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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Seats | +/– | |
| Cook Islands Party | 14 | –1 | |
| Democratic Party | 8 | +1 | |
| Total | 22 | 0 | |
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly | |||
By electorate
[edit]| Constituency | Candidate | Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aitutaki–Manuae | Geoffrey Henry | Cook Islands | 644 | |
| William Estall | Cook Islands | 628 | ||
| Joseph Williams | Cook Islands | 628 | ||
| Moeua Raela | 188 | |||
| Timote Turu | 164 | |||
| Tutai Mataiti | 158 | |||
| Atiu | Vainerere Tangatapoto | Democratic | 267 | |
| Paul Tangata | Democratic | 259 | ||
| Teariki Franco Mateariki | 198 | |||
| Mataki Kaiaruna | 195 | |||
| Mangaia | Pokino Aberahama | Democratic | 427 | |
| Ngatupuna Matepi | Democratic | 414 | ||
| Ngamokopuna Tomokino | 143 | |||
| Pukeiti Uritua | 130 | |||
| Manihiki | George Frederick Ellis Jr. | Cook Islands | 108 | |
| Tihau Napara | 76 | |||
| Mauke | Tupui Ariki Henry | Cook Islands | 196 | |
| Tupuna Ngaoire | 54 | |||
| Mitiaro | Raui Pokoati | Cook Islands | 98 | |
| Ta Ngatoko | 16 | |||
| Penrhyn | Tangaroa Tangaroa | Democratic | 186 | |
| Ben Samuel | 38 | |||
| Fred Ford | 26 | |||
| Puaikura | William Heather | Democratic | 410 | |
| Tamataia Pera | Cook Islands | 409 | ||
| Harry Napa | 401 | |||
| Taru Moana | 388 | |||
| Pukapuka–Nassau | Inatio Akaruru | Cook Islands | 307 | |
| Mataora Tutai | 56 | |||
| Rakahanga | Pupuke Robati | Democratic | 84 | |
| Turuta Temu | 50 | |||
| Takitumu | Apenera Short | Cook Islands | 484 | |
| Tiakana Numanga | Cook Islands | 475 | ||
| Taramai Tetonga | Cook Islands | 465 | ||
| William Cowan | 395 | |||
| William Robert Hosking | 395 | |||
| Moerai Kekena | 391 | |||
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Albert Henry | Cook Islands | 1,107 | |
| Thomas Davis | Democratic | 1,080 | ||
| Eric Man Browne | Cook Islands | 1,055 | ||
| Teanua Kamana | Cook Islands | 1,041 | ||
| Tamarua Joseph Browne | 1,031 | |||
| Mana Strickland | 1,026 | |||
| Mani Browne | 1,015 | |||
| Tuoro Rangi Anguna | 1,000 | |||
| Source:[6][7][8] | ||||
Aftermath
[edit]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.[9]
When the newly elected Assembly convened, Marguerite Story was re-elected as Speaker.[10]
1977 Takitumu by-election
[edit]An election was held on 22 December 1977 to fill the vacancy after the death of Tiakana Numanga.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iaveta Short | Democratic Party | 485 | 51.49 | |
| Matapo Matapo | Cook Islands Party | 457 | 48.51 | |
| Total | 942 | 100.00 | ||
| Source: The Cook Islands Gazette | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 81/74". Library of Congress. 24 December 1974.
- ^ "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 82/74". Library of Congress. 24 December 1974.
- ^ Pacific Islands Monthly
- ^ 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
