# 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.

## 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

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

### Elected members

| Constituency | Member | Party | Notes |
| Aitutaki | Dan Daniel | Cook Islands Party | |
| Aitutaki | William Estall | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
| Aitutaki | Geoffrey Henry | Cook Islands Party | |
| Atiu | Vainerere Tangatapoto | Democratic Party | Re-elected |
| Atiu | Pomani Tangata | Democratic Party | |
| Mangaia | Pokino Aberahama | Democratic Party | Re-elected (previously United Cook Islanders) |
| Mangaia | 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 |
| Puaikura | 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 |
| Takitumu | Apenera Short | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
| Takitumu | Taramai Tetonga | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Joe Browne | Cook Islands Party | |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Albert Henry | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Teanua Kamana | Cook Islands Party | Re-elected |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | 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).