Mrs Tutonga Puapii Niki Rattle

Hon. Rattle was appointedSpeaker and CPA Branch President in 2012; and reappointed in 2014. She is anextremely active parliamentarian, including as CPA Pacific RegionRepresentative since 2014-2018 and highly regarded internationally for herskills of conciliation, organization and advocacy. Confronted with complexprocedural issues, she has pushed for enhanced legislative and financialscrutiny and development of the Parliament.

Currently the President of theParliament of the Cook Islands Branch of the CPA and has Hosted and Chairedthree CPA Regional Australia, New Zealand Pacific Conferences in 2012, 2016 and2018. As the first Pacific Chairperson of the International Conference of theRed Cross Red Crescent, due to her natural authority, she was able to navigateideological and political divides. She was an eminent member of the ElectionCommittee of the International Federation Red Cross Red Crescent, known for hercontribution to rules of procedures and ethics.

A New Zealand registered nurse, Rattle remains anadvocate for women and girls and increasing their representation in Parliament.Her passion for community-voluntary work, prevention of violence, health anddisaster-risk reduction, has enriched her role as speaker. Former Chairpersonof Cook Islands National Council of Women, Former Chairperson of Cook Islands Women’s Counseling Centre, CurrentCook Islands Nursing Council Member, Current T Vaerua Community RehabilitationCentre Board Member, Current Vice-President of Cook Islands FamilyWelfare/affiliate member of International Planned Parenthood Federation. Formedthe Cook Islands Women Parliamentarians Caucus that is to be revived in thenear future for the 49th Session.

Speaker Rattle had the honour of being theHead of Delegation of the Government Team to report to the Convention ofElimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee inJuly 2018 in Geneva.