The 12th Cook Islands Parliament is the previous term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands

Parliament of the Cook Islands

The Parliament of the Cook Islands is the legislature of the Cook Islands. Originally established under New Zealand colonial rule, it became the national legislature on independence in 1965....

. Its composition was determined by the 2006 elections

Cook Islands general election, 2006

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on September 27, 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The Democratic Party remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote....

, held on September 27, 2006. It was dissolved for the 2010 election

Cook Islands general election, 2010

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2010 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party, which won 16 of the 24 seats...

 on 24 September 2010.

Due to an electoral petition declaring the election of Robert Wigmore

Robert Wigmore

Robert George Wigmore is a Cook Islands politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....

 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.

Due to a large number of electoral petitions and the need for a by-election

Akaoa by-election 2006

The Akaoa by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands seat of Akaoa. It took place on 29 November 2006, and was precipitated by the seat being a dead tie in the 2006 general election. After a judicial recount, the High Court ordered a by-election....

 to resolve the tied seat of Akaoa, the Parliament did not meet for the first time until December 2006.

Of the 24 Members of Parliament, three were women. The Speaker

Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament

The Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament is the presiding officer of the Cook Islands Parliament. The manage the House in accordance with its Standing Orders and according to the traditions of the Westminster system....

 of the 12th Parliament was Mapu Taia

Mapu Taia

Mapu Tangatatutai Taia OBE is a Cook Islands politician and Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....

.

Initial MPs

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	Teina Bishop Teina Bishop Teina Bishop is a Cook Islands politician and Cabinet Minister. He represents the constituency of Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Arutanga/Nikaupara/Reureu	Third
	Cassey Eggelton Cassey Eggelton Cassey Tereapii Eggelton is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister.Eggelton was born in Rarotonga and attended Ngatangiia Primary school and Tereora College. She worked as a hotel manager and has a long association with the Miss Cook Islands Pageant...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Matavera	First
	Norman George Norman George Norman George is a Cook Islands politician and former Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister, and Cabinet Minister....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Teenui-Mapumai	Sixth
	Nandi Glassie Nandi Glassie Nandi Tuaine Glassie is a Cook Islands politician and Cabinet Minister. He is MP for Tengatangi/Areora/Ngatiarua, and a member of the Cook Islands Party....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Tengatangi/Areora/Ngatiarua	First
	William (Smiley) Heather William (Smiley) Heather William Kati Heather is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He represents the seat of Ruaau in the Cook Islands Parliament....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Ruaau	First
	Teariki Heather Teariki Heather Teariki William Heather is a Cook Islands politician and Cabinet Minister. He represents the constituency of Akaoa for the Cook Islands Party....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Akaoa	Second
	Kete Ioane Kete Ioane Kete Ioane is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Vaipae/Tautu	Third
	Terepai Maoate Terepai Maoate Sir Terepai Tuamure Maoate, KBE was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 18 November 1999 to 11 February 2002. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Ngatangiia	Seventh
	Terepai Maoate Jnr Terepai Maoate Jnr Terepai Maoate Jnr , also known as Junior Maoate, is a Cook Islands politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party and represents the constituency of Amuri and Ureia. He is the son of former Cook Islands Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate.Maoate was born on Manihiki and educated at Araura...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Amuri/Ureia	Second
	Tom Marsters Tom Marsters Tom John Marsters is a Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.-Personal life:...	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Murienua	Fifth
	Jim Marurai Jim Marurai Jim Marurai is a Cook Islands politician and former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Personal life:...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Ivirua	Fourth
	Ngamau Munokoa Ngamau Munokoa Ngamau Mere Munokoa OBE , also known as "Aunty Mau", is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. She was the third woman elected to the Cook Islands Parliament and the first to hold the post of Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Nikao/Panama	Fourth
	Albert (Peto) Nicholas Albert (Peto) Nicholas Albert Nicholas is a Cook Islands politician and former member of the Cook Islands Parliament for the seat of the seat of Avatiu/Ruatonga....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Avatiu/Ruatonga	Fourth
	Mii Parima Mii Parima Mii Parima was a Cook Islands politician and Member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He was a member of the Cook Islands Party....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Tamarua	Fourth
	Vai Peua Vai Peua Tamaiti Vai Peua is a Cook Islands politician and former member of the Cook Islands Parliament.Peua was born on Rarotonga and educated at Pukapuka Primary school and Aitutaki Junior High School. He worked as a public servant, including serving as Deputy Register for the Cook Islands High Court...	Independent	Pukapuka/Nassau	First
	Winton Pickering Winton Pickering Winton Brian Pickering is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament, representing the seat of Oneroa. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Oneroa	Second
	Apii Piho Apii Piho Tereapii Piho is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister.Piho was born on Rakahanga and educated in New Zealand...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Manihiki	First
	Wilkie Rasmussen Wilkie Rasmussen Wilkie Olaf Patua Rasmussen is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is deputy leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party, and represents the constituency of Penrhyn....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Penrhyn	Third
	Piho Rua Piho Rua Piho Rua is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament.Rua was born on Rakahanga and educated at Aitutaki Junior High School and Tereora College. He had a twenty year career as a police officer before becoming a public servant and serving as Chief Executive of the Prime...	Independent	Rakahanga	Second
	Mapu Taia Mapu Taia Mapu Tangatatutai Taia OBE is a Cook Islands politician and Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Mauke	Third
	John Tangi John Tangi John David Tangi is a Cook Islands politician and former Member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Democratic Party....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Tupapa/Maraerenga	First
	Ngai Tupa Ngai Tupa Ngai Ngatara Tupa is a Cook Islands politician and former member of the Cook Islands Parliament. She is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic PartyTupa was born in Rarotonga and educated at St. Joseph Catholic Primary School...	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Takuvaine/Tutakimoa	First
	Tangata Vavia Tangata Vavia Tangata Mouauri Vavia is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Mitiaro	Fourth

New members

	Name	Party	Electorate	Term
	Robert Wigmore Robert Wigmore Robert George Wigmore is a Cook Islands politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....	DP Democratic Party (Cook Islands) The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...	Titikaveka	Second
	Pukeiti Pukeiti Pukeiti Pukeiti Pukeiti Pukeiti is a Cook Islands politician and Member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party. He represents the electorate of Tamarua....	CIP Cook Islands Party The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....	Tamarua	First

Summary of changes

• Robert Wigmore
  Robert Wigmore
  Robert George Wigmore is a Cook Islands politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....
  
  's election in the seat of Titikaveka was declared invalid by an electoral petition. He was re-elected in a by-election
  Titikaveka by-election 2007
  The Titikaveka by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands seat of Titikaveka. It took place on 7 February 2007.At the 2006 election, Robert Wigmore won the seat of Titikaveka by a significant margin...
  
   on 7 February 2007.
• Mii Parima
  Mii Parima
  Mii Parima was a Cook Islands politician and Member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He was a member of the Cook Islands Party....
  
   died on December 6, 2008. He was replaced by Pukeiti Pukeiti
  Pukeiti Pukeiti
  Pukeiti Pukeiti is a Cook Islands politician and Member of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party. He represents the electorate of Tamarua....
  
   following the 2009 Tamarua by-election
  Tamarua by-election 2009
  The Tamarua by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands electorate of Tamarua. It was held on 3 february 2009, and was precipitated by the death of sitting MP Mii Parima.The by-election was won by the Cook Islands Party's Pukeiti Pukeiti....
  
  .
• Wilkie Rasmussen
  Wilkie Rasmussen
  Wilkie Olaf Patua Rasmussen is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is deputy leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party, and represents the constituency of Penrhyn....
  
   was expelled from the Cook Islands Democratic Party
  Democratic Party (Cook Islands)
  The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...
  
   on 25 August 2009.
• Jim Marurai
  Jim Marurai
  Jim Marurai is a Cook Islands politician and former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Personal life:...
  
   was expelled from the Democratic party on 23 December 2009.
• Robert Wigmore
  Robert Wigmore
  Robert George Wigmore is a Cook Islands politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party....
  
  , Cassey Eggelton
  Cassey Eggelton
  Cassey Tereapii Eggelton is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister.Eggelton was born in Rarotonga and attended Ngatangiia Primary school and Tereora College. She worked as a hotel manager and has a long association with the Miss Cook Islands Pageant...
  
  , William (Smiley) Heather
  William (Smiley) Heather
  William Kati Heather is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He represents the seat of Ruaau in the Cook Islands Parliament....
  
   and Apii Piho
  Apii Piho
  Tereapii Piho is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister.Piho was born on Rakahanga and educated in New Zealand...
  
  were expelled from the Democratic Party on 8 April 2010.

External links

• Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands