House of Ariki (original) (raw)

The House of Ariki (Cook Islands Māori: 'Are Ariki) is a parliamentary body in the Cook Islands. It is composed of Cook Islands high chiefs (ariki), appointed by the King's Representative. While it functions in a similar way to the House of Lords and the Senate of Canada, the country's parliament is officially unicameral. There are up to twenty-four members, representing different islands of the Cooks. Its function is to: It may only discuss matters put to it by the democratically elected Parliament, and may only voice suggestions in return.