[1] It was established to provide representation for the growing number of Cook Islanders temporarily living abroad, especially in New Zealand, who previously had had to fly home to vote.
[2] At the time it was created, roughly 24,000 Cook Islanders lived overseas, versus 22,000 in the Cook Islands, and their votes had been crucial in deciding the 1978 election.
[2] The creation of a specific seat was seen as a way of both providing for and limiting their influence.
[7] In April 2003 the Cook Islands Parliament passed the Constitution Amendment (No.
[9] A savings clause allowed the incumbent, Joe Williams, to retain his seat until the end of the Parliamentary term.