Cook Islands general election, 2010

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General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2010 [1] in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party, which won 16 of the 24 seats. [2] Voter turnout was 78%. [3]

Cook Islands state in the South Pacific Ocean

The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi). The Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1,800,000 square kilometres (690,000 sq mi) of ocean.

Parliament of the Cook Islands unicameral legislature of the Cook Islands

The Parliament of the Cook Islands is the legislature of the Cook Islands. Originally established under New Zealand’s United Nations mandate it became the national legislature on independence in 1965.

Cook Islands Party

The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the islands' politics since 1965.

Contents

A binding referendum on whether the number of MPs should be reduced from 24 was held at the same time as the election. [4]

Parliament will sit for the first time following the election in February 2011. [5]

Background

The Democratic Party government of Prime Minister Jim Marurai, which had governed since 2004, effectively collapsed in December 2009 after Finance Minister Terepai Maoate was sacked for his mishandling of a bid to buy the Toa fuel tank farm. This resulted in a mass-resignation of Democratic Party cabinet members, [6] [7] the expulsion of Marurai and his supporters, and the withdrawal of support for the government. [8] Marurai then refused to reconvene Parliament in order to forestall a confidence vote. [9] A formal split in the Democratic Party was averted in June 2010 when a party conference readmitted Marurai and the other Cabinet members, and appointed Deputy Prime Minister Robert Wigmore as party leader, with Wilkie Rasmussen as his deputy. [10] However, several senior MPs, including former leader Terepai Maoate and former President John Tangi subsequently failed to win reselection and ran as independents. [11] [12]

The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. As a result of the 2018 Cook Islands election, it is currently the largest party in the Cook Islands Parliament.

Jim Marurai is a Cook Islands politician and former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Sir Terepai Tuamure Maoate, KBE was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 18 November 1999 to 11 February 2002. He was a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party

In the leadup to the election two sitting MPs announced their retirement: Piho Rua [13] and Speaker of the House Mapu Taia. [12] Both were members of the Democratic Party.

Piho Rua is a Cook Islands politician and member of the Cook Islands Parliament.

Mapu Tangatatutai Taia OBE is a Cook Islands politician and Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament. He is a member of the Cook Islands Democratic Party.

Parliament was dissolved on 24 September. [14] Candidate registration closed on 15 October. 70 candidates registered, including 24 from the Cook Islands Party, 23 from the Democrats, 6 from the Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement and 16 independents. [15] Of the 70 candidates, eight were women. [16]

The Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement is a political movement in the Cook Islands. It has several founding members, but its current leader is Tim Tepaki. It is currently unrepresented in the Cook Islands Parliament.

Polling

On 11 September 2010, a poll of 182 voters conducted by the Cook Islands News reported that the Democratic Party had 33% support, the Cook Islands Party 26%, and independents 14%. [17] The margin of error of the poll was 7%. [18]

A poll of 100 Rarotongans conducted by the Cook Islands Herald on 1 November found that 24% named Democratic Party leader Robert Wigmore as their preferred Prime Minister, 18% preferred Wilkie Rasmussen, 8% Prime Minister Jim Marurai, 5% Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna, 2% CIP deputy Teina Bishop and 10% others, with 33% undecided. [19]

The campaign

The Democratic Party launched its campaign on October 7 in vaka Takitumu [20] with the campaign slogan "Our Future. Now." [21] The party promised stability, [21] benefit increases, and public service cuts. [22] It contested every electorate except Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu. [20]

The Cook Islands Party launched their campaign on October 8, promising an increased child benefit, a $1000 "baby bonus", water tanks for every household and to address the cost of living. [23] They also promised to prevent "reckless" public spending by making Ministers and public servants personally liable for any misspent funds. [24]

Results

The election resulted in a two-thirds majority for the Cook Islands Party. [25] Following the election, CIP leader Henry Puna was sworn in as Prime Minister. [26]

Four electoral petitions were subsequently lodged, challenging the results in the electorates of Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Tamarua and Vaipae-Tautu. [27] The petitions were heard in January and February 2011. The results in Rakahanga [28] and Tamarua [29] were upheld.

Party totals

e  •  d  Summary of the 17 November 2010 Cook Islands election results
PartiesVotes%Seats
Cook Islands Party 3,75344.516
Democratic Party 3,30239.28
Party Tumu 1601.90
Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement 1451.70
Independents105812.50
Total8,418100.024
Source: cookislands.de

Electorate results

Preliminary results

Cook Islands general election, 2010: Akaoa
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Teariki Heather 18655.4
DP Teremoana Tapi Taio 15044.6
Turnout 336
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Amuri-Ureia
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Toanui Isamaela 14050.4
DP Terepai Maoate Jnr 10638.1
TKA Ngatuaine Tom248.6
Independent John Tini Snr82.9
Turnout 278
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Teina Bishop 16855.8
TKA May Kavana7223.9
Independent JJ Browne6120.3
Turnout 301
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP John Henry 23748.5
CIPT Albert (Peto) Nicholas 13026.6
DP Sam Crocombe11423.3
TKA Mike Tavioni81.6
Turnout 489
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Ivirua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Jim Marurai 6092.3
CIP Moe Lucre57.7
Turnout 65
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Manihiki
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Henry Puna 8356.5
DP Apii Piho 5537.4
Independent Rangi Mitaera96.1
Turnout 147
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Matavera
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Kiriau Turepu 29458.0
DP Cassey Eggelton 21342.0
Turnout 507
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Mauke
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Tai Tura 11060.1
DP Hugh Graham7339.9
Turnout 183
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Mitiaro
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Tangata Vavia 5460.7
CIP Tuakeu Tangatapoto 3539.3
Turnout 89
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Murienua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Tom Marsters 17141.9
DP James Beer11828.9
Independent Teariki Unuka6816.7
Independent Angeline Tuara4912.0
TKA Tim Tepaki20.5
Turnout 408
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Ngatangiia
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Atatoa Herman 20440.3
DP Mann Short16131.8
Independent Terepai Maoate 14127.9
Turnout 506
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Nikao-Panama
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Ngamau Munokoa 23940.6
CIP Tangi Kokaua18731.8
Independent Philip Nicholas16227.6
Turnout 588
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Oneroa
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Winton Pickering 11358.5
CIP Tangatataia Vavia 5126.4
Independent Junior Areai Enoka2915.0
Turnout 193
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Penrhyn
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Wilkie Rasmussen 5447.0
Independent Willie John5245.2
CIP Tini Ford97.8
Turnout 115
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Pukapuka-Nassau
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Tekii Lazaro 7333.5
DP Tai Ravarua7333.5
Independent Vai Peua 7233.0
Turnout 218
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Rakahanga
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Taunga Toka 2756.3
CIP Toka Hagai 2143.8
Turnout 48
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Ruaau
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP William (Smiley) Heather 34864.9
CIP David Akanoa15328.5
Independent Ngamau Tou356.5
Turnout 536
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Takuvaine-Tutakimoa
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Mark Brown 30463.5
DP Ngai Tupa 17536.5
Turnout 479
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Tamarua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Pukeiti Pukeiti 3151.7
DP Andy Matapo2948.3
TKA Mimau Tom00.0
Turnout 60
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Teenui-Mapumai
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Norman George 7570.8
DP Ngametua Pukeiti3129.2
Turnout 106
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Nandi Glassie 8157.0
DP Eugene Tatuava 6143.0
Turnout 142
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Titikaveka
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Robert Wigmore 29345.5
CIP Taivero Isamaela20431.7
Independent Teariki Matenga8012.4
Independent Teava Iro6710.4
Turnout 644
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Tupapa-Maraerenga
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP George Angene 38644.9
DP Nooroa Tupa24128.0
Independent Tim Arnold15117.6
Independent John Tangi 829.5
Turnout 860
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Vaipae-Tautu
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Moana Ioane 13346.3
DP Kete Ioane 13045.3
TKA Simiona Teva Robert196.6
Independent Punua Marsters51.7
Turnout 287

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Cook Islands leader announces election date". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  2. ↑ "CIP secures 16 seats". Cook Islands News. 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  3. ↑ "Voter turnout down". Cook Islands News. 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  4. ↑ "Cooks referendum during November election". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  5. ↑ "Parliament due to sit in February". Cook Islands news. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
  6. ↑ "Cooks Deputy Prime Minister replaced, prompting a walkout". Radio New Zealand International. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  7. ↑ "Cabinet Ministers Resign in Support of Party Leader". Democratic Party - Cook Islands. 2009-12-23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  8. ↑ "Marurai Wilkie coalition falling apart". Democratic Party - Cook Islands. 2009-12-31. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  9. ↑ "Cooks PM holds off parliament for another seven months". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-02-23. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
  10. ↑ "New leadership for Cook Islands Democratic Party". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
  11. ↑ "Former Cook Islands Prime Minister to run as independent". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
  12. 1 2 "Already on the campaign trail". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  13. ↑ "Rua stands down". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  14. ↑ "Cook Islands parliament dissolved as country heads for November elections". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
  15. ↑ "70 standing". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  16. ↑ "Most candidates we've ever seen". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Archived from the original on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  17. ↑ "76% want seats cut". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  18. ↑ "Pollsters ready for the numbers game". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  19. ↑ "Top three choices all Demos". Cook Islands Herald. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  20. 1 2 "Demo campaign kicks off". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  21. 1 2 "Demos bill manifesto as 'playbook'". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Archived from the original on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  22. ↑ "Democratic Party launches manifesto, vowing public sector cuts". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  23. ↑ "Election about shared dreams: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  24. ↑ "No reckless spending: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  25. ↑ "Final results give Cook Islands Party two-thirds majority". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
  26. ↑ "New Cook Islands PM sworn in". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
  27. ↑ "Range of issues tackled in hearings on electoral petitions". Cook Islands Times. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  28. ↑ "Court upholds Rakahanga result". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  29. ↑ "CIP retains Tamarua seat". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
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