Cook Islands

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, government deficits, and limited natural resources are of continuing concern.

• tropical oceanic;
• moderated by trade winds;
• a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

agricultural land:

8.4%;

• arable land 4.2%;
• permanent crops 4.2%;
• permanent pasture 0%

forest:

64.6%

other:

27% (2011 est.)

• 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

noun:

Cook Islander(s)

adjective:

Cook Islander

at birth:

1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years:

1.13 male(s)/female

15-24 years:

1.15 male(s)/female

25-54 years:

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years:

1.15 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.97 male(s)/female

total population:

1.07 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Cook Islands

etymology:

named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777

• 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

name:

Avarua

geographic coordinates:

21 12 S, 159 46 W

time difference:

UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

chief of state:

• Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
• represented by Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013);
• New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna KEMPKERS (since 19 July 2013)

head of government:

Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010)

cabinet:

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister

elections/appointments:

• the monarchy is hereditary;
• UK representative appointed by the monarch;
• New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government;
• following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

description:

• unicameral Parliament, formerly the Legislative Assembly (24 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms);
• note - the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the Queen's representative serves as a consultative body to the Parliament

elections:

last held on 9 July 2014 (next to be held by 2018)

election results:

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 13, Demo 8, One Cook Islands Movement 2, 1 undecided

highest resident court(s):

• Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court);
• High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions);
• note - appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are brought before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office:

• High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister;
• other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice;
• chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms

subordinate courts:

justices of the peace

• Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]
• Democratic Party or Demo [William HEATHER]
• One Cook Islands Movement [Teina BISHOP]

name:

"Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty)

lyrics/music:

Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS

note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics

agriculture:

29%

industry:

15%

services:

56% (1995)

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

• copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee;
• fish;
• pearls and pearl shells;
• clothing

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)

• 1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs;
• a satellite program package is available;
• 6 radio stations broadcast with 1 reportedly reaching all of the islands (2009)

total:

320 km

paved:

33 km

unpaved:

287 km (2003)

country comparison to the world: 205

males age 16-49:

2,198

females age 16-49:

2,156 (2010 est.)

male:

127

female:

107 (2010 est.)