The Cook Islands' Mangaia community has expressed relief after former prime minister Jim Marurai was found safe.
Mangaia. Photo: wikicommons
Mr Marurai, 72, had been missing on the island for 48 hours.
Ivirua MP Agnes Armstrong said they were thankful to police and volunteers who set up search parties to look for the man known as 'Papa Jim' and paid tribute to their fast action
"We were all so very worried as it is unusual for him to go off on his own," she said.
Ms Armstrong said the strength and unity of a community was shown when someone was in real need and that was when it came together.
Mr Marurai held the Ivirua seat for 20 years, four of which he served as prime minister, and then retired from Parliament because of ill-health in 2017.