The Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament is the presiding officer of the Cook Islands Parliament. The speaker manages the House in accordance with its standing orders and according to the traditions of the Westminster system.
The current Speaker is Tai Tura.
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.Constitution of the Cook Islands, s31 (2A).
The Constitution requires that Parliament elect the person nominated by the Prime Minister,Constitution of the Cook Islands, s31 (2). however the parliament's Standing Orders include a process for contested elections.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, SO 9 and 10.
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.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, SO 11.
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.Constitution of the Cook Islands, s32.
Deputy Speaker
The Speaker is assisted by a Deputy Speaker, elected by Parliament.Constitution of the Cook Islands, s33; Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, SO 13 - 17. The current Deputy Speaker is Tuakeu Tangatapoto.
Holders of the office
Eight people have held the office of Speaker since the creation of Parliament. A full list of speakers is below.
NameTook officeLeft officeSpeaker's partyGoverning party 1 Marguerite Story 1965 1979 Unknown Cook Islands Party2 David Marama Hosking 1979 1988 Unknown Mixed3 Raututi Taringa 1989 1999 Unknown Cook Islands Party4 Ngereteina Puna 1999 2001 Unknown Democratic Party5 Harmon Pou 24 July 2001 24 July 2001 Unknown Democratic Party6 Sir Pupuke Robati 24 July 2001 15 December 2004 Democratic Party Democratic Party7 Norman George 15 December 2004 2005 Unelected Democratic Party Norman George, continued 2005 2006 Unelected Cook Islands First Party8 Mapu Taia 2006 2010 Democratic Party Democratic Party9 Sir Geoffrey Henry 18 February 2011 9 May 2012 Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party10 Niki Rattle 22 May 2012 15 February 2021 Unelected Cook Islands Party11 Tai Tura 22 March 2021 Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party
References
External links Constitution of the Cook Islands Standing Orders of the Cook Islands Parliament Cook Islands Parliament