News

Call for new elections in the Cook Islands after latest political turmoil, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

As several major divisions in the ruling Democratic Party have materialized over Christmas, including the fact that Prime Minister Marurai was sacked from the Party, the opposition Cook Islands Party is calling for early elections, even though the regular next elections are scheduled for the end of 2010.

Cook Island church leader says govenment 'undemocratic', Radio Australia News (2010)

A senior Cook Islands church leader has criticised the country's current government as undemocratic and illegal. He said that democracy has collapsed in the five months since prime minister Jim Marurai declared he would run the country with the support of only five MPs.

Cook Islands: Renewed diversity in nominations for Cook elections, Radio Australia (2010)

This article presents the latest updates on the Cook Island's electoral campaign. Nominations for the primary elections opened this week. Many independent candidates will be running in the September general elections.

Cook Islands group forms to encourage women to go into politics, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on an initiative to involve women in politics in Cook Islands. Teina McKenzie announced that a committee will be formed to discuss strategies of advancing women into politics and parliament. In the 24-member parliament, there are only 3 women MPs.

Cook Islands leader announces election date, Radio New Zealand (2010)

This article reports on the Cook Islands Prime Minister's announcement of the date for the next elections. PM Jim Marurai declared that elections will be held on November 17th. The elections are called after a difficult year for the government, and calls of political reforms have increased.

As Cook Islands prepares for elections there's anger over nomination process, Radio New Zealand International

This article reports on some protests against the process for the nominating of candidates. Democratic Party supporters are calling for a more transparent process, for the upcoming general elections (November 17).

Political reform to be a key issue in Cook Islands election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses the main issues in the upcoming elections in the Cook Islands. The much-needed political reform will be one of the major policy issue, and political parties will be soon challenged to make a formal commitment before the November 17th elections.

Cook Islands opposition to focus on welfare and financial stability, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign in the Cook Islands. Political parties are now campaigning for the November general elections.

Cooks church based reform group to stand in November election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the creation of a new party in the Cook Islands. The new "Te Kura O Te’Au"(literally: Messengers of Peace) is a political movement funded on Christian principles and it will present candidates in every constituency. The new group also points at the need to have a political reform and to retain religious traditions, customs and culture in the country.

Cook Islands Minister changes his mind and decided to run again, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the deputy leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party's decision to run again in this year's general election. Wilkie Rasmussen is also the current Minister of Finance and, despite his earlier statements, he announced his candidacy today. The Cook Islands Parliament will be dissolved on September 24, and the elections will be held on November 17; this elections will cost more than $200.000 to the government.

Shut out political hopefuls arrange run off selection in Cook Islands seat, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on a run off elections organized by election hopefuls of the Democratic Party in the Cook Islands. In the past days, there has been criticism over the way the sitting MP was confirm as a candidate, in particular the other members of the party complained about the secrecy of the process.

Cooks cabinet considers November referendum on political reform, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Cabinet's discussions about the possibility to hold a national referendum on political reform in November in the Cook Islands. The referendum will be on the same day of the scheduled general elections. The Electoral Committee, however, is concerned about the time constraints, especially if the ballot papers must be modified to include the referendum question and voter education campaigns must be set up.

Cook Island political reform group wants fewer MPs, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article discusses a proposed referendum in Cook Islands. The referendum, presented by the Group for Political Change, includes a question on the number of MPs, which the group would like to lower. There are currently 24 seats in the parliament.

Run-off proposed to end Cooks constituency rivalry, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the decision to hold a run-off elections to choose between two prospective candidates of the Democratic Party in on constituency in the Cook Islands. The competition is between Terepai Maoate, initially nominated and who held the seat for 25 years, and Mann Short, who contested the nomination. General elections is Cook Islands are set for November 17th.

Cooks referendum during November election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the government decision to hold a national referendum in the Cook Islands in November, on the same day of the general elections. The referendum, presented by the Group for Political Change, will ask voters if they want to reduce the number of MPs, and it will be binding: if approved by the people, it will go directly to the parliament. However, two thirds of the MPs will have to vote it. There are currently 24 members in the parliament, for 18,000 citizens.

Cook Islands parliament to dissolve this Friday, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on official start of the electoral campaign in Cook Islands. The Parliament will officially be dissolved this week, and the elections will be held on November 17th. The Cook Islands Party, one of the main ones, will release its election manifesto on the same day of the dissolution of the parliament (Friday).

Cook Islands to consider approach to electoral referendum, Radio Australia News (2010)

The referendum on whether voters want a reduction in the number of MPs is considered by the Cook Islands Cabinet in term of how it will be promoted leading up to election day on November 17.

Cook Islands political party calls job offer a bribe, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on accusations of "election" bribery in Cooks Islands. The deputy prime minister, Robert Wigmore, offered a job in the Investment Corporation Board to a political opponent and the opposition Cook Islands Party accused him of election bribery. Mr Wigmore will run in the November 17 general elections.

Calls for former Cook Islands PM to support candidate who won run-off vote, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Democratic Party candidate for the upcoming elections in Cook Islands. The party asked Prime Minister, Sir Terepai Maoate, to support the candidate from his constituency, Mann Short. In May, Sir Terepai was nominated to run in this constituency, but members of the party protested his nomination and requested a new primary elections. Mann Short defeated Sir Terepai by a slight margin (172 against 162) on Thursday.

Cooks Democratic Party candidate to seek only two terms, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on announcement made by the candidate of the Democratic Party about his political career. Mann Short, who won the party primaries last week, stated that, if elected in the next month's elections, he will limit his political career to just two terms, explaining that he does not believe in MPs holding on to seats for many years. In the party selection, Mr Mann defeated incumbent Prime Minister Terepai Maoate, who held his seat for 25 years.

Cooks Democratic Party gears up for November election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign of the Democratic Party in Cook Islands. The party will officially launch its campaign today, and will shortly release its manifesto for the forthcoming electoral campaign.

Former Cook Islands Prime Minister to run as independent, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Cook Islands Prime Minister's announcement about the upcoming elections. PM Sir Terepai Maoate announced that he will run as an independent candidate in next month's general elections. Last week, Sir Terepai was defeated in the Democratic Party's primaries by Mann Short.

Cook Islands Democratic party to target diet-related disease, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the electoral campaign in Cook Islands. The Democratic Party will release its election manifesto shortly, but its members have already anticipated that they will address the issue of diet-related diseases in the country. The elections are scheduled for next month.

Cooks Democrats move to end party-hopping, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates for the electoral campaign in Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Democratic Party announced that all of its candidates will sign an agreement affirming their loyalty to the party for the full term. Elections are scheduled for next month.

Record number of candidates in Cooks election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the candidate registration in Cook Islands. A record number of candidates (70) will be competing for the 24-seats Parliament in the 2010 general elections. 16 independent candidates are also running (the highest number ever), and this could upset the traditional party system and the strategies of the two major forces: the Democratic and the Cook Islands parties.

Cook Islands election in jeopardy over transport issues, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the preparations of the November 17 general elections in the Cook Islands. Problems with transportation could threaten the poll, as new difficulties have emerged because of a fuel shortage. There is only one ship left to service the our islands, and it is not clear how all the ballot papers and boxes will be distributed in time for the election.

Cooks ministry says transport woes no threat to election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates on the preparations for the elections in the Cook Islands. The Ministry of Justice stated that the recent transportation problems have been solved, and they will not influence the poll. The government hired one of the fishing boats to distribute the ballot boxes in the northern group of islands.

Cooks in talks with France over election logistics, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the preparation of the November general elections in the Cook Islands. The Electoral Office is currently considering the possibility to use a visiting French patrol boat to transport the ballot boxes in the northern group of islands. Despite the announcement of the resolution of the transport problems, the government is still holding talks with French officials.

Cook Islands polls suggest significant public disquiet over election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on a poll conducted in the Cook Islands regarding the general environment surrounding the upcoming elections. The poll show that many people are unhappy with the candidates standing in the election: a third of those interviewed don't like all of the available candidates to become prime prime minister, and half of the people still don't know who to vote for.

Cook Islands governing party says politicians support electoral reform, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the electoral reforms in the Cook Islands. On Wednesday, eligible voters will go to the polls for the general elections, but they will also vote for a referendum asking whether or not the number of MPs should be reduced. This referendum will provide a clear idea of what the citizens in the outer islands, currently under-represented, think about a possible electoral reform.

Some votes in Cook Islands election already cast, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the voting operations in the Cook Islands. The electoral office has already received the postal ballots from the voters overseas. Voting has already taken place also in two outlying islands, and ballot boxes have already been secure in local banks.

Cooks elections near with 70 candidates standing, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This news article reports on a record 70 candidates are contesting the Cook Islands general elections which will be held in two days.

98 percent of registered voters in Cook Islands expected to vote in general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the last days before the elections in Cook Islands. According to the electoral authorities, 98% of the registered voters is expected to vote in the general elections and in the referendum to reduce the number of members of parliament. Despite some recent transportation problems, the Chief electoral officer announced that everything is now ready.

Campaigning into its last 24 hours for Cook Islands general elections, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the last day of the electoral campaign in the Cook Islands. The two major parties, the Cook Islands Party and the Democratic Party, are making the final announcements, as no political statement can be made on Election Day. Tomorrow, Seventy candidates will be competing for the 24 seats in the parliament, with a record number of independents (16) and only nine women.

Cooks scrutineers ensure voting integrity, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the decision of the Electoral Officer in Cook Islands to deploy scrutineers with local knowledge to monitor the poll and avert any attempt of electoral fraud.

Cook Islands goes to the polls, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the latest updates regarding the upcoming elections in the Cook Islands. Citizens will cast their ballots to elect a new parliament (24 seats) and for a binding referendum on whether the members of the parliament should be reduced. 300 postal votes have already been received from overseas voters. A Pacific Islands Forum team of observers will monitor the voting operations.

Cook Islands general elections gets underway, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the Election Day in the Cook Islands. Today, voters in the country will cast their ballots in the country's general elections and a referendum on political reform.

Outgoing Cook Islands PM expecting election defeat, Radio Australia (2010)

This article reports on the voting operations in the Cook Islands. Prime Minister Jim Marurai stated that he expects his Democratic Party to be defeated in the elections underway. According to Mr Marurai, the internal tensions and outbreaks in the party over the last few months caused irreparable damage.

Forum team to observe Cook Islands elections, Scoop (2010)

This article reports on the team of election observers representing the Pacific Islands Forum in the Cook Islands. The team will observe the November 17 general elections, and will deploy the observers in the islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Mangaia. This is the fourth observation team set up and deployed by the Forum, and previous mission were sent to Nauru, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands.

Concern in Cook Islands over candidates and supporters not leaving polling stations, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the voting operations in the Cook Islands. The electoral office is not expecting any major problems on Election Day. Some scrutineers are concerns about the presence of political candidates and their supporters in the polling station, who decided to stay after casting their votes to watch voters coming and going.

First results through in the Cook Islands election, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the first results of the Cook Islands general elections. According to the results for the first 12 seats, the opposition Cook Islands Party is leading the race (six seats won so far).

Preliminary results show Democrats ousted in Cook Islands election, Xinhua (2010)

This article reports on the preliminary results of the Cook Islands general elections. Apparently, the Democratic Party, which has ruled Cook Islands politics for the last decade, lost its majority in the 24-member parliament (gaining 8 seats).

Democrats lose grip in Cook Islands, The Sydney Morning Herald (2010)

This article reports on the preliminary results in Cook Islands. Apparently, the Democratic Party lost its majority in Wednesday's general elections. Postal votes are still being counted, but it is very unlikely that they will change the results. On the other hand, the results of the referendum have not been released yet.

Early count indicates Henry Puna to become new Cook Islands PM, Radio Australia News (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in Cook Islands. The preliminary results indicated that Henry Puna will become the country's new prime minister, replacing former PM Jim Marurai. Furthermore, according of the preliminary results, Mr Puna's Cook Islands Party won 15 of the 24 seats in the parliament. On the other hand, the Democratic Party, which has dominated Cook Islands' politics for a decade, won 8 seats.

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Cook Islands party deputy says people wanted change, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the first reactions to the preliminary results of the general elections in the Cook Islands. Officials from the Cook Islands Party, which apparently won a landslide victory, stated that these results express the people’s desire for change.

Tight Cooks results may alter final election outcome, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in the Cook Islands. The preliminary count revealed the victory of the Cook Islands Party (15 seats), but the winning margin was extremely slim and a recount is currently underway. The Cook Islands Democratic Party won 8 seats, and admits that the recount is unlikely to change the overall outcome.

Final Cooks election results due in three days, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in the Cook Islands. The final count has begun, but whole operation will take approximately three days. The country is waiting to know who won the seats in the parliamentary elections, as well as the results of the referendum to reduce the number of members of the parliament.

Final results through for nine Cook Islands seats, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the vote counting operations in the Cook Islands. Final results are gradually being released: the electoral authorities have announced the results for nine of the 24 constituencies in the country. The preliminary results gave the Cook Islands 15 seats, the ruling Democratic Party 15 seats, and one seat still uncertain.

Cook Islands referendum on reducing seats in Parliament evenly split, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the ongoing vote counting for the referendum in the Cook Islands. The referendum on the reduction of the number of MPs showed a split electorate: voters from the outer islands did not support this proposition, while voters in Rarotonga did. The referendum is not binding.

Long term remedy needed for lack of women in Cook Island’s parliament, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the statement of the Cook Islands National Council of Women regarding women's representation in parliament. Apparently, only one woman candidate was successful in the general elections (Democratic Party), down from three in the previous parliament. The President of the National Council of Women, Vaine Wichman, called for the parties to do more about this issue.

Final results give Cook Islands Party two-thirds majority, Radio New Zealand International (2010)

This article reports on the final results for the elections and the referendum in the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Party won 16 seats in the parliament (a two-thirds majority), while the Democratic Party gained just 8 seats. The Electoral Office has also announced there was a 59.2 % vote in favor of the referendum on reducing the number of seats in parliament, but that it did not reach the necessary two-thirds majority.