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by | Mar 16, 2018 | Hosta

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Papa Raui Pokoati (1911 – 25 March 1981) was a Cook Islands politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly for his home island of Mitiaro between 1965 and 1978.

Biography

Pokoati was born on Mitiaro in 1911,[1] the son of one of the island's three Ariki.[2] He attended the local London Missionary Society school and went on to become a poultry farmer, planter and a pastor for the Cook Islands Christian Church. He was employed by the Department of Agriculture.[1][2]

In 1964 Pokoati was a founder member of the Cook Islands Party (CIP) and part of its central committee.[2] Although he had lived on Rarotonga for several years,[2] he was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Mitiaro in 1965, defeating his cousin Titi Tetava Ariki.[2] In mid-1966 he was appointed Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development.[2] He was re-elected unopposed in 1968 and 1972.

Pokoati was re-elected again in 1974, but prior to the 1978 elections he left the CIP,[3] establishing the Unity Party.[4] He lost the election to David Tetava of the CIP. When Tetava's victory was annulled, Titi Tetava Ariki was elected.[1]

In 1977, Pokoati was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.[5]

He died in March 1981 in Rarotonga hospital at the age of 69, survived by his wife and nine children.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Papa Raui Pokoati Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1971, p98
  2. ^ a b c d e f David J. Stone Self rule in the Cook Islands: The government and politics of a new micro-state
  3. ^ Cook Islands' election stakes Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1978, p32
  4. ^ Michael T. Tavoni (1979). "The Unity Movement". In Davis, Thomas R. A. H.; Crocombe, R. G. (eds.). Cook Islands Politics: The Inside Story. Auckland: Polynesian Press. pp. 76–84. ISBN 0-908597-002.
  5. ^ Taylor, Alister; Coddington, Deborah (1994). "Recipients of the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: nominal roll of New Zealand recipients including Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau". Honoured by the Queen – New Zealand. Auckland: New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa. p. 432. ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
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