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2022 Cook Islands general election

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox legislative election

| country = Cook Islands

| type = parliamentary

| previous_election = 2018

| next_election = Next

| election_date = 1 August 2022

| seats_for_election= All 24 seats in Parliament

| majority_seats = 13

| party1 = Cook Islands Party

| leader1 = Mark Brown

| last_election1 = 10

| seats1 = 12

| percentage1 = 44.07

| party2 = Democratic Party (Cook Islands)

| leader2 = Tina Browne

| last_election2 = 11

| seats2 = 5

| percentage2 = 26.93

| party3 = Cook Islands United Party

| leader3 = Teariki Heather

| last_election3 = new

| seats3 = 3

| percentage3 = 18.81

| party4 = One Cook Islands Movement

| leader4 = George Turia

| last_election4 = 1

| seats4 = 1

| percentage4 = 2.68

| party5 = Independents

| leader5 = –

| last_election5 = 2

| seats5 = 3

| percentage5 = 7.31

| map = 2022 Cook Islands general election.png

| map_caption = Results of the election by constituency.

| title = Prime Minister

| posttitle = Prime Minister after election

| before_election = Mark Brown

| before_image = Mark Brown 2022 (cropped).jpg

| before_party = Cook Islands Party

| after_election = Mark Brown

| after_image = Mark Brown 2022 (cropped).jpg

| after_party = Cook Islands Party

}}{{Politics of the Cook Islands}}

The 2022 Cook Islands general election was held on 1 August 2022 to determine the composition of the 18th Parliament of the Cook Islands.{{cite web |url=https://pina.com.fj/2022/06/14/cook-islands-parliament-dissolved-election-01-august/ |title=Cook Islands Parliament dissolved, election 01 August |author= Pita Ligaiula |publisher=PINA |date=14 June 2022 |access-date=16 June 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/469364/cook-islanders-go-to-the-polls-on-august-1 |title=Cook Islanders go to the polls on August 1 |publisher=RNZ |date=18 June 2022 |access-date=18 June 2022}} A referendum on legalising medical cannabis was held on the same day.[https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/final-vote-count-next-week-says-chief-electoral-officer/ Final vote count next week, says chief electoral officer]

Background

In the 2018 general election, the Democratic Party won a plurality with 11 seats but fell short of the 13 required to form a government. The incumbent Cook Islands Party (CIP), led by then-prime minister Henry Puna won 10 seats; the One Cook Islands Movement (OCI) secured a single seat, and independents won the remaining two.{{cite news |last1=Keay |first1=Jaimie |title=2018 General Election Live Blog |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/politics/2018-general-election-live-blog/ |access-date=21 June 2022 |work=Cook Islands News |date=14 June 2018|url-access=subscription}} The CIP remained in government due to the support of the OCI and independents.{{cite news |title=Cook Islands Party gets backing of three more MPs |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/361242/cook-islands-party-gets-backing-of-three-more-mps |access-date=21 June 2022 |work=RNZ |date=6 July 2018}}

In October 2020, Puna resigned as prime minister to run for secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum. Deputy prime minister Mark Brown succeeded Puna as prime minister and leader of the Cook Islands Party. Brown appointed Robert Tapaitau deputy prime minister.{{cite news |title=Mark Brown is the new Cook Islands PM |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/427377/mark-brown-is-the-new-cook-islands-pm |access-date=21 June 2022 |work=RNZ |date=2 October 2020}}

Electoral system

The 24 members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands were elected from single-member electorates by first-past-the-post voting.{{cite web|url=http://www.mfem.gov.ck/oldsite/images/MFEM_Documents/Statistics_Docs/Cook_Islands_Election_2014_in_Brief.pdf|title=Cook Islands 2014 elections in brief|website=Electoral Office}}

Campaign

The Progressive Party of the Cook Islands was launched in October 2019 to contest the election.{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/400960/new-political-party-to-launch-in-cook-islands|title=New political party to launch in Cook Islands|website=RNZ |date=14 October 2019}}

The One Cook Islands Movement (OCI) announced its candidates in November 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/outer-islands/aitutaki-one-cook-islands-demo-announce-candidates-for-2022-general-elections/|title=Aitutaki One Cook Islands/Demo announce candidates for 2022 Elections|website=Cook Islands News|date=17 November 2021}} However, they caused controversy by claiming Toanui Isamaela and Teina Bishop would stand as joint OCI–Democratic Party candidates; this was denied by the Democratic Party, which stated it would be announcing its own candidates and there was no alliance with the OCI.{{cite web|url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/no-oci-demo-coalition-whatsoever/|title=‘No OCI/Demo coalition whatsoever’|website=Cook Islands News|date=20 November 2021}}

In December 2021 the new Cook Islands United Party, founded by former Deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather in 2018, announced eleven candidates for the elections.{{cite web|url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/united-we-stand/|title=‘United’ we stand|website=Cook Islands News|date=3 December 2021}}

Opinion polls

=Preferred prime minister=

class=wikitable style="text-align:center; font-size:95%; line-height:16px;"

!rowspan=2|Pollster

!rowspan=2|Date

!rowspan=2|Sample size

! style="width:50px;" |Brown

! style="width:50px;" |Browne

! style="width:50px;" |Heather

! rowspan="2" style="width:50px;" |Others

! rowspan="2" style="width:50px;" |Undecided

style="background:{{party colour|Cook Islands Party}}"|

| style="background:{{party colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}"|

| style="background:{{party colour|Cook Islands United Party}}"|

Cook Islands News{{cite news |last1=Solomon |first1=Sian |title=Mark Brown country’s ‘preferred PM’ |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/mark-brown-countrys-preferred-pm/ |access-date=31 July 2022 |work=Cook Islands News |date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730195243/https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/mark-brown-countrys-preferred-pm/ |archive-date=30 July 2022|url-status=live}}

| July 2022

| 120

| style="background:#99bd99;font-weight:bold"| 44.2%

| 10.8%

| 16.7%

| 14.2%

| 8.3%

Results

Initial projections showed the Cook Islands Party with 10 seats, the Democrats with 6, the new Cook Islands United Party with 4, and independents with 3. The seat of Ngatangiia was tied, with the CIP and United candidates on 171 votes each.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/472093/cooks-newcomers-make-impact-but-pm-s-party-in-strong-position |title=Cooks' newcomers make impact but PM's party in strong position |publisher=RNZ |date=3 August 2022 |access-date=4 August 2022}} The final vote count showed the CIP with 12 seats, after it won Ngatangiia and Titikaveka, where the United Party candidate originally had had a six vote lead.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/472730/ruling-party-in-cook-islands-closer-to-power-after-gaining-seats |title=Ruling party in Cook Islands closer to power after gaining seats |publisher=RNZ |date=12 August 2022 |access-date=12 August 2022}} The Democrats won five seats, United three, the One Cook Islands Movement one and independents three.

{{Election results

|image=File:Iles Cook Parlement 2022.svg

|party1=Cook Islands Party|votes1=3890|sw1=+1.77|seats1=12|sc1=+2

|party2=Democratic Party|votes2=2377|sw2=-14.98|seats2=5|sc2=–6

|party3=Cook Islands United Party|votes3=1660|sw3=New|seats3=3|sc3=New

|party4=One Cook Islands Movement|votes4=237|sw4=-8.13|seats4=1|sc4=0

|party5=Progressive Party of the Cook Islands|votes5=18|sw5=New|seats5=0|sc5=New

|party6=Independents|votes6=645|seats6=3|sw6=+3.54|sc6=+1

|invalid=

|total_sc=0

|electorate=

|source=Parliament of the Cook Islands{{Cite web |date=11 August 2022 |title=The Cook Islands Gazette No. 17/2022 |url=https://parliamentci.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Gazette-No.-17-Public-Notice-No.-9-1.pdf |website=Parliament of the Cook Islands}}

}}

= By electorate =

class="wikitable" style=text-align:right

! Constituency !! Candidate !! colspan=2|Party !! Votes !! %

align=left rowspan=3|Akaoaalign=left|Robert Stanley Heather{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}19549.24
align=left|Nooroa Baker{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}14436.36
align=left|Doreen Tuainekore Boggs{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}5714.39
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Amuri–Ureiaalign=left|Toanui Isamaela{{Party name with colour|One Cook Islands Movement}}12635.90
align=left|Terepai Maoate{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}12335.04
align=left|Nicholas Royle Henry{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}10229.06
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Arutanga–Reureu–Nikauparaalign=left|Tereapii Maki-Kavana{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}20657.38
align=left|Teinakore Bishop{{Party name with colour|One Cook Islands Movement}}11130.92
align=left| Atina Currie{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}4211.70
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerstonalign=left|Albert Nicholas{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}35860.68
align=left|Teina Rongo{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}19533.05
align=left|Makiroa Tutai-Louis Mitchell{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}376.27
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Iviruaalign=left|Agnes Armstrong{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}5772.15
align=left|Marouna Pakuru{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}1215.19
align=left|Ngametua Angai Peraua{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}1012.66
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Manihikialign=left|Akaiti Puna{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}8972.95
align=left|Mokoha Johnson{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}2419.67
align=left|Apolo Miria{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}97.38
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=4|Mataveraalign=left|Vaitoti Tupa{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}26143.57
align=left|Taneao Ngamata{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}18330.55
align=left|Harriet Tangi Williams{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}9315.53
align=left|Saula Atera{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}6210.35
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=4|Maukealign=left|Stephen Matapo{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}9250.83
align=left|Eileen Story{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}6234.25
align=left|Tungane Williams{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}168.84
align=left|Lotiola Mateariki{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}116.08
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Mitiaroalign=left|Tuakeu Tangatapoto{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}6269.66
align=left|Paul Raui Pokoati Allsworth{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}2629.21
align=left|Louise Akerongo Utanga{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}11.12
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Murienuaalign=left|Teariki Heather{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}26555.09
align=left|Patrick Akaiti Arioka{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}16935.14
align=left|Piltz Tetevano Napa{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}479.77
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Ngatangiiaalign=left|Tukaka Ama{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}20236.86
align=left|Mapi Ioteva{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}19134.85
align=left|Tamaiva Tuavera{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}15528.28
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Nikao–Panamaalign=left|Vaine Mokoroa{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}54370.43
align=left|Ngamau Mere Munokoa{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}21027.24
align=left|Te Tuhi Tauratumaru Kelly{{Party name with colour|Progressive Party of the Cook Islands}}182.33
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Oneroaalign=left|Wesley Kareroa{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}8442.21
align=left|Poroaiti Arokapiti{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}6934.67
align=left|Travel Tangimokopuna Moeara{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}4623.12
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Penrhynalign=left|Robert Tapaitau{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}9175.21
align=left|Tex Teakaau Tangimetua{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}2319.01
align=left|Jimmy Temu Marsters{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}75.79
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=2|Pukapuka–Nassaualign=left|Tingika Elikana{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}19969.58
align=left|Willie Pareura Katoa{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}8730.42
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=2|Rakahangaalign=left|Tina Browne{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}4458.67
align=left|Toka Hagai{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}3141.33
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Ruaaualign=left|Tim Tunui Varu{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}29141.04
align=left|Arama Wichman{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}26737.66
align=left|William Heather{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}15121.30
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Takuvaine–Tutakimoaalign=left|Mark Brown{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}27761.01
align=left|Da\/Ina Hosking-Ashford{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}12427.31
align=left|Teokotai-O-George George{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}5311.67
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=2|Tamaruaalign=left|Tetangi Matapo{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}3057.69
align=left|Lana Aitau{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}2242.31
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=2|Teenui–Mapumaialign=left|Rose Toki-Brown{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}8773.73
align=left|Nooroa Paratainga{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}3126.27
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=2|Tengatangi–Areora–Ngatiaruaalign=left|Te-Hani Brown{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}10482.54
align=left|Vainetutai Boaza{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}2217.46
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=4|Titikavekaalign=left|Sonny Williams{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}23131.22
align=left|Margharet Matenga{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}22830.81
align=left|Selina Napa{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}21228.65
align=left|Teava Iro{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}699.32
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Tupapa–Maraerengaalign=left|George Angene{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}57056.60
align=left|Lee Harmon{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}26125.92
align=left|Kervin Tetutamaiti Aroita{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands United Party}}17617.48
colspan=6|
align=left rowspan=3|Vaipae–Tautualign=left|Teokotai Herman{{Party name with colour|Cook Islands Party}}17847.59
align=left|Teinakore Manuela{{Party name with colour|Democratic Party (Cook Islands)}}12533.42
align=left|Teariki George{{Party name with colour|Independent (politician)}}7118.98

Aftermath

The CIP began coalition talks on 4 August, and announced that it planned to continue its arrangements with two independents.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/472212/coalition-talks-start-to-form-new-cook-islands-government |title=Coalition talks start to form new Cook Islands government |publisher=RNZ |date=4 August 2022 |access-date=4 August 2022}} The United Party ruled out working with the CIP. On 5 August the CIP announced they had secured the support of independents Te-Hani Brown and Rose Toki-Brown for a governing coalition.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/super-browns-side-cip-in-coalition-talks/ |title=‘Super Browns’ side CIP in coalition talks |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Matthew Littlewood |date=5 August 2022 |access-date=6 August 2022}} On 12 August Mark Brown was reappointed Prime Minister.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/brown-reappointed-pm/ |title=Brown reappointed PM |author=Matthew Littlewood |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=12 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/472787/mark-brown-confirmed-as-cook-islands-prime-minister |title=Mark Brown confirmed as Cook Islands prime minister |publisher=RNZ |date=13 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022}} On 25 August 2022 independent MP Stephen Matapo joined the Cook Islands Party, giving the government a total of 15 seats.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/matapo-joins-cip/ |title=Matapo joins CIP |publisher=Cook Islands News |date=25 August 2022 |access-date=26 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/cip-move-good-for-mauke-says-new-elected-mp-matapo/ |title=CIP move good for Mauke, says new-elected MP Matapo |publisher=Cook Islands News |author= Caleb Fotheringham |date=26 August 2022 |access-date=27 August 2022}}

Following the election, electoral petitions were filed challenging the results in Mitiaro, Tengatangi–Areora–Ngatiarua, Teenui–Mapumai, Titikaveka and Amuri–Ureia, as well as an application for a recount in Tupapa–Maraerenga.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/politics/five-electoral-petitions-filed-in-high-court/ |title=Five electoral petitions filed in High Court |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Matthew Littlewood |date=19 August 2022 |access-date=26 August 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/473270/electoral-petitions-lodged-in-the-cook-islands |title=Electoral petitions lodged in the Cook Islands |publisher=RNZ |date=22 August 2022 |access-date=26 August 2022}} Due to the time taken to resolve the petitions, the Cook Islands Parliament did not sit for the rest of the year, and will not sit until at least March 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/482949/cooks-pm-vows-to-change-law-as-parliament-delayed-by-petitions |title=Cooks' PM vows to change law as parliament delayed by petitions |publisher=RNZ |date=23 January 2023 |access-date=23 January 2023}}

The final electoral petition was not resolved until 11 March 2023, when the High Court confirmed that Sonny Williams had won the seat of Titikaveka.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/politics/court/williams-declared-titikaveka-mp/ |title=Williams declared Titikaveka MP |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Matthew Littlewood |date=11 March 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023}} Parliament sat for the first time and new MPs were sworn in on 21 March 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/politics/outer-islands/were-in-business-now-mps-sworn-in-seven-months-after-general-election/ |title=‘We’re in business now’, MPs sworn in seven months after general election |publisher=Cook Islands News |author=Melina Etches |date=22 March 2023 |access-date=23 March 2023}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{Cook Islands elections}}

Category:Elections in the Cook Islands

Election

Cook Islands

Cook Islands

Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results