Cook Islands general election, 1974
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in the Cook Islands in September 1974 to elect 22 MPs to the Cook Islands Parliament
. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party
, which won 14 seats and 63.6% of the vote. The Democratic Party
won 8 seats and 36.4% of the vote.
During the election the Democratic Party introduced "flying voters", chartering an Air Nauru
Boeing 727
to fly voters from New Zealand
to Rarotonga
to vote. Voters paid their own fares, and the flights were open to all regardless of party affiliation. The tactic was copied by the government at the next election
, though with public money.
Parliament of the Cook Islands
The Parliament of the Cook Islands is the legislature of the Cook Islands. Originally established under New Zealand colonial rule, it became the national legislature on independence in 1965....
. The elections were won by the Cook Islands Party
Cook Islands Party
The Cook Islands Party is a nationalist political party in the Cook Islands. It was the first political party founded in the Cook Islands, and one of the two major parties of the Islands' politics since 1965....
, which won 14 seats and 63.6% of the vote. The Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Cook Islands)
The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in the Cook Islands. It is currently the Opposition party in the Cook Islands Parliament.-Early years:...
won 8 seats and 36.4% of the vote.
During the election the Democratic Party introduced "flying voters", chartering an Air Nauru
Air Nauru
Our Airline is the national airline of the Republic of Nauru. It operates scheduled international services to other Pacific islands and Australia. Its main base is Nauru International Airport...
Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
to fly voters from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
to Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
to vote. Voters paid their own fares, and the flights were open to all regardless of party affiliation. The tactic was copied by the government at the next election
Cook Islands general election, 1978
General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 30 March, 1978 to elect 22 MPs to the Parliament. The result was a victory for the Cook Islands Party under Albert Henry, but it later emerged that the CIP had flown hundreds of supporters from New Zealand to the Cook Islands at public expense in...
, though with public money.