Cook Islands
self-governing parliamentary government in
Cook Islands as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 80 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, | about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
14 fieldsLand useshare of 240 sq km
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Terrain
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
- lowest point:
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Te Manga 652 m
Environment
- current issues:
- NA
- natural hazards:
- typhoons (November to March)
- international agreements:
- party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- NA male(s)/female
- all ages:
- NA male(s)/female
Government
Self-governing parliamentary government in; Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1 February 1989)
19 fieldsLegislature, 25 seatsone dot, one seat
Type of government
- self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand;
- Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs;
- New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Independence
none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA);
- New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (since NA 1994), representative of New Zealand was appointed by the New Zealand Government
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1 February 1989)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet; collectively responsible to Parliament
Parliament
- elections last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (25 total) Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party 2
note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Political parties and leaders
- Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;
- Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS;
- Democratic Alliance Party, Norman GEORGE
International organization participation
AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Flag
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
Economy
Agriculture provides the economic base.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 14,000 kW
Economic overview
Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links.
A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries. Despite these plans, the Cook Islands will continue to face severe financial problems.
Exports
$3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)
- commodities:
- copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
- partners:
- NZ 80%, Japan
Imports
$50 million (c.i.f., 1990)
- commodities:
- foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
- partners:
- NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US
Economic aid
recipient: ODA, $NA note: in 1994, Cook Islands received $5.4 million in budget support and $3.3 million in project aid from New Zealand, the country's largest source of aid
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 7 in all
Networkskm
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone;
- within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Television broadcast stations
1 studio and 8 low-powered repeaters to achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cook Islands.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cook-islands/1996.