The Cook Islands will hold its 2026 general election on Wednesday, 12 August (Thursday NZ time). More than 60 candidates from over two dozen constituencies are vying for a seat in the Cook Islands 24-member parliament. Kumar encouraged Cook Islands voters to rely on local media producing balanced stories, over individual opinions posted on social media. “We (Cook Islands News) do have the luxury for that, but I guess in other mediums like radio, [we] do not. Prime Minister Mark Brown is seeking a re-election and Cook Islands Party has fielded the highest number of candidates at 20.