV vessel chartered by the Cook Islands government prior to Christmas cost $1.3million.
Opposition leader questions immigration process
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Opposition Leader Tina Browne has raised questions on what the government was doing to protect the main employers of foreign workers.
Western Australia gifts symbolic tables to Cook Islands Parliament
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Australia, National, Parliament, Regional
The two “Table of the House” tables gifted by the Parliament of Western Australia (WA) were officially handed over to Cook Islands Parliament yesterday morning.
Government allocates additional funding for roads, healthcare, and renewable energy
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Infrastructure Cook Islands receives a $400,000 boost to complete road works around Rarotonga, while pharmaceutical needs see an increase of $280,000 in the latest Supplementary Budget.
Parliament approves amendments to Seabed Minerals Act
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
A Bill seeking to improve the overall seabed minerals regime was passed in Parliament yesterday.
Inflation is a reality: PM encourages homegrown food to combat rising prices
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Prime Minister acknowledges inflation’s impact on imported goods and suggests growing local food to combat it, while emphasising economic growth and Pa Enua development as long-term solutions.
Select committee receives three submissions on Amendment Bills
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Special Select Committee reviewing the three Constitutional Amendment Bills before Parliament has received three submissions.
Government seeks $16.5m in Supplementary Budget
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The Government seeks an additional $16.5 million through a Supplementary Budget to be tabled in today’s first Parliament sitting of the year.
Penrhyn by-election date confirmed
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Outer Islands, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands United Party will not nominate a candidate for the Penrhyn By-election.
Tapaitau remains in office, awaiting removal process
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister remains in office despite conviction while awaiting formal removal process and potential appeal.
Ministry of Justice seeks diaspora input on Cooks land law reform
Friday 19 January 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands is reforming its land laws and will hold public meetings in New Zealand, Australia, and Cook Islands to gather input from both residents and overseas Cook Islanders.
Select Committee prepares for public consultations on Amendment Bills
Monday 8 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Special Select Committee reviewing the three Constitutional Amendment Bills will convene next month.
Constitution overhaul aims for smoother government operation
Friday 5 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister has defended proposed constitutional amendments to increase ministerial numbers, enable proxy voting, and expedite post-election parliament, emphasising improved government efficiency.
PM Brown addresses consultation concerns around legislative change
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Amendment Bill 2023 and Land Facilitation of Dealings Amendment Bill 2023 is not a government bill, but a private members bill, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Lack of coordination between utility providers ‘putting pressure on our people’
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed by four major utility companies in the coming weeks, confirmed Albert Nicholas, Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
$300,000 in arrears : 47 businesses lag on Cook Islands Covid loan
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Local businesses are nearly $300,000 behind on payments of the $6.9 million loan issued by the Cook Islands Government to support them during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
Cook Islands’ international profile soars with COP28 and Forum leadership: Brown
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ profile on the international stage has never been higher than it is today, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
