12th Cook Islands Parliament

The 12th Cook Islands Parliament was a 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.^[1]

Due to an electoral petition declaring the election of Robert Wigmore invalid, the 12th Parliament initially consisted of only 23 members. A by-election was held for the vacant Titikaveka seat on 7 February 2007, and Wigmore was re-elected.^[2]

Due to a large number of electoral petitions and the need for a by-election to resolve the tied seat of Akaoa, the Parliament did not meet for the first time until December 2006.^[3]

Of the 24 Members of Parliament, three were women.^[4] The Speaker of the 12th Parliament was Mapu Taia.

Initial party standings

 Summary of the 26 September 2006 Cook Islands election results

Parties	Votes	%	Seats
Democratic Party	4,420	52%	14
Cook Islands Party	3,846	45.3%	7
Independents	231	2.7%	2
Total	8,497	84.4	23
Source: Final results of the Cook Islands election 2006

The electorate of Akaoa was tied, resulting in a by-election.

Members

Initial MPs

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	Teina Bishop	CIP	Arutanga/Nikaupara/Reureu	Third
	Cassey Eggelton	DP	Matavera	First
	Norman George	CIP	Teenui-Mapumai	Sixth
	Nandi Glassie	CIP	Tengatangi/Areora/Ngatiarua	First
	William (Smiley) Heather	DP	Ruaau	First
	Teariki Heather	CIP	Akaoa	Second
	Kete Ioane	DP	Vaipae/Tautu	Third
	Terepai Maoate	DP	Ngatangiia	Seventh
	Terepai Maoate Jnr	DP	Amuri/Ureia	Second
	Tom Marsters	CIP	Murienua	Fifth
	Jim Marurai	DP	Ivirua	Fourth
	Ngamau Munokoa	DP	Nikao/Panama	Fourth
	Albert (Peto) Nicholas	CIP	Avatiu/Ruatonga	Fourth
	Mii Parima	CIP	Tamarua	Fourth
	Vai Peua	Independent	Pukapuka/Nassau	First
	Winton Pickering	DP	Oneroa	Second
	Apii Piho	DP	Manihiki	First
	Wilkie Rasmussen	DP	Penrhyn	Third
	Piho Rua	Independent	Rakahanga	Second
	Mapu Taia	DP	Mauke	Third
	John Tangi	DP	Tupapa/Maraerenga	First
	Ngai Tupa	DP	Takuvaine/Tutakimoa	First
	Tangata Vavia	DP	Mitiaro	Fourth

New members

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	Robert Wigmore	DP	Titikaveka	Second
	Pukeiti Pukeiti	CIP	Tamarua	First

Summary of changes

• Robert Wigmore's election in the seat of Titikaveka was declared invalid by an electoral petition. He was re-elected in a by-election on 7 February 2007.^[2]
• Mii Parima died on December 6, 2008. He was replaced by Pukeiti Pukeiti following the 2009 Tamarua by-election.^[5]
• Wilkie Rasmussen was expelled from the Cook Islands Democratic Party on 25 August 2009.^[6]
• Jim Marurai was expelled from the Democratic party on 23 December 2009.^[7]
• Robert Wigmore, Cassey Eggelton, William (Smiley) Heather and Apii Piho were expelled from the Democratic Party on 8 April 2010.^[8]

References

1. "Cook Islands parliament dissolved as country heads for November elections". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-09-24. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
2. "Tomorrow set down for final count from Cook Islands by-election". Radio New Zealand International. 2007-02-08. Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
3. "Cook parliament to meet after September election". Radio New Zealand International. 2006-12-12. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
4. "Cook Islands settle on affirmative action to get more women into Parliament". Radio New Zealand International. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 8 June 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
5. "New Tamarua MP sworn in at Parliament". Cook Islands Herald. 2009-02-11. Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
6. "Rasmussen expelled from Cook Islands Democratic Party". Radio New Zealand International. 2009-08-25. Archived from the original on 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
7. "CIP Points the Finger at the PM Also". Cook Islands Herald. 2009-12-23. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
8. "Cooks Democratic Party expels four members still in government". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-04-08. Retrieved 2010-04-08.

External links

• Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands