Promoting Fairness to all

Ombudsman Cook Islands

Our Core Legislative Functions

Since its establishment the Office was solely responsible for investigating complaints against Government Ministries and Crown Agencies under the Ombudsman Act 1984. In February 2008, this increased to include the Official Information Act 2008. This gave the Ombudsman the mandate to investigate and review complaints about decisions made by Ministries, Ministers of the Crown and Crown Agencies on requests for official information held by the Cook Islands Government.

The Disability Act 2008 gave the Ombudsman the role of investigating complaints where people living with a disability or their agent, feel that they have been discriminated against on the basis of their disability.

In 2012, the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman was further increased to include the Police Act 2012. This empowered the Ombudsman to investigate complaints in terms of the conduct of police officers, issues relating to policies and procedures. The role of the Ombudsman is the equivalent of the role of the New Zealand Independent Police Conduct Authority.

Ombudsman Nooapii Tearea

Nooapii Tearea was born in Atiu and hails from the Paruarangi Tribe and Ngamaru Ariki of Nga-Pu-Toru. He is affectionately known to many as Nono.

Nono is married to Blue Matara Paora Tekii (11/10/1978) and have five girls and a boy, with ten grandchildren. Nono has one step daughter and a feeding daughter.

Nono was appointed Deacon of the Nikao Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) in 2002 and currently holds the position of the Chairperson for the Tapere Pokoinu, Nikao Delegate to the Rarotonga CICC Konitara Ekalesia, Nikao Delegate to the CICC General Assembly, Secretary of the CICC Review Committee.

Nono also holds the position of Chairperson to the Atiu Nikao Community, Chairperson to the Pokoinu Neighbourhood Watch.