Cook Islands’ Demo Party Conference

Mana (Auckland), 14 July 1977, Page 4

Cook Islands’ Demo Party Conference

A large number of New Zealand Cook Islanders express strong feelings against any move by the Cook Islands’ Government to opt for full independence. This emerged from the Cook Islands’ Democratic Party (NZ) conference held in Wellington last week. A large crowd of delegates and DEMO Party supporters from all over New Zealand and the Cook Islands attended the conference which was addressed by the Cook Island opposition DEMO Party leader, Dr Tom Davis. The conference was highlighted by the election of a national council for the DEMO Party’s New Zealand branch. Mr Sadaraka Sadarakawas elected it’s president and Mr Piri Kautai the general secretary.

The national council will also have eight other members. Mr Sadaraka is a former personal secretary and advisor to the Cook Island’s premier and he will be the DEMO candidate for the Aitutaki constituency in the 1978 general election. Conference delegates from the Cook Islands expressed their support for remits submitted by DEMO branches in New Zealand. The remits concentrated on the Cook Islanders’ rights to cast their votes while outside the Cook Islands, and a strong feeling against full independence was noted. Dr Davis highlighted the consequences involved and supported the remits. He also talked about land issues, a speech made the night before the conference to 500 people.

Other delegates at the conference included Mr Marii Mahutaariki, who is the Cook Islands’DEMO Party general secretary and likely candiate in the 1978 election. Also at the conference was Mr Tangata Simiona, a former M.P. and DEMO candidate for the Atiu by-election in September this year. Mr Simiona was to have run for the Matavera seat in the Takitumu constituency in 1978 but he could not refuse a request from his people to run in the Atiu by-election.

The conference ended with great feasting, the Cook Islands’ way., and a big dance, the Cook Islands’ style, but the hall was packed and people could not move their hips and legs well enough to qualify their dancing in The Cook Islands’ style.