1968 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 1 May 1968. The result was a victory for the Cook Islands Party (CIP), which won 16 seats, a gain of two from the 1965 elections. The newly formed United Cook Islanders won the other six seats to become the parliamentary opposition. CIP leader Albert Henry continued as Prime Minister.

1968 Cook Islands general election

1 May 1968

22 seats in the Legislative Assembly
13 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader % Seats ±
CIP Albert Henry 64.45 16 +2
UCI Ngatupuna Matepi 33.55 6 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Premier before Premier after
Albert Henry
CIP
Albert Henry
CIP

Campaign

In February a new party, the United Cook Islanders (UCI), was formed. Its members included former cabinet members Mana Strickland and Manea Tamarua. The new party launched its manifesto on 8 April.[1]

A total of 55 candidates contested the elections; 23 from the CIP (two candidates from the party ran against each other in Pukapuka, and four candidates from the party contested the three seats in Takitumu), 18 from the UCI and six independents.[2] Former Leader of Government Business Dick Charles Brown had intended to run as an independent, but withdrew.[3] The CIP candidates were returned unopposed in Mauke and Mitiaro.[2]

The campaign period during April saw meetings held almost every night, with CIP meetings initially drawing crowds of several hundred, rising to over 1,300 by the end of the campaign.[3] In contrast, UCI meetings were usually attended by fewer than 100 people.[3]

Results

The CIP won all nine seats in Rarotonga, and gained the three Aitutaki seats, which had been won by the Independent Group in 1965. The UCI's former ministers, Strickland and Tamarua, both lost their seats.[3]

Party Votes % Seats +/–
Cook Islands Party12,20264.4516+2
United Cook Islanders6,35233.556New
Independents3792.0000
Total18,933100220
Valid votes6,85899.33
Invalid/blank votes460.67
Total6,904100
Registered voters/turnout7,22395.58
Source: Stone

Elected members

Constituency Member Party Notes
AitutakiWilliam EstallCook Islands PartyRe-elected (previously Independent Group)
Nga UpuCook Islands Party
Joe WilliamsCook Islands Party
AtiuVainerere TangatapotoUnited Cook Islanders
Tangata SimionaUnited Cook IslandersRe-elected (previously United Political Party)
MangaiaPokino AberahamaUnited Cook IslandersRe-elected (previously United Political Party)
Ngatupuna MatepiUnited Cook IslandersRe-elected (previously United Political Party)
ManihikiNaro TemuCook Islands PartyRe-elected
MaukeTupui HenryCook Islands PartyRe-elected unopposed
MitiaroRaui PokoatiCook Islands PartyRe-elected unopposed
PenrhynTangaroa TangaroaUnited Cook IslandersRe-elected (previously United Political Party)
PuaikuraTamataia PeraCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Taru MoanaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Pukapuka–NassauInatio AkaruruCook Islands Party
RakahangaPupuke RobatiUnited Cook IslandersRe-elected (previously Independent Group)
TakitumuTiakana NumangaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Samuela SamuelaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Apenera ShortCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Te-au-o-TongaAlbert HenryCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Teanua KamanaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Teaukura RoiCook Islands Party
Kamate NangaitiCook Islands Party
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

References

  1. Breakaways seek power in Cooks' elections Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1968, p24
  2. David Stone (1970). "Parties and politics in Polynesia: Political trends in the self-governing Cook Islands". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 79 (2): 179.
  3. Albert Henry back in the Cooks with a bang Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1968, p24

Further reading

  • Haas, Anthony (1969). "Three Years after Internal Self-Government: The Cook Islands General Election 1968". Journal of Pacific History. 4 (1): 136–145. doi:10.1080/00223346908572152.
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