November 1983 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 2 November 1983. The result was a victory for the Democratic Party, which won 13 of the 24 seats. A coalition government was formed with the opposition Cook Islands Party, with Democratic Party leader Thomas Davis as Prime Minister and CIP leader Geoffrey Henry as Deputy Prime Minister. Henry was later replaced with Terepai Maoate.

November 1983 Cook Islands general election
2 November 1983
24 seats in the Parliament
13 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeader % Seats +/–
Democratic Thomas Davis 48.5 13 +2
Cook Islands Geoffrey Henry 48.3 11 −2
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Geoffrey Henry
CIP		 Thomas Davis
DP
Politics of the Cook Islands

Background

In the March 1983 elections, the CIP had won a 13–11 majority in Parliament, resulting in CIP leader Geoffrey Henry becoming Prime Minister. Shortly after the elections, the Democratic Party MP for Atiu lost their seat after a successful petition against the result in the constituency, increasing the CIP majority to three. A court case also began as Henry had failed to resign from office within the first seven days of the parliamentary session and seek re-appointment, as required by the constitution. This was initially viewed as a technicality due to the CIP majority in Parliament. However, in July CIP MP Matapo Matapo died and Tupui Henry left the CIP to sit with the Democratic Party, resulting in an 11–11 tie. The final verdict of the Court of Appeal was announced on 29 July, requiring Henry to resign.

Without a majority, Henry resigned on 2 August. Queen's Representative Gaven Donne convened a series of votes to determine who could attain a parliamentary majority, with the vote on 10 August ending as 11 each for Geoffrey and Tupui Henry. With the Atiu by-election – almost certain to be won by the Democratic Party – due on 12 August, Donne asked the two leaders to wait until the by-election for Matapo's seat before a government was appointed. Tupui Henry and Leader of the Opposition Vincent Ingram agreed in the belief that they could win Matapo's former constituency. However, Geoffrey Henry declined. This resulted in Donne dissolving Parliament on 17 August, calling fresh elections for November, and appointing Geoffrey Henry as caretaker Prime Minister with restricted powers.[1]

Campaign

Prior to the elections, Tupui Henry formed a new party, the Cook Islands Party for Alliance, which put forward seven candidates.[2] The Unity Party nominated three candidates, one of whom withdrew before polling day.[2] Following the elections earlier in the year, the CIP did not publish a new manifesto as its policies had not changed.[2]

Results

Deputy Prime Minister George Ellis and minister Fanaura Kingstone were amongst the incumbent MPs losing their seats.[2]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Party48.513+2
Cook Islands Party48.311–2
Cook Islands Party for Alliance0New
Unity Party00
Total240
Registered voters/turnout93.4
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

By electorate
ConstituencyCandidateVotes %
Amuri–UreiaKura Strickland15454.04
Paora Teiti9934.74
Joseph Williams3211.23
Arutanga–Reureu–NikauparaNgereteina Puna18658.31
Tatevano Tatevano10532.92
Nikau Tangaroa288.78
Avatiu–Ruatonga–PalmerstonThomas Davis23450.00
Rei Jack22748.50
Louise Eikura Graham71.50
IviruaPapamama Pokino11975.32
Taataiti Tangatakino3924.68
ManihikiEbinisa Ben Toma11253.85
George Frederick Ellis Jr.9545.67
Temu Ngarima George10.48
MataveraWilliam Papa Cowan14851.93
Ngatungane Maximus Pierre13748.07
MaukeVaine Tereapii Tairea9535.19
Mana Strickland7929.26
Temaeva Karati6122.59
Tupui Ariki Henry3512.96
MitiaroNgatupuna David6754.47
Tiki Tetava5645.53
MurienuaJimmy Mareiti28652.38
William Heather19836.26
Hugh McCrone Ngamata Henry6211.36
NgatangiiaTerepai Maoate17775.32
Iaveta Short16624.68
Nikao–PanamaVincent Ingram32055.94
Tina Pupuke Browne25244.06
OneroaMatepi Toru Matepi23976.36
Metuakore Ruatoe7423.64
PenrhynTangaroa Tangaroa16265.32
Tini Soa Joseph Snr.8634.68
Pukapuka–NassauInatio Akaruru28172.80
Waleeu Wuatai8221.24
Kautoki Katoa235.96
RakahangaPupuke Robati10168.24
Arahu Tuteru4731.76
RuaauRaymond Pirangi18239.74
Tauei Solomon15634.06
Tauei Harry Napa12026.20
Takuvaine–TutakimoaGeoffrey Henry33552.02
Frederick Tutu Goodwin30747.67
Michael Tavioni20.31
TamaruaTearapiri Teaurima6258.49
Ruti Matapo4441.51
Teenui–MapumaiTangata Simiona11251.38
Metuaangai Teritaiti10648.62
Tengatangi–Areora–NgatiaruaNorman George15358.40
Neville Walker Isherwood Pearson10941.60
TitikavekaTeariki Matenga25753.65
Tekaotiki Matapo22246.35
Tupapa–MaraerengaTeanua Dan Kamana36256.30
Teariki Piri28143.70
Vaipae–TautuBill Paiti26278.21
Maramatoa Turi6619.70
Banaba Samuel72.09
OverseasIaveta Arthur33058.51
Fanaura Kingstone22539.89
Mataio Emil Nielson91.60
Source:[3][4][5][6][7]

Aftermath

Following the elections, the result in the constituency of Ruaau was declared void due to treating by an unsuccessful candidate.[8]

References
  1. Cook Islands 1983: The year of voting repeatedly Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1983, p18
  2. Mirror image change of government in the Cook Islands Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1983, pp51–52
  3. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 103/83". Library of Congress. 5 November 1983.
  4. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 106/83". Library of Congress. 8 November 1983.
  5. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 109/83". Library of Congress. 10 November 1983.
  6. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 111/83". Library of Congress. 13 November 1983.
  7. "The Cook Islands Gazette No. 113/83". Library of Congress. 14 November 1983.
  8. "In re Ruaau Constituency (No 4) (1983) CKHC 7; Misc 104.1983". 1983-12-05. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
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