Robert Woonton
Encyclopedia
Dr Robert Woonton was the Prime Minister
of the Cook Islands
from 11 February 2002 until 11 December 2004, and is a member of the centrist Democratic Party
. A medical doctor
by training, he became a Member of Parliament
(MP) for the island of Manihiki
. He became prime minister when his predecessor, Terepai Maoate
, also a member of the DAP, resigned after losing a confidence vote.
In September 2004 Woonton and his government held on to power, with the DAP receiving 14 of the 24 seats. Woonton, however, was nearly defeated, and following electoral petitions the result was declared a draw by the court. This resulted in a bye-election in Manihiki. Dr Woonton did not seek re-election in the bye-election.Henry Puna stood for the Cook Island party and Api Piho for the DAP. Mr Puna won the bye-election. ref>Cook Islands PM forced to resign The government was immediately dissolved and Jim Marurai
became prime minister.
He was later appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand, but was asked to resign in March 2007, following accusations of plotting with members of parliament to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Jim Marurai. Dr Woonton has since returned to medicine in New Zealand.
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of the Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
from 11 February 2002 until 11 December 2004, and is a member of the centrist Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Cook Islands)
The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...
. A medical doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
by training, he became a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for the island of Manihiki
Manihiki
Manihiki is an island in the Cook Islands known as the Island of Pearls. It is a triangular atoll north of Rarotonga.- History :Polynesians are believed to have lived on Manihiki since at least 900 or 1000 AD. Kupe was the first to explore Aotea Roa. Kupe came from Manihiki, also known as...
. He became prime minister when his predecessor, Terepai Maoate
Terepai Maoate
Sir Terepai Tuamure Maoate, KBE was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 18 November 1999 to 11 February 2002. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party...
, also a member of the DAP, resigned after losing a confidence vote.
In September 2004 Woonton and his government held on to power, with the DAP receiving 14 of the 24 seats. Woonton, however, was nearly defeated, and following electoral petitions the result was declared a draw by the court. This resulted in a bye-election in Manihiki. Dr Woonton did not seek re-election in the bye-election.Henry Puna stood for the Cook Island party and Api Piho for the DAP. Mr Puna won the bye-election. ref>Cook Islands PM forced to resign The government was immediately dissolved and Jim Marurai
Jim Marurai
Jim Marurai is a Cook Islands politician and former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Personal life:...
became prime minister.
He was later appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand, but was asked to resign in March 2007, following accusations of plotting with members of parliament to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Jim Marurai. Dr Woonton has since returned to medicine in New Zealand.