(file image) Photo: RNZI/Flo Syme-Buchanan
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has appointed Albert Nicholas as his deputy.
He takes over from former deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau, who lost his seat due to a corruption conviction late last month.
In the past, the Cook Islands Party government has given the deputy prime minister role to someone from the outer islands if the Prime Minister is from Rarotonga, and vice versa.
This government has broken convention by giving the position to Nicholas who is a member of parliament from Rarotonga.
However, the Prime Minister said he will be relying on Nicholas to devote a lot of effort into the Pa Enua.
Brown said his emphasis is on prioritising the interests of the country over convention.
He said he is focused on rebuilding the economy post Covid-19.