Ngamau Munokoa
Encyclopedia
Ngamau Mere Munokoa OBE
(born 13 August 1944), 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. She is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party
.
Munokoa was born in Rarotonga
and attended Arorangi, Avarua and Nikao Primary schools and Tereora College. She had a career as a businesswoman before being elected to Parliament
as MP for Nikao-Panama in a by-election in 1996. From 1999 to 2002 she served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Works in the Cabinet of Sir Terepai Maoate
. She later served in the Cabinet of Robert Woonton
, and in 2003 was appointed Deputy Prime Minister
, becoming the first Cook Islands woman to hold the position. She later resigned from Woonton's Cabinet following his decision to form a coalition with the rival Cook Islands Party
, but was reappointed in 2005 by Jim Marurai
. She continued to serve in Cabinet, holding various portfolios, until December 2009, when she resigned over the sacking of Democratic Party leader Terepai Maoate
. She was re-elected at the 2010 election
.
Munokoa was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 13 August 1944), also known as "Aunty Mau", is a Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
politician and former Cabinet Minister
Cook Islands Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Cook Islands is the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch of the Cook Islands Government. It consists of the Prime Minister and a number of other Ministers, who are collectively responsible to Parliament....
. She was the third woman elected to the Cook Islands Parliament and the first to hold the post of Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister. She is a member of 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:...
.
Munokoa was born in Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
and attended Arorangi, Avarua and Nikao Primary schools and Tereora College. She had a career as a businesswoman before being elected to Parliament
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....
as MP for Nikao-Panama in a by-election in 1996. From 1999 to 2002 she served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Works in the Cabinet of Sir 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...
. She later served in the Cabinet of Robert Woonton
Robert Woonton
Dr Robert Woonton was the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 11 February 2002 until 11 December 2004, and is a member of the centrist Democratic Party. A medical doctor by training, he became a Member of Parliament for the island of Manihiki...
, and in 2003 was appointed Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands is the second most senior officer in the government of the Cook Islands. From 1965 to 1981, the position was called the Deputy Premier. When the office of Premier was renamed to Prime Minister in 1981, the Deputy Premier became the Deputy Prime...
, becoming the first Cook Islands woman to hold the position. She later resigned from Woonton's Cabinet following his decision to form a coalition with the rival Cook Islands Party
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....
, but was reappointed in 2005 by 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:...
. She continued to serve in Cabinet, holding various portfolios, until December 2009, when she resigned over the sacking of Democratic Party leader 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...
. She was re-elected at 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...
.
Munokoa was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.
External links
- Profile at Cook Islands Parliament.