1972 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 11 April 1972.[1] The result was a victory for the ruling Cook Islands Party (CIP), which won 15 of the 22 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The newly formed Democratic Party won seven seats. CIP leader Albert Henry remained Premier.

1972 Cook Islands general election
Cook Islands
11 April 1972
22 seats in the Legislative Assembly
13 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeader Seats +/–
Cook Islands Albert Henry 15 -1
Democratic Thomas Davis 7 New
Premier before Premier after
Albert Henry
Cook Islands		 Albert Henry
Cook Islands
Politics of the Cook Islands

Background

The Assembly elected in May 1968 had a three-year term, with the next elections expected in 1971. However, in March 1969 a bill was approved to extend the parliamentary term to four years.[2]

Campaign

Prior to the elections the United Cook Islanders party was disbanded, with its members joining the new Democratic Party founded by Thomas Davis after he returned to the Cook Islands from the United States.[3] All candidates except a single independent (Edwin Gold in Mangaia) were from the CIP or Democratic Party.[4]

Incumbent MPs standing down included Director for Health and Aitutaki MP Joseph Williams and Teau-o-Tonga MP Teaukara.[1]

Results
PartySeats+/–
Cook Islands Party15–1
Democratic Party7New
Independents00
Total220
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Elected members
Constituency Member Party Notes
AitutakiDan DanielCook Islands Party
William EstallCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Geoffrey HenryCook Islands Party
AtiuVainerere TangatapotoDemocratic PartyRe-elected
Pomani TangataDemocratic Party
MangaiaPokino AberahamaDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Ngatupuna MatepiDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
ManihikiTaraeka KaisaraCook Islands Party
MaukeTupui HenryCook Islands PartyRe-elected unopposed
MitiaroRaui PokoatiCook Islands PartyRe-elected unopposed
PenrhynTangaroa TangaroaDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
PuaikuraTamataia PeraCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Taru MoanaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Pukapuka–NassauInatio AkaruruCook Islands PartyRe-elected
RakahangaPupuke RobatiDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
TakitumuTiakana NumangaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Apenera ShortCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Taramai TetongaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Te-au-o-TongaJoe BrowneCook Islands Party
Albert HenryCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Teanua KamanaCook Islands PartyRe-elected
Thomas DavisDemocratic Party
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath

Following the elections, Henry formed a new cabinet, in which he held fifteen portfolios. The other ministers were Inatio Akaruru (Minister of Health), William Estall (Minister of Agriculture, Marketing Board Co-operatives and Shipping), Geoffrey Henry (Minister of Education, Justice, Lands and Survey), Tupua Henry (Minister of Housing, Internal Affairs and Public Works), Tiakana Numanga (Minister of Fisheries and Police) and Apenera Short (Minister of Broadcasting, Electric Power Supply, Government Printer and Newspaper Corporation).[5]

References
  1. Cooks battle Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1972, p125
  2. Extra time for Cooks Government Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1969, p26
  3. All the fun of party politics in the Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1972, pp24, 108
  4. Premier Henry's star still shines but the lustre's dimmer Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1972, p22
  5. In a Nutshell Pacific Islands Monthly, pp127–129
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