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
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	Tingika Elikana, Cook Islands Party Since 22 March 2021
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 for the Cook Islands. It's like the country's biggest decision-making group. This Parliament was first set up when New Zealand was in charge. It became the official national law-making body 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 a set time, usually up to four years. They work until the Parliament is dissolved, which means it closes before the next election. The Parliament meets in Avarua, which is the capital city on Rarotonga island.

The Cook Islands uses a system of government called the Westminster system. This means the country is led by a Cabinet and a Prime Minister. They need to have the support of most members in Parliament to govern.

The person in charge of Parliament meetings is called the Speaker of the House. Currently, this is Tai Tura. The Deputy Speaker, who helps the Speaker, is Tingika Elikana.

History of the Parliament

The Parliament of the Cook Islands started a long time ago. It began as the Cook Islands Legislative Council in October 1946. This council was created to give people a say in how their islands were run. It could make some laws for the islands. However, it couldn't make laws that went against New Zealand's laws.

In 1957, the Legislative Council changed and became the Legislative Assembly. It had 22 elected members and 4 appointed officials. In 1962, this Assembly gained more control over its own money. That same year, they 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 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 over time. In 1965, there were 22 members who served for 3 years. Later, the number of members grew to 24. The term length also changed from 3 years to 4 years, and then to 5 years. In 2004, a public vote decided to change the term back to four years.

Who Are the Members of Parliament?

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

The Cook Islands Parliament is similar to the British Parliament. It has 24 members, who are called "Members of Parliament" (MPs). These MPs are chosen by voters in different areas, called constituencies. Each area elects one MP.

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

The government's main team, called the Cabinet, is made up of MPs from Parliament. The Prime Minister leads the government. The King's Representative chooses the Prime Minister from the party or group of parties that has the most support in Parliament. The Prime Minister and 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 independent members (who don't belong to a party) are also elected.

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

Recent Election Results

Here are the results from the election held on 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 countries that use the Westminster system to make laws. New laws start as ideas called "bills." For a bill to become a law, it needs to be approved three times by Parliament. After that, the King's Representative must give their final approval.

Most bills are suggested by the government. However, individual MPs can also suggest their own bills. One day each week is set aside for these "member's bills."

The process of discussing and voting on bills is carefully managed. There isn't much debate during the first and third stages of a bill.

First Reading

This is the very first step. The bill is officially introduced to Parliament. The Clerk, who helps run the Parliament, reads out the bill's short name. At this stage, there is no discussion and no vote.

Second Reading

The Second Reading usually happens up to a month after the first. This is when MPs discuss the main ideas of the bill. They can give speeches about why they think the bill is good or bad. If Parliament approves the bill at this stage, it moves on. Sometimes, a bill might be sent to a special group called a Select Committee or to the House of Ariki for a closer look.

Looking Closer at a Bill

Bills can be sent to a Select Committee or the House of Ariki for more detailed review. These groups usually have three months to study the bill. They can suggest changes or improvements. After they finish, Parliament votes on whether to accept their suggestions. If accepted, the bill moves straight to its Third Reading.

Committee of the Whole House

If a bill isn't sent to a Select Committee, or if it needs more work, it goes to the "Committee of the whole House." This means all MPs present form a committee to discuss the bill in detail. They look at each part of the bill and can suggest changes. MPs can speak multiple times about each section. Once all parts are discussed and any changes are decided, the bill is reported back to Parliament. There is a final vote on whether Parliament accepts the changes made by the committee.

Third Reading

The Third Reading can happen on the same day the bill is reported back. At this stage, only small corrections can be made. There is no big debate. If the bill passes this final vote, it is sent to the King's Representative for their official approval. Once approved, it becomes a law!

Special Committees in Parliament

Parliament has special groups called select committees. These committees carefully check new laws and other important matters. Each committee has between five and seven members. They can ask people to come and give information or ask for documents to help them understand things better.

These committees focus on different topics. For example, there are committees for:

• Commerce: Deals with business, trade, and technology.
• Education and Science: Looks at schools, training, and research.
• Finance and Expenditure: Checks how the government spends money and collects taxes.
• Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Trade: Handles relationships with other countries, people coming into the Cook Islands, and trade.
• Land, Local Government, and Cultural Affairs: Focuses on land, outer islands, local councils, and culture.
• Law and Order: Deals with courts, police, and prisons.
• Labour: Looks at jobs, work rules, and safety at work.
• Privileges: Deals with the special rights and protections of Parliament and its members.
• Social Services, Health, and Environment: Covers housing, help for older people, health, and protecting the environment.

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

• Government Caucus Committee: Plans the daily work of Parliament.
• Standing Orders Committee: Makes changes to the rules of Parliament.
• Bills Committee: Deals with special types of bills called "private bills."

See also

• House of Ariki