{{Short description|Cook Islands politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | honorific_suffix = | image = | caption = | order = 14th | office = Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands | prime_minister = Henry Puna | term_start = 11 December 2013 | term_end = 14 June 2018 | predecessor = Tom Marsters | successor = Mark Brown | office2 = | term_start2 = | term_end2 = | prime_minister2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | office3 = Minister of Police | prime_minister3 = | term_start3 = 17 April 2012 | term_end3 = 14 June 2018 | predecessor3 = Henry Puna | successor3 = Vaine Mokoroa | office4 = Minister of Justice | prime_minister4 = | term_start4 = 3 November 2013 | term_end4 = 15 March 2015 | predecessor4 = Henry Puna | successor4 = Nandi Glassie | office8 = Minister of Infrastructure & Planning | term_start8 = 3 December 2010 | term_end8 = 14 June 2018 | prime_minister8 = | predecessor8 = William (Smiley) Heather | successor8 = Robert Tapaitau | constituency_MP11 = Murienua | parliament11 = Cook Islands | term_start11 = 1 August 2022 | term_end11 = | predecessor11 = Patrick Arioka | successor11 = | majority11 = | constituency_MP12 = Akaoa | parliament12 = Cook Islands | term_start12 = 7 September 2004 | term_end12 = 14 June 2018 | predecessor12 = Teremoana Tapi Taio | successor12 = Nooroa o Teariki Baker | majority12 = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|6|30|df=y}} | birth_place = Rarotonga, Cook Islands | death_date = | death_place = | party = Cook Islands Party <br /> Cook Islands United Party | alma_mater = | website = }} '''Teariki William Heather''' (born 30 July 1959) is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet minister who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 2013 to 2018. Previously a member of the Cook Islands Party, he is now the leader of the Cook Islands United Party.
==Early life== Heather was born on Rarotonga and educated at Arorangi Primary school and Tereora College.<ref name="parlbio">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members/heather1.html |title=Mr. Teariki HEATHER |publisher=Parliament of the Cook Islands |date= |accessdate= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220103240/http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members/heather1.html |archive-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> He is the younger brother of Democratic Party MP William (Smiley) Heather.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/March/Wed10/local.htm#1003040110 |title=Enough Heathers |publisher=Cook islands News |date=5 March 2010 |accessdate=13 March 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707010413/http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/March/Wed10/local.htm#1003050105 |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> He was a businessman before entering politics.<ref name="parlbio"/>
==Political career== In March 2003 Heather founded the Cook Islands National Party with the aim of securing political reform, including a shorter Parliamentary term.<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=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/142986/new-political-party-formed-in-cook-islands |title=New political party formed in Cook Islands |publisher=RNZ |date=28 March 2003 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> The party launched a high-profile court case against MPs Norman George and Paora Teiti in an effort to have them unseated for performing consultancy work for the government, which was seen as making them public servants and thus ineligible to hold office,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144049/cook-islands-national-party-to-seek-declaratory-judgment-against-two-mps |title=Cook Islands National Party to seek declaratory judgment against two MPs |publisher=RNZ |date=15 July 2003 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> but the case was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146969/cook-islands-court-clears-mp-norman-george-of-double-dipping-allegation |title=Cook Islands court clears MP Norman George of double-dipping allegation |publisher=RNZ |date=19 January 2004 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> Heather contested the 2003 Rua'au by-election as a National Party candidate, but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144855/cooks-voters-go-to-polls-in-rarotonga-by-election |title=Cooks voters go to polls in Rarotonga by-election |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=15 August 2003 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/144887/geoffrey-heather-wins-cook-islands-by-election |title=Geoffrey Heather wins Cook Islands by-election |publisher=RNZ |date=18 August 2003 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> He subsequently disbanded the party and joined the Cook Islands Party.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/147313/cook-islands-mp-and-party-joins-forces-with-main-opposition-party |title=Cook Islands MP and party joins forces with main opposition party |publisher=RNZ |date=12 February 2004 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref>
In the 2004 elections Heather entered Parliament after winning the seat of Akaoa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/150588/cook-islands-election-results-could-lead-to-a-hung-parliament |title=Cook Islands election results could lead to a hung parliament |publisher=RNZ |date=8 September 2004 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> The 2006 election produced a tie in the seat, forcing a by-election which Heather won.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166473/cook-islands-party-wins-akaoa |title=Cook Islands Party wins Akaoa |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=30 November 2006 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref>
==Cabinet== At the 2010 election Heather was re-elected and was one of four candidates for the post of Deputy Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193806/race-begins-for-position-of-cook-islands-deputy-pm |title=Race begins for position of Cook Islands Deputy PM |publisher=RNZ |date=21 November 2010 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> He did not gain that position, but was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Infrastructure & Planning.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/194090/cooks-pm-announces-cabinet-line-up |title=Cooks PM announces cabinet line up |publisher=RNZ |date=3 December 2010 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/cabinet.php |title=Who's who in Cabinet |publisher=Cook Islands Government |accessdate= |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113031353/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/cabinet.php |archivedate=13 January 2011 }}</ref> Shortly after his appointment he was warned by the Public Service Commissioner about attempting to privately employ a new Head of Ministry in violation of the Public Service Act.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/195296/cooks-politicians-reprimanded-for-not-following-proper-employment-process |title=Cooks politicians reprimanded for not following proper employment process |publisher=RNZ |date=10 February 2011 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> In April 2012 he was appointed Minister of Police.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2012/04/19/cook-islands-cabinet-shuffles-police-portfolio |title=COOK ISLANDS CABINET SHUFFLES POLICE PORTFOLIO |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=4 April 2012 |accessdate=9 October 2020 |archive-date=3 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403094050/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2012/04/19/cook-islands-cabinet-shuffles-police-portfolio |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shortly afterwards he was accused of corruption over the allocation of government contracts to his family business.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/204320/cook-islands-opposition-accuses-minister-of-giving-family-business-contracts |title=Cook Islands opposition accuses minister of giving family business contracts |publisher=RNZ |date=4 May 2012 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> Later that year he suggested amending the law to allow parents to smack their children.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/205251/cook-islands-minister-suggests-law-change-to-allow-smacking |title=Cook Islands minister suggests law change to allow smacking |publisher=RNZ |date=15 June 2012 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> A Cabinet reshuffle in November 2013 saw him pick up the Justice portfolio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/item/42077-long-awaited-cabinet-shuffle-announced |title=Long awaited cabinet shuffle announced |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=3 November 2013 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> In December 2013 he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Marsters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/230830/cooks-pm-puna-chooses-heather-as-his-deputy |title=Cooks PM Puna chooses Heather as his deputy |publisher=RNZ |date=13 December 2013 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref>
Heather was re-elected at the 2014 election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250081/cook-islands-party-wins-absolute-majority |title=Cook Islands Party wins absolute majority |publisher=RNZ |date=19 July 2014 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> A further Cabinet reshuffle in March 2015 saw him yield the Justice portfolio to Nandi Glassie.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/269696/defecting-cook-islands-mp-given-cabinet-post |title=Defecting Cook Islands MP given cabinet post |publisher=RNZ |date=26 March 2015 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref>
In February 2016 news emerged that Heather was being investigated for corruption by the Financial Intelligence Unit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/296107/cooks-minister-being-investigated-for-corruption |title=Cooks Minister being investigated for corruption |publisher=RNZ |date=9 February 2016 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> Prime Minister Henry Puna refused to suspend him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/296292/cooks-pm-won%27t-suspend-his-deputy |title=Cooks PM won't suspend his deputy |publisher=RNZ |date=11 February 2016 |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref>
Heather was not re-elected at the 2018 election, losing to Nooroa o Teariki Baker.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov.ck/index.php/2-uncategorised/74-elections-14th-june-2018 |title=Preliminary Results from Votes Counted 14-06-2018 |publisher=Cook Islands Ministry of Justice |date=14 June 2018 |access-date=18 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/359698/two-ministers-go-in-early-cooks-results |title=Two ministers go in early Cooks results |publisher=RNZ |date=15 June 2018 |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
==United party== Following his election loss Heather founded the Cook Islands United Party with former MP Nandi Glassie.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018673429/cook-islands-political-party-claims-demand-for-change |title=Cook Islands political party claims demand for change |publisher=RNZ |date=29 November 2018 |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref> He subsequently contested the 2019 Ivirua by-election but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/380713/cook-islands-democratic-party-looks-to-have-secured-ivirua-seat |title=Cook Islands Democratic Party looks to have secured Ivirua seat |publisher=RNZ |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref> In the 2022 election he contested the seat of Murienua, promising that it would be his last term in parliament if elected.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/last-term-for-united-party-leader/ |title='Last term' for United Party leader |publisher=Cook Islands News |author= Caleb Fotheringham |date=18 July 2022 |access-date=19 July 2022}}</ref> He was elected along with two other United party MP's.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mfem.gov.ck/images/documents/Statistics_Docs/Elections/Gaz_Public_Notice_9_Declaration_of_Result_of_Poll.pdf |title=WARRANT DECLARING THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES AND THE NUMBER OF VOTES RECEIVED BY EACH CANDIDATE |publisher=Cook Islands Gazette |date=11 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022 |archive-date=12 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812050512/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/images/documents/Statistics_Docs/Elections/Gaz_Public_Notice_9_Declaration_of_Result_of_Poll.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In early February 2025, Heather voiced opposition to Prime Minister Mark Brown's abortive Cook Islands passport proposal and a partnership agreement with China. In response, Heather said he would organise a protest rally expressing support for New Zealand to coincide with the opening of the Cook Islands Parliament on 17 February.<ref name="1News 6 Feb 2025 protest">{{cite news |last1=Dreaver |first1=Barbara |title=Protest rising over Cook Islands push for passport, pact with China |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/06/protest-rising-over-cook-islands-push-for-passport-pact-with-china/ |access-date=7 February 2025 |work=1News |date=6 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208013703/https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/06/protest-rising-over-cook-islands-push-for-passport-pact-with-china/|archive-date=8 February 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> This rally was attended by 400 people including Heather and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mika |first1=Talaia |title=Cook Islanders rally to protect NZ citizenship, protest government decisions |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/parliament/cook-islanders-rally-to-protect-nz-citizenship-protest-government-decisions/ |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Cook Islands News |date=18 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219044955/https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/parliament/cook-islanders-rally-to-protect-nz-citizenship-protest-government-decisions/ |archive-date=19 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fotheringham |first1=Caleb |title=Te Pāti Māori co-leader joins protest against 'aggressive' Cook Islands PM |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542230/te-pati-maori-co-leader-joins-protest-against-aggressive-cook-islands-pm |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=18 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218083130/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/542230/te-pati-maori-co-leader-joins-protest-against-aggressive-cook-islands-pm |archive-date=18 February 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 February, Heather moved a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Brown, citing disagreement with Brown's passport proposal and China partnership agreement. The motion was defeated by a margin of 13 to 9 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=No-confidence vote against Cook Islands PM fails |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543071/no-confidence-vote-against-cook-islands-pm-fails |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=26 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226222507/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/543071/no-confidence-vote-against-cook-islands-pm-fails |archive-date=26 February 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heather, Teariki}} Category:Living people Category:1959 births Category:Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands Category:Deputy prime ministers of the Cook Islands Category:Infrastructure ministers of the Cook Islands Category:Interior ministers of the Cook Islands Category:Planning ministers of the Cook Islands Category:Cook Islands National Party politicians Category:Cook Islands Party politicians Category:Cook Islands United Party politicians Category:People from Rarotonga