Teina Bishop is a Cook Islands

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...

 politician and Cabinet Minister

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....

. He represents the constituency of Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu

Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara (Cook Islands electorate)

Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara is a Cook Islands electoral division returning one member to the Cook Islands Parliament. Its current representative is Teina Bishop, who has held the seat since 1999....

.

Bishop was born in 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 was educated at Araura Primary school, Aitutaki Junior High School, and the University of the South Pacific

University of the South Pacific

The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...

 before working as a teacher. He was first elected to Parliament

Parliament of the Cook Islands

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....

 in the 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....

.

In 2003 he resigned from parliament over budget cuts to his constituency, precipitating a by-election

Arutanga by-election 2003

The Arutanga by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands seat of Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara. It took place on 20 November 2003.The by-election was precipitated by the resignation of Cook Islands Party MP Teina Bishop over budget cuts to his constituency...

 in which he was returned unopposed.

Bishop was elected Deputy Speaker in 2004 and held the position until 2005. He served briefly as Minister for the Environment and Outer Islands in 2006.

Cabinet

Bishop was again appointed to Cabinet in December 2010, after the Cook Islands party won the 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...

. He currently holds the portfolios of education, marine resources, and tourism.

External links

• Profile at Cook Islands Parliament