{{short description|9th Prime Minister of the Cook Islands}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | honorific_suffix = | image = | caption = | order = 9th | office = Prime Minister of the Cook Islands | monarch = Elizabeth II | 1blankname = Queen's Representative | 1namedata = Laurence Greig {{small|(Acting)}} <br> Sir Frederick Tutu Goodwin | 1blankname1 = Deputy | 1namedata1 = Geoffrey Henry <br> Terepai Maoate <br> Ngamau Munokoa | term_start = {{start date|df=yes|2002|2|11}} | term_end = {{end date|df=yes|2004|12|11}} | predecessor1 = Terepai Maoate | successor1 = Jim Marurai | order2 = | office2 = Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands | term_start2 = 30 July 2001 | term_end2 = 11 February 2002 | prime_minister2 = Terepai Maoate | predecessor2 = Norman George | successor2 = Geoffrey Henry | office3 = Minister of Foreign Affairs | prime_minister3 = Terepai Maoate <br /> Himself | term_start3 = 1 December 1999 | term_end3 = 11 December 2004 | predecessor3 = Joe Williams | successor3 = Robert Wigmore | office4 = Minister of Transport | prime_minister4 = Terepai Maoate | term_start4 = 1 December 1999 | term_end4 = 20 February 2001 | predecessor4 = Joe Williams | successor4 = Terepai Maoate | constituency_MP5 = Manihiki | parliament5 = Cook Islands | term_start5 = 24 March 1994 | term_end5 = 7 September 2004 | predecessor5 = Ben Toma | successor5 = Henry Puna | majority5 = | constituency_MP6 = | parliament6 = | term_start6 = | term_end6 = | predecessor6 = | successor6 = | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1949}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = Sue Woonton | party = Democratic Party <br /> Cook Islands First Party }} '''Robert Woonton''' (born 1949) is a Cook Islands politician and diplomat. He served as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 11 February 2002 until 11 December 2004, and later as High Commissioner to New Zealand. He was a member of the centrist Democratic Party.
Woonton trained as a medical doctor. He was first elected to the Cook Islands Parliament at the 1994 election. He was re-elected at the 1999 election. Following the premiership of Joe Williams, he was appointed to the Cabinet of Terepai Maoate as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Transport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/12/02/government-cook-islands |title=Portfolio Allocations |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=1 December 1999 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=1 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701051951/http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/12/02/government-cook-islands |url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2001 he was removed as Transport Minister, but retained his Foreign Affairs portfolio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/02/22/cook-islands-pm-takes-over-transport-portfolio |title=COOK ISLANDS PM TAKES OVER TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=22 February 2001 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702225954/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2001/02/22/cook-islands-pm-takes-over-transport-portfolio |url-status=dead }}</ref> In July 2001, following the sacking of Norman George, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=203033 |title=Woonton tipped as Cook Islands Deputy PM |author=John Andrews |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=30 July 2001 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
==Prime minister==
In February 2002 Woonton resigned his portfolios and tabled a motion of no confidence against Maoate. The motion failed, and Woonton returned to the government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/02/11/cook-islands-pm-maoate-and-deputy-pm-woonton-survive-angry-debate |title=COOK ISLANDS PM MAOATE AND DEPUTY PM WOONTON SURVIVE ANGRY DEBATE |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=11 February 2002 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630130606/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/02/11/cook-islands-pm-maoate-and-deputy-pm-woonton-survive-angry-debate |url-status=dead }}</ref> Three days later, Maoate resigned after losing a second confidence vote, and Woonton became prime minister.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/02/13/cook-islands-government-falls |title=COOK ISLANDS GOVERNMENT FALLS |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=13 February 2002 |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630130604/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/02/13/cook-islands-government-falls |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Woonton's premiership was beset by chaos and allegations of corruption. In May 2002, shortly after taking office, he was cleared of bribery allegations over claims he had approved the use of public money to fly an independent MP and his wife to New Zealand so she could receive medical treatment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/139608/cook-islands-police-clear-prime-minister-of-bribery-allegations |title=Cook Islands police clear prime minister of bribery allegations |publisher=RNZ |date=31 May 2002 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In September 2002 he threatened to deport the publisher of the ''Cook Islands Independent'' after it published a story alleging he had used public money to purchase furniture for his private residence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/141004/cook-islands-publisher-not-frightened-by-deportation-threats |title=Cook Islands publisher not frightened by deportation threats |publisher=RNZ |date=25 September 2002 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In November 2002 he sacked Justice Minister Norman George, formed a new coalition with both the Democratic Party and Cook Islands Party, and promised early elections.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/141670/cook-islands-plans-to-have-election-one-year-early |title=Cook Islands plans to have election one year early |publisher=RNZ |date=12 November 2002 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> A few months later in January 2003 he sacked Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Henry, replacing him with Democratic leader Terepai Maoate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/139247/cook-islands-deputy-pm-sacked |title=Cook Islands deputy PM sacked |publisher=RNZ |date=30 January 2003 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In November 2003 Maoate in turn resigned after he tabled a motion of no confidence in the government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146106/two-cook-islands-cabinet-ministers-resign |title=Two Cook Islands cabinet ministers resign |publisher=RNZ |date=6 November 2003 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> Later that month Woonton was officially elected leader of the Democratic Party, replacing Maoate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146266/change-of-leadership-for-cook-islands-democratic-party |title=Change of leadership for Cook Islands Democratic Party |publisher=RNZ |date=21 November 2003 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> He was replaced again by Maoate in May 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/148509/terepai-maoate-hangs-on-to-leadership-of-cook-islands'-ruling-party |title=Terepai Maoate hangs on to leadership of Cook Islands' ruling party |publisher=RNZ |date=10 May 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
In December 2003 Woonton's government faced allegations that it was selling residency, after it granted residency to convicted New Zealand businessman Mark Lyon in exchange for a $150,000 bond.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146518/cook-islands-pm-to-determine-future-of-residency-permit-of-convicted-property-developer |title=Cook Islands PM to determine future of residency permit of convicted property developer |publisher=RNZ |date=10 December 2003 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> Lyon was later banned from the Cook Islands,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/146967/cook-islands-bans-new-zealand-convict-lyon-amid-new-police-probe |title=Cook Islands bans New Zealand convict Lyon amid new police probe |publisher=RNZ |date=17 January 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> and Woonton attempted to sue those critical of the decision to allow him in for defamation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/148810/cooks-citizens-group-sets-up-trust-for-defendants-in-libel-case |title=Cooks Citizens Group sets up trust for defendants in libel case |publisher=RNZ |date=27 May 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In May 2004 he made a state visit to China, in which he accepted US$2.5 million in aid in exchange for recognising that Taiwan was part of China.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/148392/china-gives-us$2-point-5m-to-cook-islands |title=China gives US$2.5m to Cook Islands |publisher=RNZ |date=3 May 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> When the ''Cook Islands Herald'' published a satirical letter questioning this change in policy, Woonton attempted to have them prosecuted for criminal libel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/148558/cook-islands-government-takes-action-over-satirical-letter |title=Cook Islands government takes action over satirical letter |publisher=RNZ |date=12 May 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Attorney General v Pitt |volume=[2004] |reporter=CKHC |opinion=22 |court=High Court of the Cook Islands |date=4 June 2004 |accessdate=30 June 2020}}</ref> Shortly afterward he dissolved Parliament for the election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/149123/cook-islands-pm-about-to-announce-election-date |title=Cook Islands PM about to announce election date |publisher=RNZ |date=14 June 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
At the 2004 election Woonton's government retained its majority, but Woonton was nearly defeated. While awaiting the result of electoral petitions, Woonton announced a new coalition with the Cook Islands Party.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/151710/woonton-announces-new-cook-islands-government |title=Woonton announces new Cook Islands government |publisher=RNZ |date=15 November 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> He was subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party and formed his own party, the Demo Party Tumu (later known as Cook Islands First).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152009/cook-islands-prime-minister-forms-new-party |title=Cook Islands prime minister forms new party |publisher=RNZ |date=1 December 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> On 12 December 2004 a recount found that the result in Woonton's electorate of Manihiki was a tie. Woonton resigned as prime minister,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152222/cooks-to-vote-for-new-prime-minster-after-election-draw-leads-to-by-election |title=Cooks to vote for new Prime Minster after election draw leads to by-election |publisher=RNZ |date=13 December 2004 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> and was replaced by Jim Marurai. He did not contest the resulting 2005 Manihiki by-election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152648/former-cook-islands-pm-not-contesting-manihiki-by-election-for-personal-reasons |title=Former Cook Islands PM not contesting Manihiki by-election for personal reasons |publisher=RNZ |date=7 January 2005 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
Following the election, the Cook Islands Court of Appeal ruled that Woonton's Cabinet had bribed voters in the electorate of Titikaveka in an effort to secure the election of Cabinet Minister Robert Wigmore.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Wigmore v Matapo |vol=[2005] |reporter=CKCA |opinion=1 |court=Cook Islands Court of Appeal |date=19 August 2005 |accessdate=30 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/158530/cooks-pm,-ex-pm-and-cabinet-minister-implicated-in-bribery-complaint |title=Cooks PM, ex-PM and cabinet minister implicated in bribery complaint |publisher=RNZ |date=9 November 2005 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
==Post-political career==
In early 2005 Woonton was appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand, replacing Tom Davis. He was sacked in March 2006, following accusations that he was plotting with members of parliament to end Marurai's government.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10371398">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10371398 |title=Cook Islands envoy sacked for plot to oust own PM |date=7 March 2006 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=5 November 2011}}</ref> Shortly after being sacked he joined a Wellington-based development firm which planned to build a new private hospital on Rarotonga.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2006/04/14/ousted-cooks-politician-joins-wellington-firm |title=OUSTED COOKS POLITICIAN JOINS WELLINGTON FIRM |author=John Woods |publisher=Pacific islands Report |date=14 April 2006 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166566/new-private-hospital-to-be-built-in-cook-islands |title=New private hospital to be built in Cook Islands |publisher=RNZ |date=4 December 2006 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
He now works as a doctor in Auckland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pasifikafutures.co.nz/sharing-the-learnings-of-whanau-ora-at-the-pma-conference/ |title=Sharing the learnings of Whānau Ora at the PMA Conference |publisher=Pasifika Futures |access-date=30 June 2020 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630204715/http://pasifikafutures.co.nz/sharing-the-learnings-of-whanau-ora-at-the-pma-conference/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2011 he was appointed to the Auckland Council's inaugural Pacific People's Advisory Panel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2011/02/pacific-peoples-advisory-panel-members-announced/ |title=Pacific People's Advisory Panel members announced |publisher=Scoop |date=28 February 2011 |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{CookIsPMs}} {{Cook Islands Democratic Party |state=autocollapse}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woonton, Robert}} Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:Prime ministers of the Cook Islands Category:Deputy prime ministers of the Cook Islands Category:Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands Category:High commissioners of the Cook Islands to New Zealand Category:Democratic Party (Cook Islands) politicians Category:Cook Islands First Party politicians Category:Cook Island medical doctors Category:Cook Island emigrants to New Zealand Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of the Cook Islands Category:University of Auckland alumni