{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2017}} The '''Cook Islands National Party''' was a political party in the Cook Islands. The party was launched on 24 March 2003 by Teariki Heather, a Rarotonga businessman.<ref name="jonassen2004">{{cite journal |last=Jonassen |first=Jon Tikivanotau M |title=Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events: Cook Islands |journal=The Contemporary Pacific |volume=16 |year=2004 |pages=146–153 |doi=10.1353/cp.2004.0014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=4160 |title=New political party formed in Cook Islands |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2003-03-27 |accessdate=2009-04-13}}</ref> Its policies included a shorter parliamentary term.

In July 2003 the party sought a declaratory judgement from the High Court that the seats of MPs Norman George and Paora Teiti were vacant after it was learned that the two were being paid as government consultants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=5222 |title=Cook Islands National Party to seek declaratory judgment against two MPs |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2003-07-14 |accessdate=2009-04-13}}</ref> The court subsequently ruled that the consultancy work did not constitute holding a position in the public service, and both retained their seats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=8193 |title=Cook Islands court clears MP Norman George of double-dipping allegation |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2004-01-18 |accessdate=2009-03-27}}</ref>

Heather contested the 2003 Rua'au by-election as a National Party candidate, but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=6065 |title=Cooks voters go to polls in Rarotonga by-election |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2003-08-14 |accessdate=2009-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=6101 |title=Geoffrey Heather wins Cook Islands by-election |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2003-08-18 |accessdate=2009-12-27}}</ref>

The party was disbanded in February 2004 when Heather joined the Cook Islands Party.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=8570 |title=Cook Islands MP and party joins forces with main opposition party |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2004-02-12 |accessdate=2009-12-27}}</ref><ref name="jonassen2005">{{cite journal |last=Jonassen |first=Jon Tikivanotau M |title=Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events: Cook Islands |journal=The Contemporary Pacific |volume=17 |year=2005 |pages=185–193 |doi=10.1353/cp.2005.0016}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Cook Islands political parties}}

Category:Political parties established in 2003 Category:Defunct political parties in the Cook Islands *Main

{{oceania-party-stub}} {{CookIslands-stub}}