Cook Islands Party (CIP) leader and caretaker Prime Minister Mark Brown leads as the preferred Prime Minister in a poll conducted by Cook Islands News ahead of the general election on Wednesday, 12 August.
The poll asked, “Which candidate do you believe is best suited to lead the country as Prime Minister following the election: Mark Brown, Teariki Heather, Tina Pupuke-Browne, Others, or ‘Undecided’?”
Brown leads preferred leader polling at 35.2 percent, backed by 84.4 percent of CIP voters. However, a massive 32.4 percent of voters remain undecided.
United Party leader Heather follows at 19 percent with 57.1 percent party support, while Democratic Party leader Pupuke-Browne trails at 5.7 percent. Alternative candidates garner 7.6 percent with some respondents expressing support for Nikao-Panama CIP candidate Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa and Atiu’s Rose Toki-Brown.
“I am humbled by it, and I do not read it as being about one person. No voyage across our ocean ever succeeded because of one navigator alone,” Brown said.
“Whatever standing I have is really a reflection of a strong team and a country that has come through some hard years in good shape.”
United Party’s Heather says he is leaving the outcome to election day, noting that polls show “a significant number of voters remain undecided”.
One poll respondent credited the CIP with a strong track record in government.
The Pa Enua (outer islands) resident said they enjoyed the recent leaders’ debate hosted by Cook Islands TV, noting that Brown was realistic, whereas “other parties have wishful thinking”.
The respondent added that they would not vote for the United Party, claiming its leader focuses primarily on Rarotonga rather than the outer islands.
“We were ignored for too long, but CIP came through and got involved with the Pa Enua.”
Heather stated that his party has plans to support and develop the Pa Enua if elected into government.
Looking at undecided voters, one respondent said none of the leaders were suited to be prime minister, while another said they would prefer a PM who would fix the road in Arorangi.
A respondent who selected Heather said Brown should hand over the leadership, adding, “Thank you for serving your people… but next …”
Meanwhile, a respondent from the Pa Enua noted that Brown’s background in finance made CIP the better choice when weighing options against other parties.
