Elections in the Cook Islands

Template:Short description The Cook Islands elects a legislature on a national level. The Parliament of the Cook Islands has 24 members, elected for a four-year term in single-seat constituencies. The Cook Islands has a two-party system, which means that there are two dominant political parties and it is extremely difficult for any other party to achieve electoral success.

An election was held on 14 June 2018. The Cook Islands Party lost its majority, winning only 10 of 24 seats, but Prime Minister Henry Puna was able to put together a coalition by offering cabinet positions to the One Cook Islands Movement's George Angene and independents Robert Tapaitau and Rose Toki-Brown.

Latest election

{{#section-h:2022 Cook Islands general election|Results}}

By-elections

Election	Date	Reason	Winner
1963 European by-election				Dick Rapley
1963 Mauke by-election				Julian Dashwood
1963 Rarotonga by-election		Teupoko'ina Morgan moved to New Zealand		David Marama Hosking
1965 Te-Ao-O-Tonga by-election	9 July 1965	Resignation of Marguerite Story	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Albert Henry (CIP)
1966 Mauke by-election		Resignation of Julian Dashwood	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Tupui Henry (CIP)
1977 Takitumu by-election	22 December 1977	Death of Tiakana Numanga	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Iaveta Short (DP)
1978 Mitiaro by-election	5 October 1978	Annulment of the general election result		Tiki Tetava
1991 Murienua by-election			bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Tom Marsters (CIP)
1994 Ivirua by-election	December 1994		bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Jim Marurai (DAP)
1996 Nikao–Panama by-election	July 1996		bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Ngamau Munokoa (DP)
1999 Pukapuka-Nassau by-election	29 September 1999	Invalidation of election results		None
2000 Pukapuka-Nassau by-election	28 September 2000	Invalidation of 1999 Pukapuka-Nassau by-election.		Tiaki Wuatai (NAP)
2002 Penrhyn by-election	27 June 2002	Disqualification of Tepure Tapaitau	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Wilkie Rasmussen (CIP)
2003 Rua’au by-election	14 August 2003	Death of Maria Heather	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Geoffrey Heather (DP)
2003 Arutanga by-election	20 November 2003	Resignation of Teina Bishop	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Teina Bishop (Independent)
2005 Manihiki by-election	8 February 2005	Resignation of Robert Woonton	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Henry Puna (CIP)
2006 Teenui-Mapumai by-election	8 June 2006	Retirement of Upoko Simpson	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Norman George (Independent)
2006 Matavera by-election	19 July 2006	Conviction of Vaevae Pare for fraud	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Kiriau Turepu (CIP)
2006 Akaoa by-election	29 November 2006	Previous election produced tied result	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Teariki Heather (CIP)
2007 Titikaveka by-election	7 February 2007	Election of Robert Wigmore declared invalid	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Robert Wigmore (DP)
2009 Tamarua by-election	3 February 2009	Death of Mii Parima	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Pukeiti Pukeiti (CIP)
2011 Pukapuka by-election	7 June 2011	Election of Tekii Lazaro declared invalid	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Tekii Lazaro (CIP)
2012 Titikaveka by-election	21 June 2012	Death of Robert Wigmore	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Selina Napa (DP)
2013 Tamarua by-election	29 January 2013	Death of Pukeiti Pukeiti	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Tetangi Matapo (DP)
2013 Murienua by-election	19 September 2013	Resignation of Tom Marsters	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Kaota Tuariki (CIP)
2014 Murienua by-election	19 February 2014	Resignation of Kaota Tuariki	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	James Beer (DP)
2014 Mitiaro by-election	11 November 2014	Draw in the 2014 general election		Results not counted due to court order.
2015 Vaipae-Tautu by-election	31 March 2015	2014 election result voided	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Moana Ioane (CIP)
2016 Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara by-election	13 October 2016	Teina Bishop convicted of corruption	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Pumati Israela (OCI)
2017 Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston by-election	17 May 2017	Resignation of Albert Nicholas	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Albert Nicholas (CIP)
2017 Ivirua by-election	17 August 2017	Resignation of Jim Marurai	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Tony Armstrong
2019 Ivirua by-election	21 January 2019	Death of Tony Armstrong	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Agnes Armstrong
March 2019 Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua by-election	18 March 2019	Defection of Te-Hani Brown from the Democratic Party	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Te-Hani Brown
November 2019 Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua by-election	14 November 2019	Resignation of Te-Hani Brown	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Te-Hani Brown
2021 Manihiki by-election	5 May 2021	Resignation of Henry Puna	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Akaiti Puna (CIP)
2024 Penrhyn by-election	12 March 2024	Conviction of Robert Tapaitau for fraud	bgcolor=Template:Party color|	Sarakura Tapaitau

See also

• Electoral calendar
• Electoral system