The Parliament of the Cook Islands () is the legislature of the Cook Islands. Originally established under New Zealand administration, it became the national legislature upon independence in 1965.
The Parliament consists of 24 members directly elected by universal suffrage from single-seat constituencies. Members are elected for a limited term, and hold office until Parliament is dissolved (a maximum of four years).Cook Islands Constitution, s37 (5) It meets in Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga.
The Cook Islands follows the Westminster system of government, and is governed by a cabinet and Prime Minister commanding a majority in Parliament.
The Speaker of the House is currently Tai Tura. The Deputy Speaker is Tuakeu Tangatapoto.
History The Cook Islands Parliament is descended from the Cook Islands Legislative Council established in October 1946.Cook Islands Amendment Act (NZ) 1946. Established to provide for political representation and better local government in the islands, the Legislative Council was a subordinate legislature. It was empowered to legislate for the "peace, order, and good government" of the islands, but could not pass laws repugnant to the laws of New Zealand, appropriate revenue, impose import or export duties, or impose criminal penalties in excess of one year's imprisonment or a £100 fine. The council consisted of 20 members, ten "official" members appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand and ten "unofficial" members drawn from the Island Councils, presided over by the Resident Commissioner. Later regulations provided for the unofficial members to be split between the various islands, 3 from Rarotonga, 6 from the outer islands and 1 representing the islands' European population. The island representatives were elected annually, while the European representative was elected to a three-year term.
The Legislative Council was reorganised in 1957 as the Legislative Assembly with 22 elected members and 4 appointed officials.Cook Islands Amendment Act (NZ) 1957. Fifteen of the members were elected directly by secret ballot, and seven were elected by the Island Councils. In 1962, the Assembly was given full control of its own budget. In that year it also debated the country's political future and chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. On independence in 1965 it gained full legislative power. It was renamed the Parliament of the Cook Islands in 1981.Constitution Amendment (No 9) Act 1980-81, s5
Both the size and term of Parliament have fluctuated since independence. In 1965, it consisted of 22 members elected for a period of 3 years.Cook Islands Constitution Act (New Zealand) 1964, s27 and 37 The size was increased to 24 members in 1981, and again to 25 in 1991.Constitution Amendment (No 14) Act 1991, s3 It was reduced again to 24 members in 2003 when the overseas constituency created under the 1980–81 Constitution Amendment was abolished.Constitution Amendment (No 26) Act 2003, s3(a) The original three-year term was increased to four years in 1969,Constitution Amendment Act 1968-69 and five years in 1981. A referendum to reduce it to four years failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority in 1999, but passed in 2004.
Membership and elections
The Cook Islands Parliament takes the British House of Commons as its model. It consists of 24 members, known as "Members of Parliament" (MPs). Members are elected by universal suffrage using the first-past-the-post system from single-seat constituencies. Ten MPs are elected from constituencies on the main island of Rarotonga, three each from the islands of Aitutaki and Mangaia, two from Atiu, and one each from the islands of Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Pukapuka and Rakahanga.Cook Islands Constitution, s27 (2).
The executive branch of the Cook Islands government (the Cabinet) draws its membership exclusively from Parliament, based on which party or parties can claim a majority.Cook Islands Constitution, s13 (3). The Prime Minister leads the government; the King's Representative appoints the Prime Minister from the party or coalition that has or appears to have enough support to govern.Cook Islands Constitution, s13 (2). The Prime Minister and Cabinet hold office until the next election, or until they are defeated on a motion of confidence.Cook Islands Constitution, s14 (3). The Cook Islands has a two-party system, though independent members are not uncommon.
The Prime Minister is currently Mark Brown of the Cook Islands Party.
Last election results Summary of the 12 August 2026 general election results:
Passage of legislation The Cook Islands Parliament follows the model common to other Westminster systems for passing Acts of Parliament. Laws are proposed to Parliament as bills. They become Acts after being approved three times by Parliament and receiving the assent of the King's Representative. Most bills are introduced by the government, but individual MPs can also promote their own bills, and one day a week is set aside for member's business.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands , Standing Order 65.
Debate is severely limited, with no debate on the First or Third readings, and possibly none on the Second. Voting is by voice vote or division, and there is no provision for proxy voting.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Part XXVIII.
First Reading The first stage of the process is the First Reading. The bill is formally presented to Parliament, and the short title is read by the Clerk. There is no debate, and no vote.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Orders 227, 228.
For the purposes of the First Reading a bill may consist only of its short title.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 227.
Second Reading The Second Reading may take place at any time up to a month after the first.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 229. There is normally a debate on the general principles and merits of the bill,Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 230. with speeches of up to 20 minutes long.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 391. If the bill is approved, then its long title is read, and it is either committed for the Committee of the whole House, or sent by motion to a Select Committee or to the House of Ariki.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 234.
If a bill is intended to be sent to Select Committee or the House of Arikis, the Second Reading is pro forma, and there is no debate.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 235.
Consideration by Select Committee or House of Ariki Bills may be sent to a Select Committee or to the House of Ariki for consideration.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 259. The committee or House of Ariki typically has three months to consider the bill, though this time may be extended.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Orders 260, 261. Parliament may give instructions extending or restricting the terms of the committee's or House or Ariki's consideration.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 312.
Following consideration, the House votes on whether to adopt the committee or House of Ariki's report.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 266. If the motion passes, the bill goes straight to its Third Reading, without a Committee of the whole.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 267. Alternatively, the bill may be recommitted for consideration by the Committee of the Whole.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 268.
Committee of the whole House When a bill reaches the Committee of the whole House stage, Parliament resolves itself "into committee", forming a committee of all MPs present to consider it. Each Member may speak up to three times on each clause or proposed amendment, for up to 10 minutes at a time, but debate is restricted to the details of the bill rather than its principles.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 238. The Committee may amend the bill as it sees fit, provided the amendments are relevant to the subject matter of the bill and the particular clause, and not inconsistent with any clause already agreed to.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 241. Amendments may be introduced during the debate, or in writing and placed on the Order Paper.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Orders 243, 244.
When all clauses have been debated and amendments agreed to or negatived, the bill is reported back, and there is a final vote on whether the report of the committee is adopted by the House.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 253.
Third Reading The Third Reading may be taken on the same day as a bill is reported back by the Committee of the whole, the House of Ariki or Select Committee.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 269. Minor amendments may be proposed for correcting errors or oversights, but no material amendments may be proposed.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 270. There is no debate.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 272. If the bill is passed, it is referred to the King's Representative for their assent.
Select committees
Legislation is scrutinised by select committees, which must consist of between five and seven members.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 317. Committees have the power to send for witnesses and records to assist in their deliberations.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 335. As in other Westminster Systems, the proceedings of select committees are protected by Parliamentary privilege.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 346.
The number and roles of subject committees is regulated by Standing Orders.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 316. Currently the following subject committees exist:
Select CommitteeAreas of responsibilityCommerceBusiness development, commerce, communications, consumer affairs, energy, information technology, insurance, and superannuation.Education and ScienceEducation, industry training, research, science, and technology.Finance and ExpenditureAudit of the Crown's and departmental financial statements, review of departmental performance, Government finance, revenue and taxation.Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and TradeCustoms, defence, disarmament and arms control, foreign affairs, immigration and trade.Land, Local Government, and Cultural AffairsLand, Outer Islands, local government, culture, language, traditional affairs.Law and OrderCourts, prisons, police.LabourLabour, employment relations, occupational health and safety.PrivilegesPowers privileges, and immunities of Parliament and its members.Social Services, Health, and EnvironmentHousing, senior citizens, social welfare, work and income support, public health, environment, conservation.
In addition there are three standing select committees tasked with the regulation of parliament. These are:
Select CommitteeAreas of responsibilityGovernment Caucus CommitteeBusiness of Parliament each day and the order in which it is taken.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 359.Standing Orders CommitteeAmendments to Standing Orders.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 360.Bills CommitteePrivate bills.Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Standing Order 284-285; 361.
Terms of the Cook Islands Parliament