1974 Cook Islands general election
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22 seats in the Legislative Assembly 13 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
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Early general elections were held in the Cook Islands on 3 December 1974. The result was a victory for the ruling Cook Islands Party (CIP), which won 14 of the 22 seats in the Legislative Assembly with 64% of the vote. The Democratic Party won the remaining eight seats. CIP leader Albert Henry remained Premier.
Background[]
The early elections were called by Henry following a visit to New Zealand for the funeral of Prime Minister Norman Kirk, stating that he also wanted to hold a vote on self-government or integration into New Zealand.[1] A planned referendum would have seen voters given the options of independence, self-government or integration.[2] However, the referendum plans were later dropped.
Campaign[]
Henry's government refused to allow the three thousand Cook Islanders living in New Zealand to vote by post, most of whom were expected to vote for the Democratic Party.[3] Henry also obstructed attempts to charter an Air New Zealand plane for voters to fly home.[4] However, the Democratic Party was able to charter an Air Nauru Boeing 727 to fly in some voters.[5] Voters paid their own fares, and the flights were open to all regardless of party affiliation.[5] The tactic was copied by the government at the next election, though with public money.
Democratic Party attempts to distribute leaflets to outer islands were also stopped by Henry.[4]
Results[]
Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cook Islands Party | 14 | –1 | ||
Democratic Party | 8 | +1 | ||
Total | 100 | 22 | 0 | |
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly |
Elected members[]
Constituency | Member | Party | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | ||
Geoffrey Henry | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | |
Joe Williams | Cook Islands Party | ||
Vainerere Tangatapoto | Democratic Party | Re-elected | |
Democratic Party | Re-elected | ||
Democratic Party | Re-elected | ||
Ngatupuna Matepi | Democratic Party | Re-elected | |
Manihiki | Cook Islands Party | ||
Mauke | Cook Islands Party | Elected | |
Mitiaro | Raui Pokoati | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
Penrhyn | Tangaroa Tangaroa | Democratic Party | Re-elected |
Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | ||
Democratic Party | |||
Pukapuka–Nassau | Inatio Akaruru | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
Rakahanga | Pupuke Robati | Democratic Party | Re-elected |
Tiakana Numanga | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | |
Apenera Short | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | |
Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | ||
Cook Islands Party | |||
Albert Henry | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | |
Cook Islands Party | Re-elected | ||
Democratic Party | Re-elected | ||
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly |
Aftermath[]
After the CIP lost their two-thirds majority and ability to amend the constitution, Henry threatened to take action against Democratic Party supporters working in the islands' civil service.[6]
When the newly elected Assembly convened, Marguerite Story was re-elected as Speaker.[7]
References[]
- ^ Towards self-government, or something Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1974, p7
- ^ Cooks have three roads to choose from at elections Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1974, p19
- ^ No votes for Cooks exiles in NZ Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1974, p90
- ^ a b Islander examines the rule of the House of Henry Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1976, p8
- ^ a b Davis, Tom (1992). Island Boy: An Autobiography. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific. p. 443.
- ^ New year begins with a political bang in the Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1975, p4
- ^ The status quo Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1975, p21
- Elections in the Cook Islands
- 1974 in the Cook Islands
- 1974 elections in Oceania
- September 1974 events in Oceania