Parliament of the Cook Islands
Encyclopedia
The Parliament of the Cook Islands is the legislature
of the Cook Islands
. Originally established under New Zealand
colonial rule, it became the national legislature on 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). It meets in the capital of 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 Geoffrey Henry
. The Deputy Speaker is John Henry
.
and ten "unofficial" members drawn from the Island Councils, presided over by the New Zealand 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. 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.
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. The size was increased to 24 members in 1981, and again to 25 in 1991. It was reduced again to 24 members in 2003 when the overseas constituency created under the 1980–81 Constitution Amendment was abolished. The original three-year term was increased to four years in 1969, 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.
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
.
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. The Prime Minister
leads the government; the Queen's Representative
appoints the Prime Minister from the party or coalition which has or appears to have enough support to govern. The Prime Minister and Cabinet hold office until the next election, or until they are defeated on a motion of confidence. The Democratic Party
is currently in government. The Prime Minister is currently Jim Marurai
. The current leader of the opposition is Tom Marsters
, who leads the Cook Islands Party
.
The Cook Islands has a two-party system
, though independent members are not uncommon.
.
s 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 Queen'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.
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.
For the purposes of the First Reading a bill may consist only of its short title.
.
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.
for consideration. The committee or House of Ariki typically has three months to consider the bill, though this time may be extended. Parliament may give instructions extending or restricting the terms of the committee's or House or Ariki's consideration.
Following consideration, the House votes on whether to adopt the committee or House of Ariki's report. If the motion passes, the bill goes straight to its Third Reading, without a Committee of the whole. Alternatively, the bill may be recommitted for consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
.
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.
for their assent.
.
The number and roles of subject committees is regulated by Standing Orders. Currently the following subject committees exist:
In addition there are three standing select committees tasked with the regulation of parliament. These are:
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
of the Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
. Originally established under New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
colonial rule, it became the national legislature on independence in 1965.
The Parliament consists of 24 members directly elected by universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
from single-seat constituencies. Members are elected for a limited term,and hold office until Parliament is dissolved (a maximum of four years). It meets in the capital of Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
.
The Cook Islands follows the Westminster system
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
of government, and is governed by a cabinet
Cook Islands Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Cook Islands is the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch of the Cook Islands Government. It consists of the Prime Minister and a number of other Ministers, who are collectively responsible to Parliament....
and Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands is the official rsponsible for heading Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's government in the Cook Islands, a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The office was established in 1965, when self-government was first granted to the islands...
commanding a majority in Parliament.
The Speaker of the House
Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament
The Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament is the presiding officer of the Cook Islands Parliament. The manage the House in accordance with its Standing Orders and according to the traditions of the Westminster system....
is currently Geoffrey Henry
Geoffrey Henry
Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry KBE is a Cook Island politician who was twice the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He was leader of the Cook Islands Party from 1979 to 2006.-Early life:...
. The Deputy Speaker is John Henry
John Henry (Cook Islands)
John Henry is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.Henry is a nephew of former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Sir Geoffrey Henry. He has previously worked as a civil servant in the Ministry of Internal Affairs...
.
History
The Cook Islands Parliament is descended from the Cook Islands Legislative Council established in October 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 years imprisonment or a 100 pound fine. The council consisted of 20 members, ten "official" members appointed by the Governor-General of New ZealandGovernor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
and ten "unofficial" members drawn from the Island Councils, presided over by the New Zealand 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. 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.
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. The size was increased to 24 members in 1981, and again to 25 in 1991. It was reduced again to 24 members in 2003 when the overseas constituency created under the 1980–81 Constitution Amendment was abolished. The original three-year term was increased to four years in 1969, and five years in 1981. A referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
to reduce it to four years failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority in 1999, but passed in 2004.
Membership and Elections
- See: Elections in the Cook IslandsElections in the Cook IslandsElections in the Cook Islands gives information on election and election results in the Cook Islands.The Cook Islands elects on national level a legislature. The Parliament of the Cook Islands has 24 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constuencies...
.
The Cook Islands Parliament takes the British House of Commons as its model. It consists of 24 members, known as "Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
" (MPs). Members are elected by universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
using the first-past-the-post
Plurality voting system
The plurality voting system is a single-winner voting system often used to elect executive officers or to elect members of a legislative assembly which is based on single-member constituencies...
system from single-seat constituencies. Ten MPs are elected from constituencies on the main island of Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
, three each from the islands of Aitutaki
Aitutaki
Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands, north of Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital is Arutanga on the west side.-Geography:Aitutaki is an "almost...
and Mangaia
Mangaia
Mangaia is the most southerly of the Cook Islands and the second largest, after Rarotonga.-Geography:...
, two from Atiu
Atiu
Atiu, also known as Enuamanu , is an island lying at 187 km to the northeast of Rarotonga, in the Southern Islands group of the Cook Islands Archipelago.-Geography:...
, and one each from the islands of Manihiki
Manihiki
Manihiki is an island in the Cook Islands known as the Island of Pearls. It is a triangular atoll north of Rarotonga.- History :Polynesians are believed to have lived on Manihiki since at least 900 or 1000 AD. Kupe was the first to explore Aotea Roa. Kupe came from Manihiki, also known as...
, Mauke
Mauke
Mauke is a raised atoll island, the eastern most of the Cook Islands.-Geography:...
, Mitiaro
Mitiaro
Mitiaro, the fourth island in the Cook Islands group, is of volcanic origin. Standing in water 14,750 feet deep it is four miles across at its widest point.-Geography:...
, Penrhyn
Penrhyn Island
Penrhyn is the most remote and largest atoll of the 15 Cook Islands in the south Pacific Ocean.-Geography:...
, Pukapuka
Pukapuka
Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with three small islets threaded on a reef that encloses a beautifully clear lagoon. It is the most remote island of the Cook Islands, situated about 1140 kilometres northwest of Rarotonga. It is a triangular atoll with three...
and Rakahanga
Rakahanga
Rakahanga, part of the Cook Islands in the central-southern Pacific Ocean, is one of the most unspoiled places on earth. The atoll is 1,248 kilometres from the Cook Islands capital, Rarotonga and lies 1,111 kilometres from the equator...
.
The executive branch of the Cook Islands government (the Cabinet
Cook Islands Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Cook Islands is the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch of the Cook Islands Government. It consists of the Prime Minister and a number of other Ministers, who are collectively responsible to Parliament....
) draws its membership exclusively from Parliament, based on which party or parties can claim a majority. The Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands is the official rsponsible for heading Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's government in the Cook Islands, a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The office was established in 1965, when self-government was first granted to the islands...
leads the government; the Queen's Representative
Queen's Representative
The Queen's Representative is the formal title given to the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of New Zealand, in the Cook Islands....
appoints the Prime Minister from the party or coalition which has or appears to have enough support to govern. The Prime Minister and Cabinet hold office until the next election, or until they are defeated on a motion of confidence. The Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Cook Islands)
The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...
is currently in government. The Prime Minister is currently Jim Marurai
Jim Marurai
Jim Marurai is a Cook Islands politician and former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Personal life:...
. The current leader of the opposition is Tom Marsters
Tom Marsters
Tom John Marsters is a Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.-Personal life:...
, who leads the Cook Islands Party
Cook Islands Party
The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....
.
The Cook Islands has a two-party system
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
, though independent members are not uncommon.
Last election results
For information on current Members of Parliament, see 13th Cook Islands Parliament13th Cook Islands Parliament
The 13th Cook Islands Parliament is the current term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2010 elections on 17 November 2010....
.
Passage of legislation
The Cook Islands Parliament follows the model common to other Westminster systemWestminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
s for passing Acts of Parliament. Laws are proposed to Parliament as bills
Bill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
. They become Acts after being approved three times by Parliament and receiving the assent of the Queen's Representative
Queen's Representative
The Queen's Representative is the formal title given to the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of New Zealand, in the Cook Islands....
. 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.
Debate is severely limited, with no debate on the First or Third readings
Reading (legislature)
A reading of a bill is a debate on the bill held before the general body of a legislature, as opposed to before a committee or other group. In the Westminster system, there are usually several readings of a bill among the stages it passes through before becoming law as an Act of Parliament...
, and possibly none on the Second. Voting is by voice vote or division, and there is no provision for proxy voting.
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.For the purposes of the First Reading a bill may consist only of its short title.
Second Reading
The Second Reading may take place at any time up to a month after the first. There is normally a debate on the general principles and merits of the bill, with speeches of up to 20 minutes long. 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 ArikiHouse of Ariki
The House of Ariki is a parliamentary body in the Cook Islands. It is composed of Cook Islands high chiefs , appointed by the Queen's Representative...
.
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.
Consideration by Select Committee or House of Ariki
Bills may be sent to a Select Committee or to the House of ArikiHouse of Ariki
The House of Ariki is a parliamentary body in the Cook Islands. It is composed of Cook Islands high chiefs , appointed by the Queen's Representative...
for consideration. The committee or House of Ariki typically has three months to consider the bill, though this time may be extended. Parliament may give instructions extending or restricting the terms of the committee's or House or Ariki's consideration.
Following consideration, the House votes on whether to adopt the committee or House of Ariki's report. If the motion passes, the bill goes straight to its Third Reading, without a Committee of the whole. Alternatively, the bill may be recommitted for consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
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. 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. Amendments may be introduced during the debate, or in writing and placed on the Order PaperOrder Paper
The Order Paper is a daily publication in the Westminster system of government which lists the business of parliament for that day's sitting. A separate paper is issued daily for each house of the legislature....
.
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.
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. Minor amendments may be proposed for correcting errors or oversights, but no material amendments may be proposed. There is no debate. If the bill is passed, it is referred to the Queen's RepresentativeQueen's Representative
The Queen's Representative is the formal title given to the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of New Zealand, in the Cook Islands....
for their assent.
Select committees
Legislation is scrutinised by Select Committees, which must consist of between five and seven members. Committees have the power to send for witnesses and records to assist in their deliberations. As in other Westminster Systems, the proceedings of select committees are protected by Parliamentary privilegeParliamentary privilege
Parliamentary privilege is a legal immunity enjoyed by members of certain legislatures, in which legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made related to one's duties as a legislator. It is common in countries whose constitutions are...
.
The number and roles of subject committees is regulated by Standing Orders. Currently the following subject committees exist:
| Select Committee | Areas of responsibility |
|---|---|
| Commerce | Business development, commerce, communications, consumer affairs, energy, information technology, insurance, and superannuation. |
| Education and Science | Education, industry training, research, science, and technology. |
| Finance and Expenditure | Audit of the Crown’s and departmental financial statements, review of departmental performance, Government finance, revenue and taxation. |
| Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Trade | Customs, defence, disarmament and arms control, foreign affairs, immigration and trade. |
| Land, Local Government, and Cultural Affairs | Land, Outer Islands, local government, culture, language, traditional affairs. |
| Law and Order | Courts, prisons, police. |
| Labour | Labour, employment relations, occupational health and safety. |
| Privileges | Powers privileges, and immunities of Parliament and its members. |
| Social Services, Health, and Environment | Housing, 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 Committee | Areas of responsibility |
|---|---|
| Government Caucus Committee | Business of Parliament each day and the order in which it is taken. |
| Standing Orders Committee | Amendments to Standing Orders. |
| Bills Committee | Private bills. |
Terms of the Cook Islands Parliament
The Parliament is currently in its 12th term.| Term | Elected in | Government |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Parliament | 1965 election Cook Islands general election, 1965 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 20 April 1965 to elect 22 MPs to the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party and saw Albert Henry become the Cook Islands' first Prime Minister.... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 2nd Parliament | 1968 election Cook Islands general election, 1968 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 1 May 1968 to elect 22 MPs to the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly. The Cook Islands Party increased its number of seats from 14 to 16, while the newly formed United Cook Islanders won six seats to become the parliamentary opposition.Summary of... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 3rd Parliament | 1972 election Cook Islands general election, 1972 General elections were held in the Cook Islands in March 1972 to elect 22 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The elections were won by the Cook Islands party, which won 15 seats and 68.2% of the vote. The newly formed Democratic Party won 7 seats and 31.8% of the vote.... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 4th Parliament | 1974 election Cook Islands general election, 1974 General elections were held in the Cook Islands in September 1974 to elect 22 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party, which won 14 seats and 63.6% of the vote... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 5th Parliament | 1978 election Cook Islands general election, 1978 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 30 March, 1978 to elect 22 MPs to the Parliament. The result was a victory for the Cook Islands Party under Albert Henry, but it later emerged that the CIP had flown hundreds of supporters from New Zealand to the Cook Islands at public expense in... |
Democratic Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:... |
| 6th Parliament | March 1983 election Cook Islands general election, March 1983 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 30 March 1983 to elect 24 MPs to the Parliament. The election saw the Cook Islands Party under Geoffrey Henry win power, but the result was overturned within months and Parliament was dissolved, leading to new elections in November 1983.-External... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 7th Parliament | November 1983 election Cook Islands general election, November 1983 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 2 November 1983 to elect 24 MPs to the Parliament. The election was called as a result of the March, 1983 elections being overturned. The result was a coalition government, with Democratic Party leader Tom Davis becoming Prime Minister, with the... |
Democratic Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:... |
| 8th Parliament | 1989 election Cook Islands general election, 1989 General elections were held in the Cook Islands in January, 1989 to elect 24 MPs to the Parliament. The elections saw the Cook Islands Party win 12 seats, the Democratic Tumu Party win 2 seats, and the Democratic Party-led opposition coalition win 9 seats. One seat was won by an independent... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 9th Parliament | 1994 election Cook Islands general election, 1994 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 24 March 1994 to elect 25 MPs to the Parliament. The election was a landslide victory for the Cook Islands Party, which won 20 seats. The Democratic Party won three seats, and the newly-established Alliance Party two.... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |
| 10th Parliament 10th Cook Islands Parliament The 10th Cook Islands Parliament was a term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 1999 election, held on 16 June 1999. It lasted until 2004.-External links:*... |
1999 election Cook Islands general election, 1999 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 16 June 1999 to elect 25 MPs to the Parliament. The Cook Islands Party won 11 seats, the Democratic Alliance Party 10 seats, and the New Alliance Party 4 seats.... |
Democratic Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:... |
| 11th Parliament 11th Cook Islands Parliament The 12th Cook Islands Parliament is the previous term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2006 elections, held on September 27, 2006. It was dissolved for the 2010 election on 24 September 2010.... |
2004 election Cook Islands general election, 2004 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 7 September 2004. Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning by a wide margin, but close results led to 11 electoral petitions being filed, delaying the date Parliament could sit until mid-December... |
Democratic Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:... |
| 12th Parliament | 2006 election Cook Islands general election, 2006 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on September 27, 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The Democratic Party remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote.... |
Democratic Party Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:... |
| 13th Parliament 13th Cook Islands Parliament The 13th Cook Islands Parliament is the current term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2010 elections on 17 November 2010.... |
2010 election Cook Islands general election, 2010 General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2010 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party, which won 16 of the 24 seats... |
Cook Islands Party Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965.... |