Politics of the Cook Islands
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The politics of the Cook Islands takes place in a framework of a
Constitution
The Constitution of the Cook Islands[2] took effect on August 4, 1965, when the Cook Islands became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. The anniversary of these events in 1965 is commemorated annually on Constitution Day, with week long activities known as Te Maeva Nui Celebrations locally.
Executive
Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
King of the Cook Islands | Charles III | 8 September 2022 | |
King's Representative | Sir Tom Marsters | 27 July 2013 | |
Prime Minister | Mark Brown | CIP | 1 October 2020 |
Ten years of rule by the
Prime Minister Mark Brown was reelected in 2022 with an increased majority [3]
Legislature
The
On June 13, 2008, a small majority of members of the House of Ariki attempted a coup, claiming to dissolve the elected government and to take control of the country's leadership. "Basically we are dissolving the leadership, the prime minister and the deputy prime minister and the ministers," chief Makea Vakatini Joseph Ariki explained. The Cook Islands Herald suggested that the
Judiciary
The judiciary is established by part IV of the Constitution, and consists of the High Court of the Cook Islands and the Cook Islands Court of Appeal. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council serves as the final court of appeal.[8] Judges are appointed by the King's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council as given by the Chief Justice and the Minister of Justice.[9] Non-resident Judges are appointed for a three-year term;[10] other Judges are appointed for life. Judges may be removed from office by the King's Representative on the recommendation of an investigative tribunal and only for inability to perform their office, or for misbehaviour.[11]
With regard to the legal profession, Iaveta Taunga o Te Tini Short was the first Cook Islander to establish a law practice in 1968.[12][13] He would later become a Cabinet Minister (1978) and High Commissioner for the Cook Islands (1985).
Political parties and elections
Recent political history
The
The Democratic Party won a majority in the 2004 election, but Woonton lost his seat, and was replaced by Jim Marurai. In 2005 Marurai left the Democrats due to an internal disputes, founding his own Cook Islands First Party. He continued to govern with the support of the CIP, but in 2005 returned to the Democrats. The loss of several by-elections forced a snap-election in 2006, which produced a solid majority for the Democrats and saw Marurai continue as prime minister.
In December 2009, Marurai sacked his Deputy Prime Minister, Terepai Maoate, sparking a mass-resignation of Democratic Party cabinet members[14][15] He and new Deputy Prime Minister Robert Wigmore were subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party.[16] Marurai appointed three junior members of the Democratic party to Cabinet,[17] but on 31 December 2009 the party withdrew its support.[18]
See also
References
- ^ "Constitution of the Cook Islands" (PDF). Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ "Constitution of the Cook Islands". Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
- ^ "'Let's get to work'". 7 September 2022.
- One News. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- NZPA. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- Stuff.co.nz. 17 June 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- Radio New Zealand International. 23 June 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ "Pacific Courts - Cook Islands". PACLII. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s52.
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s53.
- ^ Constitution of the Cook Islands, s54.
- ISBN 9780908597000.
- ^ "Team". Trustee Cook Islands. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ "Cooks Deputy Prime Minister replaced, prompting a walkout". Radio New Zealand International. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "Cabinet Ministers Resign in Support of Party Leader". Democratic Party - Cook Islands. 2009-12-23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
- ^ "PM sacked by Demo Party". Cook Islands Herald. 2009-12-23. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
- ^ "PM appoints new ministers". Cook Islands News. 2009-12-26. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
- ^ "Marurai Wilkie coalition falling apart". Democratic Party - Cook Islands. 2009-12-31. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 2010-01-04.