The Cook Islands Public Services Commissioner, Maine Brown, says he is yet to meet the Head of the Cook Islands Marine Resources, to fully discuss the terms of his resignation.
Navy Epati says the reason for his resignation is public perception of a conflict of interest in his position after he was reappointed in June despite taking a main share in a new fishing company in May.
Mr Brown says before confirming Mr Epati's departure, they will need to consider the completion of current Ministry programmes, like the Marine Bill and other lagoon management plans.
But the Commissioner says they have not found any case of a conflict of interest in Mr Epati's position
"From a public service point of view in terms of the operations itself, no not at all. There might be an impropriety view from outside but as far as I can make out at present in our interactions over the past and as culminated, there are no such that I'm really aware of."
The Cook Islands Public Services Commissioner, Maine Brown
