# Cook Islands Party secures historic fifth consecutive term > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cook-islands-political-landscape-and-election-competition > Updated: 2026-08-27T07:15:34.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 6. The Cook Islands' general election has resulted in a historic fifth consecutive term for Prime Minister Mark Brown and the Cook Islands Party (CIP). While preliminary counts initially placed the CIP at 12 seats—one short of the 13 required for a majority—the party has since secured an absolute majority with 13 seats. The party’s dominance is expected to expand into an unprecedented supermajority of 19 seats through support from six independent members. This follows a significant political shift where the Democratic Party, formerly the main opposition, suffered a total defeat, losing all its parliamentary seats. This included the loss of seats held by leader Tina Pupuke-Browne and deputy leader Vaitoti Tupa. In addition to the CIP’s gains, the Cook Islands United Party secured four seats, and seven independents were elected. The election process faced some logistical hurdles, such as adverse weather delaying results from the remote island of Nassau. Key voter concerns reported during the cycle included inflation, the cost of living, and water tariffs, alongside ongoing debates regarding undersea mining and strategic relations with China and New Zealand. Mark Brown, who has served as prime minister since October 2020, confirmed that Cabinet ministers who retained their seats will remain in their current positions as the new government prepares to take office. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Cook Islands Party wins historic fifth consecutive term Mark Brown’s Cook Islands Party has secured a historic fifth consecutive term, winning an absolute majority in the 2026 general election and effectively wiping out the Democratic Party opposition. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cook-islands-party-wins-historic-fifth-consecutive-term ### 2026-08-21: Cook Islands Party poised for fifth consecutive term Preliminary results from the 2026 Cook Islands general election show the governing Cook Islands Party is poised to win a fifth consecutive term, driven by voter demand for stability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cook-islands-party-poised-for-fifth-consecutive-term ### 2026-08-17: Cook Islands Party nears supermajority after Mangaia deal The Cook Islands Party may achieve a parliamentary supermajority after three independent female MPs from Mangaia agreed to join the party following the 2026 general election. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cook-islands-party-nears-supermajority-after-mangaia-deal ### 2026-08-13: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown likely to retain power Preliminary results suggest Prime Minister Mark Brown’s Cook Islands Party will retain power, winning 12 of 24 seats, while the Democratic Party lost all its parliamentary representation. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cook-islands-pm-mark-brown-likely-to-retain-parliament ### 2026-08-10: Cook Islands election poll shows no clear majority A recent poll shows no clear winner in the upcoming Cook Islands election, with the governing CIP facing a major surge from the Cook Islands United Party. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cook-islands-election-poll-shows-no-clear-majority ### 2026-08-02: Cook Islands election sees rise of independents as parties wane Independents, making up a fifth of candidates, challenge Cook Islands parties in the 12 August election; veteran Norman George says parties face extinction, while leaders Mark Brown and Teariki Heather downplay 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cook-islands-election-sees-rise-of-independents-as-parties-wane --- Cite as: Cook Islands Party secures historic fifth consecutive term. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cook-islands-political-landscape-and-election-competition