2010 Cook Islands general election

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| <- 2006 | 17 November 2010 | 2014 ->

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All 24 seats in the Parliament
13 seats needed for a majority
| Party  | Leader  | Vote %  | Seats  | +/–

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| 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

Politics of the Cook Islands

* Monarch

King Charles III
* King's Representative

Sir Tom Marsters
* Prime Minister

Mark Brown
* Cabinet
* Parliament

Speaker: Tai Tura
* House of Ariki

President: Tou Travel Ariki
* Political parties
* Recent elections

* General: 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

* Other countries

* v
* t
* e

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.

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

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|
|

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]

* 2010 Cook Islands Member of Parliament reduction referendum

## References

[edit]

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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