A delegation consulting with the northern outer Cook Islands over seabed mining should have included Opposition MPs, according their leader, Tina Browne.
Polymetallic nodules Pacific ocean Photo: Velizar Gordeev. All rights reserved.
Browne said the Opposition should have been represented to ensure balance.
The Cook Islands Government responded saying it hadn't sought to exclude the Opposition but on this trip there wasn't room.
Browne said the people "need to be given the best information which covers all the bases in order to make up their minds whether to support or oppose a national project that affects every Cook Islander."
She said the government should also have included scientists, Dr Teina Ronga and Jacqui Evans, who would've given the people the other side of the story.
The government said Browne would participate in upcoming seabed mining consultations in Manihiki and Rakahanga.
Cook Islands opposition leader, Tina Browne Photo: supplied
The Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Alex Herman, had now met with Browne and a government spokesperson said the Opposition Leader's concerns about the consultation process had been taken on board.
"I believe it was a fruitful discussion, and we both agreed that we would like to see this sector developed responsibly and for the benefit of our people. Opposition Leader Browne emphasised the need for us to work together." Herman said.
"This is a sentiment shared by Prime Minister Brown. We look forward to working with the Opposition towards our common goals for this sector."
