On behalf of the people of Auckland, Mayor Len Brown has extended his condolences to the Cook Islands people on the death of their former Prime Minister, Sir Terepai Maoate.

Sir Terepai, who served as Prime Minister from 1999 - 2002, passed away yesterday.

"My thoughts are with the Cook Islands communities both in Auckland and abroad. We have a long and close association with the Cook Islands, and I wish to express my support in their time of grief," says Len Brown.

Councillor Mike Lee and the Mayor are currently in the Cook Islands on the final stage of a three-nation trade mission to the Pacific. They both paid their respects to the former Prime Minister's family this afternoon.