2010 Cook Islands general election
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All 24 seats in the Parliament 13 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
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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]
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[edit]
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]
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.
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]
Campaign[edit]
The Democratic Party launched its campaign on October 7 in vaka Takitumu[17] with the campaign slogan "Our Future. Now."[18] The party promised stability,[18] benefit increases, and public service cuts.[19] It contested every electorate except Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu.[17]
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.[20] They also promised to prevent "reckless" public spending by making Ministers and public servants personally liable for any misspent funds.[21]
Opinion polls[edit]
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%.[22] The margin of error of the poll was 7%.[23]
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.[24]
Results[edit]
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-Nassau, 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. Pukapuka-Nassau held a new election in 2011.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
| Cook Islands Party | 3,753 | 43.80 | 16 | +9 | |
| Democratic Party | 3,302 | 38.54 | 8 | –6 | |
| Party Tumu | 160 | 1.87 | 0 | New | |
| Te Kura O Te ʻAu People's Movement | 145 | 1.69 | 0 | New | |
| Independents | 1,208 | 14.10 | 0 | –2 | |
| Total | 8,568 | 100.00 | 24 | 0 | |
| Registered voters/turnout | 10,346 | – | |||
| Source: ESG Cook-Islands, IFES | |||||
By electorate[edit]
| Constituency | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaoa | Teariki Heather | Cook Islands | 203 | 53.42 | Re-elected | |
| Teremoana Tapi Taio | Democratic | 177 | 46.58 | |||
| Amuri-Ureia | Toanui Isamaela | Cook Islands | 172 | 48.86 | Elected | |
| Terepai Maoate Jnr | Democratic | 143 | 40.63 | Unseated | ||
| Ngatuaine Tutai Tom | Te Kura O Te ʻAu | 27 | 7.67 | |||
| John Tini | Independent | 10 | 2.84 | |||
| Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara | Teina Bishop | Cook Islands | 186 | 55.52 | Re-elected | |
| May Kavana | Te Kura O Te ʻAu | 84 | 25.07 | |||
| Harold Arthur Browne | Independent | 65 | 19.40 | |||
| Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston | John Henry | Cook Islands | 269 | 46.86 | Elected | |
| Albert (Peto) Nicholas | Party Tumu | 160 | 27.87 | Unseated | ||
| Sam Crocombe | Democratic | 135 | 23.52 | |||
| Mike Tavioni | Te Kura O Te ʻAu | 10 | 1.74 | |||
| Ivirua | Jim Marurai | Democratic | 69 | 93.24 | Re-elected | |
| Moe Lucre | Cook Islands | 5 | 6.76 | |||
| Manihiki | Henry Puna | Cook Islands | 100 | 54.64 | Elected | |
| Apii Piho | Democratic | 73 | 39.89 | Unseated | ||
| Rangi Mitaera | Independent | 10 | 5.46 | |||
| Matavera | Kiriau Turepu | Cook Islands | 324 | 57.96 | Elected | |
| Cassey Eggelton | Democratic | 235 | 42.04 | Unseated | ||
| Mauke | Tai Tura | Cook Islands | 124 | 59.33 | Elected | |
| Hugh Richard Graham | Democratic | 85 | 40.67 | |||
| Mitiaro | Tangata Vavia | Democratic | 65 | 60.19 | Re-elected | |
| Tuakeu Tangatapoto | Cook Islands | 43 | 39.81 | |||
| Murienua | Tom Marsters | Cook Islands | 193 | 42.70 | Re-elected | |
| James Vini Beer | Democratic | 127 | 28.10 | |||
| Teariki Unuka | Independent | 75 | 16.59 | |||
| Angeline Tuara | Independent | 54 | 11.95 | |||
| Tepaki Nooapii Tepaki | Te Kura O Te ʻAu | 3 | 0.66 | |||
| Ngatangiia | Atatoa Herman | Cook Islands | 218 | 40.15 | Elected | |
| Mann Moetarauri Short | Democratic | 175 | 32.23 | |||
| Terepai Maoate | Independent | 150 | 27.62 | Unseated | ||
| Nikao-Panama | Ngamau Munokoa | Democratic | 255 | 39.97 | Re-elected | |
| Tangee Tangi Kokaua | Cook Islands | 202 | 31.66 | |||
| Philip Vakariti Rongo Nicholas | Independent | 181 | 28.37 | |||
| Oneroa | Winton Pickering | Democratic | 123 | 56.94 | Re-elected | |
| Tangatataia Vavia | Cook Islands | 54 | 25.00 | |||
| Junior Areai Enoka | Independent | 39 | 18.06 | |||
| Penrhyn | Wilkie Rasmussen | Democratic | 71 | 50.00 | Re-elected | |
| Willie John | Independent | 61 | 42.96 | |||
| Tini Ford | Cook Islands | 10 | 7.04 | |||
| Pukapuka-Nassau | Tekii Lazaro | Cook Islands | 88 | 35.34 | Elected | |
| Vai Peua | Independent | 84 | 33.73 | Unseated | ||
| Tai Ravarua | Democratic | 77 | 30.92 | |||
| Rakahanga | Taunga Toka | Democratic | 30 | 51.72 | Elected | |
| Toka Hagai | Cook Islands | 28 | 48.28 | |||
| Ruaau | William (Smiley) Heather | Democratic | 383 | 64.70 | Re-elected | |
| David Akanoa | Cook Islands | 169 | 28.55 | |||
| Ngamau-O-Rongo Tou | Independent | 40 | 6.76 | |||
| Takuvaine-Tutakimoa | Mark Brown | Cook Islands | 344 | 63.70 | Elected | |
| Ngai Tupa | Democratic | 196 | 36.30 | Unseated | ||
| Tamarua | Pukeiti Pukeiti | Cook Islands | 31 | 50.82 | Re-elected | |
| Andy Matapo | Democratic | 30 | 49.18 | |||
| Mimau Tom | Te Kura O Te ʻAu | 0 | 0.00 | |||
| Teenui-Mapumai | Norman George | Cook Islands | 79 | 69.91 | Re-elected | |
| Pukeiti Ngametua | Democratic | 34 | 30.09 | |||
| Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua | Nandi Glassie | Cook Islands | 90 | 56.60 | Re-elected | |
| Eugene Tatuava | Democratic | 69 | 43.40 | |||
| Titikaveka | Robert Wigmore | Democratic | 328 | 45.81 | Re-elected | |
| Taivero Isamaela | Cook Islands | 228 | 31.84 | |||
| Teariki Matenga Jnr | Independent | 94 | 13.13 | |||
| Teava Iro | Independent | 66 | 9.22 | |||
| Tupapa-Maraerenga | George Angene | Cook Islands | 430 | 44.51 | Elected | |
| Nooroa Tupa | Democratic | 263 | 27.23 | |||
| Timothy Paul Arnold | Independent | 181 | 18.74 | |||
| John Tangi | Independent | 92 | 9.52 | Unseated | ||
| Vaipae-Tautu | Mona Ioane | Cook Islands | 163 | 46.70 | Elected | |
| Kete Ioane | Democratic | 159 | 45.56 | Unseated | ||
| Simiona Teva Robert | Te Kura O Te ʻAu | 21 | 6.02 | |||
| Punua Marsters | Independent | 6 | 1.72 | |||
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Cook Islands leader announces election date". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
- ^ "CIP secures 16 seats". Cook Islands News. 2010-11-27. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
- ^ "Voter turnout down". Cook Islands News. 2010-11-27. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
- ^ "Cooks referendum during November election". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ "Parliament due to sit in February". Cook Islands news. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ^ "Cooks Deputy Prime Minister replaced, prompting a walkout". Radio New Zealand International. 2009-12-24. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Marurai Wilkie coalition falling apart". Democratic Party - Cook Islands. 2009-12-31. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ^ "Cooks PM holds off parliament for another seven months". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-02-23. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ "New leadership for Cook Islands Democratic Party". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
- ^ "Former Cook Islands Prime Minister to run as independent". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2010-10-07.
- ^ a b "Already on the campaign trail". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ "Rua stands down". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ "Cook Islands parliament dissolved as country heads for November elections". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2010-09-26.
- ^ "70 standing". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "Most candidates we've ever seen". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Archived from the original on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ a b "Demo campaign kicks off". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ a b "Demos bill manifesto as 'playbook'". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Archived from the original on 2010-10-26. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "Democratic Party launches manifesto, vowing public sector cuts". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "Election about shared dreams: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ "No reckless spending: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
- ^ "76% want seats cut". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
- ^ "Pollsters ready for the numbers game". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
- ^ "Top three choices all Demos". Cook Islands Herald. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
- ^ "Final results give Cook Islands Party two-thirds majority". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2010-11-29.
- ^ "New Cook Islands PM sworn in". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ "Range of issues tackled in hearings on electoral petitions". Cook Islands Times. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ "Court upholds Rakahanga result". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ^ "CIP retains Tamarua seat". Cook Islands News. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
