By Rashneel Kumar, editor of the Cook Islands News
Cook Islands’ Democratic Party leader Tina Pupuke-Browne has pledged an “honest campaign review” after preliminary results showed the party losing all its seats.
Pupuke-Browne said the party will learn from its dismal 2026 general election performance, but added that it is “premature” to declare their final standing while official counts remain pending.
According to preliminary results released last week, the Democratic Party — which governed the country before the Cook Islands Party was voted into power in 2010 — failed to win a single seat.
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However, two of its candidates remain locked in close contests, with a significant number of declaration votes yet to be counted.
In Rakahanga, incumbent and party leader Pupuke-Browne trails the Cook Islands Party’s Levi Teinaki by just three votes, with 14 declaration votes remaining.
In Matavera, incumbent MP and party deputy leader Vaitoti Tupa trails the Cook Islands United Party’s Taneao Ngamata by 18 votes, with 60 declaration votes left to verify.
“The preliminary results are deeply disappointing for the Democratic Party, and we must accept that the voters have spoken,” Pupuke-Browne told Cook Islands News.
“We will take responsibility, listen carefully, and conduct an honest review of our campaign and the party’s direction.”
Two disappointing campaigns
Asked whether she would reconsider her position as party leader after two disappointing election campaigns, Pupuke-Browne emphasised that the electoral process was not yet complete.
“Pukapuka is showing a closely fought seat,” she said.
“In Rakahanga, declaration votes remain to be finalised, as they do in several other constituencies. Any election petitions must also be heard and determined by the Court.”
“Until then, it would be premature to declare the party’s final position or any individual candidate’s position.”
She said once the process is complete, the party would meet and make “considered decisions about its leadership and future”.
“Those decisions should be made collectively and calmly, not in reaction to preliminary results.”
Pupuke-Browne thanked the party candidates, supporters and volunteers for their support.
“This is not the outcome we hoped for, but democracy requires us to respect the will of the people.
“We will learn from this result, rebuild and continue serving the Cook Islands.”
Republished from the Cook Islands News with permission.
