2003 Rua'au by-election

The Rua'au by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands seat of Rua'au. It took place on 14 August 2003, and was precipitated by the death of Democratic Party MP Maria Heather.[1]

Three candidates contested the by-election: the Democratic Party's Geoffrey Heather, husband of the former MP; the Cook Islands Party's Vaine Wichman, and Cook Islands National Party leader Teariki Heather.[1] The poll was won by Geoffrey Heather.[2]

Results

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Geoffrey Heather	Democratic Party	231	42.54
	Teariki Heather	Cook Islands National Party	157	28.91
	Vaine Wichman	Cook Islands Party	155	28.55
Total			543	100.00
Source: The Cook Islands Gazette

References

1. "Cooks voters go to polls in Rarotonga by-election". Radio New Zealand International. 15 August 2003. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
2. "Geoffrey Heather wins Cook Islands by-election". Radio New Zealand International. 18 August 2003. Retrieved 15 July 2020.