1958 Cook Islands general election
# 1958 Cook Islands general election

General elections were held in the Cook Islands on 13 October 1958, the first under universal suffrage.

## Background

Following the recommendations of the 1955 Belshaw-Stace Report, the 23-member Legislative Council was replaced by a 27-member Legislative Assembly.

Of the 27 members, 15 were directly elected; 14 from ten general constituencies and one from a European voter constituency. Seven members were indirectly elected by Island Councils (four from Rarotonga and one from Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia). The remaining five members were officials, including the Resident Commissioner as President of the Assembly, the Administration Secretary, the Treasurer and two members appointed by the Resident Commissioner.

## Campaign

A total of 65 candidates contested the directly elected seats, including former Legislative Council member Willie Watson, who ran under the name Viri Vokotini in one of the general constituencies.

Frank Bateson and former Chief Judge Alfred McCarthy contested the European seat.

## Results

| Constituency | Member |
| - | - |
| General constituencies | Joe Browne |
| General constituencies | Urikore Commings |
| General constituencies | Toka Mataio |
| General constituencies | Ngatupuna Matepi |
| General constituencies | Napa Tauei Napa |
| General constituencies | Tihua Napara |
| General constituencies | Dave Niovara |
| General constituencies | Tuakeu Puna |
| General constituencies | Vainerere Tangatapoto |
| General constituencies | Ine Rutera |
| General constituencies | Glassie Strickland |
| General constituencies | Tangaroa Tangaroa |
| General constituencies | Tama Tetava |
| General constituencies | Willie Watson |
| European constituency | Frank Bateson |
| Aitutaki Island Council | Kau Mapu |
| Atiu Island Council | Teariki Vaine |
| Mangaia Island Council | Pokino Aberahama |
| Rarotonga Island Council | Makea Nui Teremoana Ariki |
| Rarotonga Island Council | Margaret Makea Karika Ariki |
| Rarotonga Island Council | Dick Charles Brown |
| Rarotonga Island Council | Areora Ira |
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly ||
