Cook Islands United Party

Cook Islands United Party
AbbreviationCIUP
LeaderTeariki Heather
FoundersTeariki Heather
Nandi Glassie
Founded24 November 2018 (2018-11-24)
Split fromCook Islands Party
SloganFaith - Hope - Love
Seats in the Cook Islands Parliament
3 / 24
Website
cookislandsunitedparty.org.ck

The Cook Islands United Party is a political party in the Cook Islands. The party was founded in October 2018 by former Cabinet ministers Nandi Glassie and Teariki Heather.[1][2]

Heather contested the 2019 Ivirua by-election, but was unsuccessful.[3] The party did not contest the March 2019 Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua by-election, with Glassie instead standing as a Democratic party candidate.[4]

In December 2021 the party announced eleven candidates for the 2022 Cook Islands general election.[5] The party platform included a two-term limit for MPs and the introduction of import levies to promote local business.[6] Initial results showed the party winning 4 seats, with a 5th seat tied.[7] The final results gave the party three seats.[8]

Electoral performance

Legislative Assembly

Election Votes % Seats +/– Rank Government
2022 1,660 18.81
3 / 24
New Increase 3rd Opposition

References

  1. ^ "New political party launched in Cook Islands". RNZ. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Cook Islands political party claims demand for change". RNZ. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Cook Islands Democratic Party looks to have secured Ivirua seat". RNZ. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Cook Islands Party will not contest Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua by-election". Fiji Times. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  5. ^ "'United' we stand". Cook Islands News. 3 December 2021.
  6. ^ Caleb Fotheringham (18 July 2022). "'Last term' for United Party leader". Cook Islands News. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Cooks' newcomers make impact but PM's party in strong position". RNZ. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Ruling party in Cook Islands closer to power after gaining seats". RNZ. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.