Tekaotiki Matapo

Tekaotiki Matapo on 3 November 2011

Tekaotiki Matapo OBE (born 16 April 1944)[1] is a Cook Islands former politician, Cabinet Minister, and diplomat. He is currently president of the Cook Islands Party.

Early career

Matapo was born in Rarotonga and educated at Titikaveka School, Avarua primary School, and Tereora College.[1] He joined the Cook Islands Police Service in 1962, later rising to the rank of inspector.[1] He also served as a national representative in athletics, captain of the Cook Islands national rugby union team,[2] and as president of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee.[3]

Politics career

Matapo was first elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands in the 1989 Cook Islands general election.[1] He was Minister of Justice of the Cook Islands from 1989 to 1999,[4][5][6] (1989-1999) serving in the cabinets of Tom Davis and Pupuke Robati.

From 2011 to December 2015[7] served as High Commissioner of the Cook Islands to New Zealand, being replaced by Teremoana Yala.[8]

In August 2018 he was appointed president of the Cook Islands Party.[3]

Matapo was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 Birthday Honours.[9][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Four recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours List". Cook Islands News. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Cook Islands Rugby Union honours legends". Cook Islands News. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Rashneel Kumar (15 August 2018). "Matapo new CIP president, Puna still leader". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1989:Nov.-Dec." HathiTrust. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1990". HathiTrust. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  6. ^ Copley, Gregory R. (1999). Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook. Perth Corporation.
  7. ^ "Two tipped for High Comm". Cook Islands News. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  8. ^ "New High Commissioner". Cook Islands News. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  9. ^ "No. 63715". The London Gazette. 2 June 2022. p. B42.


Stub icon

This article about a Cook Islands politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.