Wilkie Rasmussen

Who is Wilkie Rasmussen?

Wilkie Olaf Patua Rasmussen is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party, and represents the constituency of Penrhyn.

Rasmussen was born in Omoka on the island of Penrhyn. He attended the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Laws. After practicising as a Barrister and Solicitor, he became Secretary to the Cook Islands Cabinet, then High Commissioner to New Zealand from 2000 to 2002.

He first entered Parliament in a by-election in 2002, standing for the Cook Islands Party. Early in his political career he challenged the eligibility of two Government MPs to sit, on the grounds that they worked as paid consultants and were therefore public servants. The challenge was ultimately unsuccessful.

After being narrowly re-elected in the 2004 election, Rasmussen was brought into the coalition Cabinet of Jim Marurai, replacing Piho Rua as Minister of Culture and Tourism. He was later elevated to Foreign Minister. He switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party shortly before the 2006 elections, and as a result was elected unopposed. He was elected deputy leader of the Democratic Party in August, 2007, replacing Tepure Tapaitau and currently holds the portfolios of Finance & Economic Management, Attourney-General, and the Pearl Authority.