The politics of the Cook Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy. The Monarch of New Zealand,represented in the Cook Islands by the King or Queen's Representative,was the Head of State;the prime minister is the head of government of a multi-party system. The nation is self-governing and are fully responsible for internal and foreign affairs. Since 2001,the Cook Islands has run its own foreign and defence policy. Executive power is exercised by the government,while legislative power is vested in both the government and the islands' parliament. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislatures.
Sir Tom John Marsters,is the fifth and current King's Representative to the Cook Islands. He is a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands,Foreign Minister,and Deputy Leader of the Cook Islands Party.
Henry Tuakeu Puna is a Cook Islands politician,and the current secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum. He was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from November 2010 to October 2020. Since 2006 he has been leader of the Cook Islands Party.
George Maggie Angene is a Cook Islands politician and Cabinet Minister. He is a former member of the Cook Islands Party,and is now a member of the One Cook Islands Movement.
Mark Stephen Brown is a Cook Islands politician and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He had previously served as Deputy Prime Minister under Henry Puna. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.
General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 9 July 2014,determining the membership of the 14th Cook Islands Parliament.
Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown is a Cook Islands politician,and Cabinet Minister. In July 2016 she became the Cook Islands' first female Leader of the Opposition.
Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party. He is the son of former MP Albert (Peto) Nicholas.
General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 14 June 2018 to elect the 24 members of the 15th Cook Islands Parliament.
The 15th Cook Islands Parliament is a previous term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2018 elections on 14 June 2018.
Te-Hani Rose Alexandra Brown is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament. She is an independent.
Robert Taimoe Tapaitau is a Cook Islands politician and Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He represents the electorate of Penrhyn as an independent.He is the son of former Democratic party cabinet minister Tepure Tapaitau.
Patrick Arioka is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a former member of the Cook Islands Parliament,representing the seat of Murienua. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.
Tingika Elikana is a Cook Islands civil servant and politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.
Wesley Kareroa is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party.
Agnes Helen Armstrong is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament. She is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party.
A by-election was held in the Cook Islands electorate of Manihiki (electorate) on 5 May 2021. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Prime Minister Henry Puna in order to take up the job of Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Margharet Norma Matenga is a former Cook Islands netball player,coach and administrator. She played for both the New Zealand national netball team and Cook Islands national netball team and was the first Pacific Islander to play for the Silver Ferns. She is the daughter of Cook Islands MP Teanua Kamana.
General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 1 August 2022. A referendum on legalising medical cannabis was held on the same day.
A by-election was held in the Cook Islands electorate of Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua on 14 November 2019. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of MP Te-Hani Brown following an earlier by-election. The by-election was won by Te-Hani Brown.
