A by-election was held in the Cook Islands constituency of

Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston or RAPPA is a Cook Islands electoral division returning one member to the Parliament of the Cook Islands, Cook Islands Parliament. The electorate was created in 1981, when the ''Constitution Amendment (No. 9) Act 1 ...

on 17 May 2017. The by-election was precipitated by the resignation of

Albert Nicholas Albert Nicholas (May 27, 1900 – September 3, 1973) was an American jazz clarinet player, who was mostly based in Europe after 1953. Career Nicholas's primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown ...

. It was won by Albert Nicholas.

Background

In the July 2014 general election the contest for Avatiu–Ruatonga–Palmerston (or "RAPPA") saw sitting

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. From 1999 until 2005 it sometimes ...

John Henry John Henry most commonly refers to: *John Henry (folklore) John Henry may also refer to: People Artists and entertainers * John Henry (actor) (1738–1794), Irish and early American actor *Seán Ó hEinirí (1915–1998), known in English as John ...

unseated by the Democratic Party challenger Albert Nicholas. Following the election, Nicholas switched his support to the government of

Henry Puna Henry Tuakeu Puna (born 29 July 1949) is a Cook Islands politician. He most recently served as the secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum from May of 2021 to 2024. He was Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from November 2010 to October 2 ...

in exchange for a position in cabinet. He was subsequently expelled from the Democratic Party. Continued controversy about the ethics of "vaka-jumping" saw him resign his seat in April 2017 in an effort to gain a new mandate. Nicholas was selected as the Cook Islands Party candidate, a decision which saw former CIP candidate John Henry run as an independent. The Democrats selected Teina Rongo, a former public servant. The election was won by Albert Nicholas.

Results

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2017 Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston by-election By-elections in the Cook Islands

Avatiu Avatiu is a settlement on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. It is located on the north coast to the west of the capital Avarua and is the location of Rarotonga's main port. Notable buildings include a Mormon church and a family history centre and ...