What is in a name… Take the case of the Cook Islands. This Polynesian nation is an archipelago of 15 islands stuck between French Polynesia, Niue and American Samoa. It is inhabited by only 12 000 people. Its name comes from the British explorer James Cook. The official Cook Islands website says it was Russian sailors who popularized the usage of the Cook Islands name in … Continue reading Is it time for the Cook Islands to change its name?
At 35, Cook Islander Pamela Maru is part of a small but growing handful of Pacific women leading -and shaping- the future of fisheries in the world’s largest ocean. She is one of six Fisheries Management Advisers at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency in the Solomon Islands, where she provides technical advice for Pacific tuna fisheries management policies in the world’s largest ocean. She … Continue reading Fishing in the Pacific: “we have to give back as we take out”
Niki Rattle was first appointed Speaker of Parliament of the Cook Islands in 2012, then reappointed in 2014. Her role is to ensure that the functions of parliament are carried out in accordance with the constitution, and the standing orders and procedures of parliament. Upholding the integrity and dignity of the House of Parliament is a critical part of Ms Rattle’s role. Ms Rattle is … Continue reading This Cook Islands parliamentarian is a champion of democracy in the Pacific
A new bill has been proposed by the Cook Islands government to remove provisions banning “indecent acts” between two men and “consensual sodomy”, with prison terms of between five and seven years, from the Cook Islands’ 1969 Crimes Act. Although convictions are rare, according to Radio NZ, “The Solicitor General, David James, says the new bill makes laws suitable for the modern era, and means people will no longer be locked … Continue reading Cook Islands considers legalizing homosexuality
The parliament in the Cook Islands voted the creation of Marae Moana, a large marine parc encompassing all of the waters controlled by the country. An area of 1.9 million squared kilometers (730 000 squared miles) is now protected, an area the size of Mexico, or 3 times France. It got approved by a massive bill, voted last Thursday with large bilateral support according to Cook … Continue reading How one rugbyman protected a patch of ocean the size of Mexico
