Tom Davis (Cook islands)

Sir Thomas Robert Alexander Harries Davis (born the June 11th 1917 on the island of Rarotonga - died the July 22nd 2007), also known under the name of Pa You rangi Ariki was a politician of the islands Cook who was Prime Minister July 25th 1978 with the April 13rd 1983 then one second time of the November 16th 1983 with the July 29th 1987.

Biography

Thomas Davis was born on June 11th, 1917 on the island from Rarotonga. Whereas he is still child, his/her parents divorce. His/her mother Maryanne, a ngati Anautoa, one of the four lines of Rangatira of the Tapere of Ruatonga, remarie with Raitia Tepuretu, a veteran of the First World War which was the privileged adviser of the anthropologist maori Peter Buck (Te Rangi Hiroa), at the time of its stay in the Cook islands in the years 1920. The Davis young person passes his youth between Ruatonga and Tupapa whose his/her beautiful father, is the Mataiapo.

At the 12 years age, it leaves for New Zealand to make its studies in King' S College of Auckland. In 1940, he marries Lydia Henderson with which he will have three children. He continues his studies at the University of Otago where he obtains in 1945, its diploma of medicine. Between 1945 and 1949, it goes back to the Cook islands where it exerts as a doctor. In 1949, it decides to resume its studies in Australia (diplomas of tropical medicine, 1950) and in the United States (Master of Public health, 1952). He becomes member of the Research center in medicine of the University of Harvard working within US Army then with NASA, taking part as an engineer physiologist in the programs Mercury and Apollo In 1971, it turns over to Rarotonga to launch out in policy. It founds there at the request of Makea Nui Teremoana Ariki, Ariki in title of the tribe of Teauotonga, the Democratic Party, first opposition party with the Cook Islands Party of Albert Royle Henry, with the capacity since 1965. With the general elections of 1974, there is elected on the district of Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston, the CIP remains nevertheless majority. In 1978, the elections confirm those of 1974, but the High court of Avarua invalidates a few weeks later 9 of the head offices of the CIP following a business of electoral fraud (cf Affaire of the flying voters). This reversal makes it possible Democratic Party to obtain the majority and Tom Davis to be appointed Prime Minister.

In 1979, he marries in second wedding, the Ariki of Takitumu, Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki. He will have with the latter of the sometimes stormy relations. Thus in March 1986, she will be opposed publicly to its Prime Minister of husband, in connection with the construction of a hotel with Muri on the grounds of the tribe, project which Tom Davis supported.

Apart from an interlude of a few months in 1983, Tom Davis succeeds in being maintained with the capacity until July 29th, 1987, date on which its government is reversed mainly because of its authoritarianism and the unpopularity of its economic policy of reduction of the public expenditure. From 1990, it takes part in the construction of two traditional dugouts (Vaka), Te with O Tonga and Takitumu with which it traverses the Pacific (islands of the Company, Samoa…). It is thereafter named High commissioner of the Cook islands in Wellington. In 2000, it remarie third once with Carla Cassata, Pa Terito having died in February 1990. It turns over food to Rarotonga in 2006. It dies out there on July 22nd, 2007 at the 90 years age. In 1981, it is made Chevalier of the British Empire (KBE). He is the type-setter of the anthem of the islands Cook.

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