1961 Cook Islands general election
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General elections were held in the Cook Islands in May 1961.[1]
Electoral system[]
The 27 members of the Legislative Assembly consisted of 15 directly elected members (14 from ten general constituencies and one from a European voter constituency),[2] seven members indirectly elected by Island Councils (four from Rarotonga and one from Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia),[2] and five officials members, including the Resident Commissioner as President of the Assembly, the Administration Secretary, the Treasurer and two members appointed by the Resident Commissioner.[2]
Results[]
Constituency | Member | Notes |
---|---|---|
New member | ||
New member | ||
Vainerere Tangatapoto | Re-elected | |
Previously Island Council representative | ||
Manihiki | New member | |
Mauke | New member | |
Mitiaro | ||
Penrhyn | Tangaroa Tangaroa | Re-elected |
Re-elected | ||
Rakahanga | New member | |
Dick Charles Brown | New member | |
Poko Ingram | New member | |
Teupoko'ina Utanga Morgan | New member | |
New member | ||
New member | ||
Aitutaki Island Council | Kau Mapu | Re-elected |
Atiu Island Council | New member | |
Mangaia Island Council | Ngatupuna Matepi | Previously a directly elected member |
Rarotonga Island Council | Re-elected | |
Re-elected | ||
Previously a directly elected member | ||
New member | ||
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly |
Appointed members[]
Position | Member |
---|---|
Resident Commissioner | |
Chief Medical Officer | T.T. Romans |
Director of Education | R.D. McEwan |
Secretary to the Government | L.K. Pitt |
Treasurer | T.N. Perry |
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly |
Aftermath[]
In 1962 an Executive Committee was established, with its members elected by the Assembly. It initially consisted of , Dick Charles Brown, , Ngatupuna Matepi, Vainerere Tangatapoto, Tangaroa Tangaroa and , together with the Government Secretary and the Treasurer.[3]
By-elections in 1963 saw Dick Rapley elected to replace Les Bailey for the European seat (Bailey was also replaced on the Executive Committee by ),[4][5] Julian Dashwood becoming the MLA for Mauke and becoming an MLA for Ratotonga,[6] replacing Teupoko'ina Morgan after she emigrated to New Zealand
In November 1963 the Executive Committee was revamped, becoming a "shadow cabinet" with defined portfolios.[4] Dick Charles Brown was elected the first Leader of Government business, defeating Ngatupuna Matepi by a vote of 11–10.[7] A new speaker was also appointed, with Teariki Tuavera defeating Ngatapuna Matepi in a secret ballot.[4]
1963 Executive Committee porfolios | |
---|---|
Portfolio | Member |
Leader of Government Business | Dick Charles Brown |
Deputy Leader | |
Customs, Finance, Inland Revenue, Labour, Post Office, Radio, Shipping & Air, Treasury | |
Agriculture, Co-operatives, Freezer, Hotel | |
Broadcasting, Health, Justice, Police and Prisons, Social Development | Julian Dashwood |
Education, Power, Printing, Public Works, Surveys | Tangaroa Tangaroa |
References[]
- ^ Cook Is. Elections Bring Many New Faces Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1961, p21
- ^ a b c A Legislative Assembly Soon for Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1958, p139
- ^ They'll work towards Self-government Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1962, p21
- ^ a b c Talks Soon On Political Future Of The Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1964, p35
- ^ Pacific Islands Year Book 1963, p139
- ^ David J. Stone Self rule in the Cook Islands: The government and politics of a new micro-state
- ^ Speedy and Far-Reaching Changes In South Seas Political Scene Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1963, p7
- 1961 elections in Oceania
- Elections in the Cook Islands
- 1961 in the Cook Islands
- May 1961 events in Oceania