General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 1 May 1968. The result was a victory for the Cook Islands Party (CIP), which won 16 seats, a gain of two from the 1965 elections. The newly formed United Cook Islanders won the other six seats to become the parliamentary opposition. CIP leader Albert Henry continued as prime minister.

Campaign In February a new party, the United Cook Islanders (UCI), was formed. Its members included former cabinet members Mana Strickland and Manea Tamarua. The new party launched its manifesto on 8 April.Breakaways seek power in Cooks' elections Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1968, p24

A total of 55 candidates contested the elections; 23 from the CIP (two candidates from the party ran against each other in Pukapuka, and four candidates from the party contested the three seats in Takitumu), 18 from the UCI and six independents. Former Leader of Government Business Dick Charles Brown had intended to run as an independent, but withdrew. The CIP candidates were returned unopposed in Mauke and Mitiaro.

The campaign period during April saw meetings held almost every night, with CIP meetings initially drawing crowds of several hundred, rising to over 1,300 by the end of the campaign. In contrast, UCI meetings were usually attended by fewer than 100 people.

Results The CIP won all nine seats in Rarotonga, and gained the three Aitutaki seats, which had been won by the Independent Group in 1965. The UCI's former ministers, Strickland and Tamarua, both lost their seats.Albert Henry back in the Cooks with a bang Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1968, p24

By electorate

Constituency Candidate Party VotesAitutaki–Manuae William Estall 890Joseph Williams 888Ngaa Upu 816Dora Harrington 146John Robert George Dick 89Rata Toa 72Atiu Vainerere Tangatapoto United Cook Islanders 314Tangata Simiona United Cook Islanders 280Mariri Paratainga 185Pakari Tutai 135Mangaia Ngatupuna Matepi United Cook Islanders 594Pokino Aberahama United Cook Islanders 587Turaraiti Pekepo 164Manihiki Nato Temu 115Mareko Mareko United Cook Islanders 53Ben Pukerua 33Glassie Strickland 29Mauke Tupui Ariki Henry UnopposedMitiaro Raui Pokoati UnopposedPenrhyn Tangaroa Tangaroa United Cook Islanders 219Tuauri Hakaoro 42Fred Ford 10Puaikura Taru Moana 550Tamataia Pera Maurangi 547Alexander Munro United Cook Islanders 287Napa Tauei Napa United Cook Islanders 282Pukapuka–Nassau Inatio Akaruru 233John Tariau 134Rakahanga Pupuke Robati United Cook Islanders 90Howard Howard 32Takitumu Apenera Short 574Tiakana Numanga 532Samuela Samuela 396Jean Domonique Upoko Crummer Peyroux United Cook Islanders 305Kamate Areora Ira United Cook Islanders 301William Cowan United Cook Islanders 276Taramai Tetonga 198Te-au-o-Tonga Albert Henry 1,682Teanua Kamana 1,568Teaukura Roi 1,470Kamate Nangaiti 1,418Manea Teariki Tamarua United Cook Islanders 717Mana Strickland United Cook Islanders 694David Marama Hosking United Cook Islanders 679Marama Tepou Nicholas United Cook Islanders 674Source: Cook Islands Gazette, Stone, Pacific Islands MonthlyPacific Islands Monthly

References

Further reading