The Cook Islands government wants to see island councils have more control on their respective islands.
Prime minister Henry Puna says conflict between island councils and island secretaries have led to heaps of problems in the past.
He says with the island secretaries appointed by the Public Service Commissioner in Rarotonga, these officials believe their responsibility lies with the PSC.
Mr Puna says the structure should be one in which the council takes charge of running the affairs of the island.
He expects a review of the public service now being conducted by ADB consultant, Jane Yeoman, will lead to a system that empowers the island councils.
