Rattle new Speaker
The Prime Minister, Hon Henry Puna today announced the pending appointment of Mrs Nikki Rattle as the next Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament. This appointment is necessary due to the sad passing away of the late speaker, Sir Geoffrey Henry.
The Prime Minister said that Mrs Rattle is a Cook Islander whose contribution to our society has been nothing short of outstanding and therefore has the capabilities and the qualities to fill the role of Speaker “indeed I have no doubt that Nikki Rattle will bring strong qualities to the work of Parliament in the years ahead”.
Mrs Rattle has served as the Secretary General of the Cook Islands Red Cross Society for many years. Under her leadership, the Society has grown from strength to strength and has become one of the leading non government organisations in the Cook Islands. According to the Prime Minister, “she is widely respected in the International Red Cross community as reflected last November in her election as Chair of the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross held in Geneva”. “I was privileged to have been invited by the Swiss Government to witness this historic occasion as I watched Nikki accept her election with dignity and proceeded to discharge her responsibilities with confidence and Cook Islands flair”.
The Prime Minister also said Mrs Rattle’s appointment is appropriate recognition of the strong role that women play in our community.
Mrs Rattle’s confirmation as the next Speaker of Parliament will be the first order of business at the next sitting of Parliament.

Herald Issue 608 21 March
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