18th Cook Islands Parliament
2022 term
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The 18th Cook Islands Parliament is the current term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands.[1] Its composition was determined by the 2022 elections on 1 August 2022.[2] The opening of parliament was delayed by over 7 months due to petitions over the election results.[3] The 18th parliament finally opened on 21 March 2023.[4]
Legislative bodyParliament of the Cook Islands
Term21 March 2023 â pres.
Election2022 general election
GovernmentFourth Cook Islands Party Government
| 18th Parliament of the Cook Islands | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
Parliament House, Avarua | |||
| Overview | |||
| Legislative body | Parliament of the Cook Islands | ||
| Term | 21 March 2023 â pres. | ||
| Election | 2022 general election | ||
| Government | Fourth Cook Islands Party Government | ||
| Website | parliament.gov.ck | ||
| House of Representatives | |||
 | |||
| Members | 24 | ||
| Speaker of the House | Tai Tura | ||
| Leader of the House | Akaiti Puna | ||
| Prime Minister | Mark Brown | ||
| Leader of the Opposition | Tina Browne | ||
| House of Ariki | |||
| Members | 24 | ||
| President of the House of Ariki | Tou Travel Ariki | ||
| Sovereign | |||
| Monarch | Charles III â Elizabeth II until 8 September 2022 | ||
| King's Representative | Tom Marsters | ||
Officeholders
Presiding officers
- Speaker of the House: Tai Tura (Cook Islands Party)[5][6]
- Deputy Speaker of the House: Tuakeu Tangatapoto (Cook Islands Party)[7][8]
Other parliamentary officers
Party leaders
- Prime Minister: Hon. Mark Brown (Cook Islands Party)
- Deputy Prime Minister:
- Hon. Albert Nicholas (Cook Islands Party) from 16 February 2024[7][11]
- Hon. Robert Tapaitau (Independent) until 31 January 2024[12]
- Leader of the Opposition: Tina Browne (Democratic Party)[13][14]
- Leader of the Cook Islands United Party: Teariki Heather[13]
Floor leaders
- Leader of the House: Akaiti Puna (Cook Islands Party)[7][8]
Whips
- Government Whip: Sonny Williams (Cook Islands Party)[7]
Members
Initial party standings
 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | % | +/â | Seats | +/â | |
| Cook Islands Party | 3,890 | 44.07 | +1.77 | 12 | +2 | |
| Democratic Party | 2,377 | 26.93 | -14.98 | 5 | â6 | |
| Cook Islands United Party | 1,660 | 18.81 | New | 3 | New | |
| One Cook Islands Movement | 237 | 2.68 | -8.13 | 1 | 0 | |
| Progressive Party of the Cook Islands | 18 | 0.20 | New | 0 | New | |
| Independents | 645 | 7.31 | +3.54 | 3 | +1 | |
| Total | 8,827 | 100.00 | â | 24 | 0 | |
| Source: Parliament of the Cook Islands[15] | ||||||
Initial MPs
Summary of changes
- Independent MP Stephen Matapo joined the Cook Islands Party on 25 August 2022.[16]
- The Penrhyn seat became vacant due to Robert Tapaitau's conviction.[17] A by-election was held and Sarakura Tapaitau was elected on 12 March 2024.[18]
Committees
The 18th Parliament has 3 standing committees, 2 select committees and 3 specialist committees:[19][20]
| Committee | Chairperson | Deputy chairperson | GovernmentâOpposition divide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing committees | |||
| Business Committee | Tai Tura (CIP) | Tuakeu Tangatapoto (CIP) | 4â3 |
| Privileges Committee | Tingika Elikana (CIP) | 4-3 | |
| Standing Orders Committee | Tai Tura (CIP) | Tuakeu Tangatapoto (CIP) | 4-3 |
| Select committees | |||
| Public Accounts Committee | Teokotai Herman (CIP) | Vaitoti Tupa (Demo) | 4-3 |
| Bills, Petitions and Papers Committee | Akaiti Puna (CIP) | Tina Pupuke-Browne (Demo) | 4â3 |
| Special committees | |||
| Constitutional Review Special Committee | Tingika Elikana (CIP) | Tina Pupuke-Browne (Demo) | 3â4 |
| Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill Special Committee | Tukaka Ama (CIP) | Vaitoti Tupa (Demo) | 3â4 |
| Religious Organisation Special Select Committee | Tingika Elikana (CIP) | Tina Pupuke-Browne (Demo) | 3â4 |