Teina Bishop
Teina Bishop (born 11 April 1959) is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He represents the constituency of Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu.
Bishop was born in Aitutaki and was educated at Araura Primary school, Aitutaki Junior High School, and the University of the South Pacific before working as a teacher. He was first elected to Parliament in the 1999 election.
In 2003 he resigned from parliament over budget cuts to his constituency,[1] precipitating a by-election in which he was returned unopposed.[2]
Bishop was elected Deputy Speaker in 2004 and held the position until 2005. He served briefly as Minister for the Environment and Outer Islands in 2006.
Cabinet
Bishop was again appointed to Cabinet in December 2010, after the Cook Islands party won the 2010 election.[3] He currently holds the portfolios of education, marine resources, and tourism.[4]
In August 2013 Bishop stood down from Cabinet following allegations of corruption and fraud in his handling of the marine resources portfolio.[5] He was reinstated to the Education and Tourism portfolios in January 2014.[6]
Bishop resigned again in April 2014, the day after the 2014 election was called.[7] He subsequently established the One Cook Islands Movement to contest the elections,[8] and was re-elected.
On 21 July 2016 Bishop was found guilty of corruption over his granting of fisheries licences while a Minister.[9][10] He was removed from his seat, sparing the 2016 Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara by-election.[11]
References
- ^ "Cooks MP delivers resignation to speaker's office". Radio New Zealand International. 2003-08-18. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
- ^ "Teina Bishop returns to Cook Islands Parliament unopposed". Radio New Zealand International. 2003-11-05. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
- ^ "Cooks PM announces cabinet line up". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
- ^ "Cook Islands cabinet named". www.radioaustralianews.net.au. Radio Australia News. December 6, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
Education, marine resources and tourism have gone to Teina Bishop
- ^ Barbara Dreaver (2013-08-05). "Cook Islands Govt Minister under police investigation". One News. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
- ^ Emmanuel Samoglou (2014-01-16). "Bishop back in cabinet fold". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
- ^ "Cooks minister Bishop resigns". Radio New Zealand International. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2014-04-20.
- ^ "New group emerges to contest Cooks election". Radio New Zealand International. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
- ^ "Cooks MP Teina Bishop found guilty of corruption". RNZ International. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ Losirene Lacanivalu (21 July 2016). "Teina Bishop found guilty!". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ "Cook Islands by-election date set". RNZ International. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
External links
- Profile at Cook Islands Parliament