22 Jan 2015

Cooks PM says political uncertainty affecting celebrations

8:27 pm on 22 January 2015

The Cook Islands Prime Minister says the current turbulent political situation could explain much about the perception of disorganisation felt by many about the 50th anniversary of self-government celebrations.

The Cook Islands News reports that this year marks 50 years since the Cook Islands became self-governing in free association with New Zealand.

Over 370-thousand US dollars has been appropriated towards the celebrations but as yet there is still no logo and a social media campaign publicising the event has yet to be launched.

The Prime Minister says the uncertainly of the current political situation is to blame.

Henry Puna says there is still a lot of uncertainty with the Vaipae-Tautu by-election, which is dragging everything out.

Mr Puna says this is why there has not been much forward planning of celebration events.

He says it seems the government can't do anything right, if they don't do anything they are criticised, and then when they do something they are wasteful.

050514. Photo supplied. Pacific flags. Cook Islands.

050514. Photo supplied. Pacific flags. Cook Islands. Photo: supplied