Wikipedia

2010 Cook Islands general election

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]

2010 Cook Islands general election
Cook Islands
← 2006 17 November 2010 2014 →
All 24 seats in the Parliament
13 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
Cook Islands Henry Puna 43.80 16 +9
Democratic Robert Wigmore 38.54 8 −6
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Jim Marurai
Democratic		 Henry Puna
Cook Islands

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

 
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Cook Islands Party3,75343.8016+9
Democratic Party3,30238.548–6
Party Tumu1601.870New
Te Kura O Te ʻAu People's Movement1451.690New
Independents1,20814.100–2
Total8,568100.00240
Registered voters/turnout10,346–
Source: ESG Cook-Islands, IFES

By electorate

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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

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References

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  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. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  3. ^ "Voter turnout down". Cook Islands News. 2010-11-27. Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. 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. ^ 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.
  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. ^ a b "Demo campaign kicks off". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Democratic Party launches manifesto, vowing public sector cuts". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  20. ^ "Election about shared dreams: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  21. ^ "No reckless spending: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  22. ^ "76% want seats cut". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  23. ^ "Pollsters ready for the numbers game". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  24. ^ "Top three choices all Demos". Cook Islands Herald. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  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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