Cook Islands: In securing 5th consecutive term, Cook Islands Party highly likely to continue seabed mining exploration and fuel disruption subsidies

Preliminary results from the 12 August general election indicate the incumbent Cook Islands Party (CIP) has won 12 of the 24 available seats, leaving them 1 seat short of securing an outright majority. The current Prime Minister (PM) and CIP Leader, Mark Brown, also retained his Takuvaine-Tatukimoa seat. Two independent MPs who served in the 2022–2026 CIP coalition government retained their seats while four further independent MPs, including three from Mangaia, have agreed to join the Government. The opposition Democratic Party lost all five of its previous seats. Official election results are expected to be released later this week — voting delays occurred in the Northern Cooks when vessels carrying voting papers were unable to land due to strong weather.

Assessment: With the support of the independents, the CIP will secure its fifth consecutive term in government. Retaining all 12 seats will give the CIP confidence in its current approach to issues, particularly the global fuel disruption and cost of living crisis and exploration of deep-sea mining. The government is likely to continue seabed mining partnerships with US firms, with exploration licences extended until at least 2032. While the Cook Islands is highly likely to continue aligning itself with traditional partners in security matters, the government will also explore economic development with both traditional and non-traditional parties.

Sources: Tiana Haxton, “Polling booths open in Cook Islands”, RNZ, 13 August 2026; Tiana Haxton, “Cook Islands election: preliminary results starting to come in”, RNZ, 13 August 2026; Christine Rovoi, “Cook Islands election gives Brown powerful majority as Mangaia MPs join government”, Pacific Media News, 18 August 2026.