Puna on Wigmore
It’s right decision
By Charles Pitt,
Political Editor

Henry and Akaiti Puna … taking break from politics

Cook Islands Party (CIP) leader Henry Puna has welcomed the decision by the High Court in declaring Robert Wigmore’s win in Titikaveka void and calling a by-election. High Court Justice Tom Weston, in his judgment issued on 8 December, found that while Wigmore had properly resigned as a Crown servant, he failed to do so before his nomination was made. This meant he was not properly qualified to stand as a candidate.
It was the right decision, said Puna, who added that the CIP were always optimistic they had substantive grounds for filing the electoral petition for Tiki Matapo.Puna expressed commiserations to Wigmore and said the CIP would focus its efforts on giving Wigmore, a strong candidate, a good run.
Under the Constitution the by-election must be held within the next two months from 8 December. He hoped the Chief Electoral Officer would set the by election for the end of January or early February.
Puna said he congratulated Matapo’s legal team of Norman George, Tevita Vakalalabure and Sir Geoffrey Henry for an excellent job.
Puna said the matter of the leader of the opposition and the deputy would be decided in the coming week by the CIP’s parliamentary team. Seven days notice is required for calling Parliament. Puna said he would miss the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate.
On Friday morning Puna and his wife Akaiti went on Cook Islands Radio to send a message to the people of Manihiki. Puna said it was a serious message asking the new Member Apii Piho and his supporters if they would continue with the initiatives he had started. Above all he wanted an end to political victimization.
When he was the sitting member the only change he made was to the Government Representative position.
Puna said he and his wife would now take a welcome break from politics which had been most stressful over the past four months.

Headlines : Times 180 11 Dec 2006
- Women wanted: Why this man’s here
- Nanette’s report top in the islands
- TOURISM BOOST
- GET READY RARO
- Puna on Wigmore It’s right decision
- Why Wigmore win struck out
- Students endure tough week
- GET WITH GAMES
- Lafala a name to celebrate

Headlines : Times 179 04 Dec 2006
- Tepaki’s $48 million plan
- Top class private hospital planned
- Group aims to reverse depopulation
- Letter to the Editor: Embrace our future with the truth
- Telecom launches 2-year project to bring you better connections
- Research job strengthens new framework
- Guilty of being bad
- Manukau boosts business here
- Sneak preview of 777 here
- $20 George’s limit
- Justice Weston to crack ‘tough nut’ poll ruling