2006 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 27 September 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The Democratic Party remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote.

2006 Cook Islands general election
Cook Islands
← 2004 27 September 2006 2010 →

All 24 seats in Parliament
13 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
Democratic Terepai Maoate 52.02 14 0
Cook Islands Henry Puna 45.26 7 −2
Independents 2.72 2 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Results by constituency
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Jim Marurai
Democratic
Jim Marurai
Democratic

The election was called two years early after the ruling Democratic party lost its majority in Parliament. In July 2006, Environment Minister Teina Bishop resigned from Cabinet and joined the opposition Cook Islands Party.[1] Shortly afterwards, the Cook Islands Party won a by-election in Matevera, eliminating the government's majority.[1] The government pre-empted a formal vote of no-confidence by dissolving Parliament and calling an election.[2]

Cook Islands Party leader Sir Geoffrey Henry announced his retirement during the campaign, resulting in his replacement as leader of the opposition by Tom Marsters.[1] Cook Islands Party MP Wilkie Rasmussen switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party during the campaign, and the CIP was unable to nominate a replacement candidate. As a result, the seat of Penrhyn was unopposed.[1]

Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning 15 seats, and the Cook Islands Party 8, with one seat being held by an independent and one seat tied.[3] A number of electoral petitions were filed, resulting in by-elections being held in the seats of Akaoa and Titikaveka.[4]

Results

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The electorate of Akaoa was tied, resulting in a by-election.

 
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Party4,42052.02140
Cook Islands Party3,84645.267–2
Independents2312.722+1
Vacant1
Total8,497100.00240
Registered voters/turnout9,772
Source: Final results, IFES

By electorate

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Akaoa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Teariki Heather 179 50.0
Democratic Keu Mataroa 179 50.0
Turnout 358 85.2
Amuri-Ureia
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Terepai Maoate Jnr 214 56.6
Cook Islands John Baxter 164 43.4
Turnout 378 88.1
Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Teina Bishop 179 53.1
Democratic Ronald Henry 158 46.9
Turnout 337 80.4
Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Albert (Peto) Nicholas 295 50.9
Democratic Sam Crocombe 284 49.1
Turnout 579 76.8
Ivirua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jim Marurai 82 83.7
Cook Islands Maara Peraua 16 16.3
Turnout 98 98.0
Manihiki
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Apii Piho 115 51.1
Cook Islands Henry Puna 110 48.9
Turnout 225 100.0
Matavera
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Cassey Eggelton 279 51.2
Cook Islands Kiriau Turepu 266 48.8
Turnout 545 94.8
Mauke
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mapu Taia 115 53.2
Cook Islands George Cowan 101 46.8
Turnout 216 93.9
Mitiaro
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tangata Vavia 65 58.0
Cook Islands Travel Tou Ariki 47 42.0
Turnout 112 94.1
Murienua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Tom Marsters 185 45.1
Independent Brett Porter 130 31.7
Democratic Poko Tuariki 95 23.2
Turnout 410 88.6
Ngatangiia
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Terepai Maoate 295 62.1
Cook Islands Willie Kauvai 180 37.9
Turnout 475 89.0
Nikao-Panama
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ngamau Munokoa 398 57.6
Cook Islands Tangee Tangi Kokaua 293 42.4
Turnout 691 85.2
Oneroa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Winton Pickering 152 67.0
Cook Islands Papa Metu Ruatoe 75 33.0
Turnout 227 96.6
Penrhyn
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Wilkie Rasmussen Unopposed
Pukapuka-Nassau
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Vai Peua 155 55.0
Democratic Tiaki Wuatai 127 45.0
Turnout 282 96.6
Rakahanga
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Piho Rua 42 60.0
Democratic David Alepha Greig 28 40.0
Turnout 70 94.6
Ruaau
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic William (Smiley) Heather 364 56.6
Cook Islands Vaine Iriano Wichman 279 43.4
Turnout 643 89.9
Takuvaine-Tutakimoa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ngai Tupa 325 56.0
Cook Islands Mark Brown 255 44.0
Turnout 580 81.7
Tamarua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Mii Parima 38 61.3
Democratic Andy Matapo 24 38.7
Turnout 62 95.4
Teenui-Mapumai
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Norman George 85 63.0
Democratic Nellie Mokoroa 50 37.0
Turnout 135 92.5
Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Cook Islands Nandi Glassie 104 58.8
Democratic Eugene Tatuava 73 41.2
Turnout 177 97.3
Titikaveka
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert Wigmore 325 50.4
Cook Islands Tiki Matapo 276 42.8
Independent Tere Carr 44 6.8
Turnout 645 87.9
Tupapa-Maraerenga
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Tangi 461 53.9
Cook Islands Tupou Faireka 394 46.1
Turnout 855 87.6
Vaipae-Tautu
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kete Ioane 212 53.4
Cook Islands George Pitt 170 42.8
Independent Ngariki Bob 15 3.8
Turnout 397 84.3

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Jonassen, Jon Tikivanotau M (2007). "Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events: Cook Islands". The Contemporary Pacific. 20: 216–222. doi:10.1353/cp.2008.0015. hdl:10125/22327.
  2. ^ "Cook Is parliament dissolved". TVNZ. 25 July 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  3. ^ "Democratic Party gains majority in final results from Cook Islands election". Radio New Zealand International. 5 October 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  4. ^ "The Cook Islands prepare for another by-election in the New Year". Radio New Zealand International. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
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