13 Facts About Tom Marsters

Tom Marsters is a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Foreign Minister, and Deputy Leader of the Cook Islands Party.

Tom Marsters was Secretary General of the Cook Islands Party from 1968 to 1999.

Tom Marsters was first elected to Parliament for the seat of Murienua in a by-election in 1991.

Tom Marsters served as Minister of Works in the Cabinet of Sir Geoffrey Henry, but resigned his position in 1997 in protest at budget cuts.

Tom Marsters later served as Minister of Works, Youth, Sport and Recreation in the first coalition Cabinet of Robert Woonton from 2002 to 2003.

Tom Marsters rejoined Cabinet after the 2004 election, when Woonton was trying to put together a new coalition; when Woonton resigned to fight a by-election, he served in the Cabinet of Jim Marurai, holding the portfolios of foreign affairs, transport, and youth and sport.

The retirement of Sir Geoffrey Henry in 2006 led to a leadership election, which saw Tom Marsters replaced as Deputy leader by Tupou Faireka.

Tom Marsters was re-elected at the 2010 elections, which saw the Cook Islands Party win 16 of the 24 seats.

Henry Puna was elected Prime Minister, and Tom Marsters was appointed to Cabinet as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Mining and Natural Resources.

On 5 June 2013, Tom Marsters was appointed as the Queen's Representative, replacing Sir Frederick Goodwin.

Tom Marsters resigned from Parliament on 25 July 2013 to take up the role, precipitating the 2013 Murienua by-election.

Tom Marsters was reappointed for a second three-year term in July 2016, and a third one in 2019.

Tom Marsters's investiture took place in November 2018 in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.