Henry Puna

Henry Puna, born on July twenty-ninth, nineteen forty-nine, is a prominent Cook Islands politician known for his significant contributions to the region's governance. He has been a pivotal figure in the Cook Islands Party since two thousand six, leading the party through various electoral challenges and successes.

Puna's political journey began when he was elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands during the two thousand five Manihiki by-election. Although he faced a setback in the two thousand six elections, he made a remarkable comeback in the two thousand ten elections, which resulted in his appointment as Prime Minister. His tenure as Prime Minister lasted from November two thousand ten until October two thousand twenty, during which he also held key ministerial roles, including those in Foreign Affairs, Marine Resources, and Energy.

In June two thousand twenty, Puna announced his decision to step down as Prime Minister to pursue the position of secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum. He officially resigned from his role on October first, two thousand twenty, and was subsequently elected as secretary-general on February fourth, two thousand twenty-one, succeeding Meg Taylor.