Cook Islands Party nears supermajority after Mangaia deal

The Cook Islands Party (CIP) is positioned to potentially secure a supermajority for its fifth consecutive term in government. This follows an agreement by three independent female candidates from Mangaia to join the party.

Following the preliminary count of the 2026 general election, the CIP held 12 seats, placing them one seat away from forming a government. The addition of Agnes Armstrong, Tetangi Matapo, and Rimmel Poila-Mokoroa from Mangaia could bring the party's total to 18 seats, which would grant a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

The decision to join the CIP came after a virtual meeting between the Mangaia representatives and party leaders, including CIP president Henry Puna and caretaker Prime Minister Mark Brown. Currently, independent candidates hold eight seats, while the Cook Islands United Party holds four.