Henry Puna
| Henry Puna | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Prime Minister of the Cook Islands | |
|
Assumed office 30 November 2010 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Representative |
Frederick Tutu Goodwin Tom Marsters |
| Preceded by | Jim Marurai |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
29 July 1949 Aitutaki, Cook Islands |
| Political party | Cook Islands Party |
| Spouse(s) | Akaiti Puna |
| Children | Henry Edwin Abraham Tina Vivienne |
| Alma mater |
University of Auckland University of Tasmania |
| Religion | Christianity |
Henry Tuakeu Puna (born 29 July 1949) is the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is leader of the Cook Islands Party and has been Prime Minister since November 2010.
Puna grew up in Aitutaki. He was educated on Aitutaki and Rarotonga before studying law at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and the University of Tasmania in Australia. He worked as a lawyer before entering politics.
Puna's father, Tuakeu Manuela, was a Member of the Legislative Assembly, and his older brothers William Estall and Ngereteina Puna both served as Cabinet Ministers, also his brother Manuela Puna served as Clerk of the Cook Islands Parliament.
Puna first stood for Parliament at the 2004 election, contesting Prime Minister Robert Woonton's seat of Manihiki. He narrowly lost the seat on election night, but challenged the result in an election petition. The petition was upheld, with several voters being disqualified; the subsequent recount produced a tie, precipitating a by-election which Puna ultimately won.
In September 2006, following the retirement of party leader Geoffrey Henry, Puna was elected leader of the Cook Islands Party. He subsequently lost his seat in the Manihiki constituency to Apii Piho in the 2006 election, but continued to serve as leader outside Parliament. Because he was not a member of Parliament, Puna was not the leader of the opposition; this position was filled by Tom Marsters. Puna worked as a lawyer and pearl farmer during his time out of parliament.
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