Cook Islands
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Cook Islands as the 2009 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 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 half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
18 fieldsLand useshare of 236 sq km
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Climate
- tropical oceanic;
- moderated by trade winds;
- a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note
- the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls;
- the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
People
22 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2009 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups(2001 census)
Religions(2001 census)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.13 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.97 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.07 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Government
Self-governing parliamentary democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004)
19 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Legislature, 24 seats, elected 26 September 2006one dot, one seat
Percent of vote
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 and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Capital
- name:
- Avarua
- geographic coordinates:
- 21 12 S, 159 46 W
- time difference:
- UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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 Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001);
- New Zealand High Commissioner Tia BARRETT (since December 2008), representative of New Zealand
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament
- elections:
- 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 majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Legislative branch
bicameral Parliament consisting of a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers
- elections:
- last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1
Political parties and leaders
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes); other: various groups lobbying for political change
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, 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
37 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2004)
Electricity
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, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts.
Trade deficits are offset 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.
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
Exchange rates
NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004)
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex
- domestic:
- 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:
- country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Transportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine, 26 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Military
No regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)
4 fieldsMilitary - 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 2009. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cook-islands/2009.