Hon. Mark Stephen Brown is the 12th Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
Ko toku papa tupuna
Kua ‘akamou’ia ki runga i te pito enua
Ko taku korero taito, kua ‘akairo ia ki runga i te va’anga rakau
Kia to’ito’i ia ki runga i te poaki maori,
E rau te tuatau
Kua kite oki au i toku turanga, e enua toku, e Avaiki toku
Iekoko
He also holds the Ministerial portfolios for Attorney General, Office of the Prime Minister, Public Service Commission, Police, Finance and Economic Management, Seabed Minerals Authority, Tourism, Energy and Renewable Energy, Outer Island Special Projects, and Telecommunications.
Shaped by community, service and enterprise. He was raised in Parekura, Avarua, in a close-knit family surrounded by grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins, where daily life centred on shared responsibility, strong relationships and a deep sense of belonging. These early years grounded his lifelong commitment to faith, service and collective wellbeing.
After a decade studying and working in New Zealand and Australia, he returned home in 1991 and began his career in the Cook Islands Public Service. As a young policy analyst he worked through a defining period of economic reform, helping shape systems that strengthened financial management, accountability and transparency across government. He later served as Head of the Ministry of Agriculture before moving into business, with ventures in property development and fisheries that deepened his understanding of the private sector and economic opportunity.
His years away deepened his connection to his peu Māori and faith, and his return home renewed his commitment to these values, which continue to shape his leadership.
In Parliament. Prime Minister Brown entered politics to serve and to contribute to stronger, more stable governance. Elected to Parliament in 2010 for Takuvaine-Tutakimoa and appointed Minister of Finance, he became Prime Minister in 2020. As Finance Minister he oversaw sustained economic growth, culminating in the Cook Islands graduating to OECD high-income status in 2020.
He served as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum from 2023 to 2024, and today continues to focus on responsible economic growth, strong public institutions, and confident Pacific leadership grounded in identity, stewardship and service for future generations.
Values
- Faith, service, and collective wellbeing
- Peu Māori — identity and cultural grounding
- Stewardship for future generations
What I want to achieve
- Responsible economic growth
- Strong public institutions
- Confident Pacific leadership grounded in identity, stewardship, and service