Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament

Last updated
Speaker of the
Cook Islands Parliament
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg
Flag of the Cook Islands
Incumbent
Tai Tura
since 22 March 2021
Inaugural holder Marguerite Story
Formation1965

The Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament is the presiding officer of the Cook Islands Parliament. The manage the House in accordance with its Standing Orders and according to the traditions of the Westminster system.

Contents

The current Speaker is Tai Tura. [1]

Election

The Speaker is elected by the House at the beginning of a parliamentary term according to the provisions of the Cook Islands Constitution and the Standing Orders. Unlike other Westminster systems the Speaker does not have to be a Member of Parliament, though they must be qualified to be one. By law they may not be a Cabinet Minister. [2]

The Constitution requires that Parliament elect the person nominated by the Prime Minister, [3] however the parliament's Standing Orders include a process for contested elections. [4]

Following their election the Speaker must present themselves to the Queen's Representative to swear an oath of allegiance and lay claim to the privileges of the House. [5]

The Speaker holds office until they cease to be an MP (or, in the case of a Speaker who is not an MP, cease to be qualified to be one), become a Minister, are removed by a vote of the House, or Parliament is dissolved. [6]

Deputy Speaker

The Speaker is assisted by a Deputy Speaker, elected by Parliament. [7] The current Deputy Speaker is Tuakeu Tangatapoto. [8] [9]

Holders of the office

Eight people have held the office of Speaker since the creation of Parliament. [10] A full list of speakers is below.

NameTook officeLeft officeSpeaker's partyGoverning party
1 Marguerite Story 19651979Unknown Cook Islands Party
2 David Marama Hosking 19791988UnknownMixed
3 Raututi Taringa 19891999Unknown Cook Islands Party
4 Ngereteina Puna 19992001Unknown Democratic Party
5 Harmon Pou 24 July 200124 July 2001Unknown Democratic Party
6Sir Pupuke Robati 24 July 200115 December 2004 Democratic Party Democratic Party
7 Norman George 15 December 20042005Unelected Democratic Party
Norman George, continued20052006Unelected Cook Islands First Party
8 Mapu Taia 20062010 Democratic Party Democratic Party
9Sir Geoffrey Henry 18 February 20119 May 2012 Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party
10 Niki Rattle 22 May 201215 February 2021Unelected Cook Islands Party
11 Tai Tura 22 March 2021 Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party

References

  1. Melina Etches (23 March 2021). "Mauke MP Tura appointed Speaker of Parliament". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  2. Constitution of the Cook Islands, s31 (2A).
  3. Constitution of the Cook Islands, s31 (2).
  4. Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, SO 9 and 10.
  5. Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, SO 11.
  6. Constitution of the Cook Islands, s32.
  7. Constitution of the Cook Islands, s33; Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, SO 13 - 17.
  8. "Members of Parliament (1958 - present)". parliament.gov.ck. Parliament of the Cook Islands. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  9. Lacanivalu, Losirene (28 February 2024). "New Deputy Speaker and Leader of the House set to be elected". Cook Islands News . Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  10. "Former Members of the Cook Islands Parliament". Cook Islands Parliament. Archived from the original on 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2009-03-21.