The Cook Islands Ombudsman Office yesterday celebrated 40 years of serving its responsibility for investigating complaints against Government Ministries and Crown Agencies under the Ombudsman Act 1984.

Over the years, the Ombudsman Office’s responsibilities have increased to include the Official Information Act 2008, The Disability Act 2008, and The Police Act 2012, to investigate complaints on the conduct of police officers, issues relating to policies and procedures.

Prime Minister Mark Brown, Peter Boshier, Chief Ombudsman for Aotearoa New Zealand, and 'Alisi Taumoepeau, the Ombudsman for Tonga, were among guests who attended the special event yesterday morning.

Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle said celebrating the 40years was “really fabulous, a wonderful milestone,” especially with all the former Ombudsmen and their staff being recognised.

Rattle says it is really important to reflect on what the Ombudsman Office is about, why it was started, what has been done and how has it progressed.

“If we’re going to have that system within our country then we need to be aware about it. What’s it doing here? What does it do for us, how do we belong to a system that can help us? So don’t be afraid.”

She expressed that if people go to a government ministry for service and are not happy, when they call or visit the Ombudsman Office, they would be encouraged to have another talk to try and resolve the issue.

“If nothing changes and you’re still not happy then you come to our office,” Rattle said.

“Our job would be to look at your side, look at their side and look at both sides and see where the problem is, how can it be sorted and then hopefully a resolution will occur.

“It is actually that the recommendations made by the Ombudsman Office are supposed to be recognised by the ministries and by legislation, that they take note of it and they do something about changing whatever is not right.”

Rattle says the idea is to improve the systems within our country, in the ministries and for the public to be better educated, and know their rights and to come forward and be happy with the service that they receive.

She reiterated: “They’re called public services, so we provide the service to the people. Public is the people; service is coming from the Government.”

Former Ombudsman Tearoa Tini and current Ombudsman Niki Rattle cut the 40th anniversary cake. MELINA ETCHES/24092612

It was a poignant occasion for Prime Minister Brown, as his late father, Henry Brown, was the second Ombudsman to hold the office.

In his address, Brown recalled when the Ombudsman Office first opened in 1985, led by Tangata Simiona.

He said the Ombudsman provided a unique avenue to hear concerns that the members of the public may have, in particular to do with government agencies.

Brown explained that the Cook Islands “pretty much” borrowed New Zealand legislation and adapted it, passing the Ombudsman Act on September 26, 1984.

He said the Ombudsman Act defines the Ombudsman as an officer of and responsible to Parliament.

“So, it’s quite a special position, it’s independent, it’s not aligned to the government of the day but rather the country’s Parliament and this ensures that it retains independence and a high status,” the Prime Minister said. “It is important for both the rights of citizens, but also the integrity of democracy.”

“It is a day to reflect, to express gratitude to the previous administrations for their foresight establishing a national mechanism which actively promotes transparency and accountability within the Cook Islands.

“Our government is committed to supporting to the best of our ability.”

Parau carved shells mounted on wood stands were presented to former Ombudsman Tearoa Tini, and to the families of other Ombudsmen, as well as Peter Boshier.

Tini and Rattle had the honour of cutting the 40^th birthday cake.