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1972 Cook Islands general election

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1972 Cook Islands general election
Cook Islands
← 1968 11 April 1972 1974 →

22 seats in the Legislative Assembly
13 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Seats +/–
Cook Islands Albert Henry 15 −1
Democratic Thomas Davis 7 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Premier before Premier after
Albert Henry
Cook Islands
Albert Henry
Cook Islands

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 11 April 1972.[1] The result was a victory for the ruling Cook Islands Party (CIP), which won 15 of the 22 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The newly formed Democratic Party won seven seats. CIP leader Albert Henry remained Premier.

Background

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The Assembly elected in May 1968 had a three-year term, with the next elections expected in 1971. However, in March 1969 a bill was approved to extend the parliamentary term to four years.[2]

Campaign

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Prior to the elections the United Cook Islanders party was disbanded, with its members joining the new Democratic Party founded by Thomas Davis after he returned to the Cook Islands from the United States.[3] All candidates except a single independent (Edwin Gold in Mangaia) were from the CIP or Democratic Party.[4]

Incumbent MPs standing down included Director for Health and Aitutaki MP Joseph Williams and Teau-o-Tonga MP Teaukara.[1]

Results

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PartySeats+/–
Cook Islands Party15–1
Democratic Party7New
Independents00
Total220
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Elected members

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Constituency Member Party Notes
Aitutaki Dan Daniel Cook Islands Party
William Estall Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Geoffrey Henry Cook Islands Party
Atiu Vainerere Tangatapoto Democratic Party Re-elected
Pomani Tangata Democratic Party
Mangaia Pokino Aberahama Democratic Party Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Ngatupuna Matepi Democratic Party Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Manihiki Taraeka Kaisara Cook Islands Party
Mauke Tupui Henry Cook Islands Party Re-elected unopposed
Mitiaro Raui Pokoati Cook Islands Party Re-elected unopposed
Penrhyn Tangaroa Tangaroa Democratic Party Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Puaikura Tamataia Pera Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Taru Moana Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Pukapuka–Nassau Inatio Akaruru Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Rakahanga Pupuke Robati Democratic Party Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Takitumu Tiakana Numanga Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Apenera Short Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Taramai Tetonga Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Te-au-o-Tonga Joe Browne Cook Islands Party
Albert Henry Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Teanua Kamana Cook Islands Party Re-elected
Thomas Davis Democratic Party
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath

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Following the elections, Henry formed a new cabinet, in which he held fifteen portfolios. The other ministers were Inatio Akaruru (Minister of Health), William Estall (Minister of Agriculture, Marketing Board Co-operatives and Shipping), Geoffrey Henry (Minister of Education, Justice, Lands and Survey), Tupua Henry (Minister of Housing, Internal Affairs and Public Works), Tiakana Numanga (Minister of Fisheries and Police) and Apenera Short (Minister of Broadcasting, Electric Power Supply, Government Printer and Newspaper Corporation).[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Cooks battle Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1972, p125
  2. ^ Extra time for Cooks Government Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1969, p26
  3. ^ All the fun of party politics in the Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1972, pp24, 108
  4. ^ Premier Henry's star still shines but the lustre's dimmer Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1972, p22
  5. ^ In a Nutshell Pacific Islands Monthly, pp127–129