Tom Davis (Cook Islands)
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| Sir Tom Davis | |
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| In office July 25, 1978 – April 13, 1983 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Albert Henry |
| Succeeded by | Geoffrey Henry |
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| In office November 16, 1983 – July 29, 1987 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Geoffrey Henry |
| Succeeded by | Pupuke Robati |
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| Born | June 11, 1917 Rarotonga, Cook Islands |
| Died | July 23, 2007 (aged 90) Rarotonga, Cook Islands |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
Sir Thomas Robert Alexander Harries (Tom) Davis KBE (June 11, 1917 – July 23, 2007) was a former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and a medical researcher. He has also served as Cook Island High Commissioner to New Zealand. He was knighted in 1981.
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[edit] Early life
Sir Tom was born on the island of Rarotonga. His full name was Thomas Robert Alexander Harries Davis. He was the first Cook Islands medical graduate in New Zealand, finishing his studies at Otago in 1945. He then served as Medical Officer in the Cook Islands working to improve the country's health system.
In 1952, he went to Harvard University, initially completing a Master of Public Health, before joining their Department of Nutrition. Subsequently, he worked for various parts of the armed forces as a research physiologist, before joining NASA to work on the space program.
The University of Otago awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2005.
[edit] Politics
Sir Tom was a founder of the Cook Islands Democratic Party in 1971, and became opposition leader in 1972, going on to serve as Prime Minister from July 25, 1978 until April 13, 1983, and following the short first tenure of Geoffrey Henry, again from November 16, 1983 until July 29, 1987, when he left office while the Democratic Party was still in power.
He later went on to serve as High Commissioner to New Zealand.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Honorary doctorate for former Cook Islands PM, University of Otago Bulletin, Issue 10, 20 May 2005.
