Cook Island women urged to change thinking on politics

The Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament says women need to change their thinking about adopting a quota for reserved seats in parliament.

Six women put themselves forward in a snap election which was held in 2014 ahead of the country's 50th anniversary of self-government.

There are currently four women in the 24 member parliament but its Speaker, Niki Rattle, says it's not enough.

She told Daniela Maoate-Cox a quota system like that used in Samoa is working well but many women in the Cook Islands think they should be elected on their own merits.