Piho Rua

{{Short description|Cook Islands politician}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}

Piho Rua (born 15 November 1954) is a Cook Islands politician and former member of the Cook Islands Parliament.

Rua was born on Rakahanga and educated at Aitutaki Junior High School and Tereora College. He had a twenty-year career as a police officer before becoming a public servant and serving as Chief Executive of the Prime Minister's Office. While serving in that role, Rua advocated for tight control of the media to prevent stories critical of the government.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=1948 |title=Cook Islands Prime Minister's chief adviser favours Zimbabwe style media laws |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=12 September 2002 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203100/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=1948 |url-status=live }} He also attracted controversy after being promoted to the rank of police superintendent, despite having left the police force.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=7757 |title=Cook Islands police minister to decide on reranking of superintendent |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=10 December 2003 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203106/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=7757 |url-status=live }}

He was first elected to Parliament at the 2004 election, winning the seat of Rakahanga from Speaker of the House and former Prime Minister Pupuke Robati. The election was later subject to an unsuccessful electoral petition.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=13570 |title=Cook Island MPs retain seats following appeals |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=3 December 2004 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203117/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=13570 |url-status=live }} During the post-election period he was courted by Prime Minister Robert Woonton, but declined to join his new party.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=13532 |title=Cook Islands independent MP denies joining PM's new party |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2 December 2004 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203254/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=13532 |url-status=live }} When Woonton resigned his seat, he supported Jim Marurai as Prime Minister, and was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Culture, Tourism, and the Public Service Commission.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=13940 |title=Cook Islands Prime Minister's office denies Cook Islands Party has all the key portfolios |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=21 December 2004 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203300/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=13940 |url-status=live }}

Rua was forced to resign from Cabinet in May 2005 after concerns over his handling of his ministries.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=16479 |title=Cook Islands Party MP gets sworn in as new minister for Tourism and Culture |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=16 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516055330/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=16479 |url-status=live }} A subsequent audit of ministerial expenses revealed that Rua had spent $US4,500 on personal phone calls in just six months in office; he agreed to repay the money.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=18175 |title=Audit report reveals details of debts run up by short-term Cook Islands minister |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=21 July 2005 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203307/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=18175 |url-status=live }}

In December 2005, Rua was accused of selling unauthorized DVDs of Peter jackson's King Kong through his retail store.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=21313 |title=Cook Islands politician reported to be selling illegal copies of King Kong film |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=22 December 2005 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203318/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=21313 |url-status=live }}

In 2006, Rua aligned himself with the opposition Cook Islands Party in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the governing coalition in a confidence vote.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=22603 |title=Attempt to bring down government failed, says Cooks PM |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=3 March 2006 |access-date=3 January 2010 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603203336/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=22603 |url-status=live }}

In September 2010 Rua announced that he was retiring from politics and would not contest the 2010 election.{{cite web |url=http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/September/Wed08/other.htm#1009021013 |title=Rua stands down |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=2 September 2010 |access-date=10 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055309/http://www.cinews.co.ck/2010/September/Wed08/other.htm |archive-date=16 July 2011}}