The Cook Islands Foreign Affairs secretary, Edwin Pittman says he has no comment to make on speculation that former prime minister Dr Robert Woonton is to be the next high commissioner to New Zealand.
The Cook Islands News reports that it is understood that plans are being put in place to have current high commissioner Sir Thomas Davis replaced by Dr Woonton later this year.
Sir Thomas, who is a former prime minister, was appointed last April for a 12-month period.
A by-election was declared in the Manihiki constituency following a petition hearing last month, which lead to Dr Woonton losing his position as prime minister.
He did not seek nomination as a candidate in the 8 February by-election.
