Cook Islands general election, 2006

Last updated
Cook Islands
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
the Cook Islands

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on September 27, 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The Democratic Party remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote.

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.

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.

Contents

The election was called two years early after the ruling Democratic party lost its majority in Parliament. In July 2006, Environment Minister Teina Bishop resigned from Cabinet and joined the opposition Cook Islands Party. [1] Shortly afterwards, the Cook Islands Party won a by-election in Matevera, eliminating the government's majority. [1] The government pre-empted a formal vote of no-confidence by dissolving Parliament and calling an election. [2]

Teina Bishop is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He represents the constituency of Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu.

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.

Cook Islands Party leader Sir Geoffrey Henry announced his retirement during the campaign, resulting in his replacement as leader of the opposition by Tom Marsters. [1] Cook Islands Party MP Wilkie Rasmussen switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party during the campaign, and the CIP was unable to nominate a replacement candidate. As a result, the seat of Penrhyn was unopposed. [1]

Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry KBE was a Cook Island politician who was twice the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. He was leader of the Cook Islands Party (CIP) from 1979 to 2006.

Tom Marsters New Zealand politician

Sir Tom John Marsters, is the 7th Queen's Representative to the Cook Islands. He is a former Deputy Leader of the Cook Islands Party and Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.

Wilkie Olaf Patua Rasmussen is a Cook Islands politician and former Cabinet Minister. He is leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party, and represents the constituency of Penrhyn.

Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning 15 seats, and the Cook Islands Party 8, with one seat being held by an independent and one seat tied. [3] A number of electoral petitions were filed, resulting in by-elections being held in the seats of Akaoa and Titikaveka. [4]

Results

Party Totals

e  •  d  Summary of the 26 September 2006 Cook Islands election results
PartiesVotes%Seats
Democratic Party 4,42052%14
Cook Islands Party 3,84645.3%7
Independents2312.7%2
Total 8,49784.423
Source: Final results of the Cook Islands election 2006

The electorate of Akaoa was tied, resulting in a by-election.

Electorate Results

Ci-elec-2006.png

Cook Islands general election, 2006: Akaoa
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Teariki Heather 179 50.0
DP Keu Mataroa 179 50.0
Turnout 358 85.2
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Amuri-Ureia
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Terepai Maoate Jnr 214 56.6
CIP John Baxter 164 43.4
Turnout 378 88.1
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Teina Bishop 179 53.1
DP Ronald Henry 158 46.9
Turnout 337 80.4
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Albert (Peto) Nicholas 295 50.9
DP Sam Crocombe 284 49.1
Turnout 579 76.8
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Ivirua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Jim Marurai 82 83.7
CIP Maara Peraua 16 16.3
Turnout 98 98.0
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Manihiki
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Apii Piho 115 51.1
CIP Henry Puna 110 48.9
Turnout 225 100.0
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Matavera
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Cassey Eggelton 279 51.2
CIP Kiriau Turepu 266 48.8
Turnout 545 94.8
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Mauke
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Mapu Taia 115 53.2
CIP George Cowan 101 46.8
Turnout 216 93.9
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Mitiaro
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Tangata Vavia 65 58.0
CIP Travel Tou Ariki 47 42.0
Turnout 112 94.1
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Murienua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Tom Marsters 185 45.1
Independent Brett Porter 130 31.7
DP Poko Tuariki 95 23.2
Turnout 410 88.6
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Ngatangiia
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Terepai Maoate 295 62.1
CIP Willie Kauvai 180 37.9
Turnout 475 89.0
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Nikao-Panama
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Ngamau Munokoa 398 57.6
CIP Tangee Tangi Kokaua 293 42.4
Turnout 691 85.2
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Oneroa
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Winton Pickering 152 67.0
CIP Papa Metu Ruatoe 75 33.0
Turnout 227 96.6
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Penrhyn
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Wilkie Rasmussen Unopposed
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Pukapuka-Nassau
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Vai Peua 155 55.0
DP Tiaki Wuatai 127 45.0
Turnout 282 96.6
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Rakahanga
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Piho Rua 42 60.0
DP David Alepha Greig 28 40.0
Turnout 70 94.6
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Rua'au
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP William (Smiley) Heather 364 56.6
CIP Vaine Iriano Wichman 279 43.4
Turnout 643 89.9
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Takuvaine-Tutakimoa
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Ngai Tupa 325 56.0
CIP Mark Brown 255 44.0
Turnout 580 81.7
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Tamarua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Mii Parima 38 61.3
DP Andy Matapo 24 38.7
Turnout 62 95.4
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Teenui-Mapumai
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Norman George 85 63.0
DP Nellie Mokoroa 50 37.0
Turnout 135 92.5
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua
PartyCandidateVotes%±
CIP Nandi Glassie 104 58.8
DP Eugene Tatuava 73 41.2
Turnout 177 97.3
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Titikaveka
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Robert Wigmore 325 50.4
CIP Tiki Matapo 276 42.8
Independent Tere Carr 44 6.8
Turnout 645 87.9
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Tupapa-Maraerenga
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP John Tangi 461 53.9
CIP Tupou Faireka 394 46.1
Turnout 855 87.6
Cook Islands general election, 2006: Vaipae-Tautu
PartyCandidateVotes%±
DP Kete Ioane 212 53.4
CIP George Pitt 170 42.8
Independent Ngariki Bob 15 3.8
Turnout 397 84.3

Sources

See also

Related Research Articles

Politics of the Cook Islands

The politics of the Cook Islands, an associated state, takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of New Zealand, represented in the Cook Islands by the Queen's Representative, is the Head of State; the prime minister is the head of government and of a multi-party system. The Islands are self-governing in free association with New Zealand and are fully responsible for internal affairs. New Zealand retains some responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands. In recent years, the Cook Islands have taken on more of its own external affairs; as of 2005, it has diplomatic relations in its own name with eighteen other countries. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the islands' parliament. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislatures.

1987 New Zealand general election

The 1987 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the 42nd sitting of the New Zealand Parliament. The governing New Zealand Labour Party, led by Prime Minister David Lange, was re-elected for a second term, although the Opposition National Party made gains. The election also saw the elimination of the Democratic Party from Parliament, leaving Labour and National as the only parties represented.

1993 New Zealand general election

The 1993 New Zealand general election was held on 6 November 1993 to determine the composition of the 44th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the governing National Party, led by Jim Bolger, win a second term in office, despite a major swing away from National in both seats and votes. The opposition Labour Party, despite a slight drop in their support, managed to make gains in terms of seats. The new Alliance and New Zealand First parties gained significant shares of the vote, but won few seats. The election was New Zealand's last under the non-proportional first past the post electoral system.

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

Elections in the Cook Islands

Elections in the Cook Islands gives information on election and election results in the Cook Islands.

2007 Lesotho general election

General elections were held in Lesotho on 17 February 2007. They had originally been scheduled to be held in April or May 2007. In October 2006, Tom Thabane left the ruling Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) and formed a new party, the All Basotho Convention (ABC), and 17 other members of parliament joined him. This left the LCD with a narrow majority of 61 out of 120 seats. On the advice of Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, King Letsie III dissolved parliament on November 24, 2006, and the election was scheduled for February 17, 2007. The bringing forward of the date caused dissatisfaction amongst the opposition, which expressed concern that it would not allow sufficient time for campaigning and electoral preparations. It was believed that the election was called early due to the possibility that there would be further defections from the LCD, depriving it of its majority.

2004 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 7 September 2004. Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning by a wide margin, but close results led to 11 electoral petitions being filed, delaying the date Parliament could sit until mid-December. In the interim, Prime Minister Robert Woonton announced that he was forming a coalition government with the rival Cook Islands Party. This led to a split within the Democrats, with Woonton and four other MPs leaving to form the Demo Tumu Party. With 14 MPs, the coalition had a comfortable majority in Parliament.

Norman George is a Cook Islands politician and former Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister, and Cabinet Minister.

12th Cook Islands Parliament

The 12th Cook Islands Parliament was a term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2006 elections, held on September 27, 2006. It was dissolved for the 2010 election on 24 September 2010.

The Akaoa by-election was a by-election in the Cook Islands seat of Akaoa. It took place on 29 November 2006, and was precipitated by the seat being a dead tie in the 2006 general election. After a judicial recount, the High Court ordered a by-election.

2010 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 17 November 2010 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. Voter turnout was 78%.

Teariki William Heather was Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from 2013 to 2018. He is a member of the Cook Islands Party.

Akaoa (Cook Islands electorate)

Akaoa is a Cook Islands electoral division returning one member to the Cook Islands Parliament. Its current representative is Teariki Heather, who has held the seat since 2004.

13th Cook Islands Parliament

The 13th Cook Islands Parliament is the previous term of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Its composition was determined by the 2010 elections on 17 November 2010.

2014 Cook Islands general election

A general election was held in the Cook Islands on 9 July 2014. It determined the membership of the 14th Cook Islands Parliament.

A by-election was held in the Cook Islands constituency of Vaipae-Tautu on 31 March 2015. It was won by Moana Ioane, the Cook Islands Party candidate, consolidating the ruling party's slender majority in Parliament.

Next New Zealand general election

The next New Zealand general election will be held after the currently elected 52nd New Zealand Parliament is dissolved or expires. The current Parliament was elected on Saturday, 23 September 2017. The last possible date for the next general election to be held is Saturday, 21 November 2020.

2018 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 14 June 2018 to elect the 24 members of the 15th Cook Islands Parliament.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jonassen, Jon Tikivanotau M (2007). "Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events: Cook Islands". The Contemporary Pacific. 20: 216–222. doi:10.1353/cp.2008.0015.
  2. ↑ "Cook Is parliament dissolved". TVNZ. 2006-07-25. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  3. ↑ "Democratic Party gains majority in final results from Cook Islands election". Radio New Zealand International. 2006-10-05. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  4. ↑ "The Cook Islands prepare for another by-election in the New Year". Radio New Zealand International. 2006-12-26. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.