Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown expected to return to power following election

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown appears set to resume leadership of his nation's government for a second term, after his party secured more seats than any other in recent elections. The Cook Islands, comprising 15 islands and a population of 17,000, held parliamentary elections, with one of the 24 seats still to be decided.

Due to adverse weather, results from the island of Nassau were delayed and anticipated late Friday NZ time. However, the Cook Islands Party, a nationalist group governing since 2010, was already declaring victory, having won 12 seats, promising a fifth term in office. Forming a government requires a 13-seat majority, but Brown's party has previously partnered with independent lawmakers to enact laws.

Speaking on Facebook, Brown expressed gratitude to constituents for voting, emphasizing their role in strengthening the country. In the contested seat, a party member from Brown's faction is contesting an independent candidate. Voters prior to the ballot focused on concerns about inflation and the cost of living, exacerbated by the ongoing Iran conflict causing economic anxiety in the South Pacific region.

The Cook Islands United Party, which split from Brown's group in 2018, won a mere four seats, compared to three in 2022. The socially progressive Democratic Party, previously the main opposition, lost all five seats. An unexpected upset saw the party leader, Tina Pupuke-Browne, lose her own seat by just three votes, concluding an eight-year tenure.