Action man or ‘hard working horse’ George Angene (Maggie) had another landslide victory in Tupapa-Maraerenga and says this will be his last term.

The incumbent Minister of Corrective Service was voted in again on Monday, easily retaining his seat with more than 200 votes ahead of runner up Lee Harmon from the Democratic Party.

After the preliminary count on Monday night, Angene who stood under the Cook Islands Party banner amassed 458 votes followed by Democratic Party’s Harmon 213 and Cook Islands United Party’s Kervin Aroita with 148.

Angene and Prime Minister Mark Brown are currently the longest serving Members of Parliament after being elected for a fourth term.

Angene thanked the people in his village for trusting “their hard working horse” to represent them in Parliament.

“I never use the name boss, I use the name hard working horse, that’s me,” Angene said.

“Those who vote for me, those who don’t vote for me, those that hate me, those that like me, I help everybody.

“I thank my village people for keeping their trust in me.”

Angene was first elected in 2010 as a Cook Islands Party candidate where he was in Government. He then spent 2014 with the One Cook Islands Party in Opposition. He contested the 2018 election under One Cook Islands banner but joined the government coalition becoming a Cabinet Minister.

“I’ve been up and down in Parliament, round and round, left and right.

“This is my last term running, I know I’m tired. I can feel my body, I will be 67 by the end of this term and who knows if I can reach 70. I want to retire early so I can spend time with my wife and kids.”

The Minister’s portfolio includes, Corrective Services, Culture, House of Ariki, Punanga Nui Market and Head of State. He’s now looking for another in his last term.

“There’s one more I need and to me it’s the need of the people.”

Angene was not willing to tell Cook Islands News what portfolio he wanted but ruled out Infrastructure Cook Islands.  

In his village, Angene said he was going to fix a stream that regularly floods, put a netball dome up and build a new stadium.

Angene said he could not see the Cook Islands Party led coalition government changing hands, adding it had the support from Independent Atiu candidates – mother and daughter duo, Rose Brown-Toki and Te-Hani Brown.

He is inviting everyone in his village to a wrap up party on Saturday.