Swearing-in defining moment for CIP

Tuesday July 10, 2018 Written by Published in Politics
A clearly delighted George Maggie savoured the moment as he took a photo opportunity with prime minister Henry Puna. Like his fellow new Cabinet ministers Rose Toki-Brown and Robert Tapaitou, Maggie was weighed down with piles of ei. 18070957 A clearly delighted George Maggie savoured the moment as he took a photo opportunity with prime minister Henry Puna. Like his fellow new Cabinet ministers Rose Toki-Brown and Robert Tapaitou, Maggie was weighed down with piles of ei. 18070957

The Cook Islands Party (CIP) government seemed to trump the Democratic Party last Thursday afternoon after winning the support of the two independent and One Cook Islands party seat holders who were sworn in as Cabinet ministers.

Independent election winners, Rose Toki-Brown and Robert Tapaitau, and the One Cook Islands movement’s George Maggie filled the three Cabinet posts in the CIP caretaker government left vacant by former Cabinet minister and deputy prime minister Teariki Heather, Health minister Nandi Glassie and Agriculture minister Kiriau Turepu, who lost their seats in the June 14 election.

The appointment and swearing-in of the three new ministers, carried out at Government House and in the presence of Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters, gave the CIP 13 seats, enabling them to continue as government.

However, the Demo Party indicated on Friday that they hadn’t given up, placing faith in the success of four electoral petitions that the party has lodged.

Here are some more photos from Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony, which took on the air of a major celebration as the new cabinet ministers were swamped with ei and hugs from family and well-wishers.

            - CS/RK

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