The Parliament of the Cook Islands 60th Legacy Programme has celebrated the nation’s milestone of 60 years of self-government by compiling an “accurate” timeline for its history alongside detailed profiles of its members. Melina Etches reports.

The timeline of the Cook Islands Parliamentary History 1957 – 2025 was officially launched yesterday in Parliament Chambers attended by parliamentary staff, Minister Tingika Elikana, and MP Sonny Williams.

(The Cook Islands Legislative Assembly was established on October 25, 1957 by the New Zealand Parliament.)

The documentation intends to highlight the evolution of governance in the Cook Islands and recognise the contributions of past and present parliamentarians.

As the nation reflects on six decades of democratic progress, this documentation works as a valuable resource for Cook Islanders and more importantly to help educate our next generation.

The Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere has successfully compiled accurate historical dates that also rectifies previous inaccuracies and improves the  understanding of the Cook Islands political growth.

“The idea is to be historically accurate,” says Vainerere, who has spent countless hours searching for lost information that was difficult to obtain.

“We then had to correlate the information with other sources to insure that we got it right search through the archives such as Pacific Islands Monthly, New Zealand Parliament Archives, and local records so that we can archive at a single position.

“So, we need to correct our history.”

He says this is the time for us to understand who is who and what the actual dates were for particular events and timelines.

According to Vainerere, 1965 is the celebration year of when the Cook Islands became self-government but part of it already existed in 1957 and ignored. Prior to that, in 1901 it was called the Legislative Council until 1965.

He added that Marguerite Story, OBE was the first Speaker of Parliament in the self-governing era from 1965.

Vainerere also presented that Metuakore “Cookie” Sadaraka was the first Cook Islander to graduate with a degree BA in New Zealand and when he returned home he was the first Clerk of the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly (1958 – 1964, ). Sadaraka served until he went to NZ to complete his Masters.

Vainerere encourages students and the community to visit parliament this week to read the updated profiles and “accurate” parliamentary history.

“It’s a pity that we don’t teach our own parliamentary history in our schools,” he added.

Speaker of the House Tai Tura was pleased to see the compiled work displayed in the Chamber Room and is hopeful young Cook Islands children will be inspired to take an interest in parliament.

“We didn’t have any of this information available to us when I was at school, so I’d like to see our kids come along and see this, read our history,” said Tura.

Minister for Parliamentary Services Tingika Elikana urged the young generation and those from the Pa Enua currently visiting Rarotonga for sports to visit parliament to read the research  - “te tupuanga o te Basilia”.

“Manuia tikae te uki o teia tuatau kua oti ia matou i te kimi… Te akaroa ia ratou te amoanga, te apaianga i teia Basileai to tatou metua o te Basileia...”

He recognised the wonderful work of the parliamentary staff and the parliamentarians saying: “Our job is to do better than those who have been before us.”

This morning (Tuesday) at 9am, members of the public and school students are invited to attend the presentation on the History of Governance in the Cook Islands, and the Cook Islands Legislation.

On display in the Chamber are: The Timeline of Cook Islands Parliamentary History 1957-2025, Profiles of Members of Parliament, Profiles of Cook Islands Prime Ministers, Profiles of Speakers of Parliament, Profiles of Clerks of Parliament, Emblems & Symbols of Parliamentary Authority. Public Tours of the Parliament Chamber are available please contact the office on 26500.

On Wednesday April 16, at 9 am there will be a history presentation on: History of Governance in the Cook Islands, The Cook Islands Legislative System, and Public Tours of the Parliament Chamber.

On Thursday April 17 at 9 am, the Book Launchings will be held for: Parliament Handbook 2025, Parliament Strategic Plan 2026-2030, Parliamentary Practice in the Cook Islands, Governing the Cook Islands Series (Pre-contact – 2025).