Key facts
- The Cook Islands Party, led by Mark Brown, won 12 seats in the general election.
- The Cook Islands United Party secured 4 seats.
- Independents won 8 seats.
- The Democratic Party did not win any seats.
- A total of 24 seats were contested in the parliamentary election.
- Mark Brown's party will require support from independents or the opposition to form a government.
Mark Brown's Cook Islands Party (CIP) has secured a fifth consecutive election victory, winning 12 of the 24 seats in the nation's parliamentary election held on August 12, 2026. Official results showed the CIP defeating the opposition Cook Islands United Party, which garnered 4 seats, while independents secured 8 seats. The Democratic Party, the main opposition in the last parliament, failed to win any seats.
Voting on Nassau island was delayed to August 13 due to adverse weather. With 13 seats required to form a majority government, the CIP will need to seek support from independent lawmakers or the opposition. The party has been tasked with forming the government following the last four general elections.
The election occurs at a sensitive time for the Cook Islands' relationship with New Zealand, with which it is in free association. Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens, and while Wellington historically handles defense and foreign affairs, the self-governing territory manages its own domestic policy and international engagement.