Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown expected to return to power following election
Summary
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is expected to remain in power after his party won the most seats in the recent election. Despite a delay in final results from one island due to bad weather, Brown’s Cook Islands Party is set to continue governing with support from independent lawmakers.Key Facts
- Mark Brown is the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands and leader of the Cook Islands Party.
- The Cook Islands Party won 12 seats in the parliamentary election; a majority requires 13 seats.
- Brown’s party has formed alliances with independent members to secure a working majority.
- The Cook Islands has 24 parliamentary seats and a population of about 17,000 people spread over 15 islands.
- The last seat’s results were delayed because bad weather prevented election officials from reaching the island of Nassau.
- Inflation and high living costs were major concerns for voters in this election.
- The Cook Islands United Party won 4 seats, and the Democratic Party lost all its seats, including its leader Tina Pupuke-Browne.
- Relations with New Zealand were strained after Brown signed deals with China without consulting New Zealand, but tensions later eased with a new defense pact in April 2026.
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