1974 Cook Islands general election

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.

1974 Cook Islands general election
3 December 1974
22 seats in the Legislative Assembly
13 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeader Seats +/–
Cook Islands Albert Henry 14 −1
Democratic Thomas Davis 8 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Premier before Premier after
Albert Henry
Cook Islands		 Albert Henry
Cook Islands
Politics of the Cook Islands

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
PartySeats+/–
Cook Islands Party14–1
Democratic Party8+1
Total220
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

By electorate
ConstituencyCandidatePartyVotes
Aitutaki–ManuaeGeoffrey HenryCook Islands644
William EstallCook Islands628
Joseph WilliamsCook Islands628
Moeua Raela188
Timote Turu164
Tutai Mataiti158
AtiuVainerere TangatapotoDemocratic267
Paul TangataDemocratic259
Teariki Franco Mateariki198
Mataki Kaiaruna195
MangaiaPokino AberahamaDemocratic427
Ngatupuna MatepiDemocratic414
Ngamokopuna Tomokino143
Pukeiti Uritua130
ManihikiGeorge Frederick Ellis Jr.Cook Islands108
Tihau Napara76
MaukeTupui Ariki HenryCook Islands196
Tupuna Ngaoire54
MitiaroRaui PokoatiCook Islands98
Ta Ngatoko16
PenrhynTangaroa TangaroaDemocratic186
Ben Samuel38
Fred Ford26
PuaikuraWilliam HeatherDemocratic410
Tamataia PeraCook Islands409
Harry Napa401
Taru Moana388
Pukapuka–NassauInatio AkaruruCook Islands307
Mataora Tutai56
RakahangaPupuke RobatiDemocratic84
Turuta Temu50
TakitumuApenera ShortCook Islands484
Tiakana NumangaCook Islands475
Taramai TetongaCook Islands465
William Cowan395
William Robert Hosking395
Moerai Kekena391
Te-au-o-TongaAlbert HenryCook Islands1,107
Thomas DavisDemocratic1,080
Eric Man BrowneCook Islands1,055
Teanua KamanaCook Islands1,041
Tamarua Joseph Browne1,031
Mana Strickland1,026
Mani Browne1,015
Tuoro Rangi Anguna1,000
Source:[6][7][8]

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.[9]

When the newly elected Assembly convened, Marguerite Story was re-elected as Speaker.[10]

1977 Takitumu by-election

An election was held on 22 December 1977 to fill the vacancy after the death of Tiakana Numanga.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Iaveta ShortDemocratic Party48551.49
Matapo MatapoCook Islands Party45748.51
Total942100.00
Source: The Cook Islands Gazette

References
  1. Towards self-government, or something Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1974, p7
  2. Cooks have three roads to choose from at elections Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1974, p19
  3. No votes for Cooks exiles in NZ Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1974, p90
  4. Islander examines the rule of the House of Henry Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1976, p8
  5. Davis, Tom (1992). Island Boy: An Autobiography. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific. p. 443.
  6. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 81/74". Library of Congress. 24 December 1974.
  7. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 82/74". Library of Congress. 24 December 1974.
  8. Pacific Islands Monthly
  9. New year begins with a political bang in the Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1975, p4
  10. The status quo Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1975, p21
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