# 1974 Cook Islands general election

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. A planned referendum would have seen voters given the options of independence, self-government or integration. 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. Henry also obstructed attempts to charter an Air New Zealand plane for voters to fly home. However, the Democratic Party was able to charter an Air Nauru Boeing 727 to fly in some voters. 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

| | Cook Islands Party | 14 | –1 |
| | Democratic Party | 8 | +1 |
| Total | Total | 22 | 0 |
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly ||||

### By electorate

| Constituency | Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Aitutaki–Manuae | Geoffrey Henry | Cook Islands | 644 |
| Aitutaki–Manuae | William Estall | Cook Islands | 628 |
| Aitutaki–Manuae | Joseph Williams | Cook Islands | 628 |
| Aitutaki–Manuae | Moeua Raela | | 188 |
| Aitutaki–Manuae | Timote Turu | | 164 |
| Aitutaki–Manuae | Tutai Mataiti | | 158 |
| Atiu | Vainerere Tangatapoto | Democratic | 267 |
| Atiu | Paul Tangata | Democratic | 259 |
| Atiu | Teariki Franco Mateariki | | 198 |
| Atiu | Mataki Kaiaruna | | 195 |
| Mangaia | Pokino Aberahama | Democratic | 427 |
| Mangaia | Ngatupuna Matepi | Democratic | 414 |
| Mangaia | Ngamokopuna Tomokino | | 143 |
| Mangaia | Pukeiti Uritua | | 130 |
| Manihiki | George Frederick Ellis Jr. | Cook Islands | 108 |
| Manihiki | Tihau Napara | | 76 |
| Mauke | Tupui Ariki Henry | Cook Islands | 196 |
| Mauke | Tupuna Ngaoire | | 54 |
| Mitiaro | Raui Pokoati | Cook Islands | 98 |
| Mitiaro | Ta Ngatoko | | 16 |
| Penrhyn | Tangaroa Tangaroa | Democratic | 186 |
| Penrhyn | Ben Samuel | | 38 |
| Penrhyn | Fred Ford | | 26 |
| Puaikura | William Heather | Democratic | 410 |
| Puaikura | Tamataia Pera | Cook Islands | 409 |
| Puaikura | Harry Napa | | 401 |
| Puaikura | Taru Moana | | 388 |
| Pukapuka–Nassau | Inatio Akaruru | Cook Islands | 307 |
| Pukapuka–Nassau | Mataora Tutai | | 56 |
| Rakahanga | Pupuke Robati | Democratic | 84 |
| Rakahanga | Turuta Temu | | 50 |
| Takitumu | Apenera Short | Cook Islands | 484 |
| Takitumu | Tiakana Numanga | Cook Islands | 475 |
| Takitumu | Taramai Tetonga | Cook Islands | 465 |
| Takitumu | William Cowan | | 395 |
| Takitumu | William Robert Hosking | | 395 |
| Takitumu | Moerai Kekena | | 391 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Albert Henry | Cook Islands | 1,107 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Thomas Davis | Democratic | 1,080 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Eric Man Browne | Cook Islands | 1,055 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Teanua Kamana | Cook Islands | 1,041 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Tamarua Joseph Browne | | 1,031 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Mana Strickland | | 1,026 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Mani Browne | | 1,015 |
| Te-au-o-Tonga | Tuoro Rangi Anguna | | 1,000 |
| Source: |||||

## 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.
When the newly elected Assembly convened, Marguerite Story was re-elected as Speaker.

### 1977 Takitumu by-election

An election was held on 22 December 1977 to fill the vacancy after the death of Tiakana Numanga.
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Iaveta Short | Democratic Party | 485 | 51.49 |
| | Matapo Matapo | Cook Islands Party | 457 | 48.51 |
| Total | Total | Total | 942 | 100.00 |
| Source: The Cook Islands Gazette |||||