Cook Islands general election, 2010

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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

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]

Polling

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%.[17] The margin of error of the poll was 7%.[18]

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.[19]

The campaign

The Democratic Party launched its campaign on October 7 in vaka Takitumu[20] with the campaign slogan "Our Future. Now."[21] The party promised stability,[21] benefit increases, and public service cuts.[22] It contested every electorate except Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu.[20]

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.[23] They also promised to prevent "reckless" public spending by making Ministers and public servants personally liable for any misspent funds.[24]

Results

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, 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.

Party Totals

 Summary of the 17 November 2010 Cook Islands election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Cook Islands Party 3,753 44.5 16
Democratic Party 3,302 39.2 8
Party Tumu 160 1.9 0
Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement 145 1.7 0
Independents 1058 12.5 0
Total 8,418 100.0 24
Source: cookislands.de

Electorate Results

Preliminary results

Cook Islands general election, 2010: Akaoa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Teariki Heather 186 55.4
DP Teremoana Tapi Taio 150 44.6
Turnout 336
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Amuri-Ureia
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Toanui Isamaela 140 50.4
DP Terepai Maoate Jnr 106 38.1
TKA Ngatuaine Tom 24 8.6
Independent John Tini Snr 8 2.9
Turnout 278
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Teina Bishop 168 55.8
TKA May Kavana 72 23.9
Independent JJ Browne 61 20.3
Turnout 301
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP John Henry 237 48.5
CIPT Albert (Peto) Nicholas 130 26.6
DP Sam Crocombe 114 23.3
TKA Mike Tavioni 8 1.6
Turnout 489
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Ivirua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Jim Marurai 60 92.3
CIP Moe Lucre 5 7.7
Turnout 65
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Manihiki
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Henry Puna 83 56.5
DP Apii Piho 55 37.4
Independent Rangi Mitaera 9 6.1
Turnout 147
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Matavera
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Kiriau Turepu 294 58.0
DP Cassey Eggelton 213 42.0
Turnout 507
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Mauke
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Tai Tura 110 60.1
DP Hugh Graham 73 39.9
Turnout 183
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Mitiaro
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Tangata Vavia 54 60.7
CIP Tuakeu Tangatapoto 35 39.3
Turnout 89
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Murienua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Tom Marsters 171 41.9
DP James Beer 118 28.9
Independent Teariki Unuka 68 16.7
Independent Angeline Tuara 49 12.0
TKA Tim Tepaki 2 0.5
Turnout 408
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Ngatangiia
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Atatoa Herman 204 40.3
DP Mann Short 161 31.8
Independent Terepai Maoate 141 27.9
Turnout 506
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Nikao-Panama
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Ngamau Munokoa 239 40.6
CIP Tangi Kokaua 187 31.8
Independent Philip Nicholas 162 27.6
Turnout 588
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Oneroa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Winton Pickering 113 58.5
CIP Tangatataia Vavia 51 26.4
Independent Junior Areai Enoka 29 15.0
Turnout 193
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Penrhyn
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Wilkie Rasmussen 54 47.0
Independent Willie John 52 45.2
CIP Tini Ford 9 7.8
Turnout 115
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Pukapuka-Nassau
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Tekii Lazaro 73 33.5
DP Tai Ravarua 73 33.5
Independent Vai Peua 72 33.0
Turnout 218
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Rakahanga
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Taunga Toka 27 56.3
CIP Toka Hagai 21 43.8
Turnout 48
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Ruaau
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP William (Smiley) Heather 348 64.9
CIP David Akanoa 153 28.5
Independent Ngamau Tou 35 6.5
Turnout 536
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Takuvaine-Tutakimoa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Mark Brown 304 63.5
DP Ngai Tupa 175 36.5
Turnout 479
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Tamarua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Pukeiti Pukeiti 31 51.7
DP Andy Matapo 29 48.3
TKA Mimau Tom 0 0.0
Turnout 60
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Teenui-Mapumai
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Norman George 75 70.8
DP Ngametua Pukeiti 31 29.2
Turnout 106
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Nandi Glassie 81 57.0
DP Eugene Tatuava 61 43.0
Turnout 142
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Titikaveka
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DP Robert Wigmore 293 45.5
CIP Taivero Isamaela 204 31.7
Independent Teariki Matenga 80 12.4
Independent Teava Iro 67 10.4
Turnout 644
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Tupapa-Maraerenga
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP George Angene 386 44.9
DP Nooroa Tupa 241 28.0
Independent Tim Arnold 151 17.6
Independent John Tangi 82 9.5
Turnout 860
Cook Islands general election, 2010: Vaipae-Tautu
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
CIP Moana Ioane 133 46.3
DP Kete Ioane 130 45.3
TKA Simiona Teva Robert 19 6.6
Independent Punua Marsters 5 1.7
Turnout 287

See also

References

  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. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  3. ↑ "Voter turnout down". Cook Islands News. 2010-11-27. 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. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  8. ↑ "Marurai Wilkie coalition falling apart". Democratic Party - Cook Islands. 2009-12-31. 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. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Already on the campaign trail". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  13. ↑ "Rua stands down". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-02. 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. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  17. ↑ "76% want seats cut". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  18. ↑ "Pollsters ready for the numbers game". Cook Islands News. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2010-09-16.
  19. ↑ "Top three choices all Demos". Cook Islands Herald. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-09.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Demo campaign kicks off". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Demos bill manifesto as ‘playbook’". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  22. ↑ "Democratic Party launches manifesto, vowing public sector cuts". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  23. ↑ "Election about shared dreams: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  24. ↑ "No reckless spending: CIP". Cook Islands News. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  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.