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, sparking the 2016 Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara by-election.[11]

Bishop served a six-month term of imprisonment and was released in June 2017.[12]

References
  1. "Cooks MP delivers resignation to speaker's office". Radio New Zealand International. 18 August 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  2. "Teina Bishop returns to Cook Islands Parliament unopposed". Radio New Zealand International. 5 November 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  3. "Cooks PM announces cabinet line up". Radio New Zealand International. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  4. "Cook Islands cabinet named". www.radioaustralianews.net.au. Radio Australia News. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010. Education, marine resources and tourism have gone to Teina Bishop
  5. Barbara Dreaver (5 August 2013). "Cook Islands Govt Minister under police investigation". One News. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  6. Emmanuel Samoglou (16 January 2014). "Bishop back in cabinet fold". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  7. "Cooks minister Bishop resigns". Radio New Zealand International. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  8. "New group emerges to contest Cooks election". Radio New Zealand International. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  9. "Cooks MP Teina Bishop found guilty of corruption". RNZ International. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  10. Losirene Lacanivalu (21 July 2016). "Teina Bishop found guilty!". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  11. "Cook Islands by-election date set". RNZ International. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  12. "Former Cook Islands MP released from Prison, Aitutaki welcomes Bishop home". PINA. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
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