Robert Woonton Democratic Henry Puna Cook Islands The 2005 Manihiki by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands electorate of Manihiki.

It was held on 8 February 2005,[1] shortly after the 2004 general election, and was precipitated by an electoral petition finding the result in the seat to be a dead tie.

[2] Both parties to the petition, Prime Minister Robert Woonton and Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna had agreed that in the event of a draw the question should be decided by the voters, and so Woonton resigned.

[2] As a result, Jim Marurai became prime minister.

[3] Woonton subsequently decided not to contest the election for personal reasons.