13th Cook Islands Parliament

The 13th Cook Islands Parliament is the current term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2010 elections on 17 November 2010.^[1]

Due to an electoral petition declaring the election of Tekii Lazaro invalid,^[2] the 13th Parliament initially consisted of only 23 members. A by-election will be held for the vacant Pukapuka-Nassau seat.

The Parliament sat for the first time on 18 February 2011.^[3] It was dissolved on 17 April 2014.^[4]

The Speaker of the 13th Parliament was initially former Prime Minister Geoffrey Henry.^[5] Following Henry's death in May 2012, Niki Rattle was appointed Speaker.^[6]

Initial party standings

 Summary of the 17 November 2010 Cook Islands election results

Parties	Votes	%	Seats
Cook Islands Party	3,753	44.5	16
Democratic Party	3,302	39.2	8
Party Tumu	160	1.9	0
Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement	145	1.7	0
Independents	1058	12.5	0
Total	8,418	100.0	24
Source: cookislands.de

Members

Initial MPs

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	George Angene	CIP	Tupapa/Maraerenga	First
	Teina Bishop	CIP	Arutanga/Nikaupara/Reureu	Fourth
	Mark Brown	CIP	Takuvaine/Tutakimoa	First
	Norman George	CIP	Teenui-Mapumai	Seventh
	Nandi Glassie	CIP	Tengatangi/Areora/Ngatiarua	Second
	Teariki Heather	CIP	Akaoa	Third
	William (Smiley) Heather	DP	Ruaau	Second
	John Henry	CIP	Avatiu/Ruatonga	First
	Atatoa Herman	CIP	Ngatangiia	First
	Moana Ioane	CIP	Vaipae/Tautu	First
	Toanui Isamaela	CIP	Amuri/Ureia	First
	Tom Marsters	CIP	Murienua	Sixth
	Jim Marurai	DP	Ivirua	Fifth
	Ngamau Munokoa	DP	Nikao/Panama	Fifth
	Winton Pickering	DP	Oneroa	Third
	Pukeiti Pukeiti	CIP	Tamarua	Second
	Henry Puna	CIP	Manihiki	Second
	Wilkie Rasmussen	DP	Penrhyn	Fourth
	Taunga Toka	DP	Rakahanga	First
	Tai Tura	CIP	Mauke	First
	Kiriau Turepu	CIP	Matavera	First
	Tangata Vavia	DP	Mitiaro	Fifth
	Robert Wigmore	DP	Titikaveka	Third

New members

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	Tekii Lazaro	CIP	Pukapuka-Nassau	First
	Selina Napa	DP	Titikaveka	First

Summary of changes

• On 8 March 2011 Norman George resigned from the Cook Islands Party and became an independent.^[7]
• Tekii Lazaro was elected to the seat of Pukapuka on 8 June 2011 following the byelection.^[8]
• Robert Wigmore died on 13 April 2012.^[9]
• Selina Napa was elected to the seat of Titikaveka on 21 June 2012 following the 2012 Titikaveka by-election.^[10]
• Tetangi Matapo was elected to the seat of Tamarua on 29 January 2013 following the 2013 Tamarua by-election.^[11]
• Tom Marsters resigned from Parliament on 25 September 2013 following his appointment as Queen's Representative.^[12]

References

1. "Cook Islands leader announces election date". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-08-13. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
2. "Pukapuka election result void". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
3. "Opposition back confidence vote". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
4. "Cooks parliament dissolved for July election". Radio New Zealand International. 2014-04-17. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
5. "Sir Geoffrey back in parliament". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
6. "Opposition decries speaker’s appointment". Cook Islands News. 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
7. "Cook Islands Party MP resigns from party". Radio New Zealand International. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
8. "Lazaro confident before final count". Cook Islands News. 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
9. "‘Man of wisdom’ honoured". Cook Islands News. 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
10. "Selina Napa wins Cooks by-election". Radio New Zealand International. 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2012-07-01.
11. Moana Moeka’a (2013-02-07). "Teacher wins Tamarua". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
12. "By-election next month". Cook Islands News. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2014-01-28.

External links

• Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands