The island of Palmerston is mourning the loss of its mayor Tuakana Marsters who passed away late last month.

Prime Minister Mark Brown and the staff at the Office of the Prime Minister have offered heartfelt condolences to the family of Palmerston mayor Bill Tuakana Marsters, who passed away at Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand on September 30.

In a statement, PM Brown said: “As Palmerston Island fisheries officer from the mid-80s up until 2018, Akakaingaro family head and island council member from the early 2000s, and mayor from 2021, we recognise and appreciate Papa Bill’s service to both the Cook Islands and his island community of Palmerston.”

“Born in 1950, and a fourth-generation descendant of island founder William Marsters, Papa Bill is a true son of Palmerston and his generosity and hospitality have always been exemplary, as all of the island visitors hosted by Bill and his family over the years will no doubt attest.”

Papa Bill was appointed the mayor of Palmerston Island in October, 2021. Bob Marsters (Matauia line) took over the deputy mayor role.

While the rest of the Cook Islands (with the exception of Rarotonga) have a democratic voting system to choose their mayor, Palmerston has a convention whereby the heads of the three families on the atoll – Akakaingaro, Matauia and Tepou lines – take turns in rotation to be mayor.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, Papa Bill had been unwell for some time and was evacuated to Aitutaki by the research vessel Anuanua Moana in early September, before being flown to Rarotonga and then on to New Zealand.

His last days were made as comfortable as possible, receiving palliative care in Middlemore Hospital until he passed away surrounded by family, the statement said.

Family in New Zealand are currently planning to bring Papa Bill back to Rarotonga and then home to Palmerston, where he will be finally laid to rest in the family burial plot alongside his parents, Tuakana and Inano Marsters.

A family service will also be conducted at Marsters House in Rarotonga once arrangements have been confirmed.

“Papa Bill is survived by his beloved wife Metua Ngariki Marsters and his many children and grandchildren, to them all I offer deepest sympathy from Daphne and myself,” said Prime Minister Brown.

Aroamai te anau katoatoa, te Atua te aroa.