A Cook Islands group protesting against the government's plans to use chemicals to purify Rarotonga's water supply, has called on the Speaker, Niki Rattle, to resign.
Te Vai Ora Maori's petition to parliament was refused by Ms Rattle, who ruled the petitioners had used the wrong word in the preamble to the document.
The group said Ms Rattle was obliged to send the petition to a select committee and that it was not her role to dismiss it.
Te Vai Ora Maori's Andy Kirkwood said she should resign because she has failed to fulfil her obligations as Speaker.
"We are suggesting that failure to do a basic administrative function does call into question the integrity of the Speaker."
"When the rules are very clear and it's simply procedural, the inability to follow through on the process suggests a partiality, a preference to a course of action, other than following the duties that are required as Speaker."
Niki Rattle has chosen not to make a comment on the matter, except to say she stands by her original ruling.
The speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament Niki Rattle. Photo: RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox
Te Vai Ora Maori's Andy Kirkwood spoke to Don Wiseman on Dateline Pacific