Henry Puna

Member of the Cook Islands Parliament
for ManihikiIn office
17 November 2010 – 24 March 2021Preceded byApii PihoSucceeded byAkaiti PunaIn office
8 February 2005 – 27 September 2006Preceded byRobert WoontonSucceeded byApii PihoPersonal detailsBorn29 July 1949

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Party Cook Islands PartySpouseAkaiti PunaChildren5EducationUniversity of Auckland
University of Tasmania

Henry Tuakeu Puna (born 29 July 1949) is a Cook Islands politician. He most recently served as the secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum from May 2021 to 2024. He was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from November 2010 to October 2020, and since 2006, he has been leader of the Cook Islands Party.

Puna was elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands at the 2005 Manihiki by-election. He lost his seat at the 2006 election, but regained it in the CIP victory at the 2010 election which saw him elected prime minister. During his time as prime minister, he held various ministerial portfolios, including Foreign affairs, Marine Resources, and Energy.

In June 2020, Puna announced his intention to stand down as prime minister in September to compete for the role of secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum. He stepped down from office on 1 October 2020. On 4 February 2021 he was elected as secretary-general, replacing Meg Taylor.