First Cook Islands election seat decided before a vote is cast

The Cook Islands election campaign has its first winner before polling day, with one parliamentary seat already decided, the Cook Islands News reports.

Independent MP Agnes Helen Armstrong has been returned unopposed in the Ivirua electorate on Mangaia after nominations closed with no other candidates entering the race.

The result means voters in Ivirua will not need to cast a ballot when the Cook Islands heads to the polls on 12 August.

In the report, Chief Electoral Officer Taggy Tangimetua confirmed Armstrong would be officially declared elected after nominations closed at midday on Tuesday.

While uncommon, uncontested seats are not unheard of in Cook Islands elections. Tangimetua said the most recent examples were Ivirua in 2014, Penrhyn in 2006 and Ivirua again in 2004.

Armstrong, who entered Parliament in 2019 as a Democratic Party MP following the death of her husband and former Ivirua MP in 2018, is standing as an independent this year.

The Cook Islands Parliament: Voters heads to the polls on 12 August, with 62 candidates contesting the remaining 23 parliamentary seats after nominations closed. Photo/Cook Islands News

She said the uncontested result reflected her community's wish to remain united.

"It is what the people of Ivirua have wanted, to be united, come together as one people, and to (maintain) peace in the village, instead of dividing, you know, politics divides people … that's what our village wanted, to come together as one," Armstrong told the local newspaper.

"And I think if you're always in contact with your people, you're talking with them all the time and keeping them up to speed with what's going on, what their values and what they want, and I think that's where this (decision) comes from.

Cook Islands Party leader and Prime Minister Mark Brown, right, with first-time candidate Maru Willie, who will contest the Tupapa-Maraerenga seat as the party ramps up its campaign for next month's general election. Photo/Cook Islands News/Melina Etches

"We give thanks to our Lord that He's paved the way for us to all come together as one people."

Although elected as an independent, Armstrong said any decision about supporting a political party after the election would be made with her community.

"Well, we'll come together as a village, as a community. We'll talk about it, see what our options are, and we'll go from there," she said.

"I will be led by my people. I won't make decisions on my own. I will be talking to my people, and we'll collectively move forward."

She also encouraged candidates contesting other electorates to keep their communities at the centre of their campaigns.

Democratic Party candidates Davina Hosking Ashford and Sammy Mataroa say they hope their election campaigns will encourage more young Cook Islanders to step into leadership and help shape the country's future. Photo/Cook Islands News/Teitimoana Tair

"I'd just like to encourage everybody else out there to do the right thing, to do it for their people. It's our people that we need to look after first. And keep the Lord in front of you. He will guide you."

The close of nominations confirmed 63 candidates will contest the 2026 general election, down from 71 in 2022. The field includes 49 men and 14 women.

The governing Cook Islands Party has nominated 20 candidates, followed by the Cook Islands United Party with 14 and the Democratic Party with 12. There are also 12 independents, two Progressive Party candidates, two representing Independent-Enuamanu and one candidate from the newly formed Independence Party.

The election will be held on Wednesday, 12 August.

Listen to Cook Islands United Party Leader Teariki Heather's interview on PMN's Pacific Mornings below.

Candidates

• Tupapa-Maraerenga - Edward Victor Drollett (Democratic Party), Rota Tama Williams (Cook Islands United Party), Tamaiti Maru Willie (Cook Islands Party)

• Takuvaine - Mark Brown (Cook Islands Party), Venetia Mere Jacqueline Tuara (Cook Islands United Party), Davina Hina Te Raurea Joan Hosking-Ashford (Democratic Party)

• Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston - Albert Taaviri Kaitara Nicholas (Cook Islands Party), Teina Rongo (Cook Islands United Party)

• Nikao-Panama - Te Tuhi Tauratumaru Kelly (Progressive Party), Vaine Makiroa Mokoroa (Cook Islands Party), Ngamau Mere "Macan" Munokoa (Cook Islands United Party)

• Ruaau - Tim Tunui "Shadow" Varu (Cook Islands United Party), Arama Joseph Wichman (Cook Islands Party), William "Smiley" Heather (Democratic Party)

• Akaoa - Robert Stanley Heather (Cook Islands United Party), Teakaau Tex Tangimetua (Cook Islands Party)

• Murienua - Nooroa Baker (Cook Islands Party), Teariki William Heather (Cook Islands United Party), Samuel Mataroa (Democratic Party)

• Titikaveka - Elizabeth Iro (Cook Islands United Party), Sholan Ivaiti (Democratic Party), Sonny Williams (Cook Islands Party)

• Ngatangiia - Tukaka George Tamarua Ama (Cook Islands Party), Christopher Robert Denny (Progressive Party), Mapi Ioteva (Cook Islands United Party), Itinga Maoate (Democratic Party)

• Matavera - Taneao Ngamata (Cook Islands United Party), Aneru Andrew Tautu (Cook Islands Party), Vaitoti Tupa (Democratic Party)

• Amuri-Ureia - Nicholas Royle Henry (Independent), Toanui Isamaela (Cook Islands Party), Terepai Maoate (Democratic Party), Tumutoa Teariki Nicholls (Cook Islands United Party)

• Arutanga-Reureu-Nikaupara - Maitoe Henry (Cook Islands United Party), Tereapii Maki-Kavana (Cook Islands Party), Tekura Moeroa Bishop (Independent)

• Vaipae-Tautu - Teariki Reva George (Democratic Party), Teokotai James Herman (Cook Islands Party), Teariki Kureta Tangua (Cook Islands United Party)

• Oneroa - Wesley Kareroa (Democratic Party), Rimmel Poila-Mokoroa (Independent), Teina Tearii (Cook Islands Party)

• Ivirua - Agnes Helen Armstrong (Independent)

• Tamarua - Ngatamaroa Ngatokorua (Cook Islands Party), Tetangi Matapo (Independent)

• Teenui-Mapumai - Vainetutai Rose Brown-Toki (Independent-Enuamanu), Charles Amaru Koronui (Independent)

• Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua - Te-Hani Rose Alexandra Brown (Independent-Enuamanu), Puai Tane Wichman (Independent)

• Mauke - James Vini Beer (Independent), Stephen Tikitau Matapo (Independence Party)

• Mitiaro - Makara Murare (Cook Islands United Party), Tuakeu Tangatapoto (Cook Islands Party), Paul Raui Pokoati Allsworth (Democratic Party)

• Rakahanga - Levi Hitarahera Teinaki (Cook Islands Party), Tina Pupuke Browne (Democratic Party)

• Manihiki - George Maggie Angene (Independent), Akaiti Puna (Cook Islands Party), Puapii William (Independent)

• Pukapuka-Nassau - Tingika Elikana (Cook Islands Party), Dr Kirianu Nio (Independent)

• Penrhyn - Vaine Wichman (Cook Islands Party), Sarakura Tapaitau (Independent)