The 2024 Island Government Election final count was revealed this week by the Elections Office, and the new mayors who had led in the preliminary count were declared the winners.

The 2024 Cook Islands Island Government Election was held on August 15, for the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manihiki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Pukapuka and Nassau, Penrhyn and Rakahanga.

The final count for Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro – was released on Thursday, resulting in new mayors for the islands.

In Aitutaki, Nicholas Royle Henry was declared the new mayor. In Atiu, Timaau-Ariki James Smith Mokoroa was elected mayor, in Mangaia Ngateina Rani was elected mayor, Joanne Rongoape Stephens in Mauke and in Mitiaro, Tati Tutaka was elected mayor.

Voter turnout was reported to be high across the Pa Enua, with more than 90 per cent registered voters exercising their rights demonstrating engaged electorates participating in selecting their new island leaders.

The strong turnout highlighted the importance placed by residents on local governance in their island communities and the desire for change in the mayoral leadership roles.

The Southern Pa Enua’s final count results was declared on Thursday; however, the North is yet to be declared as the ballot papers are still in the islands.

“We are hopeful that papers will arrive any time next week,” says Taggy Tangimetua, chief electoral officer.

“Northern Group Island result will be finalised and published as soon as practicable.”

Tangimetua explained that disputed election or petitions should be lodged within 14 days of the public notification of the election of the elected member. 

“So far no petition has been lodged although we have received complaints,” she said.

There is no candidate for the Ivirua Constituency councillor in Mangaia since the two candidates – Upokoongo Tairea and Pirimetua Uakino both received 19 votes, respectively.

Tangimetua declared that a vacancy now exists in the Ivirua constituency and a date for a by-election will be set.

Aitutaki, the most populated island in the Pa Enua, had a main roll of 1127 and an impressive 970 turned up to vote.

All the candidates for the mayor role saw an increase in their votes in the final count.

The new mayor for Aitutaki, Nicholas “Nick” Henry’s votes increased by 63 taking his final count to 37 followed by former mayor Tekura Bishop, who saw a rise in his by 49 raising his final count to 333, and Charlie Taamo’s votes bumped up by 41 taking his final count to 258.

Mangaia, the second largest constituency with 321 voters, saw 300 voters turning up to vote.

Both mayor candidates for Mangaia, Ngateina Rani and Makitua Tutai, increased their numbers in the final count – Rani with a final count of 153, an increase of 11, and Tutai with 147, an increase of nine votes.

Atiu had no changes to its final count from the preliminary. From its 239 total voters, 232 hit the polls with 79 voting in Timaau-Ariki James Smith Mokoroa as the mayor.

In Mauke, Joanne Rongoape Stephens kept her lead, the final count saw an increase of one vote taking her total to 53 votes. From the main roll of 218, 190 voters turned up to vote in Mauke.

Mitiaro had 97 total voters, 89 turned up to the polls which saw Tati Tutaka declared as the new mayor with his 46 votes (increase of three from preliminary count).

Palmerston Island is unique, their island government is selected by the family lines of Matavia, Akakaingaro and Tepou Tenioi.

The mayor of Palmerston is Robert “Bob” Marsters from the Matavia line, and the councillors are Tupou Marsters – Matavia, Arthur Frederick Neale – Akakaingaro, Juliana Onegirl Marsters – Akakaingaro, Taepae Goodley Marsters – Tepou Tenioi, and Simon Marsters – Tepou Tenioi.

The Pa Enua islands play a vital role in the Cook Islands, contributing to the country’s cultural heritage, natural environment, and economic activities.

The Island Government Elections help ensure these outer islands have a voice in the overall governance of the Cook Islands.

According to the Island Government 2012-2013 Act, the functions of the Island Government are: to provide good, efficient and effective governance for the island in relation to those responsibilities conferred upon it by or pursuant to this Act, and any other law.

The Island Government Elections follow a decentralised model, in the Pa Enua each have their own local governments where each island elects its own mayor and council.

This allows the communities in the outer islands to have the ability to in self-govern and manage their local affairs and issues impacting their communities.

Over 2000 persons were entitled to vote in the 2024 Island Government Elections.