Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau and two former high ranking government officials have been found guilty of corruption related charges.
Akaiti Puna last week won the Manihiki byelection, bolstering the ruling coalition s majority.
Akaiti Puna (left) with husband Henry Puna and former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in the Cook Islands, 2012.
Photo: Ola Thorsen
With 82 votes, Puna beat Munokoa Maraeara of the Democratic Party with 32 votes and Temu Okotai from Independent who won five votes.
Puna s win restores the Cook Islands Party coalition government s majority of 13 to 11 seats in the 24-member Parliament.
Prime Minister Mark Brown has congratulated Mrs Puna, saying he s looking forward to her participation in the government.
Brown said that Puna s win has shown that Manihiki has spoken loudly that she, and the government, have the support of a clear majority of the population of the island.