1972 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 11 April 1972. 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

11 April 1972

22 seats in the Legislative Assembly 13 seats needed for a majority

Party Leader Seats +/– Cook Islands Albert Henry 15 −1 Democratic Thomas Davis 7 New This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. Premier before Premier after Albert Henry Cook Islands Albert Henry 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.

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. All candidates except a single independent (Edwin Gold in Mangaia) were from the CIP or Democratic Party.

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

Results

Party		Seats	+/–
	Cook Islands Party	15	–1
	Democratic Party	7	New
	Independents	0	0
Total		22	0
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Elected members

Constituency	Member	Party	Notes
Aitutaki	Dan Daniel	Cook Islands Party
	William Estall	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Geoffrey Henry	Cook Islands Party
Atiu	Vainerere Tangatapoto	Democratic Party	Re-elected
	Pomani Tangata	Democratic Party
Mangaia	Pokino Aberahama	Democratic Party	Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
	Ngatupuna Matepi	Democratic Party	Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Manihiki	Taraeka Kaisara	Cook Islands Party
Mauke	Tupui Henry	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected unopposed
Mitiaro	Raui Pokoati	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected unopposed
Penrhyn	Tangaroa Tangaroa	Democratic Party	Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
Puaikura	Tamataia Pera	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Taru Moana	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
Pukapuka–Nassau	Inatio Akaruru	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
Rakahanga	Pupuke Robati	Democratic Party	Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)
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	Joe Browne	Cook Islands Party
	Albert Henry	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Teanua Kamana	Cook Islands Party	Re-elected
	Thomas Davis	Democratic 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).