Ngamau Munokoa

Munokoa was born in Rarotonga and attended Arorangi, Avarua and Nikao Primary schools and Tereora College.[4] She trained for clerical work in Auckland, New Zealand in the hope of becoming a teacher, but returned to the Cook Islands in 1962 to open a shop.[1]

Munokoa first ran for Parliament in 1994, but was unsuccessful.[1] She was elected in the 1996 Nikao–Panama by-election, defeating then-Cook Islands Party candidate Tina Browne.[5] In 1999 she was appointed as Minister of Internal Affairs and Works in the Cabinet of Sir Terepai Maoate.[6] She later served in the Cabinet of Robert Woonton, and in 2003 was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, becoming the first Cook Islands woman to hold the position.[3] She later resigned from Woonton's Cabinet following his decision to form a coalition with the rival Cook Islands Party,[7] but was reappointed in 2005 by Jim Marurai.[8] She continued to serve in Cabinet, holding various portfolios,[9][10] until December 2009, when she resigned over the sacking of Democratic Party leader Terepai Maoate.[11][12]

She was re-elected at the 2010 election, and again in 2014. She failed to be re-elected in the 2018 election, losing to Vaine Mokoroa.[13] Her 22-year career made her the longest-serving female MP.[14]

Munokoa was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.[15][16] In October 2019, she was inducted into the hall of fame at the inaugural Vaine Rangatira awards for Cook Islands women.[17]