Mark Brown (Cook Islands) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Brown
Brown in 2023
12th Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 October 2020
Monarch	Elizabeth II Charles III
Deputy	Robert Tapaitau
King's Representative	Tom Marsters
Preceded by	Henry Puna
Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
In office 14 June 2018 – 1 October 2020
Prime Minister	Henry Puna
Preceded by	Teariki Heather
Succeeded by	Robert Tapaitau
Personal details
Born	(1963-02-28) 28 February 1963 (age 62) Avarua, Cook Islands
Political party	Cook Islands Party
Alma mater	Massey University University of the South Pacific
Ministerial offices Minister of Finance and Economic Development Incumbent Assumed office 3 December 2010 Prime Minister Henry Puna Himself Preceded by Wilkie Rasmussen Attorney General of the Cook Islands Incumbent Assumed office 1 October 2020 Prime Minister Himself Minister for Energy and Renewable Energy In office 1 October 2020 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Himself Succeeded by Robert Tapaitau Minister for the Outer Islands In office 1 October 2020 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Himself Succeeded by Robert Tapaitau Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration In office 1 October 2020 – 8 February 2024 Prime Minister Himself Succeeded by Tingika Elikana Minister of Police Incumbent Assumed office 1 October 2020 Prime Minister Himself Minister of Financial Services Development Authority In office 1 October 2020 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Himself Succeeded by Vaine Mokoroa Minister of the Financial Intelligence Unit In office 3 December 2010 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Henry Puna Himself Preceded by Wilkie Rasmussen Succeeded by Vaine Mokoroa Minister of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation Incumbent Assumed office 3 December 2010 Prime Minister Henry Puna Himself Preceded by Robert Wigmore Minister of Telecommunications In office 3 December 2010 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Henry Puna Himself Preceded by Jim Marurai Succeeded by Patrick Arioka Minister of PERCA/Audit In office 3 December 2010 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Henry Puna Himself Preceded by Wilkie Rasmussen Succeeded by Vaine Mokoroa Minister of Superannuation In office 3 December 2010 – 2 June 2021 Prime Minister Henry Puna Himself Preceded by Wilkie Rasmussen Succeeded by Rose Toki-Brown Member of the Cook Islands Parliament for Takuvaine–Tutakimoa Incumbent Assumed office 17 November 2010 Preceded by Ngai Tupa Succeeded by

Mark Stephen Brown was born on February 28, 1963. He is a politician from the Cook Islands and currently serves as the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was the Deputy Prime Minister under Henry Puna. Mark Brown is a member of the Cook Islands Party.

Mark Brown: Leader of the Cook Islands

Early Life and Education

Mark Brown was born in 1963 in Avarua, which is on the island of Rarotonga. He went to school at Nikao Maori School, Nikao Side School, and Tereora College. He also studied in New Zealand at Gisborne Boys' High School.

He continued his education and earned a special diploma in Public Sector Management from Massey University in New Zealand. Later, he received a Masters in Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific.

Before becoming a politician, Mark Brown worked for the government. He was an advisor for the Prime Minister's Office and led the Ministry of Agriculture. He also worked in property development. He was involved in business as the Vice-President of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce. He also led the Cook Islands Touch Association, which is a sports group.

Starting His Political Journey

Mark Brown is currently a vice-president of the Cook Islands Party (CIP). He first tried to become a Member of Parliament in the 2006 Cook Islands general election for the area of Takuvaine–Tutakimoa, but he was not elected that time.

However, he was successfully elected in the 2010 Cook Islands general election. This marked the beginning of his journey in the Cook Islands Parliament.

Becoming a Cabinet Minister

In December 2010, Mark Brown was chosen to be part of the government's Cabinet. He was given the important role of finance minister. He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament in both the 2014 Cook Islands general election and the 2018 election.

After the 2018 Cook Islands general election, he was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister. He took over this role from Teariki Heather.

Leading as Prime Minister

In June 2020, the then-Prime Minister, Henry Puna, announced that he would step down. He wanted to try for a new job as the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum. Henry Puna suggested that Mark Brown should be the next Prime Minister.

On October 1, 2020, after Henry Puna retired, Mark Brown was chosen as the new Prime Minister. When he first formed his government, he kept many of the important jobs (called portfolios) for himself. He also kept many that Henry Puna used to have. He later planned to give some of these big jobs, like Finance and Foreign Affairs, to other ministers.

A change in the government's team happened on June 2, 2021. Mark Brown gave about half of his responsibilities to other ministers. He was re-elected in the 2022 Cook Islands general election. After the election, he was again appointed Prime Minister with the support of other independent politicians.

Working with Other Countries

In December 2020, Prime Minister Brown and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, announced exciting news. They said that people would soon be able to travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands without needing to stay in quarantine. This made travel much easier for everyone.

In early 2024, Prime Minister Brown talked about working more closely with New Zealand and Australia. He suggested that the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia could team up for defence and safety. This would add to the ways the Cook Islands already works with New Zealand to stay safe.

Prime Minister Brown signing a book to honor Queen Elizabeth II in London on September 17, 2022.

Discussing a Cook Islands Passport

In late 2024, Prime Minister Brown suggested that the Cook Islands should have its own passport. He spoke about this idea at a meeting of important leaders called the House of Ariki. He believes having their own passport would be a symbol of the Cook Islands' identity.

The Clerk of the House of Ariki, Tuaine Unuia, said that the House supported Prime Minister Brown's idea. This proposal is a big topic of discussion for the future of the Cook Islands.