2010 Cook Islands general election

Background

The Democratic Party government of Prime Minister Jim Marurai, which had governed since 2004, effectively collapsed in December 2009 after Finance Minister Terepai Maoate was sacked for his mishandling of a bid to buy the Toa fuel tank farm. This resulted in a mass-resignation of Democratic Party cabinet members, the expulsion of Marurai and his supporters, and the withdrawal of support for the government. Marurai then refused to reconvene Parliament in order to forestall a confidence vote. A formal split in the Democratic Party was averted in June 2010 when a party conference readmitted Marurai and the other Cabinet members, and appointed Deputy Prime Minister Robert Wigmore as party leader, with Wilkie Rasmussen as his deputy. However, several senior MPs, including former leader Terepai Maoate and former President John Tangi subsequently failed to win reselection and ran as independents.

In the leadup to the election two sitting MPs announced their retirement: Piho Rua and Speaker of the House Mapu Taia. Both were members of the Democratic Party.

Parliament was dissolved on 24 September. Candidate registration closed on 15 October. 70 candidates registered, including 24 from the Cook Islands Party, 23 from the Democrats, 6 from the Te Kura O Te ‘Au People's Movement and 16 independents. Of the 70 candidates, eight were women.

Campaign

The Democratic Party launched its campaign on October 7 in vaka Takitumu with the campaign slogan "Our Future. Now." The party promised stability, It contested every electorate except Arutanga-Nikaupara-Reureu.

The Cook Islands Party launched their campaign on October 8, promising an increased child benefit, a $1000 "baby bonus", water tanks for every household and to address the cost of living. They also promised to prevent "reckless" public spending by making Ministers and public servants personally liable for any misspent funds.

Opinion polls

On 11 September 2010, a poll of 182 voters conducted by the Cook Islands News reported that the Democratic Party had 33% support, the Cook Islands Party 26%, and independents 14%. The margin of error of the poll was 7%.

A poll of 100 Rarotongans conducted by the Cook Islands Herald on 1 November found that 24% named Democratic Party leader Robert Wigmore as their preferred Prime Minister, 18% preferred Wilkie Rasmussen, 8% Prime Minister Jim Marurai, 5% Cook Islands Party leader Henry Puna, 2% CIP deputy Teina Bishop and 10% others, with 33% undecided.

Results

The election resulted in a two-thirds majority for the Cook Islands Party. Following the election, CIP leader Henry Puna was sworn in as Prime Minister.

Four electoral petitions were subsequently lodged, challenging the results in the electorates of Pukapuka-Nassau, Rakahanga, Tamarua and Vaipae-Tautu. The petitions were heard in January and February 2011. The results in Rakahanga and Tamarua were upheld. Pukapuka-Nassau held a new election in 2011.

By electorate

References

References

1. (2010-08-13). "Cook Islands leader announces election date". Radio New Zealand International.
2. (2010-11-27). "CIP secures 16 seats". Cook Islands News.
3. (2010-11-27). "Voter turnout down". Cook Islands News.
4. (2010-09-10). "Cooks referendum during November election". Radio New Zealand International.
5. (2009-12-24). "Cooks Deputy Prime Minister replaced, prompting a walkout". Radio New Zealand International.
6. (2009-12-23). "Cabinet Ministers Resign in Support of Party Leader". Democratic Party - Cook Islands.
7. (2009-12-31). "Marurai Wilkie coalition falling apart". Democratic Party - Cook Islands.
8. (2010-02-23). "Cooks PM holds off parliament for another seven months". Radio New Zealand International.
9. (2010-06-03). "New leadership for Cook Islands Democratic Party". Radio New Zealand International.
10. (2010-10-07). "Former Cook Islands Prime Minister to run as independent". Radio New Zealand International.
11. (2010-09-02). "Already on the campaign trail". Cook Islands News.
12. (2010-09-02). "Rua stands down". Cook Islands News.
13. (2010-09-24). "Cook Islands parliament dissolved as country heads for November elections". Radio New Zealand International.
14. (2010-10-16). "70 standing". Cook Islands News.
15. (2010-10-16). "Most candidates we’ve ever seen". Cook Islands News.
16. (2010-10-06). "Demo campaign kicks off". Cook Islands News.
17. (2010-10-16). "Demos bill manifesto as ‘playbook’". Cook Islands News.
18. (2010-10-20). "Democratic Party launches manifesto, vowing public sector cuts". Radio New Zealand International.
19. (2010-10-09). "Election about shared dreams: CIP". Cook Islands News.
20. (2010-10-11). "No reckless spending: CIP". Cook Islands News.
21. (2010-09-11). "76% want seats cut". Cook Islands News.
22. (2010-09-11). "Pollsters ready for the numbers game". Cook Islands News.
23. (2010-11-03). "Top three choices all Demos". Cook Islands Herald.
24. (2010-11-29). "Final results give Cook Islands Party two-thirds majority". Radio New Zealand International.
25. (2010-11-30). "New Cook Islands PM sworn in". Radio New Zealand International.
26. (2010-12-08). "Range of issues tackled in hearings on electoral petitions". Cook Islands Times.
27. (2011-02-02). "Court upholds Rakahanga result". Cook Islands News.
28. (2011-02-02). "CIP retains Tamarua seat". Cook Islands News.