# 2006 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 27 September 2006 in order to elect 24 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament. The Democratic Party remained in power, winning 15 of 24 seats. A total of 8,497 voters turned out to vote.
The election was called two years early after the ruling Democratic party lost its majority in Parliament. In July 2006, Environment Minister Teina Bishop resigned from Cabinet and joined the opposition Cook Islands Party. Shortly afterwards, the Cook Islands Party won a by-election in Matevera, eliminating the government's majority. The government pre-empted a formal vote of no-confidence by dissolving Parliament and calling an election.
Cook Islands Party leader Sir Geoffrey Henry announced his retirement during the campaign, resulting in his replacement as leader of the opposition by Tom Marsters. Cook Islands Party MP Wilkie Rasmussen switched his allegiance to the Democratic Party during the campaign, and the CIP was unable to nominate a replacement candidate. As a result, the seat of Penrhyn was unopposed.
Initial results showed the Democratic Party winning 15 seats, and the Cook Islands Party 8, with one seat being held by an independent and one seat tied. A number of electoral petitions were filed, resulting in by-elections being held in the seats of Akaoa and Titikaveka.

## Results

The electorate of Akaoa was tied, resulting in a by-election.
| | Democratic Party | 4,420 | 52.02 | 14 | 0 |
| | Cook Islands Party | 3,846 | 45.26 | 7 | –2 |
| | Independents | 231 | 2.72 | 2 | +1 |
| Vacant | Vacant | | | 1 | – |
| Total | Total | 8,497 | 100.00 | 24 | 0 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 9,772 | – | | |
| Source: Final results, IFES ||||||

### By electorate

Akaoa :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Teariki Heather | 179 | 50.0 |
| | Democratic | Keu Mataroa | 179 | 50.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 358 | 85.2 |
Amuri-Ureia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Terepai Maoate Jnr | 214 | 56.6 |
| | Cook Islands | John Baxter | 164 | 43.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 378 | 88.1 |
Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Teina Bishop | 179 | 53.1 |
| | Democratic | Ronald Henry | 158 | 46.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 337 | 80.4 |
Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Albert (Peto) Nicholas | 295 | 50.9 |
| | Democratic | Sam Crocombe | 284 | 49.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 579 | 76.8 |
Ivirua :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Marurai | 82 | 83.7 |
| | Cook Islands | Maara Peraua | 16 | 16.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 98 | 98.0 |
Manihiki :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Apii Piho | 115 | 51.1 |
| | Cook Islands | Henry Puna | 110 | 48.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 225 | 100.0 |
Matavera :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Cassey Eggelton | 279 | 51.2 |
| | Cook Islands | Kiriau Turepu | 266 | 48.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 545 | 94.8 |
Mauke :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mapu Taia | 115 | 53.2 |
| | Cook Islands | George Cowan | 101 | 46.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 216 | 93.9 |
Mitiaro :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tangata Vavia | 65 | 58.0 |
| | Cook Islands | Travel Tou Ariki | 47 | 42.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 112 | 94.1 |
Murienua :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Tom Marsters | 185 | 45.1 |
| | Independent | Brett Porter | 130 | 31.7 |
| | Democratic | Poko Tuariki | 95 | 23.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 410 | 88.6 |
Ngatangiia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Terepai Maoate | 295 | 62.1 |
| | Cook Islands | Willie Kauvai | 180 | 37.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 475 | 89.0 |
Nikao-Panama :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ngamau Munokoa | 398 | 57.6 |
| | Cook Islands | Tangee Tangi Kokaua | 293 | 42.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 691 | 85.2 |
Oneroa :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Winton Pickering | 152 | 67.0 |
| | Cook Islands | Papa Metu Ruatoe | 75 | 33.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 227 | 96.6 |
Penrhyn :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Wilkie Rasmussen | Unopposed | | |
Pukapuka-Nassau :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Vai Peua | 155 | 55.0 |
| | Democratic | Tiaki Wuatai | 127 | 45.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 282 | 96.6 |
Rakahanga :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Independent | Piho Rua | 42 | 60.0 |
| | Democratic | David Alepha Greig | 28 | 40.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 70 | 94.6 |
Ruaau :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William (Smiley) Heather | 364 | 56.6 |
| | Cook Islands | Vaine Iriano Wichman | 279 | 43.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 643 | 89.9 |
Takuvaine-Tutakimoa :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ngai Tupa | 325 | 56.0 |
| | Cook Islands | Mark Brown | 255 | 44.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 580 | 81.7 |
Tamarua :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Mii Parima | 38 | 61.3 |
| | Democratic | Andy Matapo | 24 | 38.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62 | 95.4 |
Teenui-Mapumai :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Norman George | 85 | 63.0 |
| | Democratic | Nellie Mokoroa | 50 | 37.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 135 | 92.5 |
Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Cook Islands | Nandi Glassie | 104 | 58.8 |
| | Democratic | Eugene Tatuava | 73 | 41.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 177 | 97.3 |
Titikaveka :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Wigmore | 325 | 50.4 |
| | Cook Islands | Tiki Matapo | 276 | 42.8 |
| | Independent | Tere Carr | 44 | 6.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 645 | 87.9 |
Tupapa-Maraerenga :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Tangi | 461 | 53.9 |
| | Cook Islands | Tupou Faireka | 394 | 46.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 855 | 87.6 |
Vaipae-Tautu :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kete Ioane | 212 | 53.4 |
| | Cook Islands | George Pitt | 170 | 42.8 |
| | Independent | Ngariki Bob | 15 | 3.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 397 | 84.3 |