General elections were held in the Cook Islands in May 1961.Cook Is. Elections Bring Many New Faces Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1961, p21
Electoral system The 27 members of the Legislative Assembly consisted of 15 directly elected members (14 from ten general constituencies and one from a European voter constituency), seven members indirectly elected by Island Councils (four from Rarotonga and one from Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia), and five officials members, including the Resident Commissioner as President of the Assembly, the Administration Secretary, the Treasurer and two members appointed by the Resident Commissioner.A Legislative Assembly Soon for Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1958, p139
Results ConstituencyMemberNotesAitutakiWilliam EstallNew memberMatai SimionaNew memberAtiuVainerere TangatapotoRe-electedMangaiaPokino AberahamaPreviously Island Council representativeManihikiBen Ellis JnrNew memberMaukeTerii TaripoNew memberMitiaroTiki Tetava ArikiPenrhynTangaroa TangaroaRe-electedPuaikuraIne RuteraRe-electedRakahangaTuruta TemuNew memberRarotongaDick Charles BrownNew memberPoko IngramNew memberTeupoko'ina Utanga MorganNew memberTeakura RoiNew memberEuropeanLes BaileyNew memberAitutaki Island CouncilKau MapuRe-electedAtiu Island CouncilParua ArikiNew memberMangaia Island CouncilNgatupuna MatepiPreviously a directly elected memberRarotonga Island CouncilMakea Nui Teremoana ArikiRe-electedAreora IraRe-electedNapa Tauei NapaPreviously a directly elected memberTeariki TuaveraNew memberSource: Pacific Islands Monthly
Appointed members PositionMemberResident CommissionerOliver DareChief Medical OfficerT.T. RomansDirector of EducationR.D. McEwanSecretary to the GovernmentL.K. PittTreasurerT.N. PerrySource: Pacific Islands Monthly
Aftermath
In 1962 an Executive Committee was established, with its members elected by the Assembly. It initially consisted of Les Bailey, Dick Charles Brown, William Estall, Ngatupuna Matepi, Vainerere Tangatapoto, Tangaroa Tangaroa and Teariki Tuavera, together with the Government Secretary and the Treasurer.They'll work towards Self-government Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1962, p21
By-elections in 1963 saw Dick Rapley elected to replace Les Bailey for the European seat (Bailey was also replaced on the Executive Committee by Napa Tauei Napa),Pacific Islands Year Book 1963, p139 Julian Dashwood becoming the MLA for Mauke and David Marama Hosking becoming an MLA for Ratotonga,David J. Stone Self rule in the Cook Islands: The government and politics of a new micro-state replacing Teupoko'ina Morgan after she emigrated to New Zealand
In November 1963 the Executive Committee was revamped, becoming a "shadow cabinet" with defined portfolios. Dick Charles Brown was elected the first Leader of Government business, defeating Ngatupuna Matepi by a vote of 11–10.Speedy and Far-Reaching Changes In South Seas Political Scene Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1963, p7 A new speaker was also appointed, with Teariki Tuavera defeating Ngatapuna Matepi in a secret ballot.Talks Soon On Political Future Of The Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1964, p35
1963 Executive Committee portfoliosPortfolioMemberLeader of Government BusinessDick Charles BrownDeputy LeaderWilliam EstallCustoms, Finance, Inland Revenue, Labour, Post Office, Radio, Shipping & Air, TreasuryAgriculture, Co-operatives, Freezer, HotelNapa Tauei NapaBroadcasting, Health, Justice, Police and Prisons, Social DevelopmentJulian DashwoodEducation, Power, Printing, Public Works, SurveysTangaroa Tangaroa
References