Jim Marurai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Marurai
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| 10th Prime Minister of the Cook Islands | |
| In office 14 December 2004 – 29 November 2010 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Queen's Representative | Frederick Tutu Goodwin |
| Deputy | Geoffrey Henry Terepai Maoate Robert Wigmore |
| Preceded by | Robert Woonton |
| Succeeded by | Henry Puna |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 29 June 1999 – 29 November 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Geoffrey Henry Joe Williams Terepai Maoate Robert Woonton Himself |
| Succeeded by | Teina Bishop |
| Minister of Police | |
| In office 29 September 2005 – 29 November 2010 |
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| Prime Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Peri Vaevae Pare |
| Succeeded by | Henry Puna |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 2009 – 23 December 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Terepai Maoate |
| Succeeded by | Robert Wigmore |
| In office 28 July 2009 – 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Wilkie Rasmussen |
| Succeeded by | Terepai Maoate |
| Member of the Cook Islands Parliament for Ivirua |
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| In office 1994 – 5 July 2017 |
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| Succeeded by | Tony Armstrong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 July 1947 Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands |
| Died | November 2020 (aged 73) Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands |
| Political party | New Alliance Party Cook Islands First Party Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Tuaine Marurai (deceased) |
| Children | Jason Marurai, Anna Marurai, Eion Marurai, Tokoa Marurai, R Marurai |
| Alma mater | University of Otago |
Jim Marurai (9 July 1947 – November 2020) was an important Cook Islands politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
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About Jim Marurai's Early Life
Jim Marurai was born in Ivirua, on the island of Mangaia. He went to primary schools in Ivirua and Oneroa. Later, he attended Tereora College on Rarotonga. He also studied at Napier Boys' High School in New Zealand.
After finishing school, Jim Marurai went to the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. There, he trained to become a teacher.
Jim Marurai's wife, Tuaine Marurai, passed away in 2005. She was buried on her home island of Mangaia. Jim Marurai himself died in November 2020 at his home in Ivirua.
Jim Marurai's Political Journey
Jim Marurai began his political career in 1994. He was first elected to the Cook Islands Parliament in a special election. For his first term, he worked as a backbencher. This means he was a Member of Parliament but not a minister.
He later joined a new political group called the New Alliance Party. After the 1999 election, he became the Minister of Education. He held this important role under several Prime Ministers. These included Geoffrey Henry, Joe Williams, Terepai Maoate, and Robert Woonton.
Becoming Prime Minister
Jim Marurai was re-elected in the 2004 election. At this time, the Prime Minister, Robert Woonton, left the Democratic Party. Jim Marurai joined him to form a new party. This party was first called Demo Party Tumu, then later Cook Islands First.
When Robert Woonton's election result was questioned, he resigned. Jim Marurai was then chosen to become the new Prime Minister. At first, he worked with the Cook Islands Party. However, this agreement changed in 2005. Marurai then formed a new partnership with the Democratic Party. Terepai Maoate became the Deputy Prime Minister.
Challenges and Changes in Government
As Prime Minister, Jim Marurai faced several challenges. In 2005, he suspended the Police Minister due to concerns about public funds. In 2006, some Members of Parliament tried to change the government. To solve this problem, Marurai decided to dissolve Parliament. This meant calling for a new election very quickly.
The Democratic Party won the 2006 election. They agreed to support Jim Marurai as Prime Minister again. His government then worked on a new law to regulate the media.
Jim Marurai also represented the Cook Islands internationally. In 2007, he attended a conference in Washington, D.C. He also hosted the Governor-General of New Zealand and made a state visit to China.
Later, his government faced more disagreements. Some ministers left the government. In 2009, Jim Marurai was even removed from the Democratic Party. Despite these challenges, he continued to lead the government.
In 2010, Jim Marurai was readmitted to the Democratic Party. He announced that he would not seek to be Prime Minister again if his party won the next election. He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in the 2010 elections. However, his party lost the election. He resigned as Prime Minister on 29 November 2010. After this, he continued to serve as a regular Member of Parliament.
Even though he had said 2010 would be his last term, Jim Marurai stood for election again in 2014. He was elected without anyone running against him. He later resigned in 2017 due to health reasons. His seat was then won by Tony Armstrong in a special election.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Marurai para niños
