The Cook Islands opposition has filed an application with the High Court which seeks to have the government release information related to unauthorised expenditure.
The Democratic Party wants to find out about payments to individuals from public accounts, the use of government charter flights for private use and the spending of large amounts of money days out from a general election.
It says the government has failed to report such expenditure to parliament since 2011, which is required under the constitution.
It says requests for information on spending have not been forthcoming, and a directive from the Ombudsman's office for release of information has been ignored.
It says the continued denial of the request fuels concerns there is something manifestly wrong.
The High Court application, a writ of mandamus, orders a public agency to perform an act required by law when it has refused to do so.
It is the first time such an application has been used in the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands Democratic Party Logo Photo: Cook Islands Democratic Party
