The veteran Cook Islands politician and leader of the Democratic Party Dr Terepai Maoate has been confirmed as the new leader of the opposition.
The Cook Islands News reports the Speaker Norman George has made the announcement in parliament.
The member of parliament for Mitiaro, Tangata Vavia, has become the deputy leader of the opposition.
Dr Maoate says he was pleased by the announcement, telling the Speaker that his supporters hadn't interfered with the earlier nomination of the prime minister Jim Marurai.
Parliament was adjourned yesterday without a date being set for its resumption next year.
