The Cook Islands Who's Who

This list has been compiled by and is the copyright of John Walters, Owner of the Cook Islands website. Queries to: Webmaster

Crocombe, Professor Ron
Education: BA, PhD.
Professional: Cook Islands Government 1951-55. Department of Island Territories, NZ, 1956-57. Resident Agent, Atiu, Cook Islands, 1957-58. Australian National University, 1958 61. Director, New Guinea Research Unit, 1962-69. Professor of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific 1969-88. Professor Emeritus, University of the South Pacific since 1988.
Associations: Pacific History Association, past-president. South Pacific Social Sciences Association, past-president.
Interests: Pacific region: Social, cultural, economic, political and international affairs; future studies.
Died: Auckland, New Zealand, June 18 2009.

Davis, Sir Thomas, MD KBE (Robert Alexander Harries)
Title: Pa Tuterangi Ariki
Born: Ruatonga, Rarotonga, June 11 1917.
Education: Avarua Primary School, Rarotonga. King's College, Auckland, NZ. Otago University Medical School, MBChB 1945. Sydney University School of Tropical Medicine, DTMH&H 1950. Harvard School Of Public Health, Master of Public Health 1952. Space Surgeon, NASA. Honorary Doctorate of Laws, Otago University 2005.
Died: Rarotonga, July 23 2007.
Professional: Prime Minister of Cook Islands 1978-87. CI Medical Service 1945-48. Chief Medical Officer, CI Medical Service 1948-52. Resident staff, Dept of Nutrition, Harvard School Of Public Health 1952-53. Chief of Dept of Environmental Medicine, Arctic Aero-medical Laboratory, Fairbanks, Alaska 1955-56. Resident Physician and Director, Division of Environmental Medicine, Fort Knox, Kentucky, 1956-61. Director of Research, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick 1961-63. Resident Executive, Arthur D. Little Inc, 1963-71. Worked on biological aspects of US Space Program from 1957-71. Composed Cook Islands National Anthem.
Associations: Founder of CI Democratic Party 1971. Member of Royal Society of Medicine 1960, President of Medical and Dental Association, CI. President, Library and Museum Society 1991-92. President CI Voyaging Society 1992 –. President CI Yachting Federation 1995 –. President, Pacific Island Voyaging Society (Int) 1995 –. Awarded Silver Jubilee Medal 1977, Order of Merit Federal Republic of Germany 1978, Papua New Guinea Independence Medal 1985. Knighted (KBE) 1980. Cook Islands Man of the Year 1996. Sportsman Achiever of the Year in Yachting 1998. Pacific Islander of the Century, Achievers Magazine, NZ, 1999. Past president and Patron Avatiu Sports Club. Past Patron Cook Islands' Fishing Club.
Interests: Polynesian voyaging canoes, deep sea fishing, yacht racing, agriculture, amateur radio.
Marital: Lydia Henderson 1940 (Three sons). Pa Tepaeru Ariki 1979 (deceased). Carla Cassata 2000.
Children: John, born 1942 (deceased), Tim, born 1947, Teremoana born 1954 (deceased).

Henry, Sir Geoffrey, KBE (Arama)
Born: Aitutaki, November 16 1940.
Died: Rarotonga, May 9 2012.
Education: Wanganui Collegiate, Wanganui, NZ, Victoria University, Wellington, NZ, BA.
Professional: Prime Minister of Cook Islands 1989-99. School teacher, Cook Islands 1965-67. Public service, Cook Islands 1970-72. Cabinet Minister 1972-28. Leader of Opposition 1978-89. Deputy Prime Minister 2002.
Associations: Chancellor, University of South Pacific, 1992. Awarded Silver Jubilee Medal 1977, NZ Commemorative Medal 1990.–
Interests: Golf, rugby, reading, music.
Marital: Louisa Olga Hoff 1965.
Children: Four sons (one deceased), two daughters.
Address: PO Box 281, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Jonassen, Dr Jon Tikivanotau Michael, MBE
Born: Rarotonga, July 24 1949.
Education: BSc(Hons) Business Management, BA(Hons) History/Government, MA Pacific Islands Studies, PhD Political Science
Professional: Cook Islands cultural specialist/drummer/composer. Secretary of Foreign Affairs 1983-86. Director of Programs, South Pacific Commission 1987-90. Secretary of Cultural Development, Cook Islands 1991-93. Professor of Political Science, Brigham Young University, Hawaii (BYUH)1993-2012. Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea 1997-1999. Director of Pacific Islands Studies, Brigham Young University, Hawaii 1999 –
Associations: East West Center Alumni Board. Brigham Young University Alumni Board. Fellow of Institute of Polynesian Studies, Brigham Young University. SACEM and SPACEM, Copyright Associations, Tahiti. Pacific Research Group, Bergen University, Norway. Cairns Institute, Australia. Cook Islands Music Association. Awards: MBE for Culture, Music and Public Community Services to Cook Islands 2014, Hall of Fame Tangi Reka Inaugural Cook Islands Music Awards in Auckland NZ 2014, Service Award by France 1989 for work in Pacific, United Nations ESCAP Fellowship 1983, East West Center Study Award 1981, Pomare Medal Cook Islands 1962.
Interests: Martial arts: Karate, Shitoryu, Kei Shin Kan, and Shindokai. Poetry, Pacific Islands Studies, Asia Pacific and American Politics, writing/researching legends, music, composing Pacific music, audio recordings and productions.
Marital: Diya Moana Nicholas-Taripo.
Children: Daughters: Melina Liana , Olivia Lani Moana, Melody Tiavaru Tutuariki. Son: Tamatoa Tiamana Rangimotia.
Address: Dr Jon T.M. Jonassen, Professor Emeritus, PO Box 832, Post Office, Post Office, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Email:jonassej@byuh.edu or drjonjonassen@gmail.com

Mitchell, Michael C.
Born: Gisborne, New Zealand, November 2 1944.
Education: Hutt Valley High School 1958-1962, Victoria University, Wellington 1963-1969.
Professional: Meredith Connell, solicitors, Auckland, New Zealand, 1972-1979. Solicitor General, Cook Islands, 1979-1987. Private law practice, Rarotonga, 1987 –
Associations: Chairman, Public Expenditure Review Committee, 1997. British Honorary Consul and Chairman of Telecom Cook Islands. –
Interests: Sailing
Marital: Widower
Children: Joshua, Nicholas
Address: PO Box 208, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Email: invest@trustnet.co.ck

Numanga, Jake
Born: Mangaia, January 31 1940.
Professional: Rescue fire officer, planter, pig farmer, poultry farmer, musician
Associations: Rugby
Interests: Music
Marital: September 20 1962, Kate Williams
Children: Jake Jnr, Harry, Tauariki, Kathleen, Peter, William, Rosina
Address: PO Box 1003, Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Ariki, Pa Upokotini Ariki (Marie)
Title: Queen, Takitumu District, Rarotonga
Traditional Title: President, House of Ariki, Cook Islands
Born: Rarotonga, September 1947.
Education: Ngatangiia School, Tereora College, Rarotonga. Newton Central, Auckland, NZ.
Professional: PO clerk, National Bank, Westpac Bank, Tipani Tours.
Associations: Patron, CIANGO, Patron Cook Islands Netball Association, Member National Council of Women.
Interests: Golf, netball, gardening, history, people.
Children: Noeline Teaurima, Princess Salamasina, Prince Samuela, Napa.
Address: PO Box 13, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Email: paariki@oyster.net.ck

Short, Sir Apenera, K.B.E.
Traditional Title: Takau Rangatira
Born: February 4 1916
Died: Rarotonga, June 15 2011.
Education: Rarotonga, Loughborough Co-operative College, England, 1960-1961.
Professional: Teacher, Ngatangiia, 1937-1951. Teacher, Tereora College, 1951-1956. Department of Co-operation, 1956-1965. Minister of the Crown and Deputy Premier, 1965-1978. Queen's Representative.
Associations: Member of Cook Islands Teachers' Guild, 1940-1956. Member of the Cook Islands Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society Ltd, 1956-1968. Member of Koutu Nui, 1970-1999. Member of the Cook Islands Party, 1965-1990.
Interests: Cricket, rugby football, trumpet, piano and other musical instruments. Boxing, coaching, 1945-1950. Singing, member of Ngatangiia Choir, 1930-1999.
Marital: Maui Timata i te Rui Cowan, 1939.
Children: Tupe Takau, Taumaa and Tura (twins), Akaiti, Ngatararau and Kura (twins), Temaru, Ngamata, Anna, Moetarauri, Tuaeu, Matanoanoa, Taipaku, Tamatoa.
Address: PO Box 166, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Uea, William
Title: Patron, Atiu Sports Association
Traditional Title: Speaker, Areora Village, Atiu
Born: Tengatangi Village, Atiu, June 27 1934
Education: Atiu Primary
Professional: Agricultural Dept, 1950-1961, Police Dept 1962-1996.
Associations:Deacon, Cook Islands Christian Church. Sunday School teacher Youth Section, Assistant Treasurer CICC, Atiu. Captain, Atiu Rugby Team 1962-1969. Boys Brigade officer. Chairman, Atiu College for six years.
Interests: Rugby, tennis and pei-pua discus throwing.
Marital: Siseta Toa Manutai Nio, May 8 1958.
Children: (11) - Ringi, Ngaau, Metuamanu, William, Tamataia, Teraivaea, Tangatatapuni, Ngamatapo, Vaineteremoana, Teuira and Doreen.
Address: Areora, Atiu, Cook Islands

Upoko, Tangianau, B.E.M.
Title: Kavana
Traditional Title: Pava (High Chief), Veitatei District
Born: Mangaia, October 10 1926
Education: Mangaia Primary, Woodsman Training School
Professional: Agricultural Dept, 1956-1996.
Associations:Deacon, Cook Islands Christian Church, 1958-1999. Kairanga Nuku (Sub Chief) 1950-2000. Pava (High Chief) 1980-2000.
Interests: Helping Mangaian people to protect their land in the courts.
Marital: Tuaere Utikere.
Children: Tari, Paia, Christmas, Otheniel, Tuaere, Tuaine.
Address: Kaumata, Mangaia, Cook Islands