Cook Islands
none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Cook Islands as the 2001 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 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; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand 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 fieldsLocation
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Land use
arable land: 9% permanent crops: 13% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 78% (1993 est.)
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
10 fieldsGovernment
Self-governing parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA)
19 fieldsCountry name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands
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 Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999);
- Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA) 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 note: ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS;
- WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP);
- on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister
Legislative branch
- unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%;
- seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Political parties and leaders
- Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Tai CARPENTER];
- Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE];
- New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]
International organization participation
ACP, 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
32 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, the limited size of domestic 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 the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% (1995) note - shortage of skilled labor
Budget
revenues: $25 million expenditures: $23 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00)
Agriculture - products
copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Exports - commodities
- copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee;
- fish;
- pearls and pearl shells;
- clothing
Economic aid - recipient
$13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)
Communications
10 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA 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)
Transportation
8 fieldsNetworkskm
Merchant marine
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,310 GRT/2,181 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2000 est.)
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 2001. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cook-islands/2001.