Cook Islands opposition MPs have accused the prime minister of misleading the world over comments he made at an international summit.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna speaks at the COP21 climate change summit in Paris. Photo: AFP
At the United Nations climate change conference in Paris last month, Henry Puna said the Cook Islands' entire Exclusive Economic Zone had been designated a marine park.
However, opposition MPs Tamaiva Tuavera and James Beer, say the claim is false and contradicts a 2012 declaration that the park would only include the southern half of the EEZ.
Mr Tuavera says he can't remember Mr Puna declaring the entire zone a marine park, adding there is still no legislation to legalise the marine managed areas.
Mr Beer says Mr Puna is also selling purse seine fishing licences to what he calls pirate fishing vessels, while claiming to be turning all Cook Island waters into a marine park.
Mr Puna's press secretary, Trevor Pitt, has dismissed the criticisms as mere nit-picking.
