The new-look Cook Islands' cabinet

The following are portfolio allocations for the Cook Islands as at December 1 last year: Dr. Terepai Maote is the Prime Minister and Head of State. In addition he holds the portfolio of Minister of Finance with responsibility for various public sector organisations and committees.

These include the Public Expenditure Review Committee and Audit (PERCA); the Office of the Offshore Financial Services (OOFS); the Cook Islands Development Bank (CIDB); Cook Islands Savings Bank (CISB); Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC); Cook Islands Government Property Corporation (CIGPC); National Research and Development Institute; and the National

Development Council (NDC). • Norman George has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and holds various portfolios. He is Minister of Health; Police; National Disaster Management and the Attorney General. • Under his portfolio allocation are Crown Law; Broadcasting and Communication; Telecom; Environment Services; the Cook Islands Natural Heritage Project; Telecom Cook Islands and Information Division; and the Customs Border Enforcement Unit. • Dr. Robert Woonton is the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration. He also holds the portfolios of Marine Resources; Agriculture; Tourism; Development Investment Board (DIB); Transport;

Airport Authority; Ports Authority; and the House of Ariki/Parliament Services. • Tangata Vavia is the Minister of Justice. He also has other responsibilities including the Ministry of Outer Island Development (MOID); Aponga Uira; and Ombudsman. • Jim Marurai is minister of the Public Service Commission; Education; and Cultural Development. • Ngamau Munokoa, who is the second female cabinet minister since 1965, is minister of Works, Energy and Physical Planning (MOWEPP); Water Supply; Survey; Building Control; Civil Engineering; Punanga Nui; Energy; Internal Affairs; Religious Advisory Council; and Women, Youth and Sports. ■