1972 Cook Islands general election
Introduction 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 ===Elected members===ConstituencyMemberPartyNotesAitutakiDan DanielCook Islands PartyWilliam EstallCook Islands PartyRe-electedGeoffrey HenryCook Islands PartyAtiuVainerere TangatapotoDemocratic PartyRe-electedPomani TangataDemocratic PartyMangaiaPokino AberahamaDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)Ngatupuna MatepiDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)ManihikiTaraeka KaisaraCook Islands PartyMaukeTupui HenryCook Islands PartyRe-elected unopposedMitiaroRaui PokoatiCook Islands PartyRe-elected unopposedPenrhynTangaroa TangaroaDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)PuaikuraTamataia PeraCook Islands PartyRe-electedTaru MoanaCook Islands PartyRe-electedPukapuka–NassauInatio AkaruruCook Islands PartyRe-electedRakahangaPupuke RobatiDemocratic PartyRe-elected (previously United Cook Islanders)TakitumuTiakana NumangaCook Islands PartyRe-electedApenera ShortCook Islands PartyRe-electedTaramai TetongaCook Islands PartyRe-electedTe-au-o-TongaJoe BrowneCook Islands PartyAlbert HenryCook Islands PartyRe-electedTeanua KamanaCook Islands PartyRe-electedThomas DavisDemocratic PartySource:  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).
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