1961 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands in May 1961.[1]

Cook Islands
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
the Cook Islands

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),[2] seven members indirectly elected by Island Councils (four from Rarotonga and one from Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia),[2] 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.[2]

Results
Constituency Member Notes
AitutakiWilliam EstallNew member
Matai SimeonaNew member
AtiuVainerere TangatapotoRe-elected
MangaiaPokimo AberahamaPreviously Island Council representative
ManihikiBen Ellis JnrNew member
MaukeTerii TaripoNew member
MitiaroTiki Tetava Ariki
PenrhynTangaroa TangaroaRe-elected
PuaikuraIne RuteraRe-elected
RakahangaTurura TemuNew member
RarotongaDick Charles BrownNew member
Poko IngramNew member
Teupoko'ina Utanga MorganNew member
Teakura RoiNew member
EuropeanLes BaileyNew member
Aitutaki Island CouncilKau MapuRe-elected
Atiu Island CouncilParua ArikiNew member
Mangaia Island CouncilNgatupuna MatepiPreviously a directly-elected member
Rarotonga Island CouncilMakea Nui Teremoana ArikiRe-elected
Areora IraRe-elected
Napa Tauei NapaPreviously a directly-elected member
Teariki TuaveraNew member
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Appointed members
Position Member
Resident CommissionerOliver Dare
Chief Medical OfficerT.T. Romans
Director of EducationR.D. McEwan
Secretary to the GovernmentL.K. Pitt
TreasurerT.N. Perry
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath
The Executive Committee of the Cook Islands legislature in 1962

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.[3]

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),[4][5] Julian Dashwood becoming the MLA for Mauke and David Marama Hosking becoming an MLA for Ratotonga,[6] 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.[4] Dick Charles Brown was elected the first Leader of Government business, defeating Ngatupuna Matepi by a vote of 11–10.[7] A new speaker was also appointed, with Teariki Tuavera defeating Ngatapuna Matepi in a secret ballot.[4]

1963 Executive Committee porfolios
Portfolio Member
Leader of Government BusinessDick Charles Brown
Deputy LeaderWilliam Estall
Customs, Finance, Inland Revenue, Labour, Post Office, Radio, Shipping & Air, Treasury
Agriculture, Co-operatives, Freezer, HotelNapa Tauei Napa
Broadcasting, Health, Justice, Police and Prisons, Social DevelopmentJulian Dashwood
Education, Power, Printing, Public Works, SurveysTangaroa Tangaroa

References
  1. Cook Is. Elections Bring Many New Faces Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1961, p21
  2. A Legislative Assembly Soon for Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1958, p139
  3. They'll work towards Self-government Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1962, p21
  4. Talks Soon On Political Future Of The Cooks Pacific Islands Monthly, January 1964, p35
  5. Pacific Islands Year Book 1963, p139
  6. David J. Stone Self rule in the Cook Islands: The government and politics of a new micro-state
  7. Speedy and Far-Reaching Changes In South Seas Political Scene Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1963, p7
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