19 Aug 2010

Cook Islands Minister changes his mind and decides to run again

3:14 pm on 19 August 2010

The deputy leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party says he won't rest on his laurels and will still be out campaigning for this year's general election.

Parliament dissolves on September 24 in preparation for the poll on November 17.

Wilkie Rasmussen says he was thinking of bowing out of politics this year, but has changed his mind.

He says he will run again for his constituency of Penrhyn and isn't taking anything for granted.

"I do have a fairly strong rapport with my constituency. There'll be lots of talking, lots of cups of tea. Meeting under the breadfruit trees under the shade somewhere. But I'll be doing a lot of door knocking walking and talking to people."

Wilkie Rasmussen, the current Minister of Finance, says this year's election will cost the government more than 200 thousand US dollars.