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.
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Tekaotiki_Matapo_3_Nov_2011.jpg/220px-Tekaotiki_Matapo_3_Nov_2011.jpg)
Early career
editMatapo 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 and rugby and as president of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee.[2]
Politics career
editMatapo 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,[3][4][5] (1989-1999) serving in the cabinets of Tom Davis and Pupuke Robati.
From 2011 to December 2015[6] served as High Commissioner of the Cook Islands to New Zealand, being replaced by Teremoana Yala.[7]
In August 2018 he was appointed president of the Cook Islands Party.[2]
Matapo was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2022 Birthday Honours.[8][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Four recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours List". Cook Islands News. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
- ^ a b Rashneel Kumar (15 August 2018). "Matapo new CIP president, Puna still leader". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ "Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1989:Nov.-Dec." HathiTrust. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1990". HathiTrust. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Copley, Gregory R. (1999). Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook. Perth Corporation.
- ^ "Two tipped for High Comm". Cook Islands News. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ "New High Commissioner". Cook Islands News. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ "No. 63715". The London Gazette. 2 June 2022. p. B42.