The Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) has completed a review of government office accommodation to ensure available properties are being used efficiently and remain fit for purpose for current and future operational needs.
The review follows CIIC’s recent confirmation that it was assessing government accommodation requirements following the formation of the new Government and considered a range of accommodation options across the government property portfolio, including CIIC-owned facilities and private commercial premises.
As part of the process, CIIC assessed a number of factors including the condition and suitability of buildings, floor area requirements, current occupancy, accessibility, potential refurbishment requirements and the operational needs of those using the facilities.
CIIC also engaged with key stakeholders, including Parliamentary Services, Ministerial Support Offices and the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, to better understand their respective accommodation requirements and any operational constraints.
CIIC Chief Executive Allan Jensen said the review was undertaken to ensure decisions about government accommodation were based on a clear assessment of both immediate requirements and longer-term needs.
“This has been a thorough process looking across the available government property portfolio and considering a number of potential accommodation options.
“Our focus has been on making the best and most efficient use of the facilities available to Government, while ensuring accommodation remains fit for purpose and supports the people and services operating from those buildings.”
The review included all available ministerial office accommodation, including the former Office of the Leader of the Opposition at Ruatonga.
Following consideration of the available options, the CIIC Board has confirmed that the Ruatonga office will be allocated to the seventh Minister.
At the same time, CIIC has been working with Parliamentary Services to support the identification of interim accommodation options for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition while longer-term arrangements continue to be explored.
Interim arrangements are now being progressed by Parliamentary Services and the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr Jensen said maintaining continuity for both ministerial and parliamentary functions had been an important consideration throughout the review.
“There are a number of competing demands on the government property portfolio, so it is important that we look at the portfolio as a whole rather than individual buildings in isolation.
“We will continue to work with Parliamentary Services and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate accommodation is available and that government property is being used effectively and sustainably over the longer term.”
The review also considered how accommodation requirements may change over time, with the aim of ensuring government facilities can respond to future operational and service delivery needs.
