Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Maori Party mourns former Cook Islands PM

Updated at 8:28 am on 12 May 2012

Maori Party members are mourning the death of a former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Sir Geoffrey Henry.

Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry originally from Aitutaki died this week at the age of 71.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is expressing her sadness to the people of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.

She says he dedicated his life to the political leadership of the Cook Islands, from his early entry to the Legislative Assembly in 1965 right up to his election as Speaker of the Parliament last February.

Mrs Turia says the party's grief is extended to the Henry family and more broadly to Cook Islands people at home and here in Aotearoa.

In 1992 Sir Geoffrey, while serving as Prime Minister, was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.

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