Marurai people’s choice, says Dr Maoate,but....

Dr Terepai Maoate (right) on election night … he’s
predicting a two-thirds majority for the Democratic
Party he leads. Photo: Natu Tofilau.

Democratic Party leader Dr Terepai Maoate says he is happy with Jim Marurai to continue as the Prime Minister. But at the same time he says it will be a caucus decision.
The Democratic Party constitution states that the leader of the party should take the Prime Minister’s job. However, Marurai – who became Prime Minister under the old Cook Islands First banner – headed the former coalition government.
Maoate says in an interview broadcast on Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) that he understands that Marurai is the people’s choice.
“I think that’s what the people wants to see for Jim to continue to do the job as the Prime Minister, and I have no problem with that,” he told RNZI.
LAST SAY
“But still caucus has the last say, but I wanted to indicate that he’s indicating he wants a job, and that’s fine with me.”
Caucus is made up of the party’s candidates elected for the incoming Parliament.
Maoate also made a commitment the Democratic Party would live up to its pre-election promises
On preliminary election night figures, the Democratic Party won 14 seats to the Cook Islands Party’s 10, including an independent supporting it.
But a number of results are very close and could change with the counting of special votes.
Maoate says there are three marginal seats he is confident of winning back, which could give the party the two-thirds of seats needed to push through changes.
MAJORITY
Maoate told RNZI: “It’s very exciting at this stage with 14 in our numbers, and looking forward to these three others, which means, if we get these three others it means we will be having the two-thirds majority. Which would really be good for us to keep to our promises with in particular the political reform.”
These promises include cutting back on the number of parliamentarians, reducing the term of government, and passing legislation on party hopping.

Headlines : Times 170
- Business as usual
- Its not over yet!
- Mama Ngai: It’s the village first
-Marurai people’s choice, says Dr Maoate,but....
- TANGI: MY WAY
- The trouble with Tangaroa
- ‘Surviving’ here would be easy
- WE’RE IN : Pacific Women in Media plan gets Cooks input

Headlines : Times 169
- JOB CHANGE HITS DEMOS
- Where election will be decided
- VIEWS: "Integrity: Is it important?"
- Letter to the Editor: Our genealogy through Rangi Makeakea
- Taio sails in to help
- William Kauvai stands up to a big man in his vaka
- Rhino Beetle battle ‘won’
- Cooks teen ‘froze’ as baby drowned