| Raui Pokoati | |
| Office1: | Member of the Legislative Assembly |
| Term1: | 1965–1978 |
| Predecessor1: | Tiki Tetava Ariki |
| Successor1: | David Tetava |
| Constituency1: | Mitiaro |
| Party: | Cook Islands Party |
| Birth Date: | 1911 |
| Birth Place: | Mitiaro, Cook Islands |
| Death Date: | 25 March 1981 (aged 69) |
| Death Place: | Rarotonga, Cook Islands |
Papa Raui Pokoati (1911 – 25 March 1981) was a Cook Islands politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly for his home island of Mitiaro between 1965 and 1978.
Pokoati was born on Mitiaro in 1911,[1] the son of one of the island's three Ariki. He attended the local London Missionary Society school and went on to become a poultry farmer, planter and a pastor for the Cook Islands Christian Church. He was employed by the Department of Agriculture.[1] [2]
In 1964 Pokoati was a founder member of the Cook Islands Party (CIP) and part of its central committee.[2] Although he had lived on Rarotonga for several years,[2] he was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Mitiaro in 1965, defeating his cousin Titi Tetava Ariki.[2] In mid-1966 he was appointed Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development.[2] He was re-elected unopposed in 1968 and 1972.
Pokoati was re-elected again in 1974, but prior to the 1978 elections he left the CIP,[3] establishing the Unity Party.[4] He lost the election to David Tetava of the CIP. When Tetava's victory was annulled, Titi Tetava Ariki was elected.[1]
In 1977, Pokoati was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.[5]
He died in March 1981 in Rarotonga hospital at the age of 69, survived by his wife and nine children.[1]