Parliament of the Cook Islands

Parliament of the Cook Islands

Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani
Coat of arms or logo
Official Emblem of the Parliament of the Cook Islands[1]
Type
Type
Leadership
Tai Tura, Cook Islands Party
since 22 March 2021
Deputy Speaker
Tingika Elikana, Cook Islands Party
since 22 March 2021
Mark Brown, Cook Islands Party
since 1 October 2020
Leader of the Opposition
Structure
Seats24
Political groups
Government (14)
  •   CIP: 12 seats
  •   Independent: 2 seats

Opposition (10)

Elections
Last election
1 August 2022
Next election
TBD
Meeting place
Avarua, Rarotonga
Website
Parliament of the Cook Islands

The Parliament of the Cook Islands (Cook Islands Māori: Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani[2]) 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).[3] 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 Tingika Elikana.[4]

  1. ^ "Parliament Emblem" (PDF). parliamentci.wpenginepowered.com. The Cook Islands Gazette. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Parliament of the Cook Islands". parliament.gov.ck/. Parliament of the Cook Islands. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ Cook Islands Constitution, s37 (5)
  4. ^ Melina Etches (23 March 2021). "Mauke MP Tura appointed Speaker of Parliament". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 24 March 2021.