A Cook Islands minister with properties in Rarotonga is occupying one of the sought-after government houses.
Rarotonga Photo: AFP
Opposition Democratic Party leader Tina Browne sought details of the occupants of all government housing in Parliament yesterday.
Deputy prime minister Mark Brown refused, saying government transparency didn't mean "pulling your pants down in public" and the identities should be kept private.
The Cook Islands News reports Health Minister Rose Brown lives in one of the houses earmarked for low income families and MPs from the outer islands.
Ms Brown is an outer island MP but she is also a permanent resident of Rarotonga.
Toka Hagai, the former MP for Rakahanga, also reportedly occupies one of the properties.
Mr Hagai is no longer part of the government after losing an electoral petition, but is set to be sworn-in as a minister outside Parliament.
Tina Browne said she sought the information because one of the Opposition MPs, who does not have a house in Rarotonga, had been asking for accommodation for a long time but none were available.
Up to 45 people are on the waiting list for government housing.