VETERAN COOK ISLANDS POLITICIAN KNIGHTED

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Jan. 2) – Veteran Cook Islands politician Dr Terepai Maoate has been knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the New Year's Honours list.

Cook Islands television reports that Sir Terepai was made a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to the community and the public sector.

Sir Terepai is a former prime minister and is currently deputy prime minister and leader of the governing Democratic Party.