The Cook Islands Prime Minister says he is confident ahead of next week's High Court hearings of petitions in the aftermath of last month's election.
Henry Puna says even if a court decision leads to a call for a by-election in his seat of Manihiki, he is confident he will still win.
Mr Puna put the tight race to retain his seat down to the difficulties of his position as Prime Minister and having to be based in Rarotonga rather than with the people he represents.
Mr Puna says it's time to move forward now and says he ignores claims that he leads a caretaker government until the petitions are heard.
"It is a legitimate government, it's not a caretaker government, and so we're getting on with the business. If the electoral petitions bring about a change in the numbers then we'll deal with that reality when it happens. And I'm very confident if there was to be a by-election following the petition, then nothing will change."
The Prime Minister of the Cooks Islands, Henry Puna.
