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
Party Leader % Seats ± CIP Albert Henry 14 -1 DP Thomas Davis 8 +1 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Premier before Premier after Albert Henry CIP Albert Henry CIP

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

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Cook Islands Party			14	–1
Democratic Party			8	+1
Total		100	22	0
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Elected members

Constituency	Member	Party	Notes
Aitutaki	William Estall	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Geoffrey Henry	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Joe Williams	Cook Islands Party
Atiu	Vainerere Tangatapoto	Democratic Party	Re-elected
	Pomani Tangata	Democratic Party	Re-elected
Mangaia	Pokino Aberahama	Democratic Party	Re-elected
	Ngatupuna Matepi	Democratic Party	Re-elected
Manihiki	George Ellis	Cook Islands Party
Mauke	Tupui Henry	Cook Islands Party	Elected
Mitiaro	Raui Pokoati	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
Penrhyn	Tangaroa Tangaroa	Democratic Party	Re-elected
Puaikura	Tamataia Pera	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	William Heather	Democratic Party
Pukapuka–Nassau	Inatio Akaruru	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
Rakahanga	Pupuke Robati	Democratic Party	Re-elected
Takitumu	Tiakana Numanga	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Apenera Short	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Taramai Tetonga	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
Te-au-o-Tonga	Man Browne	Cook Islands Party
	Albert Henry	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Teanua Kamana	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Thomas Davies	Democratic Party	Re-elected
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

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.[6]

When the newly elected Assembly convened, Marguerite Story was re-elected as Speaker.[7]

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. New year begins with a political bang in the Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1975, p4
7. The status quo Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1975, p21