18th Cook Islands Parliament

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]

18th Parliament of the Cook Islands
← 17th Parliament
Parliament House, Avarua
Overview
Legislative body	Parliament of the Cook Islands
Term	21 March 2023 – 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 — 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

• Clerk: Tangata Vainerere
• Deputy Clerk: Tai Manavaroa^[9][10]

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	%	+/–	Seats	+/–
	Cook Islands Party	3,890	44.07	+1.77	12	+2
	Democratic Party	2,377	26.93	-14.98	5	–6
	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	–	24	0
Source: Parliament of the Cook Islands[15]

Initial MPs

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	Tukaka Ama	Cook Islands Party	Ngatangiia	First
	George Angene	Cook Islands Party	Tupapa–Maraerenga	Fourth
	Agnes Armstrong	Democratic Party	Ivirua	Second
	Mark Brown	Cook Islands Party	Takuvaine–Tutakimoa	Fourth
	Te-Hani Brown	Independent	Tengatangi–Areora–Ngatiarua	Second
	Tina Browne	Democratic Party	Rakahanga	Second
	Tingika Elikana	Cook Islands Party	Pukapuka–Nassau	Second
	Robert Stanley Heather	Cook Islands United Party	Akaoa	First
	Teariki Heather	Cook Islands United Party	Murienua	Fifth
	Teokotai Herman	Cook Islands Party	Vaipae–Tautu	First
	Toanui Isamaela	One Cook Islands	Amuri–Ureia	Third
	Wesley Kareroa	Democratic Party	Oneroa	Third
	Tereapii Maki-Kavana	Cook Islands Party	Arutanga–Reureu–Nikaupara	Second
	Stephen Matapo	Independent	Mauke	First
	Tetangi Matapo	Democratic Party	Tamarua	Fourth
	Vaine Mokoroa	Cook Islands Party	Nikao–Panama	Second
	Albert Nicholas	Cook Islands Party	Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston	Third
	Akaiti Puna	Cook Islands Party	Manihiki	Second
	Tuakeu Tangatapoto	Cook Islands Party	Mitiaro	Second
	Rose Toki-Brown	Independent	Teenui–Mapumai	Third
	Robert Tapaitau	Cook Islands Party	Penrhyn	Second
	Vaitoti Tupa	Democratic Party	Matavera	Second
	Timi Varu	Cook Islands United Party	Ruaau	First
	Sonny Williams	Cook Islands Party	Titikaveka	First

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	Government–Opposition divide
Standing committees
Business Committee	Tai Tura (CIP)	Tuakeu Tangatapoto (CIP)	4–3
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)	4–3
Special committees
Constitutional Review Special Committee	Tingika Elikana (CIP)	Tina Pupuke-Browne (Demo)	3–4
Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill Special Committee	Tukaka Ama (CIP)	Vaitoti Tupa (Demo)	3–4
Religious Organisation Special Select Committee	Tingika Elikana (CIP)	Tina Pupuke-Browne (Demo)	3–4