Cook Islands
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Cook Islands as the 1998 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 87 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.
No fields match. Try a shorter word.
Geography
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about | one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
17 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
Environment-international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
- signed, but not ratified:
- NA
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1998 est.)
Government
Self-governing parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1 February 1989)
19 fieldsParliament, 25 seats, elected 6 March 1994one dot, one seat
Dependency status
- self-governing 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 UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA);
- New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1 February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1 February 1989)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament
- elections:
- none;
- the queen is a hereditary monarch;
- the queen's representative is appointed by the queen;
- the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government;
- following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
- elections:
- last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held by NA 1999)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-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), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Flag description
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
28 fieldsEconomy-overview
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit.
Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit-processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In 1996, the government declared bankruptcy, citing a $120 million public debt. Efforts to exploit tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries have not been enough to adequately deal with the financial crisis.
In an effort to stem further erosion of the economy, the government slashed public service salaries by 50%, condensed the number of government ministries from 52 to 22, reduced the number of civil servants by more than half, began selling government assets, and closed all overseas diplomatic posts except for the one in New Zealand.
Agriculture-products
copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee
Exports
- total value:
- $4.2 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
- commodities:
- copra, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee;
- fish;
- pearls and pearl shells;
- clothing
- partners:
- NZ 80%, Japan, Hong Kong (1993)
Imports
- total value:
- $85 million (c.i.f., 1994)
- commodities:
- foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
- partners:
- NZ 49%, Italy, Australia (1993)
Economic aid
recipient: roughly $16 million annually, 1985-95, with New Zealand furnishing 88% of the total
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1-1.7283 (January 1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993)
Telephone 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 achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga
Transportation
7 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
1 fieldMilitary-note
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cook Islands.” The World Factbook 1998. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cook-islands/1998.