Latest news with #CookIslandsNews
Scoop
4 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Cook Islands' 60th Anniversary: 'Who New Zealand Sends, Sends A Message'
New Zealand has an opportunity to "show maturity" as Cook Islands celebrates six decades of self-governance, a Cook Islands political analyst says. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters are not going to attend the 60th Constitution Day celebrations in Rarotonga. New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will attend the celebrations instead. The Cook Islands will mark 60 years of being in free association with New Zealand on 4 August. "Who [New Zealand sends], sends a clear message," William Numanga, who worked for former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna as a policy analyst, said. "I think if New Zealand wants to move forward on a lot of things, of course, it should send the Prime Minister." Last month, New Zealand paused nearly $18.2m in development assistance funding to the Cook Islands, after its government signed several controversial deals with China. Wellington cited a lack of consultation with the Cook Islands as the reason for the pause. Numanga said the two nations relationship troubles had played out publicly, so it is not a shock Luxon is not attending the celebrations. "I think a lot of people will not be surprised, but a lot of people would want to be able to move forward from where things are at, and hopefully, we can resolve things at the diplomatic level." In 2015, former Prime Minister Sir John Key attended celebrations marking Cook Islands 50 years anniversary. New Zealand Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono, who is one of two Cook Islands MPs in Parliament, said the coalition government should have representatives at the event. "It is an important milestone in the relationship with the Cook Islands," he said. "John Key went 10 years ago, so it is a bit petty, and it is a missed opportunity for dialogue to sort out the differences between the two governments," he said. Officials from the Cook Islands and New Zealand have been meeting to try and restore the relationship. "This comes on the back of the unilateral freeze on funding to the Cook Islands and my concern there is, and like a lot of Cook Islanders, is that the Cook Islands won't be able to fund schools, health care and social services," Tuiono said. "We have got New Zealand passports, I think the emphasis here actually should be that government should be focusing on patching things up." Prime Minister Mark Brown said that his government is honoured to have New Zealand Governor-General representing New Zealand at the event. "We are excited to welcome Dame Cindy Kiro and Dr Davies as they lead the New Zealand delegation for this significant national occasion," Brown said. "I look forward to reconnecting with them, following our last meeting in October at Niue's 50th anniversary of self-governance." Meanwhile, more than 900 Cook Islanders will head to Rarotonga from the outer islands for the 60 years celebrations. Cook Islands News reports that the government has allocated over NZ$4 million to help transport people across the country so they can join in the celebrations next month. For the Southern Group islands, it will be a mix of air and sea travel. For the Northern Group, ships from Tonga and Tuvalu will take people to Rarotonga.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
'Not a savings account': Cook Islands super fund defends pension model amid member frustration
Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund logo Photo: Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund By Talaia Mika , Cook Islands News The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) is designed as a pension scheme, not a savings account, says its chief executive, following concerns over withdrawal limits on retirement. The Fund has come under scrutiny following reports that members can only withdraw a 25 per cent lump sum on retirement at 60, with the remainder paid as a pension, a policy chief executive Damien Beddoes states has been in place since the Fund's inception in 2000. Beddoes explained the legal framework of the Fund, clarifying that it was always established to be a pension scheme - not a savings account that allows full withdrawal upon retirement. "We have the Hansard from the debate in Parliament when the Fund was being passed. The Fund was debated and always intended as a pension scheme. It was actually intended to replace the Cook Islands Government Pension when it was established. However, the CI Government Pension still remains today," Beddoes said. He said the law clearly states that the Fund is to provide a pension and other benefits, not lump sum withdrawals, except under specific circumstances. Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund logo Photo: Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund Currently, members can withdraw up to 25 per cent of their compulsory balance at retirement. If a member's balance is below $45,000, they can apply for a full withdrawal. Otherwise, the remainder is converted into a monthly pension payment for life. However, there are concerns that the pension amount is too little to support individuals, leading some to prefer a lump sum for investment elsewhere to generate better income. A local pensioner, who did not want to be named, told Cook Islands News that he has returned to work in retirement because his current superannuation pension of $197 a fortnight is not enough to cover basic living costs. "I get $400 a month without tax, which is like $197 a fortnight, and that's not enough to survive, especially with inflation and all. So now I'm working again at retirement to get enough money to survive," the pensioner said. He also shared his frustration about not being able to access his full retirement savings when he chose to move overseas. "I went to withdraw because I wanted to leave the Cook Islands, but when I moved overseas, the receptionist told me we won't get the whole amount," he said. The pensioner claimed that when the National Superannuation Fund was first introduced and consulted in 2000, people were under the impression that they would be able to withdraw all their contributions upon retirement or when leaving the country permanently. "There's three of us who applied when we retired but we were not allowed to withdraw our money, so we went to their office and complained," he said. "Now after I collected in 2020, it was a total waste of time." He also questioned what happens to the remaining funds after a pensioner passes away, citing the example of his uncle who died in 2010. "We don't know what happened to his remaining balance," he said. Beddoes said for those moving overseas, the fund can be transferred - not withdrawn - to a registered superannuation scheme in the new country of residence. Short-term workers on contracts of three years or less can withdraw their full contributions after six months of permanently departing the country. Addressing concerns about what happens to unclaimed funds after death, Beddoes explained that a member's contributions become part of their estate and can be distributed according to their will. In cases where a will does not exist or next of kin is unclear, CINSF works to trace relatives. "A member's money forms part of their Estate. If they have a will, their funds are distributed in accordance with it. In most instances, yes, the married spouse is the beneficiary. If they leave the country, they should provide their forwarding details to CINSF," Beddoes said. Responding to criticism that the Fund did not do enough to educate members about how the scheme works, Beddoes defended their efforts, saying they conduct between 50 to 100 consultations each year and provide regular updates through various media. He pointed to a broader issue of financial literacy in the Cook Islands as a major barrier to understanding superannuation and long-term saving. According to Beddoes, the Fund could support $500 weekly pension payments in the future - but only under current contribution rates and with improved financial literacy. "The biggest issue you are seeing in these questions and responses is because we do not have a financial literacy programme in the Cook Islands," he said. "Our people do not understand money and how to manage it and make it work for them." Beddoes said many people still rely solely on the government pension, which is not enough to live on, and unless this changes, the cycle of poverty in retirement will continue. "Sometimes reality hits and our people understand the real issue - not the emotional or ignorant responses - but the reality of poverty." For more information on how the Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund works, Beddoes encourages the public to visit their website at which provides detailed information on all benefits, claims, investments and announcements. - Cook Islands News
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 1 July
Niue - budget Health, education, social welfare and government salaries have receives a boost in the Niue government's new NZ$12.5 million (US$7.6m) deficit budget. Last week, the island's finance minister announced the largest expenditure of the government is to cover the salaries of its workforce and the cost of social services. TV Niue reported the health department gets the highest increase in this budget of more than $880,000, a 26 percent boost. Cook Islands - firearms Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced several new initiatives aimed at enhancing firearm regulation and safety across the Pa Enua (outer islands). Cook Islands News reported this includes the resumption of police-issued ammunition and plans to simplify the driving licensing process for tourists. Speaking in parliament, Brown confirmed that the Cook Islands Police has reinstated its role as the official supplier of ammunition to the Pa Enua. The move is expected to assist island communities in managing issues such as wild animal control. Papua New Guinea - chicken East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has raised concerns over a drop in chicken sales nationwide. Bird said the government banned the importation of frozen chicken from Australia and New Zealand with the pretext of protecting the Papua New Guinea industry from foreign competitors and diseases. He said it was a short-sighted decision and now as imported chicken stock runs out, the impact is being felt around the country. He said imported chickens retail at about 22 kina ($US5.33) per kilo, while locally produced chickens retail at about 40 kina. Bird said local chicken production will remain expensive because the chicken feed is imported and 80 per cent of the cost of producing a chicken is the feed cost. Samoa - festival A large Samoan festival - the Teuila Festival - has been cancelled this year. The festival, which features cultural performances and the Miss Samoa pageant, has been cancelled to avoid a timing clash with Samoa's general election. The Miss Samoa pageant has been rescheduled, to run from 27 October to 9 November. Fiji - ICC Fijian Nazhat Shameem Khan has been elevated to the topmost prosecutorial position at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Fiji Times reported the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICC has announced that deputy prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang have taken over leadership, following prosecutor Karim Khan KC's temporary leave of absence. In May Khan, who is British, stepped aside pending the outcome of a United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation into alleged misconduct. Nazhat Shameem Khan is a Fijian diplomat and former judge. Fiji/PNG - anniversary Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is poised to attend Papua New Guinea's 50th independence anniversary celebrations in Port Moresby on 16 September. Local media reports Rabuka praising his PNG counterpart James Marape for his leadership in strengthening the region and expressed Fiji's commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with PNG. Fiji and PNG established diplomatic relations in 1975 and continue to build on their traditional, political, and economic partnership.
Newsroom
20-06-2025
- Business
- Newsroom
Cook Islands saga another test for Govt's China policy as Luxon hits Beijing
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the 'areas of risk' in the strategic deal between the Cook Islands and China include security, defence, sovereignty and international border arrangements. These risk factors are now being worked through by officials from the two countries, and the Cook Islands foreign ministry says a new Formal Dialogue Mechanism has been set up to assess the agreement and identify risk mitigation. While a statement from the Cook Islands on Thursday says officials met in April and May, on Thursday the Cook Islands News revealed the New Zealand Government had pulled more than $18 million of development aid to the Pacific country on June 4. The timing could not have been much more awkward for the Prime Minister. The news dropped the same day Luxon held his first political talks in China, and on the eve of his high-stakes meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing. While Luxon went out of his way to explain this retaliation was about the NZ-Cooks relationship – not China – Foreign Minister Winston Peters singled out the superpower's role in this relationship breakdown while in France just 10 days ago. 'As partners engage with our region, it is important that they do so in a manner that is transparent and supportive of good governance. 'Not all partners take this approach. Some ask Pacific partners not to publish agreements or avoid the Forum Secretariat when organising regional engagements,' he said, going on to say that 'external pushes' in the region were looking to 'coerce, cajole and constrain'. Friday's meetings between Luxon and Xi and Li would show whose version China deemed most plausible, with the potential the topic would make its way onto the agenda for the leaders' meetings. Among the other topics of disagreement between the two countries expected to be raised on Friday were China's combat exercises in the Tasman Sea and Pacific, China's actions in the Pacific more broadly, its unlawful actions in the South China Sea and human rights. Both sides acknowledged there would always be areas where the two countries disagreed, but the relationship was mature enough to talk about these issues – as long as that was done 'predictably, consistently, publicly and privately'. While the snags in the relationship were well-traversed, those in the room would be looking for the nuance in how China spoke about certain issues to get a better read of their feelings on particular matters. Beyond geopolitical issues, both countries would also raise the importance of the trading relationship – something Luxon had emphasised during the first two days of his fleeting first visit to China. While in Shanghai, members of the business delegation accompanying the Prime Minister signed deals expected to generate $871m. China is New Zealand's largest trading partner and two-way trade was worth $39 billion. But New Zealand exports accounted for just 0.3 percent of China's imports. 'So we just need a little bit more and we're doing exceptionally well for ourselves,' Luxon said. During Luxon's first political meeting with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining, both sides emphasised the strong trading relationship in their opening remarks. The PM in his first major political meeting of the tour, with Shanghai party secretary Chen Jining. Photo: Pool/Thomas Manch And in the afternoon he visited Fudan University to highlight the importance of the international student market as part of his Government's growth plan. But Labour foreign policy spokesperson Phil Twyford said there was a disconnect between Luxon's security and economic policies when it came to China. 'What I'm watching with the Prime Minister's visit to Beijing is whether or not he can bring together the two straight, very divergent narrative strands on our relationship with China that he and this Government have been maintaining now for some time,' he said. 'On one hand, it's a special relationship, our most important trading partner … On the other hand, there is hardly an official foreign policy and defence document in circulation right now that doesn't basically position China as a military threat to New Zealand.' Twyford said he saw those two things as 'quite a contradiction'. China and the US have led to a pull away from the historically bipartisan approach on foreign policy, with Labour criticising the Government's stance on Aukus and questioning the state of New Zealand's foreign policy. 'I have no doubt that his Chinese hosts will be watching very carefully to try to read the Prime Minister's sense of the relationship and where New Zealand wants to go with it, but right now, I think that contradiction is a vulnerability for New Zealand's national interests.' Luxon said he disagreed with Labour's categorisation, but not before taking a swing at the party by questioning who was in charge of foreign policy: Phil Twyford, Chris Hipkins, Helen Clark? 'This is a government that's been crystal clear from day one: our economic prosperity is very much tied to our security. This is a country that wants to lift its urgency and its intensity in all of its relationships across the Indo-Pacific. 'We can do well for ourselves in the years ahead, and it requires us to build relationships at a top-to-top level and then actually have our business sectors actually engage with each other,' he said.
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
NZ pauses funding to Cook Islands
world world politics 12:11 pm today The government has paused millions of dollars of funding to the Cook Islands after its government signed partnership deals with China earlier this year. New Zealand told the Cook Islands government two weeks ago but no announcement was made - the story only coming to light when the Cook Islands News saw it mentioned in a report tabled in parliament. Cook Islands News Editor Rashneel Kumar spoke to Charlotte Cook.
