2023 Niuean general election

General elections were held in Niue on 29 April 2023.[1] The elections were originally planned to be held early, in late February or early March.[2] Eight new MPs and six women were elected.

2023 Niuean general election
29 April 2023
All 20 members of the Niue Assembly
Premier before election

Dalton Tagelagi
Independent

 Elected Premier

Dalton Tagelagi
Independent

Politics of Niue
Dalton Tagelagi
Speaker: Hima Douglas

Following the elections the Assembly elected Dalton Tagelagi as Premier.

Electoral system

The 20 members of the Assembly are elected by two methods; 14 are elected from single-member consistencies using first-past-the-post voting and six are elected from a single nationwide constituency by multiple non-transferable vote.[3] There are currently no political parties. After the election, the Members of the Assembly elect a Speaker of the Assembly from outside parliament, and a Premier, who must be an MP. The Premier then chooses a Cabinet.

In 2023, the candidate nomination fee was increased from NZ$11 to NZ$200.[4]

Campaign

A total of 42 candidates contested the election, of which 17 contested the six common roll seats.[1]

Results

Three of the common-roll seats went to newcomers, with the initial results indicating that the final seat would be decided by a coin-toss.[5][6] The final results on 3 May did not show a tie, with Sonya Talagi winning the last seat on the common roll by two votes.[7]

Six candidates, including Premier Dalton Tagelagi, were elected unopposed.[8] Six women were elected.[9] Three sitting MPs were unseated.[10]

In a secret ballot, the Assembly re-elected Dalton Tagelagi as Premier in a 16-4 vote against O'Love Jacobsen.[11] Tagelagi appointed his Cabinet on 12 May, the first gender-balanced Cabinet in Niuean history.[12][13]

Common roll
CandidateVotes%Notes
Crossley Tatui4108.67Re-elected
Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui3978.39Elected
Sinahemana Hekau3908.24Elected
Billy Talagi3677.76Re-elected
O'Love Jacobsen3657.72Re-elected
Sonya Talagi3627.65Elected
Birtha Lisimoni-Togahai3607.61
Terry Coe3407.19Unseated
Fapoi Akesi3136.62
Tamuta Utalo2334.92
Togia Sioneholo2084.40
Victoria Posimani-Kalauni1914.04
Ettie Lotomaanu P Pasene-Mizziebo1853.91
Julie Sophai S M T Talagi-Funaki1783.76
Charlie J K Tohovaka1653.49
Mark Blumsky1583.34
Fisa Igilisi Pihigia1092.30
Total4,731100.00
Source: [14]

By constituency
Results for constituencies[5][8]
Constituency Candidate Votes  % Results
Alofi North Tutuli Heka 35 Elected
Alan Puleoti 26
Stanley Frederick Tafatu 17
Blank or invalid votes 2 –
Total 78
Alofi South Dalton Tagelagi - - Re-elected
unopposed
Blank or invalid votes –
Total 100
Avatele Hetututama Hetutu 26
Ketiligi Saniteli Fereti 13
Pita Vakanofiti 28 Re-elected
Blank or invalid votes 2 –
Total 69
Hakupu Richie Mautama - - Re-elected
unopposed
Blank or invalid votes –
Total 100
Hikutavake Ian Hipa 9 Elected
Masiniholo Lagaloga 5
Opili Talafasi 8 Unseated
Blank or invalid votes 2 –
Total 24
Lakepa Shield Palahetogia 16
Rhonda Tiakia Tomailuga 35 Elected
Blank or invalid votes 1 –
Total 52
Liku Sionetasi Pulehetoa 26
Logopati Seumanu 31 Elected
Blank or invalid votes 0 –
Total 57
Makefu Tofua Puletama 22 Re-elected
Tioneatali Kemusiaki Lolani 14
Blank or invalid votes 0 –
Total 36
Mutalau Makaseau Ioane 18 Unseated
Maureen Melekitama 29 Elected
Blank or invalid votes 2 –
Total 49
Namukulu Sione Sionetuato - - Elected
unopposed
Blank or invalid votes –
Total 100
Tamakautoga Peter Funaki 25
Ricky Makani 46 Re-elected
Blank or invalid votes 5 –
Total 76
Toi Dion Taufitu - - Re-elected
unopposed
Blank or invalid votes –
Total 100
Tuapa Mona Ainuu - - Re-elected
unopposed
Blank or invalid votes –
Total 100
Vaiea Talaititama Talaiti - - Re-elected
unopposed
Blank or invalid votes –
Total 100

See also

References
  1. "Candidate list for Niue General Election released". RNZ. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  2. "Niue Premier indicates an early general election in 2023". Island Business. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  3. "Niue". IFES Election Guide.
  4. Esther Pavihi (March 2023). "New changes in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections including $200 candidates nomination fee". TV Niue. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  5. Esther Pavihi (30 April 2023). "Several new members will be sworn in to the 18th Niue Legislative Assembly after the general election yesterday". TV Niue. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. Matt Manukuo (1 May 2023). "Final seat in Niuean elections to be decided by hat-draw". Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  7. Esther Pavihi (3 May 2023). "Sonya Talagi duly elected 6th Common Roll Member, while Lisimoni-Togahai has filed petition for a recount". TV Niue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  8. Esther Pavihi (14 April 2023). "List of candidates for the 2023 General Elections released; Tagelagi duly elected with 5 others". TV Niue. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  9. "Six women MPs voted into Niue's parliament". RNZ. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  10. Esther Pavihi (1 May 2023). "Two long serving MPs Terry Coe and Opili Talafasi will not be returning to the next Niue Legislative Assembly". TV Niue. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  11. "Dalton Tagelagi re-elected premier of Niue". RNZ. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  12. "Dalton Tagelagi forms Niue's first gender-balanced Cabinet". RNZ. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  13. Esther Pavihi (12 May 2023). "Premier Tagelagi announce first gender- balanced Cabinet". TV Niue. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  14. "Son of former Niue Premier among six newcomers to Parliament". RNZ. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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