The new Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, has allocated Cabinet posts, giving himself 17 portfolios.
Mark Brown is sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Photo: Office of the Cook Islands PM
These include finance, which he has handled since he came into parliament ten years ago, plus foreign affairs, immigration, energy and renewable, and police, while he also takes the post of attorney general.
The Cook Islands News reported the spokesperson from the Office of the Prime Minister saying Mr Brown expects to redistribute some of these responsibilities at a later date.
The paper quotes the opposition leader, Tina Browne, saying the appointments suggest the PM lacks confidence in his own MPs.
"The new PM says he's 'excited with the potential of his Cabinet…' and then gives himself a staggering 17 portfolios, which is a huge signal just how much confidence he has in the 'potential' of his Cabinet colleagues."
Some portfolios to go to other MPs include Tourism to Patrick Arioka, while George Angene, the new deputy prime minister, Robert Tapaitau, Rose Toki-Brown, and Vaine Mokoroa hold on to the portfolios they had before Henry Puna stepped down.
Mr Mokoroa will also take on Education, which was another of Mr Puna's portfolios.
