Cook Islands
self-governing parliamentary democracyIndependence none (became self-governing in free association
Cook Islands as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 97 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand. Residents chose self-government with free association with New Zealand in 1965. The emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand in large numbers and resulting loss of skilled labor and government deficits are continuing problems.
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, Desertication, Law of the Sea
- signed, but not ratified:
- Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1999 est.)
Government
Self-governing parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (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 (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 monarch is hereditary;
- the UK representative is appointed by the monarch;
- 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 June 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
International organization participation
AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, 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
31 fieldsElectricity
Economy--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 $120 million public debt. Efforts to exploit tourism potential and expanding the mining and fishing industries have not been enough to adequately deal with the financial crisis.
In an effort to stem further erosion of the economy, the government slashed public service salaries by 50%, condensed the number of government ministries from 52 to 22, reduced the number of civil servants by more than half, began selling government assets, and closed all overseas diplomatic posts except for the one in New Zealand.
Labor force--by occupation
agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, other 4% (1981)
Agriculture--products
copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee
Exports--commodities
- copra, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee;
- fish;
- pearls and pearl shells;
- clothing
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.8560 (January 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)
Communications
6 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
2 (in addition, eight low-power repeaters provide good coverage on the island of Rarotonga) (1997)
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 1999. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cook-islands/1999.