By Melina Etches, Cook Islands News
Metua Robert Vaiimene is one of the nine candidates for the mayor of Mangaia in their upcoming Island Government mayor by election. Photo: Supplied / Cook Islands News
Nine people are contesting the vacant Mangaia mayoral seat, making it the highest number of mayoral candidates in the Island Government Election.
As the second-largest constituency in the outer islands (after Aitutaki), Mangaia has also seen a modest increase in voter registration, with 332 people listed on the main and supplementary rolls, up from 321 last year, when 300 voters participated in the election.
Ngateina Rani, who won last year's election (held every four years), announced his resignation last month, just seven months after receiving his official warrant.
Rani is pursuing a new opportunity in the Northern Cook Islands Battery Replacement Project.
According to the Cook Islands Electoral Office, nine candidates have been nominated to contest in the 2025 Mangaia Island Government mayoral by election to be held on May 27.
They are Eipuatiare Fiona Arthur, Tuaine Papatua, Rimamate Rimamate, Ngametua Tere, Vaiora Teremoana, Tangitamaiti George Tuara, Tuaine Tuara, Makitua Tutai and Metua Robert Vaiimene.
Eipuatiare Fiona Arthur says she has returned to Mangaia with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose.
"I've taken the time to observe and to reflect on the current state of our island, and I want to help improve things for the people. I see both the strengths we can build on and the challenges we must address," Arthur told Cook Islands News.
"My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the development of Mangaia, to be part of a positive change that helps our community thrive - to help us move forward in all areas."
Metua Robert Vaiimene, the former Cook Islands Tourism destination development director, said it was the people's desire for genuine leadership and his own commitment to serve that motivated him to run for mayor.
"I was encouraged by several members of the community to put my name forward after they shared their trust in my ability to bring a fresh approach to how things are done on our island," Vaiimene said.
"They know the experience I bring, and many have seen the work I've done alongside our people over the past four years.
"Our community is looking for leaders who offer new ideas and perspectives -not just within the island government, but for the overall progress of Mangaia."
Vaiimene urges voters to choose someone they truly believe in.
"Even if that person isn't me, they should vote for the candidate who they believe will be a good leader - a mayor who will then listen wholeheartedly and can inspire others."
Tuaine Papatua said returning to his homeland of Mangaia has been the most rewarding decision he's made in the past 15 months.
"It's been a fulfilling journey, bringing my people together and working together," Papatua said.
"One of the most important things I've come to realise is that the foundation for development is already in place - we just need to work together.
"And a key focus for me is our youth, we must ensure that they see opportunities here - so they feel they want to stay."
In a social media statement, Tuaine Tuara says Mangaia deserves progress and it's time to move forward.
"I'm standing as a candidate because I believe I have the leadership skills, qualifications and qualities to help drive that change," Tuara said. "There's a real need for direction and motivation within our local government to ensure it works for the benefit of all our people."
"Over the past 20 years, there has been very slow progress on Mangaia compared to other Pa Enua in the Cooks Islands."
The main roll listing those eligible to vote in the Mangaia mayoral election includes the following number of registered voters per village: Karanga - 33, Ivirua - 44, Tavaenga - 76, Veitatei - 56, Keia - 67, and Tamarua - 48.
The supplementary roll, which closed for printing at 4pm on May 8, 2025, adds a few more eligible voters: two additional names for Tavaenga, two for Veitatei, and four for Tamarua.
The mayor election will be held from 9am and 6pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the following places: Oneroa - Island Council Chamber, Ivirua - Queen Mary Hall, and the Tamarua - CICC Sunday School Hall.
Any eligible elector leaving the island of Mangaia before polling day may notify the chief executive officer to make provisions for voting in advance. Electors unable to attend polling booths by reason of old age, illness or disability shall apply in writing to the chief executive officer to qualify as a special care elector.
Postal voting is not permitted in Island Government elections.
-This article was first published by [www.cookislandsnews.com Cook Islands News].
