The Cabinet of the Cook Islands is the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch of the Cook Islands Government. It consists of the Prime Minister and a number of other Ministers, who are collectively responsible to Parliament.
Legislative basis
Unlike other Commonwealth Realms, the Cook Islands Cabinet has a formal legislative basis in the Cook Islands Constitution. Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister and up to six other ministers., s13 (1). Accessed 13 September 2026. The Constitution as originally enacted allowed for between three and five cabinet ministers.Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964, New Zealand Legislation, 1964 No 69. Accessed 13 September 2026. The Constitution was amended in 1970 to allow up to six cabinet ministers besides the prime minister,Constitutional Amendment (No.5) Act 1970 No. 21, Parliament of the Cook Islands. Accessed 13 September 2026. in 1991 to between six and eight ministers,Constitutional Amendment (No.14) Act 1991 No. 21, Parliament of the Cook Islands. Accessed 13 September 2026. and most recently in 1999 again restricted to no more than six. The 1999 had also specified that while five ministers would be appointed from members of parliament, any sixth minister would have to be appointed from someone outside parliament.Constitutional Amendment (No.23) Act 1999 No. 4, Parliament of the Cook Islands. Accessed 13 September 2026. In 2026, the Constitution was again amended to require all six potential ministers to be appointed from within parliament.Constitutional Amendment (No.30) Act 2026 No. 1, Parliament of the Cook Islands. Accessed 13 September 2026.Mika, Talaia (10 February 2026). "Parliament approves move to appoint additional Cabinet Minister", Cook Islands News. Accessed 13 September 2026.
Members are appointed by the King's Representative on advice of the Prime Minister, and must be Members of Parliament.Cook Islands Constitution, s13 (3).
All Cabinet ministers also serve as members of the Executive Council, which advises the King's Representative. Cabinet decisions take effect after four days, or when formally confirmed by the Executive Council.Cook Islands Constitution, s19.
Current members
As of 8 February 2024, the Cook Islands Cabinet consists of:
Cabinet ministers IncumbentPortfolios and responsibilitiesSince Mark Brown Prime Minister Attorney General Minister responsible for the Office of the Prime Minister Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission Minister of Police Minister of Finance Minister of Economic Development Minister responsible for the Seabed Minerals Authority Minister of Tourism Minister of Energy and Renewable Energy Minister of Outer Islands Special Projects Minister of Telecommunications 1 June 2020 Albert Nicholas Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Infrastructure Cook Islands Minister responsible for the Business Trade and Investment Board Minister responsible for National Environment Services Minister responsible for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation Minister of Transport 16 February 2024 Rose Toki-Brown Minister of Health Minister of Agriculture Minister responsible for Cook Islands National Superannuation Minister of Internal Affairs 2 June 2021 Vaine Mokoroa Minister of Youth and Sports Ombudsman Minister of Education Minister responsible for the Financial Supervisory Commission Minister responsible for the Financial Services Development Authority Minister of Audit Minister responsible for the Public Expenditure Review Committee Minister of Justice 2 June 2021 George Angene Minister of Corrective Services Minister of Culture Minister responsible for the House of Ariki Minister responsible for the Punanga Nui Minister responsible for the Head of State 10 July 2018 Tingika Elikana Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Immigration Minister of Marine Resources Minister of Parliamentary Services 31 January 2024
References
External links Cabinet Services, Office of the Prime Minister Cook Islands Constitution