New Cook Islands PM promises to restore confidence in government

The Cook Islands' new Prime Minister Jim Marurai has promised to restore confidence in his government after an electoral challenge left the Pacific nation in political limbo.

"I know the past few weeks of political uncertainty have been uncomfortable for many of our people," the 57-year-old former education minister told the Cook Islands News.

"I hope that I can restore the confidence of our people by saying that the coalition government is determined to deliver stability, good transparent governance and continued growth of our economy."

Former prime minister Robert Woonton stepped down last week after a political split with his former party and a looming by-election for his parliamentary seat of Manihiki.

A by-election will be held on February 8 after Dr Woonton and rival Cook Islands Party (CIP) candidate Henry Puna were tied on 134 votes following a recount of the September general election result.

Dr Woonton formed the new Demo Party Tumu this month with fellow former Democratic Party MPs Peri Vaevae Pare and Jim Marurai after he and Mr Pare were expelled from the party.

Demo Party Tumu has formed a coalition government with the CIP giving them a 14 - 9 parliamentary majority but the vacancy of Dr Wooton's Manihiki seat after a by-election was called on December 11 left the nation leaderless.

Mr Marurai, a former education minister, was sworn in as the eighth prime minister of the Cook Islands on December 14 and today promised the country political stability, growing prosperity and transparent governance during his two-year term of office.

He will share the four-year term with CIP leader and current deputy prime minister Sir Geoffrey Henry.

Mr Marurai said his coalition government was determined to "improve on the international image of the Cook Islands and reassure the outside world that our country is moving forward".

Cook Islanders must come together as one nation and work towards common goals, he said.

"We need to put the experiences of the past weeks behind us, say to ourselves 'let's move ahead' and do just that together as a people and nation."

"Let's develop our nation together with integrity and compassion."

Meanwhile, the Cook Islands' new speaker of the house Norman George wants a new parliament building constructed.

While a cabinet minister, Mr George was instrumental in gaining the support of the People's Republic of China for a newly completed courthouse and a national police headquarters which is yet to be built.

Mr George, who was elected speaker last week following a 13 - 9 vote against the Democratic Party's Mauke MP Mapu Taia, said he was enjoying his new role.

The only negative aspect, he said, was not being able to answer anyone back.

Parliament has been adjourned for the year.

The Cook Islands -- which has a population of 21,000 -- has suffered from political uncertainty in recent years with five administrations in the past five years, including three in 1999.

- NZPA