General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 30 March 1983. The result was a victory for the Cook Islands Party (CIP) of Geoffrey Henry, who became prime minister. However, the CIP lost their majority by the end of July, eventually resulting in Parliament being dissolved and new elections called in November 1983.

Electoral system Previously the Legislative Assembly had 22 members elected from 12 constituencies of between one and four seats in size. Following constitutional reforms, the Assembly was renamed Parliament and the number of members was increased to 24, with the country split into 23 single-member constituencies and an additional constituency for overseas voters.

Campaign Campaigning was much milder than in the 1978 elections, with the government – now controlled by the Democratic Party – having introduced limits on radio airtime and newspaper advertising by parties.Quiet election campaigning leads up to dramatic result Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1983, p15

Results Prime Minister Thomas Davis and Minister Iaveta Short both lost their seats.

By electorate

Constituency Candidate Votes %Amuri–Ureia Kura Strickland 174 56.86Paora Teiti 104 33.99Banaba Samuela 28 9.15Arutanga–Reureu–Nikaupara Ngereteina Puna 201 62.23Tepaki Nooapii Tepaki 106 32.82George Kurariki George 13 4.02Marraeara Teikii 3 0.93Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston Rei Jack 225 50.79Thomas Davis 201 45.37Michael Tavioni 17 3.84Ivirua Papamama Pokino 116 70.73Taataiti Tangatakino 48 29.27Manihiki George Frederick Ellis Jr. 109 52.91Ebinisa Ben Toma 95 46.12Takai Ngatipa 2 0.97Matavera William Papa Cowan 159 57.19Maru Taramai 112 40.29Akaiti Tamarua Ama 7 2.52Mauke Tupui Ariki Henry 161 60.07Mana Strickland 82 30.60Pokoina Tommy 17 6.34Ngatangata Rairi 8 2.99Mitiaro Tiki Tetava 62 52.99Ngatupuna David 49 41.88Tungane-apekore Pokoati 6 5.13Murienua Jimmy Mareiti 279 51.29William Heather 179 32.90Sadaraka Metuakore Sadaraka 50 9.19Exham Wichman 36 6.62Ngatangiia Terepai Maoate 173 51.64Iaveta Short 151 45.07Tuainekore-o-Turepu Teariki Tamaroia Keenan 11 3.28Nikao–Panama Vincent Ingram 270 51.14Richard Pare Browne 207 39.20Percy Frederick Hendeson 51 9.66Oneroa Matepi Toru Matepi 225 73.05Maarateina Atatoa 83 26.95Penrhyn Tangaroa Tangaroa 187 67.51Walter Benedito 85 30.69Aileen Mustonen 5 1.81Pukapuka–Nassau Inatio Akaruru 238 68.39Waleeu Wuatai 88 25.29Kautoki Katoa 22 6.32Rakahanga Pupuke Robati 103 70.07Arahu Tuteru 44 29.93Ruaau Harry Tauei Napa 176 40.84Raymond Pirangi 174 40.37Joseph Williams 81 18.79Takuvaine–Tutakimoa Geoffrey Henry 330 51.81Frederick Tutu Goodwin 275 43.17Eric Man Browne 32 5.02Tamarua Tearapiri Teaurima 56 65.88Pukeiti Pukeiti 29 34.12Teenui–Mapumai Tangata Simiona 94 53.11Metuaangai Teritaiti 83 46.89Tengatangi–Areora–Ngatiarua Norman George 185 58.18Tepou Boaza 132 41.51Piri Puruto 1 0.31Titikaveka Matapo Matapo 232 50.54Teariki Matenga 201 43.79Teariki Tiakana Numanga 26 5.66Tupapa–Maraerenga Teanua Dan Kamana 318 50.88Teariki Piri 269 43.04Kautai Tata Strickland 38 6.08Vaipae–Tautu Bill Paiti 258 76.11Maramotoa Turi 76 22.42William Ioane Estall 5 1.47Overseas Fanaura Kingstone 244 52.47Iaveta Arthur 183 39.35Tauei Solomona 38 8.17Source:

Aftermath Following the elections, Henry appointed a seven-member cabinet, including the first female minister, Fanaura Kingstone. Kingstone had been elected from the overseas constituency with the intention of resigning in protest at the creation of the constituency. However, she later changed her mind as the CIP failed to win a significant majority.Henry the Second's first government Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1983, pp12–14

PortfolioMemberPrime Minister, External Affairs, Finance, Immigration, Ombudsman, Parliamentary Services, Police, TourismGeoffrey HenryAgriculture, HealthTerepai MaoateBroadcasting, Fisheries, Justice, Local Government, Marine Resources, Newspaper Corporation, Outer Islands, SurveyTupui HenryCorrective Services, Education, Public Services, ReligionNgereteina PunaDevelopment, Energy, Labour, Planning, Statistics, Trade, TransportGeorge EllisElectrical Office, Hurricane Safety, Public Works, Water CommissionInatio AkaruruInternal Affairs, Postmistress GeneralFanaura Kingstone

Shortly after the elections, the Democratic Party MP for Atiu lost their seat after a successful petition against the result in the constituency, increasing the CIP majority to three. A court case also began as Henry had failed to resign from office within the first seven days of the parliamentary session and seek re-appointment, as required by the constitution. This was initially viewed as a technicality due to the CIP majority in Parliament. However, in July CIP MP Matapo Matapo died and Tupui Henry left the CIP to sit with the Democratic Party, leaving an 11–11 tie. The final verdict of the Court of Appeal was announced on 29 July, requiring Henry to resign.

Without a majority, Henry resigned on 2 August. Queen's Representative Gaven Donne convened a series of votes to determine who could attain a parliamentary majority, with the vote on 10 August ending as 11 each for Geoffrey and Tupui Henry. With the Atiu by-election – almost certain to be won by the Democratic Party – due on 12 August, Donne asked the two leaders to wait until the by-election for Matapo's seat before a government was appointed. Tupui Henry and Leader of the Opposition Vincent Ingram agreed in the belief that they could win Matapo's former constituency. However, Geoffrey Henry declined. This resulted in Donne dissolving Parliament on 17 August, calling fresh elections for November, and appointing Geoffrey Henry as caretaker prime minister with restricted powers.Cook Islands 1983: The year of voting repeatedly Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1983, p18

References

External links In reference by Queens Representative (1983) CKHC 18; HC OA 1.1983 - one of the cases which led to parliament being dissolved.