Selina Matenga-Napa MBE (born 17 October 1964)[1] is a Cook Islands politician and former member of the Cook Islands Parliament. She is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party. She is the daughter of former MP Dr Teariki Matenga.[2]
Selina Napa | |
|---|---|
 Selina Napa in 2016 | |
| Member of the Cook Islands Parliament for Titikaveka | |
| In office 21 June 2012 – 1 August 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Wigmore |
| Succeeded by | Sonny Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 October 1964 |
| Political party | Cook Islands Democratic Party |
Early life and sporting career edit
Napa was born on Mangaia and educated at Titikaveka School and Tereora College.[1] She has a long involvement in Netball, playing at a village level as a child before being part of the Cook Islands national netball team at the 1981 South Pacific Mini Games.[3] She played for the Cook Islands throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including at the 1987 World Netball Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 1989 World Games in Germany.[3] Eventually she rose to be team captain.[3] She later played for and coached the Titikaveka Pearls,[4] and was part of the selection panel for the Cook Islands women's national cricket team.[5]
Political career edit
Napa worked for the Business Trade and Investment board, and then as campaign manager for Titikaveka MP Robert Wigmore for four election campaigns.[6] She was later an administrator and spokesperson for the Democratic Party.[7] Following Wigmore's death she was elected to Parliament in the 2012 Titikaveka by-election, which was also contested by her brother.[8][9] In April 2013 she attended the inaugural Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Wellington, New Zealand.[10]
Napa was re-elected in the 2014 election. In 2015, she was appointed opposition spokesperson for Environment, Telecommunications, Tourism, and Youth and Sport.[11] In 2016, she was part of the Cook Islands' delegation to the second Pacific Parliamentary Forum.[12] She was re-elected again at the 2018 election. In December 2019 she was part of a protest by women MPs to permit the wearing of ei katu (floral crowns) in Parliament.[13] In February 2020 she was appointed Democratic Party spokesperson for Health, Environment, Justice, and the Trade and Investment Board.[14]
She lost her seat in the 2022 Cook Islands general election.[15]
Honours edit
Napa was awarded an MBE for services to sport, youth and the community in the 2007 New Year Honours.[16]
References edit
- ^ a b "Selina NAPA, MBE". Cook Islands Parliament. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ Eric Parnis (9 May 2012). "Selina sets sights". Cook Islands News. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ a b c "Captain's Call: Selina Napa". Cook Islands Women in Sport 20/20. Cook Islands Sports National Olympic Commission. 24 May 2020. p. 35-38. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Titikaveka Pearls too good for competition". Cook Islands News. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Big guns to pick new national team". Cook Islands News. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Sel's good at attack and defence". Cook Islands News. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Opposition name shadow cabinet". Cook Islands News. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Brother versus sister in Titikaveka". Cook Islands News. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ "Selina Napa wins Cooks by-election". Radio New Zealand International. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ "Cook Islanders speak in NZ House". Cook Islands News. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Party allocates 'shadow' portfolios". Cook Islands News. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "MPs represent country in NZ". Cook Islands News. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "Positively blooming in parliament". Cook Islands News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Melina Etches (19 February 2020). "Demos gunning for change". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ "Winners are grinners: New MPs ready to serve". Cook Islands News. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ^ "The newly knighted Terepai Maoate credits family and friends for his honour". RNZ. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
