Passing of a true public servant
Sir Terepai Maoate KBE, who unselfishly devoted his working life to public service, passed away at his home in Turangi late Sunday afternoon, 8 July 2012 with his family at his side.
Sir Terepai will be remembered by his parliamentary colleagues and media representatives as a man passionate about politics and the Democratic Party. He gave total commitment and loyalty and demanded the same from others.
It is very rare these days for a politician to commit 100 per cent of his time and effort to public service. Many politicians today have secondary employment activities. Therefore in Sir Terepai’s passing, we see the closing of an era when politicians were politicians and nothing else.
Sir Terepai Maoate KBE
Prime Minister of the Cook Islands 18 November 1999 to 11 February 2002
Born: Rarotonga, 1 September 1934
Passed away: Sunday 8 July 2012, at his home, after a long illness (prostate cancer) age 77 years
Educated: Ngatangiia Primary School, Fiji School of Medicine, University of Auckland
Occupations: Medical Doctor, 1976- Director of Clinical Services for Ministry of Health
Political career:
Member of Parliament for Ngatangiia, for the Democratic Party, from March 1983 to September 2010,
Minister of Health and Agriculture in the Democratic Cabinet of Tom Davis,
1985-1989 Deputy Prime Minister, 1998 became Leader of the Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition,
18 November 1999 -11 February 2002 was Prime Minister after hung parliament and several coalitions then eventually ousted by former DPM Dr Robert Woonton,
2002 became Leader of the Opposition
Early in 2003 appointed DPM replacing Sir Geoffrey Henry
November 2003 resigned and tabled motion of no confidence in government
Continued infighting saw Maoate fail to become PM after 2004 elections
2005 coalition saw Maoate reappointed as DPM.
2007 he was Knighted for services to parliament
July 2009 he was given additional position of Foreign Minister
December 2009 he was replaced by Robert Wigmore as DPM setting off a mass resignation of Cabinet members.
June 2010 he was replaced as Party Leader by Robert Wigmore
September 2010 he failed to be re-selected to represent Ngatangiia losing in a run off to Mann Short and decided to run as an independent ( although retaining his Democratic Party membership) but was not successful.
Portfolios held included:
Health, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Ombudsman, Attorney General, Broadcasting, PERC and Audit, DIB, Commerce, National Super Fund, Parliamentary Services.
Community activities
Founder and first Chairman of the Cook Islands Prostate Foundation
Holder of Maoate Mataiapo title
Speaker for Pa Ariki and Poara for Takitumu
Senior Deacon in CICC church at Turangi
Past President Cook Islands Golden Oldies-at age of 75 still playing rugby
Patron for all sport in Ngatangiia
Played tennis, cricket, athletics(sprinter), encouraged athletics in Aitutaki
Planter and fisherman -Charles Pitt

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