1974 Cook Islands general election

none Cook Islands 1972 1978 3 December 1974 22 seats in the Legislative Assembly 13 yes Cook Islands Party Albert Henry 14 15 Democratic Party (Cook Islands) Thomas Davis 8 7 Premier Albert Henry Cook Islands Party Albert Henry Cook Islands Party 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. 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.Towards self-government, or something Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1974, p7 A planned referendum would have seen voters given the options of independence, self-government or integration.Cooks have three roads to choose from at elections Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1974, p19 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.No votes for Cooks exiles in NZ Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1974, p90 Henry also obstructed attempts to charter an Air New Zealand plane for voters to fly home.Islander examines the rule of the House of Henry Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1976, p8 However, the Democratic Party was able to charter an Air Nauru Boeing 727 to fly in some voters.Davis Tom Island Boy: An Autobiography Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific 1992 443 Voters paid their own fares, and the flights were open to all regardless of party affiliation. 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. Results File:Cook Islands Parliament 1974.svg Cook Islands Party 14 –1 Democratic Party 8 +1 0 Pacific Islands Monthly By electorate Constituency Candidate Party VotesAitutaki–Manuae Geoffrey Henry Cook Islands Party 644William Estall Cook Islands Party 628Joseph Williams Cook Islands Party 628Moeua Raela 188Timote Turu 164Tutai Mataiti 158Atiu Vainerere Tangatapoto Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 267Paul Tangata Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 259Teariki Franco Mateariki 198Mataki Kaiaruna 195Mangaia Pokino Aberahama Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 427Ngatupuna Matepi Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 414Ngamokopuna Tomokino 143Pukeiti Uritua 130Manihiki George Frederick Ellis Jr. Cook Islands Party 108Tihau Napara 76Mauke Tupui Ariki Henry Cook Islands Party 196Tupuna Ngaoire 54Mitiaro Raui Pokoati Cook Islands Party 98Ta Ngatoko 16Penrhyn Tangaroa Tangaroa Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 186Ben Samuel 38Fred Ford 26Puaikura William Heather Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 410Tamataia Pera Cook Islands Party 409Harry Napa 401Taru Moana 388Pukapuka–Nassau Inatio Akaruru Cook Islands Party 307Mataora Tutai 56Rakahanga Pupuke Robati Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 84Turuta Temu 50Takitumu Apenera Short Cook Islands Party 484Tiakana Numanga Cook Islands Party 475Taramai Tetonga Cook Islands Party 465William Cowan 395William Robert Hosking 395Moerai Kekena 391Te-au-o-Tonga Albert Henry Cook Islands Party 1,107Thomas Davis Democratic Party (Cook Islands) 1,080Eric Man Browne Cook Islands Party 1,055Teanua Kamana Cook Islands Party 1,041Tamarua Joseph Browne 1,031Mana Strickland 1,026Mani Browne 1,015Tuoro Rangi Anguna 1,000Source:24 December 1974 The Cook Islands Gazette No. 81/74 https://www.loc.gov/resource/llflg.2004217240_19741224_01/ Library of Congress24 December 1974 The Cook Islands Gazette No. 82/74 https://www.loc.gov/resource/llflg.2004217240_19741224_02/ Library of CongressPacific 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.New year begins with a political bang in the Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1975, p4 When the newly elected Assembly convened, Marguerite Story was re-elected as Speaker.The status quo Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1975, p21 1977 Takitumu by-election An election was held on 22 December 1977 to fill the vacancy after the death of Tiakana Numanga. Iaveta Short Democratic Party 485 Matapo Matapo Cook Islands Party 457 The Cook Islands Gazette References Category:Elections in the Cook Islands General election Cook Islands Cook Islands Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results