Tom Davis (politician)
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| Sir Tom Davis | |
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| In office July 25, 1978 – April 13, 1983 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Albert Henry |
| Succeeded by | Geoffrey Henry |
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| In office November 16, 1983 – July 29, 1987 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Henry |
| Succeeded by | Pupuke Robati |
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| Born | June 11, 1917 Rarotonga, Cook Islands |
| Died | July 23, 2007 (aged 90) Rarotonga, Cook Islands |
| Birth name | Thomas Robert Alexander Harries Davis |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Pa Terito Ariki |
| Occupation | Physiologist, politician |
| Religion | Bahá'í |
Sir Thomas "Tom" Robert Alexander Harries Davis KBE (June 11, 1917 – July 23, 2007[1]) was a Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and a medical researcher.
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[edit] Early life and education
Davis was born on the island of Rarotonga, his full name being Thomas Robert Alexander Harries Davis. He was the first Cook Islands medical graduate in New Zealand, finishing his studies at Otago in 1945. He then served as Medical Officer in the Cook Islands working to improve the country's health system.
In 1952, he went to Harvard University, initially completing a Master of Public Health, before joining their Department of Nutrition. Subsequently, he worked for various parts of the armed forces as a research physiologist, before joining NASA to work on the space program.
[edit] Political career
Sir Tom was a founder of the Cook Islands Democratic Party in 1971, and became opposition leader in 1972, going on to serve as Prime Minister from July 25, 1978 until April 13, 1983, and following the short first tenure of Geoffrey Henry, again from November 16, 1983 until July 29, 1987, when he left office while the Democratic Party was still in power.
On 3 Aug 1986[2] Davis became the first head of government to formally consult with the Universal House of Justice.[3]
He later went on to serve as High Commissioner to New Zealand.
[edit] Personal life
Davis married Pa Terito Ariki, who had become a Bahá'í in the 1950s; sometime after 1986, Davis joined the Bahá'í Faith.[3]
[edit] Honours
Davis was knighted in 1981. The University of Otago awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2005.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Sir Tom Davis dies aged 90". July 24, 2007. http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/1252511. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
- ^ Thomas Pawlowski, J. (1996-11-25). "A Brief History of the Baha'i Faith". Unpublished academic articles and papers. Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Boise. http://bahai-library.com/unpubl.articles/history.html. Retrieved 3008-06-15.
- ^ a b Hassall, Graham (1996). "Baha'i Faith in the Asia Pacific - Issues and Prospects" ([dead link] – Scholar search). Bahá'í Studies Review (Association for Baha'i Studies (English-Speaking Europe)) Volume 6. http://www.breacais.demon.co.uk/abs/bsr06/61_hassall_pacific.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
- ^ Honorary doctorate for former Cook Islands PM, University of Otago Bulletin, Issue 10, (20 May 2005)
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