Robert Woonton

Robert Woonton
9th Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
In office
11 February 2002 (2002-02-11) – 11 December 2004 (2004-12-11)
MonarchElizabeth II
Queen's RepresentativeLaurence Greig (Acting)
Sir Frederick Tutu Goodwin
DeputyGeoffrey Henry
Terepai Maoate
Ngamau Munokoa
Preceded byTerepai Maoate
Succeeded byJim Marurai
Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands
In office
30 July 2001 – 11 February 2002
Prime MinisterTerepai Maoate
Preceded byNorman George
Succeeded byGeoffrey Henry
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
1 December 1999 – 11 December 2004
Prime MinisterTerepai Maoate
Himself
Preceded byJoe Williams
Succeeded byRobert Wigmore
Minister of Transport
In office
1 December 1999 – 20 February 2001
Prime MinisterTerepai Maoate
Preceded byJoe Williams
Succeeded byTerepai Maoate
Member of the Cook Islands Parliament
for Manihiki
In office
24 March 1994 – 7 September 2004
Preceded byBen Toma
Succeeded byHenry Puna
Personal details
Born1949 (age 74–75)
Political partyDemocratic Party
Cook Islands First Party
SpouseSue Woonton

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.[1] In February 2001 he was removed as Transport Minister, but retained his Foreign Affairs portfolio.[2] In July 2001, following the sacking of Norman George, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[3]

  1. ^ "Portfolio Allocations". Pacific Islands Report. 1 December 1999. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. ^ "COOK ISLANDS PM TAKES OVER TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO". Pacific Islands Report. 22 February 2001. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ John Andrews (30 July 2001). "Woonton tipped as Cook Islands Deputy PM". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 June 2020.