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Albert Nicholas (politician, born 1971)
Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas (born 2 September 1971)[1] is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party. He is the son of former MP Albert (Peto) Nicholas.[2] Nicholas was born on Rarotonga and educated at Avarua School and Tereora College.[1] He worked as a public servant for Customs before becoming self-employed.[1] He first elected to parliament in the 2014 election as a representative of the Democratic Party. He represents the seat of Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston. In March 2015, Nicholas switched his support to the government of Henry Puna in exchange for a cabinet post as Minister of Internal Affairs, Youth and Sport, the Ombudsman, and the Punanga Nui market.[2][3] He was subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party.[4] In 2016, he was part of the Cook Islands' delegation to the second Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Wellington, New Zealand.[5] In April 2017 he resigned from parliament in order to end speculation over his defection from the Democrats.[6] He was re-elected in the resulting 2017 Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston by-election.[7] He was re-elected at the 2018 election.[8] On 21 September 2018 Nicholas was sacked from cabinet without explanation while overseas for health reasons. He was replaced by Vaine Mokoroa.[9] In January 2019, Nicholas was charged in New Zealand with "unlawfully taking a motor vehicle", a rental car. He entered a plea of not guilty the following month, and was released on bail, returning to the Cook Islands.[10] He failed to appear at a second hearing at Manukau District Court on 26 March, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued. He was nonetheless sworn back into parliament on 9 April.[11] As of June 2019, the arrest warrant remains active, and Nicholas will be arrested if he returns to New Zealand.[12] In February 2020 Nicholas was seriously injured in a car accident.[13] In March 2020 Nicholas admitted that he had pledged his support to the government of Henry Puna in exchange for a bridge being built in his electorate.[14] Following the election of Mark Brown as Prime Minister he was appointed Associate Minister for the Cook Islands Investment Corporation.[15] He was re-elected at the 2022 Cook Islands general election.[16] In December 2022 he was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Infrastructure, and National Environmental Services.[17] In February 2024 following the conviction of Robert Tapaitau for fraud he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.[18] References
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