A Cook Islands member of Parliament says he was sacked from the Cook Islands Party last week because he does not support pensioners in the country being taxed.
George Maggie Angene had his membership terminated by party leader and Prime Minister Henry Puna.
Mr Angene says after expressing his views on local talkback radio about not taxing the elderly, he was told by the party that he was no longer a member.
He says his sacking is not what the people want.
"I was disappointed because it is not my people who want me out. It comes from the executive telling me, "you're not in the Cook Islands Party again." And then I asked for them, why did you people sack me? They said because I support the idea not to tax the old people."
George Maggie Angene says he will join the new political movement, Cook Islands One, set up by the former education and tourism minister, Teina Bishop.
Mr Angene says he will run in the elections planned for July.
