[1] The by-election was called following the defection of sitting MP Te-Hani Brown from the Democratic Party in January in order to support the government of Henry Puna, which triggered a by-election under election law.

[2][3] Brown ran as an independent with the support of the Cook Islands Party against Nandi Glassie, whom Brown had beaten in the 2018 Cook Islands general election.

[4] Although Brown retained her seat, Glassie filed a petition against her victory.

[6] Brown resigned in April 2019 during the process of the petition through the courts and although Glassie was allowed to challenge the election result, this was reversed on appeal.

[6][7] Brown's seat was declared vacant in September 2019, triggering another by-election.