Makitua Tutai has officially reclaimed the top seat in Mangaia’s Island Government after the final vote count in Tuesday’s mayoral by-election confirmed his win with 86 votes.

Chief electoral officer Taggy Tangimetua yesterday announced, “Following the completion of the official vote scrutiny, the outcome of the Mangaia Mayoral Election remains unchanged from the preliminary result previously announced. No discrepancies were found, and the winning candidate initially reported is now officially confirmed.”

Tutai, who previously served as mayor, lost the position in last year’s Island Government election to Ngateina Rani.

Rani resigned last month, just seven months into his term, to join the Northern Cook Islands Battery Replacement Project, triggering the by-election.

Speaking earlier this week, Tutai expressed his eagerness to resume stalled infrastructure work. He noted that plans to begin road tar-sealing had been put on hold as the island shifted its focus to the bicentennial celebrations of the arrival of Christianity. Tutai is also keen to look into further projects to enhance the island’s infrastructure.

The by-election drew a record nine candidates - the highest number in the island’s history - and was closely contested. Final vote results were as follows:

Makitua Tutai – 86, Metua Robert Vaiimene – 73, Tuaine Tuara – 61, Ngametua Tere – 53, Tuaine Papatua – 16, Vaiora Teremoana – 12, Tangi George Tuara – 8, Rimamate Rimamate – 2, Pua Arthur – 2. A total of 332 eligible voters were registered for this by-election, slightly up from 321 in the 2024 Island Government election. With a population of 504, Mangaia is the second-largest constituency in the Pa Enua, behind Aitutaki.