Cook Islands parliament chooses new PM

The Cook Islands parliament has elected as prime minister Jim Marurai, who said he would hold the position for two years.

The former minister of education from the minority Demo Tumu party was voted in by 14 votes to nine, Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) said.

Marurai replaces fellow Demo Tumu member Robert Woonton, who stepped down at the weekend after a court decision found he had tied with a rival in a vote recount in his electorate and a by-election would be held.

The vote confirmed a coalition between Demo Tumu and the Cook Islands Party had held, RNZI reported.

The opposition Democratic Party did not field a candidate.

Marurai told parliament he would lead the tiny Pacific island nation for two years of a four-year term.

RNZI said the new leader did not say who would take over from him but it appeared coalition partner leader Sir Geoffrey Henry was the likely successor.

Made up of 15 islands in the South Pacific, east of Tonga, the Cook Islands has a population of about 14,000.

An estimated 37,000 Cook Islanders live in New Zealand and Australia.

- AAP