Parliament of the Cook Islands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parliament of the Cook Islands Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani
18th Parliament
Official Emblem of the Parliament of the Cook Islands
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Speaker	Tai Tura, Cook Islands Party Since 22 March 2021
Deputy Speaker	Tuakeu Tangatapoto, Cook Islands Party
Prime Minister	Mark Brown, Cook Islands Party Since 1 October 2020
Leader of the Opposition	Tina Browne, Democratic Party
Structure
Seats	24
Political groups	Government (14)      CIP: 12 seats      Independent: 2 seats Opposition (10)      Democratic: 5 seats      United: 3 seats      OCIM: 1 seat      Independent: 1 seat
Elections
Last election	1 August 2022
Next election	TBD
Meeting place
Avarua, Rarotonga
Website
Parliament of the Cook Islands

The Parliament of the Cook Islands (Cook Islands Māori: Te Marae Akarau Vānanga o te Kuki Airani) is the main law-making body of the Cook Islands. It's like the country's biggest meeting place where important decisions are made. It started when New Zealand was in charge, and then became the official law-making group when the Cook Islands became independent in 1965.

The Parliament has 24 members. These members are chosen directly by people voting in elections. Everyone who is old enough can vote. Members serve for up to four years, until the Parliament is dissolved and new elections are held. The Parliament meets in Avarua, which is the capital city, located on the island of Rarotonga.

The Cook Islands uses a system of government called the Westminster system. This means the country is run by a group of leaders called the Cabinet and a Prime Minister. These leaders must have the support of most of the members in Parliament.

The person in charge of leading the Parliament meetings is called the Speaker of the House. Currently, the Speaker is Tai Tura. The Deputy Speaker, who helps the Speaker, is Tuakeu Tangatapoto.

History of the Parliament

The Parliament of the Cook Islands has changed over time. It began as the Cook Islands Legislative Council in 1946. This council was set up to help people in the islands have a say in their government. It could make some laws for "peace, order, and good government." However, it couldn't make laws that went against New Zealand's laws. It also had limits on how much money it could raise or what punishments it could set.

In 1957, the Legislative Council was changed and became the Legislative Assembly. It had more elected members. By 1962, this Assembly had full control over its own money. That same year, the Assembly decided that the Cook Islands should govern itself, but still have a special link with New Zealand. When the Cook Islands became independent in 1965, the Assembly gained full power to make all laws. In 1981, it was officially renamed the Parliament of the Cook Islands.

The number of members in Parliament and how long they serve has changed a few times since independence. In 1965, there were 22 members who served for three years. The number of members grew to 24 in 1981, and then to 25 in 1991. It went back down to 24 members in 2003. The term length also changed from three years to four years in 1969, and then to five years in 1981. In 2004, people voted to change the term back to four years.

Who Are the Members and How Are They Chosen?

Speaker Niki Rattle seated in the Speaker's Chair in 2017

The Parliament of the Cook Islands is similar to the British House of Commons. It has 24 members, who are called "Members of Parliament" (MPs). These MPs are chosen by voters in different areas, called constituencies. The person who gets the most votes in each area wins. This is called the "first-past-the-post" system.

Ten MPs are elected from areas on the main island of Rarotonga. Three MPs come from Aitutaki, and three from Mangaia. Two MPs are from Atiu, and one MP each comes from the islands of Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, and Rakahanga.

The leaders of the Cook Islands government, known as the Cabinet, are chosen from the members of Parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. The King's Representative chooses the Prime Minister from the political party or group of parties that has the most support in Parliament. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet stay in power until the next election, or if they lose the support of Parliament. The Cook Islands usually has two main political parties, but sometimes there are also members who don't belong to any party.

Currently, the Prime Minister is Mark Brown from the Cook Islands Party. The leader of the opposition, who leads the party not in power, is Tina Browne from the Democratic Party.

Results of the Last Election

Here is a summary of the election results from 1 August 2022:

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Cook Islands Party	3,890	44.07	12	+2
	Democratic Party	2,377	26.93	5	-6
	Cook Islands United Party	1,660	18.81	3	New
	One Cook Islands Movement	237	2.68	1	NC
	Progressive Party of the Cook Islands	18	0.20	0	New
	Independents	645	7.31	3	+1
Total		8,827	100.00	24	0
Source: MFEM

How Laws Are Made

The Cook Islands Parliament follows a process similar to other Westminster systems for making laws. New laws are first suggested to Parliament as bills. A bill becomes a law, or an Act, after Parliament approves it three times and the King's Representative agrees to it. Most bills are introduced by the government. However, individual MPs can also suggest their own bills. One day each week is set aside for these bills.

Debates in Parliament are quite structured. There is no debate during the first or third readings of a bill. Sometimes, there might not be any debate during the second reading either. Members vote by voice or by dividing into groups. There is no way for a member to vote if they are not present.

First Reading of a Bill

The first step in making a law is the First Reading. The bill is officially presented to Parliament. The Clerk, who helps run the Parliament, reads out the short title of the bill. At this stage, there is no discussion or vote. For the First Reading, a bill only needs its short title.

Second Reading of a Bill

The Second Reading can happen up to a month after the first. Usually, there is a discussion about the main ideas of the bill. Members can speak for up to 20 minutes. If Parliament approves the bill, its full title is read. Then, the bill is either discussed by the whole Parliament as a committee, or it is sent to a smaller group called a Select Committee, or to the House of Ariki. If a bill is going to a Select Committee or the House of Ariki, the Second Reading is just a formality, and there is no debate.

Review by Select Committee or House of Ariki

Bills can be sent to a Select Committee or to the House of Ariki for a closer look. These committees or the House of Ariki usually have three months to review the bill. This time can be made longer if needed. Parliament can give specific instructions on what the committee or House of Ariki should focus on. After reviewing, the Parliament votes on whether to accept the committee's or House of Ariki's report. If the vote passes, the bill goes straight to its Third Reading. It doesn't need to be discussed by the Committee of the Whole House. Sometimes, the bill might be sent back to the Committee of the Whole for more discussion.

Committee of the Whole House

When a bill reaches this stage, Parliament becomes a "committee of the whole House." This means all MPs present work together as a committee to discuss the bill. Each member can speak up to three times on each part of the bill or any suggested changes. Each time they speak, it can be for up to 10 minutes. However, the discussion is only about the details of the bill, not its main ideas. The committee can change the bill as they see fit. These changes must be related to the bill's topic and the specific part being discussed. They also can't go against any parts that have already been agreed upon. Changes can be suggested during the debate or in writing. Once all parts have been discussed and changes agreed to or rejected, the bill is reported back. There is a final vote on whether the Parliament accepts the committee's report.

Third Reading of a Bill

The Third Reading can happen on the same day that a bill is reported back by the Committee of the Whole, the House of Ariki, or a Select Committee. Only small changes can be suggested at this stage, usually to fix mistakes. No big changes to the bill's content are allowed. There is no debate during the Third Reading. If the bill passes this final vote, it is sent to the King's Representative to be officially approved and become a law.

Special Committees

Laws are also carefully checked by special groups called select committees. Each committee must have between five and seven members. These committees can ask people to come and speak to them and can ask for documents to help with their work. Like in other Westminster systems, what happens in these committees is protected by special rules called Parliamentary privilege.

The Parliament has different committees that focus on specific topics. Here are some of them:

There are also three other committees that help run Parliament itself:

Terms of the Cook Islands Parliament

The Parliament is currently in its 18th term. This means there have been 18 different groups of elected members since the Parliament was formed.

See also

• House of Ariki