The king's representative (), or KR, is the official representative of , as of the realm of New Zealand, in the Cook Islands. The office of King's Representative is established by the Constitution of the Cook Islands. They are appointed by the King for a term of three years, and may be reappointed. When the Cook Islands has a queen regnant, the viceroy is titled queen's representative (QR).

The king's representative fills the role normally filled by a governor-general in the Westminster system of a Commonwealth realm, being both a representative of the monarch and the titular head of executive government. They appoint the prime minister and CabinetConstitution of the Cook Islands, section 13. and chair the Cook Islands Executive Council.Constitution of the Cook Islands, section 25. In performing their duties, they must act on the advice of their government.Constitution of the Cook Islands, section 5.

Originally these duties were performed by the high commissioner of New Zealand to the Cook Islands, but in 1982 these powers were repatriated and the office of Queen's Representative was established. The governor-general of New Zealand still represents the king in matters pertaining to the entire realm.

Following the death of Elizabeth II, the office formally became known as "King's Representative". , however, the office is still referred to throughout the constitution as the "Queen's Representative".

In August 2025, Tom Marsters was reappointed as the representative for a fifth three-year term.

List of sovereign's representatives in the Cook Islands

№PortraitNameTerm of officeMonarchPrime Minister Took office Left officeLength of office1Sir Gaven Donne(1914–2010)198218 September 19842 years, 258 daysElizabeth IISir Tom DavisGeoffrey HenrySir Tom Davis2Sir Graham Speight(1921–2008)Acting18 September 198419 December 19843Sir Tangaroa Tangaroa(1921–2009)19 December 198419 December 19906 years, 1 dayPupuke RobatiSir Geoffrey Henry4Sir Apenera Pera Short(1916–2011)19 December 199014 November 20009 years, 327 daysJoe Williams Sir Terepai Maoate5Laurence Greig(born 1929)Acting14 November 20009 February 200188 days6Sir Frederick Tutu Goodwin(born 1940)9 February 200127 July 201312 years, 169 daysRobert WoontonJim MaruraiHenry Puna7Sir Tom Marsters(born 1945)27 July 2013IncumbentMark BrownCharles III

See also

Monarchy in the Cook Islands Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands

References