Jim Marurai

{{Infobox officeholder

|image = Jim Marurai.jpg

|caption =

|order = 10th

|office = Prime Minister of the Cook Islands

|monarch = Elizabeth II

|1blankname = Queen's Representative

|1namedata = Frederick Tutu Goodwin

|2blankname = Deputy

|2namedata = Geoffrey Henry
Terepai Maoate
Robert Wigmore

|predecessor = Robert Woonton

|successor = Henry Puna

|term_start = 14 December 2004

|term_end = 29 November 2010

|office2 = Minister of Education

|term_start2 = 29 June 1999

|term_end2 = 29 November 2010

|primeminister2 = Geoffrey Henry
Joe Williams
Terepai Maoate
Robert Woonton
Himself

|predecessor2 =

|successor2 = Teina Bishop

|office3 = Minister of Police

|deputy3 =

|primeminister3 = Himself

|term_start3 = 29 September 2005

|term_end3 = 29 November 2010

|predecessor3 = Peri Vaevae Pare

|successor3 = Henry Puna

|office4 = Minister of Foreign Affairs

|leader4 =

|term_start4 = 2009

|term_end4 = 23 December 2009

|predecessor4 = Terepai Maoate

|successor4 = Robert Wigmore

|office5 =

|term_start5 = 28 July 2009

|term_end5 = 2009

|predecessor5 = Wilkie Rasmussen

|successor5 = Terepai Maoate

|constituency_MP12 = Ivirua

|parliament12 = Cook Islands

|term_start12 = 1994

|term_end12 = 5 July 2017

|predecessor12 =

|successor12 = Tony Armstrong

|majority12 =

|birth_date = {{birth date|1947|7|9|df=y}}

|birth_place = Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands

|death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|11||1947|7|9|df=y}}

|death_place = Ivirua, Mangaia, Cook Islands

|spouse = Tuaine Marurai (deceased)

|party = New Alliance Party
Cook Islands First Party
Democratic Party

|children = Jason Marurai, Anna Marurai, Eion Marurai, Tokoa Marurai, R Marurai

|alma_mater = University of Otago}}

Jim Marurai (9 July 1947 – November 2020) was a Cook Islands politician who served as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 2004 to 2010. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Personal life

Marurai was born in Ivirua, Mangaia.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members/marurai.html |title=Hon. Jim MARURAI |publisher=Parliament of the Cook Islands |access-date=29 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001065857/http://www.parliament.gov.ck/members/marurai.html |archive-date=1 October 2010 |url-status=dead }} He attended Ivirua and Oneroa Primary school and then Tereora College on Rarotonga and Napier Boys' High School in New Zealand. He later studied to be a teacher at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/features/memory-lane/jim-marurai-the-unexpected-prime-minister/ |title=Jim Marurai: The unexpected prime minister |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=9 November 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108025306/https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/features/memory-lane/jim-marurai-the-unexpected-prime-minister/ |archive-date=8 November 2020}}

Marurai's wife, Tuaine Marurai, died on 14 September 2005 in Auckland, New Zealand, at the age of 56 after suffering from cancer. She was buried on her home island of Mangaia.{{cite web|url=http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/view_release.php?release_id=753 |title=Mrs Marurai to be laid to rest in Mangaia |publisher=Cook Islands Government Online |date=13 September 2005 |access-date=29 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001070035/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/view_release.php?release_id=753 |archive-date= 1 October 2010 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157544/cook-islands-makes-preparations-for-funeral-of-pm's-wife |title=Cook Islands makes preparations for funeral of PM's wife |publisher=RNZ |date=17 September 2005 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043359/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157544/cook-islands-makes-preparations-for-funeral-of-pm's-wife |url-status=live }}

In March 2020 Marurai went missing from his home but was found after two days.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/411483/former-cooks-pm-found-after-going-missing-for-two-days |title=Former Cooks' PM found after going missing for two days |publisher=RNZ |date=11 March 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709131307/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/411483/former-cooks-pm-found-after-going-missing-for-two-days |url-status=live }} He died in the first week of November 2020 in his home in Ivirua.{{cite news|url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/gentleman-jim-a-man-for-the-people/|title=‘Gentleman Jim’ – a man for the people|website=Cook Island News|access-date=6 November 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108024451/https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/gentleman-jim-a-man-for-the-people/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/430001/former-cook-islands-pm-jim-marurai-dies|title=Former Cook Islands PM Jim Marurai dies|date=6 November 2020|publisher=Radio New Zealand |access-date=6 November 2020|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106001413/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/430001/former-cook-islands-pm-jim-marurai-dies|url-status=live}}

Political career

Marurai was first elected to Parliament in a by-election in 1994. He served as an opposition backbencher for his first term, and joined Norman George in splitting from the Democrats to form the New Alliance Party.{{cite journal |title=Cook Islands in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 |author=Wilkie Rasmussen |journal=The Contemporary Pacific |volume=11 |issue=1 |year=1999 |pages=209–210}} Following the 1999 election he was appointed Minister of Education in the coalition Cabinets of Geoffrey Henry{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/06/30/sir-geoffrey-henry-remains-cooks-islands-prime-minister-new-cabinet-ministers |title=SIR GEOFFREY HENRY REMAINS COOKS ISLANDS PRIME MINISTER, NEW CABINET MINISTERS |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=30 June 1999 |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708121352/http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/06/30/sir-geoffrey-henry-remains-cooks-islands-prime-minister-new-cabinet-ministers |url-status=live }} and Joe Williams.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/08/11/cook-islands-ministerial-portfolios |title=COOK ISLANDS MINISTERIAL PORTFOLIOS |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=11 August 1999 |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708074053/http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/08/11/cook-islands-ministerial-portfolios |url-status=live }} He retained the portfolio under both succeeding Prime Ministers, Terepai Maoate{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/1999/12/02/government-cook-islands |title=Portfolio Allocations |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=2 December 1999 |access-date=5 July 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=live }} and Robert Woonton.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/02/18/cook-islands-prime-minister-woonton%E2%80%99s-and-norman-george%E2%80%99s-long-portfolio |title=COOK ISLANDS PRIME MINISTER WOONTON’S AND NORMAN GEORGE’S LONG PORTFOLIO |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=18 February 2002 |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708091559/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2002/02/18/cook-islands-prime-minister-woonton%E2%80%99s-and-norman-george%E2%80%99s-long-portfolio |url-status=live }}

=Prime minister=

Marurai was re-elected at the 2004 election. When Prime Minister Robert Woonton was expelled from the Democratic party for forming a coalition with the Cook Islands Party, Marurai joined him in the newly formed Demo Party Tumu (later known as Cook Islands First).{{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 |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702214909/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152009/cook-islands-prime-minister-forms-new-party |url-status=live }} When an electoral petition found Woonton's seat was a dead tie, Woonton resigned, and Marurai was elected Prime Minister.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152306/jim-marurai-is-new-cook-islands-prime-minister |title=Jim Marurai is new Cook Islands prime minister |publisher=RNZ |date=15 December 2004 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711064244/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/152306/jim-marurai-is-new-cook-islands-prime-minister |url-status=live }} Initially he governed in coalition with the Cook Islands Party as part of a power-sharing deal which would see CIP leader Geoffrey Henry become Prime Minister after two years, but in August 2005 the agreement broke down and Marurai formed a new coalition with the Democrats.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/156780/cook-islands-deputy-pm-dumped,-new-government-formed |title=Cook Islands deputy PM dumped, new government formed |publisher=RNZ |date=9 August 2005 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=10 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710223930/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/156780/cook-islands-deputy-pm-dumped,-new-government-formed |url-status=live }} Terepai Maoate became Deputy Prime Minister again, and a month later the remaining CIP Cabinet Ministers were sacked and replaced by Democrats.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157432/cook-islands-pm-sacks-two-more-ministers |title=Cook Islands PM sacks two more ministers |publisher=RNZ |date=12 September 2005 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712020448/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157432/cook-islands-pm-sacks-two-more-ministers |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157536/viceroy-swears-in-two-new-cabinet-ministers-in-the-cook-islands |title=Viceroy swears in two new Cabinet ministers in the Cook Islands |publisher=RNZ |date=16 September 2005 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709141123/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157536/viceroy-swears-in-two-new-cabinet-ministers-in-the-cook-islands |url-status=live }}

In October 2005 Marurai suspended Police Minister Peri Vaevae Pare from Cabinet over an allegation of wrongful use of public funds;{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157862/cooks-police-probe-cabinet-minister-vaevae-pare |title=Cooks police probe cabinet minister Vaevae Pare |publisher=RNZ |date=3 October 2005 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043344/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/157862/cooks-police-probe-cabinet-minister-vaevae-pare |url-status=live }} Pare was subsequently asked to resign after he was convicted in January 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2006/01/31/convicted-cooks-minister-asked-resign |title=CONVICTED COOKS MINISTER ASKED TO RESIGN |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=31 January 2006 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709134706/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2006/01/31/convicted-cooks-minister-asked-resign |url-status=live }} In March 2006 two government MP's crossed the floor and sided with the opposition in an unsuccessful plot to bring down the government.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/160664/attempt-to-bring-down-government-failed,-says-cooks-pm |title=Attempt to bring down government failed, says Cooks PM |publisher=RNZ |date=3 March 2006 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043344/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/160664/attempt-to-bring-down-government-failed,-says-cooks-pm |url-status=live }} The High Commissioner to New Zealand, former prime minister Rober Woonton, was sacked for his involvement in the plot.{{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 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022234047/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10371398 |url-status=live }} The resulting deadlock in Parliament was broken when Environment Minister Teina Bishop resigned and joined the opposition{{cite journal |url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/14066/v20n1-216-222-politicalrev.pdf |title=Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007: Cook Islands |last1=Jonassen |first1=Jon Tikivanotau M. |journal=The Contemporary Pacific |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=216–22 |access-date=7 July 2020 |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707192747/https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/14066/v20n1-216-222-politicalrev.pdf |url-status=live }} and the Cook Islands Party won the 2006 Matavera by-election.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163513/cook-islands-government-plays-wait-and-see-game |title=Cook Islands government plays wait and see game |publisher=RNZ |date=21 July 2006 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713090440/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163513/cook-islands-government-plays-wait-and-see-game |url-status=live }} To avoid a confidence vote, Marurai dissolved Parliament and called a snap election.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163567/cooks-parliament-dissolved |title=Cooks parliament dissolved |publisher=RNZ |date=25 July 2006 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712114306/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/163567/cooks-parliament-dissolved |url-status=live }}

The Democratic Party won the resulting 2006 election{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/164987/democratic-party-in-cook-islands-begins-celebrating |title=Democratic Party in Cook Islands begins celebrating |publisher=RNZ |date=28 September 2006 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709125109/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/164987/democratic-party-in-cook-islands-begins-celebrating |url-status=live }} and agreed to back Marurai as Prime Minister again.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/165038/cook-islands-democratic-party-back-marurai-re-appointment |title=Cook Islands Democratic Party back Marurai re-appointment |publisher=RNZ |date=29 September 2006 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712090438/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/165038/cook-islands-democratic-party-back-marurai-re-appointment |url-status=live }} Shortly after the election his government pushed a controversial Media Standards Bill to regulate the media.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/04/24/cooks-prime-minister-backs-controversial-media-bill |title=COOKS PRIME MINISTER BACKS CONTROVERSIAL MEDIA BILL |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=24 April 2007 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043345/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/04/24/cooks-prime-minister-backs-controversial-media-bill |url-status=live }} In May 2007 Marurai attended the 8th Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders in Washington, D.C., and expressed disappointment with the lack of commitments by the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/06/04/cooks-disappointed-washington-conference |title=COOKS DISAPPOINTED IN WASHINGTON CONFERENCE |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=4 June 2007 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709055822/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/06/04/cooks-disappointed-washington-conference |url-status=live }} In August 2007 he hosted New Zealand Governor-General Anand Satyanand,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/172022/nz-governor-general-to-visit-cooks |title=NZ Governor General to visit Cooks |publisher=RNZ |date=16 August 2007 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712090418/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/172022/nz-governor-general-to-visit-cooks |url-status=live }} and in October he made a state visit to China.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/10/02/cook-islands-leader-bound-china-red-carpet |title=COOK ISLANDS LEADER BOUND FOR CHINA RED CARPET |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=2 October 2007 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709044920/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/10/02/cook-islands-leader-bound-china-red-carpet |url-status=live }}

Marurai's coalition came under strain in early 2008, with an outbreak of bickering and calls for Ministers to be sacked.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175040/cooks-pm-concerned-over-bickering-among-cabinet-ministers |title=Cooks PM concerned over bickering among cabinet ministers |publisher=RNZ |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712013720/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175040/cooks-pm-concerned-over-bickering-among-cabinet-ministers |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175045/cooks-pm-gets-info-about-party-visit-through-local-media |title=Cooks PM gets info about party visit through local media |publisher=RNZ |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712020501/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/175045/cooks-pm-gets-info-about-party-visit-through-local-media |url-status=live }} In late 2008 Foreign Minister Wilkie Rasmussen publicly called for both Marurai and his deputy Maoate to step down.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/181158/cook-islands-foreign-minister-says-marurai-and-maoate-should-step-down |title=Cook Islands Foreign Minister says Marurai and Maoate should step down |publisher=RNZ |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711120144/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/181158/cook-islands-foreign-minister-says-marurai-and-maoate-should-step-down |url-status=live }} In July 2009 Rasmussen was sacked for plotting with the opposition.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/185125/cooks-foreign-minister-sacked-for-plotting-against-pm |title=Cooks Foreign Minister sacked for plotting against PM |publisher=RNZ |date=30 July 2009 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=10 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710221426/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/185125/cooks-foreign-minister-sacked-for-plotting-against-pm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2009/07/30/cooks-prime-minister-fires-foreign-minister |title=COOKS PRIME MINISTER FIRES FOREIGN MINISTER |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=30 July 2009 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709133248/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2009/07/30/cooks-prime-minister-fires-foreign-minister |url-status=live }} In December, a million dollar legal settlement from a failed bid to buy the Toa fuel tank farm led to the sacking of Maoate and a walkout of Democrats from Cabinet.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/9422/cook-islands-opposition-accuses-govt-of-mismanagement |title=Cook Islands opposition accuses govt of mismanagement |publisher=RNZ |date=29 December 2009 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043407/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/9422/cook-islands-opposition-accuses-govt-of-mismanagement |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/187947/cooks-deputy-prime-minister-replaced,-prompting-a-walkout |title=Cooks Deputy Prime Minister replaced, prompting a walkout |publisher=RNZ |date=24 December 2009 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=5 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705034657/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/187947/cooks-deputy-prime-minister-replaced,-prompting-a-walkout |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.democookislands.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129:cabinet-ministers-resign-in-support-of-party-leader&catid=1:latest-news |title=Cabinet Ministers Resign in Support of Party Leader |publisher=Democratic Party – Cook Islands |date=23 December 2009 |access-date=25 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709011911/http://www.democookislands.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129%3Acabinet-ministers-resign-in-support-of-party-leader&catid=1%3Alatest-news |archive-date= 9 July 2011 }} Marurai was subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party.{{cite web |url=http://www.ciherald.co.ck/articles/h491a.htm |title=PM sacked by Demo Party |work=Cook Islands Herald |date=23 December 2009 |access-date=27 December 2009 |archive-date=18 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318031038/http://www.ciherald.co.ck/articles/h491a.htm |url-status=live }} In January 2010, with both the Democrats and the Cook Islands Party opposed to his premiership,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188254/cook-islands-party-says-current-political-stand-off-unacceptable |title=Cook Islands Party says current political stand-off unacceptable |publisher=RNZ |date=18 January 2010 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711002641/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188254/cook-islands-party-says-current-political-stand-off-unacceptable |url-status=live }} Marurai announced that he would not be "calling parliament for at least several months" as no sitting was required until it was necessary to pass a budget.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188319/fearing-ouster,-cooks-pm-won't-recall-parliament-for-months |title=Fearing ouster, Cooks PM won't recall parliament for months |publisher=RNZ |date=21 January 2010 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711031533/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188319/fearing-ouster,-cooks-pm-won't-recall-parliament-for-months |url-status=live }} He later announced that he had no intention of calling Parliament until September.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188878/cooks-pm-holds-off-parliament-for-another-seven-months |title=Cooks PM holds off parliament for another seven months |publisher=RNZ |date=23 February 2010 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711122914/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/188878/cooks-pm-holds-off-parliament-for-another-seven-months |url-status=live }}

Marurai was readmitted to the Democratic party at a party conference in June 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/190693/new-leadership-for-cook-islands-democratic-party |title=New leadership for Cook Islands Democratic Party |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=4 June 2010 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709124411/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/190693/new-leadership-for-cook-islands-democratic-party |url-status=live }} He subsequently announced that he would not continue as Prime Minister if the Democratic Party won the 2010 election.{{cite web |url=http://www.ciherald.co.ck/articles/h515a.htm |title=PM confirms his passing of the baton after the election |work=Cook Islands herald |date=10 June 2010 |access-date=11 June 2010 |archive-date=18 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318041914/http://www.ciherald.co.ck/articles/h515a.htm |url-status=live }} Marurai was re-elected to his Ivirua seat in the 2010 elections, but his party was ousted.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193777/preliminary-results-show-democrats-ousted-in-cook-islands-election |title=Preliminary results show Democrats ousted in Cook Islands election |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=9 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709043352/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193777/preliminary-results-show-democrats-ousted-in-cook-islands-election |url-status=live }} He resigned as Prime Minister on 29 November 2010,{{cite web |url=http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/December/Wed01/local.htm#1011300102 |title=Marurai stands down |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=30 November 2010 |access-date=5 December 2010 |archive-date=31 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731014353/http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/December/Wed01/local.htm#1011300102 |url-status=live }} but continued to serve as a backbench MP.

Despite saying that the 2010 term would be his last, Marurai stood again for Ivirua in the 2014 election and was elected unopposed.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47537-marurai-waltzes-into-office |title=Marurai waltzes into office |author=Emmanuel Samoglou |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=10 July 2014 |access-date=10 July 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151646/http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/47537-marurai-waltzes-into-office |url-status=live }} He resigned for health reasons in 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/07/05/former-cook-islands-pm-jim-marurai-resign-parliament |title=Former Cook Islands PM Jim Marurai To Resign From Parliament |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=5 July 2017 |access-date=14 June 2020 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614103441/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/07/05/former-cook-islands-pm-jim-marurai-resign-parliament |url-status=live }} The subsequent 2017 Ivirua by-election was won by Tony Armstrong.{{cite web |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/65600-ivirua-by-election-has-predictable-result/65600-ivirua-by-election-has-predictable-result |title=Ivirua by-election has predictable result |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=24 August 2017 |access-date=14 June 2020 |archive-date=14 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614103439/http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/65600-ivirua-by-election-has-predictable-result/65600-ivirua-by-election-has-predictable-result |url-status=live }}

References

Category:Cook Islanders

Category:Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands

Category:Prime ministers of the Cook Islands

Category:Education ministers of the Cook Islands

Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of the Cook Islands

Category:Interior ministers of the Cook Islands

Category:University of Otago alumni

Category:1947 births

Category:2020 deaths

Category:People from Mangaia

Category:Democratic Party (Cook Islands) politicians

Category:Cook Islands First Party politicians

Category:New Alliance Party (Cook Islands) politicians