Cooks PM plays down rumours of instability

The Cook Islands Prime Minister says he is reassuring the public that rumours over the Government's stability are baseless.

Henry Puna says claims of desertion by cabinet ministers and other MPs are speculative rumour-mongering by those who are too hungry for power.

He says he is proceeding with his Government's election mandate, and agenda to govern, until the full term of office is reached in 2018.

The Prime Minister says the public should disregard attempts to destabilise, as they are prompted by jealousy and a loss of mana.