Sir Geoffrey Henry KBE A life of achievements
THE HON. SIR GEOFFREY HENRY, KBE

HISTORY
Geoffrey Arama Henry was born on November 16, 1940 on Aitutaki, the 14th of the 16 children of Arama and Mata Uritaua Henry. In June 1965, he married Louisa Olga Hoff of the Ngati Uritaua and Ngati Marama family. They had six children, four boys, two girls, (one son died) and have five grandchildren and live in Takuvaine, Rarotonga.
Walter Tetaura-born 19 July 1966, Ewen Tapukura 10 August 1967, Alexander Tama 22 June 1970, Marise Olga 5 March 1973, Geoffrey Marouna (1974-1995) and Heiderose Matangaro 5 March 1976.
EDUCATION
1946 Araura Primary School, Aitutaki 1953 Post Primary School, Rarotonga
1954 St. George’s Preparatory School, Wanganui, New Zealand 1955 Wanganui Collegiate School
Class Top Prize for English 1956-58 New Zealand School Certificate
University Entrance (Accredited)
1959 Attended Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
Bachelor of Arts, double-majoring in English and Education
1968 Victoria University, B.A.LLB course
CAREER
Taught at Aitutaki Junior High School in 1965 and at Avarua Primary School in 1966 and 1967. During 1970/71 was the Research Officer of the Premier’s Department, Planning Officer, External Affairs Officer and, at times, Acting Secretary of the Premier’s Department. From 1971 on, acted as an agent for landowners in several -cases and as a counsel in other courts. Was a Member of the Judicial Services Commission. Was a Law Clerk from 1980-82.
POLITICAL CAREER
The Honourable Sir Geoffrey Henry was elected to the first Cook Islands Legislative Assembly as an Independent member for Aitutaki 1965-68, and was the youngest member in the House. He returned to politics in 1972 and was re-elected as a Cook Islands Party member for Aitutaki until 1983. At the 1983 general elections, Sir Geoffrey stood for and was elected as the Cook Islands Party member for Takuvaine- Tutakimoa in Rarotonga. He was a Cabinet Minister from 1972 to 1978. Sir Geoffrey was Leader of the Opposition from the middle of 1978 until the March elections of 1983 when he became the Prime Minister on April 12, resigned on August 2, was sworn in as Prime Minister of a Caretaker Government on August 19, 1983. He became Leader of the Opposition on November 14,1983. Sir Geoffrey was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister on August 6, 1984 in the Cook Islands Coalition Government. He resigned from this post on August 14, 1985 and became Leader of the Opposition as of the same date until the general elections of January 19, 1989 after which he was sworn in as Prime Minister on February 1, 1989 and served in that capacity until 29 July 1999. He became Leader of the Opposition again on November 17, 1999 and Deputy Prime Minister on February 2002 in a Coalition lead Government and became Leader of the Opposition again on January 27, 2003. During the September 2004 general elections, he was again voted in his constituency as the Member of Parliament and was elected Deputy Prime Minister in a Partnership Government (Demo Tumu Party).
Sir Geoffrey became the Leader of the Cook Islands Party on January 4, 1981. He has been unanimously re-elected every year as Leader of the Cook Islands Party since 1983.
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
1972-78
Minister of Finance, Postmaster General, Minister of Education, Associate Minister of
External Affairs, Associate Minister of Police, Minister of Planning and Statistics and other responsibilities such as Housing, National Development Corporation, Hurricane Safety, National Planning Board, Price Tribunal and Metrication.
1983
Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Justice and Survey, Minister of Police, Minister of Immigration, Minister of External Affairs, Minister Responsible for: Parliamentary Services; Conservation; Ombudsman; Monetary Board; and Cook Islands Broadcasting and Newspaper Corporation.
1984-85
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Arts and Culture, Minister of Education, Minister of Works, Minister Responsible for Survey, Associate Minister of Development Planning.
1989-1990
Prime Minister, Attorney General, Minister of Finance, Minister of Works, Minister of Police, Minister of Shipping, Minister of Cultural Development, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Minister of Customs, Minister Responsible for: the National Advisory Board; Monetary Board, General Licensing Authority, Legislative Services, Ombudsman, Cook Islands Development Bank, Head of State, Prime Minister’s Department, State Owned Enterprises.
1992-1993

Prime Minister, Attorney General, Minister of Finance, Minister of Police, Minister of Shipping, Minister of Cultural Development, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Minister of Customs, Minister Responsible for: the National Advisory Board; Monetary Board, Cook Islands Development Bank, Prime Minister’s Department and State Owned Enterprises.

1994
Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Minister of Finance, Minister of Police, Minister Responsible for: Prime Minister’s Department; National Advisory Board; Monetary Board; National Inter-action Development Authority and Public Expenditure Review Committee.
1994-96
Prime Minister, Minister of: Finance, Police, Minister Responsible for: the Prime Minister’s Office, National Advisory Board, Monetary Board, National Inter-Action Development Authority, Public Expenditure Review Committee.
1996-97
Prime Minister, Minister of: Finance and Economic Management, Police, Tourism and Transport, Minister Responsible for: State Owned Enterprises, Development Investment Board, Cook Islands Development Bank, Cook Islands Savings Bank, National Inter-Action Development Authority, Monetary Board.
1998-99
Prime Minister, Minister responsible for: Cook Islands Investment Corporation, National Development Council, Information Infrastructure, Environment.
2000
Leader of the Opposition
2002
Deputy Prime Minister
2003
Leader of the Opposition
2004- 2006
Deputy Prime Minister (16 December) and Minister of Finance and Economic Management (Financial Services Unit, Financial Intelligence Unit), PERC and Audit Office, Cook Islands Investment Corporation (Airport Authority, Ports Authority, Bank of the Cook Islands, Te Aponga Uira, Ministry of Energy, Development Investment Board, Small Business and Enterprise Centre, Commerce Commission, National Superannuation, Attorney General, Outer Islands Administration, Environment Services (Natural Heritage, Suwarrow Development)
2011-present day
Speaker of the House
After being away from Parliament for a number of years, he entered the house again in 2011 – this time as the Speaker of Parliament, a position he’s maintained up until now. Sir Geoffrey Henry was also appointed President of the CI Sports and National Olympic Committee after he retired from politics back in 2006, a position he greatly appreciated because of his passion for sports
HONOURS
1977 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
1990 New Zealand Commemoration Medal for promotion of ties between Cook Islands and New Zealand
1992 - Awarded Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE)
- Chambellan de L ‘Ordre Des Coteaux de Champagne Bailli d’Honneur, Chaine des Rotisseurs
- the Samoan High Chief title of Afionga Tui Saua
1993 Member of the Committee of Honour of the International Religious Liberty Association
1993/95 Chancellor, University of the South Pacific
1997 Order of Tahiti
2000 Doctor of the University of the South Pacific
2001 Diploma – International Olympic Committee
SPORTS
1954 First XV and XI St George’s Preparatory School, Senior Athletics Champion, Tennis Champion-singles and doubles
1955-56 Wanganui Collegiate Junior Tennis Champion- singles and doubles.
1957-58 First XV and XI Wanganui Collegiate, Senior Tennis Champion-singles and doubles.
1958 Wellington Provincial Rugby Representative
1960-64 Captained Victoria University Weir House Rugby Team-won competition successively 1962-64.
1964-66 Represented Takuvaine Rugby, Tennis and Cricket.
1967 Coached Avatiu “A” rugby team
1970 Secretary Rarotonga Rugby Union
1971 Secretary of Rugby Union and Tennis Association, Member of Rugby National Selection Panel
1975-82 Golf Club Senior Champion three times and finalist five times.
1975-77 Holder of Course Record
1976- 77 President of Golf Club
1979 South Pacific Games Representative in Golf (Fiji)
1979-81 Coached Avatiu “A” rugby team (two seasons of record successes)
1981,83-86 President Rarotonga Golf Club
1982-87 Coached Takuvaine “A” team (competition winners)
1984 Club Captain Takuvaine Sports and Cultural Association
1987 Coached Takuvaine 7-a-side Takuvaine Golden Oldies - cricket
1987 Manager, Takuvaine CATS Golf Team
1987-88 Takuvaine “B” tennis team
1991-95 Patron Cook Islands Rugby League (March 1991)
Patron Pacific Islands Rugby League Association (July 1991-1992)
1992-94/95 Patron Rarotonga Golf Club
1993 Patron Takuvaine Sports and Cultural Association
Patron Takuvaine Fishing Association
Patron Cook Islands Voyaging Society
HISTORY (GENERAL)
While studying in Wellington, Sir Geoffrey was at various times a consultant and an interpreter, a translator and a commentator for the National Film Unit on various documentaries on the Cook Islands. He frequently attended to the legal welfare and housing needs of Cook Islanders in Wellington. Translated information booklets and brochures issued by the then Department of Island Territories and private companies for Cook Islanders in both New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Participated in conjunction with the Islands Education Division in Wellington translating various educational journals and reading materials for school children in the Cook Islands. On being elected onto the International Affairs Committee of the University of Victoria, Sir Geoffrey Henry organised the first ever “Cook Islands Week” in Wellington with a view to creating in Wellington, at least, a greater understanding of the problems of the Cook Islands, in particular, and the Pacific as a whole.
Established the Wellington Branch of the Cook Islands Society Inc in 1964, a non- political organisation set up to help Cook Islanders help themselves. Was a Sunday School teacher and Secretary of the Pacific Islands Christian Church Bible Class in Newtown, Wellington between 1960 and 1964. A foundation member of the Rarotonga Lions Club.
During his career Sir Geoffrey had been involved in multifarious international activities. Highlights include the following:
1970- 72 He participated in the preparation of working papers used as a basis for the establishment of the South Pacific Forum in 1971. The South Pacific Forum is the premier political body in the South Pacific region.
1972 He was instrumental in gaining Associate Membership for the Cook Islands in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Far East (ESCAPE).
1973-74 He led initiatives to have ECAFE change its name to Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which is what it is now known, to more accurately reflect membership by Pacific Island States in the Commission.
1973-78 He expanded Cook Islands relations with international organisations and foreign governments other than New Zealand, thereby laying the foundation for the present invaluable aid programmes now operating in the country.
1974- 76 He played a leading role in urging the ADB to establish a regional office in the South Pacific to cater for the special needs of the Pacific Islands members of the Bank. The Office was established in 1984.
1976 He initiated the idea of creating a South Pacific Regional Development Bank, the idea having now given rise to the South Pacific Development Fund of the ADB.
1976-83 He played a leading role in moves within the South Pacific Commission to give the South Pacific Conference, consisting of representatives of all 27 governments and administrations in the Pacific, executive control over the Commission, rather than retaining that control in the hands of the founding metropolitan members of the SPC and those Pacific Island States which had subsequently become independent. Those moves were successful in 1983.
1989 - He assumed the position of Vice-President of the Cook Islands branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
- As Chairman of the South Pacific Conference, he co-ordinated regional efforts to appoint a new Secretary-General for the South Pacific Commission.
- He paid an official visit to Australia for discussions with the Australian Prime Minister and other senior members of his Government
- He represented the Cook Islands at the 20th South Pacific Forum, the annual meeting of Pacific Heads of Government, at which he was chosen by Pacific Leaders to be Press Spokesman for the meeting.
- He successfully led Cook Islands moves to gain membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- He paid an official visit to France, during which he held discussions with the French Prime Minister and other senior members of the French Government and concluded a loan agreement covering French Assistance to the Cook Islands energy sector.
1990 - He represented the Cook Islands at the National Prayer Breakfast held in Washington, DC, as guest of the US Congressional Prayer Breakfast Committee.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the 150th Waitangi Day Celebrations and paid an official visit to New Zealand for’ discussions with the New Zealand Prime Minister and other senior members of his Government and attended the gathering of Pacific Leaders in Wellington to meet with Her Majesty the Queen.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the Third Pacific Island Conference, held in Hawaii, where he was chosen as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the PICL for the period 1990-93.
- He led a Cook Islands official delegation to Italy, where he held discussions with Italian banking and other interests regarding development activities in the Cook Islands.
- He directed Cook Islands activities relating to the country’s first participation in United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Round-Table Meetings (RTMs) and led a senior delegation to possible donor countries in preparation for the Cook Islands RTM.
- He paid an official visit to the United States, during which he met with the President of the United States and other senior members of his Government.
- He led negotiations between the Cook Islands and France resulting in the conclusion of a maritime boundary agreement delimiting the boundary between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
- He led negotiations between the Cook Islands and the United States resulting in the conclusion of an agreement for the implementation of a major pearl development project in the Cook Islands.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the first United States-Pacific Islands summit held in Honolulu.
1991 - He represented the Cook Islands at the Silver Jubilee Celebrations commemorating the Coronation of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu as New Zealand Maori Queen.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the meetings of the Standing Committee of the Pacific Conference of Leaders, held in Hawaii, and at the South Pacific Forum, held in the Federated States of Micronesia.
- He was chosen by the Standing Committee of the PICL and by Forum Island Countries to co-ordinate efforts leading to the establishment of the Pacific Islands-United States Joint Commercial Commission.
- The Forum accepted his offer to host and organise the first ever Economic Summit of leaders from Small Pacific Islands States.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the 1991 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- He represented the Cook Islands at the 1991 General Conference of UNESCO.
1992/93 - He represented the Cook Islands at the annual meetings of the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors in 1992 Hong Kong and in 1993 Manila.
- He was the guest of the Indonesian Government on an official visit to that country.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Brazil in June, after which he was a guest of the Chilean Government on an official visit to Chile.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the South Pacific Forum meeting held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in July.
- He represented the Cook Islands at the US-sponsored Conference on Renewable Energy, Food Processing and Eco-tourism for the South Pacific, held in Hawaii in November.
- As Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, he attended December graduation ceremonies of the University at both Alafua and Suva campuses, awarding degrees and giving a convocation address on each occasion.
1993 - As Chairman of the Standing Committee of the PIDP, he attended the annual meeting of the Committee in Honolulu in January, following which he also chaired a meeting of United States and Pacific Islands Nations in Hawaii to discuss and finalise the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the United States-Pacific Islands Nations Joint Commercial Commission. As Prime Minister he signed the MOU on behalf of Government.
- In January, he represented Government at the third annual Meeting of the Smaller Island States Group of the Forum, held in Tuvalu.
- He represented the Cook Islands Government at the Fourth Pacific Islands Leaders Conference in Papeete in June. He was elected V ice-Chairman of the Standing Committee.
- On 3 August he signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on behalf of the Cook Islands with the Hon. Roger McClay, Associate Minister for Pacific Island Affairs signing for New Zealand. This was the culmination of negotiations led by Sir Geoffrey since 1989 giving the Cook Islands High Court some jurisdiction over members of visiting forces for offences - particularly when Cook Islands civilians are involved. It also embodied regard to local custom.
- In October he represented the Cook Islands at the First Meeting of the Pacific Island Nations - United States Joint Commercial Commission.
1994 - In February he was invited to attend the 41st Annual Meeting of the Western Regional Assembly College Board in Honolulu where on the 27th he gave the Keynote Address.
- On 3rd May he represented the Cook Islands at the 27th Board of Governors Meeting of the Asian Development Bank.
- In May he also represented the Cook Islands at the First - International Pearl Conference and Exposition in Honolulu from 15th to 19th where he delivered the Keynote address “Pearls 94”.
1995 - In February, he chaired the Twenty-second Meeting of the
Standing Committee of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, held at the East-West Center in Hawaii.
- In May, he represented Government at the 28th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank, which was held in Auckland, New Zealand.
- On 26 May he made his last formal address as Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific at the Graduation Ceremony.
- On 3 July 1995 he gave the Welcoming Address to the New Zealand Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons which convened in Rarotonga.
- In September, he represented Government at the 16th South Pacific Forum held in Madang, Papua New Guinea.
- In October, he represented Government at the 5th Smaller Island States Economic Summit meeting of Leaders held in Alofa, Niue.
- On 8 December he represented the Cook Islands Government at the 2nd Forum Ministers Meeting held in Papua New Guinea.
1996 - In February he represented the Cook Islands at the Annual Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders in Honolulu.
- In May he represented the Cook Islands as Governor at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Manila.
- In July he represented the Cook Islands at the Fifth PICL in Fiji.
- In August, he represented the Cook Islands at the Sixth Economic Summit of the Leaders of the Smaller Island States (SIS) of the Forum in Nauru.
- In September he represented the Cook Islands at the 27th South Pacific Forum in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.
1997 - In February, he represented the Cook Islands at the Annual Meeting of the Standing Committee of the PICL in Honolulu.
- In May he represented the Cook Islands as Governor at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the ADB in Fukuoka, Japan.
- In July, he represented the Cook Islands at the First Forum Economic Ministers Meeting in Cairns, Australia.
- Also in July he attended the ADB Consultative Group Meeting on the Cook Islands held at the Forum Secretariat in Fiji.
- In September he represented the Cook Islands and chaired the 7th Economic Summit of Leaders of the SIS in Rarotonga.
- He served as Chairman of the South Pacific Forum from September 1997-August 1998.
- In October he represented the Cook Islands and served as Co- Chairman of the First South Pacific Forum-Japan Summit in Tokyo.
- Also in October he undertook an official visit to Japan in his capacity as Chairman of the Forum. .
- In December he represented the Cook Islands at the Signing Ceremony for the Landmines Convention held in Ottawa, Canada and there signed the Convention on behalf of the Cook Islands.
- In December he paid an official visit to the United Nations in New York, met with the Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, signed the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty, and held discussions with Forum representatives at the UN in New York.
1998 - In February he represented the Cook Islands and served as Chairman of the Annual Meeting of the Standing Committee of the PICL in Honolulu.
- In May he represented the Cook Islands and the Forum as its Chairman at the official opening of the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea and at the formal signing of the Noumea Accord on the future of New Caledonia in New Caledonia.

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