Cook Islands#Geography

The Cook Islands comprise 15 islands split between two island groups, which have been called individual names in indigenous languages including Cook Islands Māori and Pukapukan throughout the time they have been inhabited. The first name given by Europeans was Gente Hermosa (beautiful people) by Spanish explorers to Rakahanga in 1606.{{cite journal |first=Brian |last=Hooker |date=1998 |journal=Terrae Incognitae |volume=30 |issue=1 |title=European discovery of the Cook Islands |pages=54–62|doi=10.1179/tin.1998.30.1.54 }}

The islands as a whole are named after British Captain James Cook, who visited during the 1770s and named Manuae "Hervey Island" after Augustus Hervey, 3rd Earl of Bristol. The southern island group became known as the "Hervey Islands" after this. In the 1820s, Russian Admiral Adam Johann von Krusenstern referred to the southern islands as the "Cook Islands" in his Atlas de l'Ocean Pacifique. The entire territory (including the northern island group) was not known as the "Cook Islands" until after its annexation by New Zealand in the early 20th century. In 1901, the New Zealand parliament passed the Cook and other Islands Government Act, demonstrating that the name "Cook Islands" only referred to some of the islands. However, this situation had changed by the passage of the Cook Islands Act 1915, which defined the Cooks' area and included all presently included islands.{{cite book |title=Discoverers Of The Cook Islands And The Names They Gave|url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-KloDisc-t1-body-d10.html|date=1976|author=Alphons M.J. Kloosterman}}

The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is Kūki 'Āirani, a transliteration of the English name.

{{Main|History of the Cook Islands|British Western Pacific Territories}}

The Cook Islands were first settled around AD 1000{{cite journal |url=https://journals.lib.washington.edu/index.php/BIPPA/article/download/11533/10166 |last1=Chikamori |first1=Masashi |title=Development of coral reefs and human settlement: Archaeological research in the Northern Cook Islands and Rarotonga |journal=Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association |date=1996 |volume=15 |pages=45–52 |doi=10.7152/bippa.v15i0.11533 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |access-date=21 August 2020}} by Polynesian people who are thought to have migrated from Tahiti,{{cite journal |url=http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_72_1963/Volume_72%2C_No._2/East_Polynesian_relationships%2C_by_Kenneth_P._Emory%2C_p_78_-_100 |title=East Polynesian Relationships: Settlement Pattern and Time Involved as Indicated by Vocabulary Agreements |author=Kenneth P. Emory |journal=Journal of the Polynesian Society |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=78–100 |date=1963 |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006051833/https://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_72_1963/Volume_72%2C_No._2/East_Polynesian_relationships%2C_by_Kenneth_P._Emory%2C_p_78_-_100 |url-status=dead }} an island {{convert|1154|km|mi nmi}} to the northeast of the main island of Rarotonga.

The first European contact with the islands took place in 1595 when the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira sighted the island of Pukapuka, which he named San Bernardo (Saint Bernard). Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, a Portuguese captain at the service of the Spanish Crown, made the first European landing in the islands when he set foot on Rakahanga in 1606, calling the island Gente Hermosa (Beautiful People).

British explorer and naval officer Captain James Cook arrived in 1773 and again in 1777,Thomas, Nicholas (2003). Cook : the extraordinary voyages of Captain James Cook, Walker & Company, {{ISBN|0802714129}}, pp. 310–311. giving the island of Manuae the name Hervey Island. The Hervey Islands later came to be applied to the entire southern group. The name "Cook Islands", in honour of Cook, first appeared on a Russian naval chart published by Adam Johann von Krusenstern in the 1820s.{{cite web|url=http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/history.php |title=Cook Islands Government website |publisher=Cook-islands.gov.ck |access-date=18 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326003510/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/history.php |archive-date=26 March 2009 }}

In 1813 John Williams, a missionary on the colonial brig Endeavour (not the same ship as Cook's) made the first recorded European sighting of Rarotonga. The first recorded landing on Rarotonga by Europeans was in 1814 by the Cumberland; trouble broke out between the sailors and the Islanders and many were killed on both sides.{{cite web|url=http://www.ck/history.htm|title=History of the Cook Islands|publisher=Ck/history|access-date=18 November 2011}} The islands saw no more Europeans until English missionaries arrived in 1821. Christianity quickly took hold in the culture and many islanders are Christians today.{{Cite news|date=9 January 2018|title=Cook Islands profile – Timeline|language=en-GB|work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16495600|access-date=19 February 2021}}

The islands were a popular stop in the 19th century for whaling ships from the United States, Britain and Australia. They visited, from at least 1826, to obtain water, food, and firewood.Robert Langdon (ed.) Where the whalers went: an index to the Pacific ports and islands visited by American whalers (and some other ships) in the 19th century, (1984) Canberra, Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, pp. 16, 24. Their favourite islands were Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia and Penrhyn.

File:Cook Islands Annexation Ceremony.jpg reading the annexation proclamation to Queen Makea on 7 October 1900]]

The Cook Islands became aligned to the United Kingdom in 1890, largely because of the fear of British residents that France might occupy the islands as it already had Tahiti.{{cite web| last =Ward | first =Charles James | work= IV(3) Pacific Islands Monthly |title= How Cook Islands Became British |date = 20 September 1933|url= https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-310918876/view?partId=nla.obj-310932142#page/n19/mode/1up| accessdate=27 September 2021}} On 6 September 1900, the islanders' leaders presented a petition asking that the islands (including Niue "if possible") should be annexed as British territory."Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 891N.Z. Parliamentary p., A3 (1901) On 8 and 9 October 1900, seven instruments of cession of Rarotonga and other islands were signed by their chiefs and people. A British Proclamation was issued, stating that the cessions were accepted and the islands declared parts of Her Britannic Majesty's dominions. However, it did not include Aitutaki. Even though the inhabitants regarded themselves as British subjects, the Crown's title was unclear until the island was formally annexed by that Proclamation."Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 761N.Z. Parliamentary Pp., A1 (1900) In 1901 the islands were included within the boundaries of the Colony of New Zealand by Order in CouncilS.R.O. & S.I. Rev. XVI, 862–863 under the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895 of the United Kingdom.58 & 59 V. c. 34. The boundary change became effective on 11 June 1901, and the Cook Islands have had a formal relationship with New Zealand since that time.

The Cook Islands responded to the call for service when World War I began, immediately sending five contingents, close to 500 men, to the war. The island's young men volunteered at the outbreak of the war to reinforce the Māori Contingents and the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Rifles. A Patriotic Fund was set up very quickly, raising funds to support the war effort. The Cook Islanders were trained at Narrow Neck Camp in Devonport, and the first recruits departed on 13 October 1915 on the SS Te Anau. The ship arrived in Egypt just as the New Zealand units were about to be transferred to the Western Front. In September 1916, the Pioneer Battalion, a combination of Cook Islanders, Māori and Pakeha soldiers, saw heavy action in the Allied attack on Flers, the first battle of the Somme. Three Cook Islanders from this first contingent died from enemy action and at least ten died of disease as they struggled to adapt to the conditions in Europe. The 2nd and 3rd Cook Island Contingents were part of the Sinai-Palestine campaign, first in a logistical role for the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Rifles at their Moascar base and later in ammunition supply for the Royal Artillery. After the war, the men returned to the outbreak of the influenza epidemic in New Zealand, and this, along with European diseases meant that a large number did not survive and died in New Zealand or on their return home over the coming years.{{Cite web|title=Manava Toa: the Cook Islands in WWI|url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/stories/blog/2019/manava-toa-the-cook-islands-in-wwi|url-status=live|access-date=8 June 2021|website=Auckland Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513065846/http://www.aucklandmuseum.com:80/discover/stories/blog/2019/manava-toa-the-cook-islands-in-wwi |archive-date=13 May 2019 }}

When the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948 came into effect on 1 January 1949, Cook Islanders who were British subjects automatically gained New Zealand citizenship.[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/citizenship/3 3. Aliens and citizens – Citizenship – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand]. Teara.govt.nz (4 March 2009). Retrieved 26 December 2012. The islands remained a New Zealand dependent territory until the New Zealand Government decided to grant them self-governing status. On 4 August 1965, a constitution was promulgated. The first Monday in August is celebrated each year as Constitution Day.{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|access-date=4 August 2019}} Albert Henry of the Cook Islands Party was elected as the first Premier and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Henry led the nation until 1978, when he was accused of vote-rigging and resigned. He was stripped of his knighthood in 1979. He was succeeded by Tom Davis of the Democratic Party who held that position until March 1983.{{Cite book|last=Craig|first=Robert D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Julc0FIsYMEC&q=Albert+Henry+was+succeeded+by+Tom+Davis&pg=PA57|title=Historical Dictionary of Polynesia|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2011|isbn=978-0-8108-6772-7|page=57|language=en}}

On 13 July 2017, the Cook Islands established Marae Moana, making it become the world's largest protected area by size.{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/335067/cook-islands-marae-moana-legislation-passed|title=Cook Islands Marae Moana legislation passed|date=13 July 2017|publisher=RNZ |access-date=27 February 2022}}

In March 2019, it was reported that the Cook Islands had plans to change its name and remove the reference to Captain James Cook in favour of "a title that reflects its 'Polynesian nature{{'"}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/05/cook-islands-change-name-remove-association-captain-cook/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/05/cook-islands-change-name-remove-association-captain-cook/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Cook Islands to choose new indigenous name and remove any association with British explorer|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|access-date=6 March 2019|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/383948/cook-islands-government-backs-name-change-body|title=Cook Islands government backs name change body|date=5 March 2019|website=Radio New Zealand |language=en-nz|access-date=6 March 2019}} It was later reported in May 2019 that the proposed name change had been poorly received by the Cook Islands diaspora. As a compromise, it was decided that the English name of the islands would not be altered, but that a new Cook Islands Māori name would be adopted to replace the current name, a transliteration from English.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/cook-islands-name-change/11140916|title=Cook Islands: Backlash over name change leads to compromise traditional name|work=Pacific Beat with Catherine Graue|publisher=ABC News|date=23 May 2019|access-date=26 November 2019}} Discussions over the name continued in 2020.{{Cite news|date=2 July 2020|title=Renewed calls for the Cook Islands to take on indigenous name|work=RNZ |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/420385/renewed-calls-for-the-cook-islands-to-take-on-indigenous-name}}

{{Main|Geography of the Cook Islands}}

File:Wyspy Cooka.png

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between American Samoa and French Polynesia. There are 15 major islands spread over {{convert|2200000|km2|-4|abbr=on}} of ocean, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls."Cook Islands Travel Guide" (with description), World Travel Guide, Nexus Media Communications, 2006. Webpage: [http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/65/country_guide/Australia-and-South-Pacific/Cook-Islands.html WTGuide-Cook-Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026060558/http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/65/country_guide/Australia-and-South-Pacific/Cook-Islands.html |date=26 October 2006 }}.

The islands were formed by volcanic activity; the northern group is older and consists of six atolls, which are sunken volcanoes topped by coral growth. The climate is moderate to tropical. The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands and two reefs. From March to December, the Cook Islands are in the path of tropical cyclones, the most notable of which were the cyclones Martin and Percy.{{Cite web|title=Cook Islands climate: average weather, temperature, precipitation, best time|url=https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/cook-islands|access-date=11 August 2020|website=www.climatestotravel.com}} Two terrestrial ecoregions lie within the islands' territory: the Central Polynesian tropical moist forests and the Cook Islands tropical moist forests.{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=6|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}

Note: The table is ordered from north to south. Population figures from the 2021 census.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mfem.gov.ck/census |title=Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, 2021 Census |access-date=11 November 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828062044/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/census |url-status=dead }}

File:Pukapuka Aerial efs 1280.jpg|Aerial photograph of Pukapuka

File:Aitutaki-Motu Tapuaetai.jpg|Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) on the southern part of Aitutaki

File:rarotonga beach.jpg|Beach on Rarotonga

{{Main|Politics of the Cook Islands|Foreign relations of the Cook Islands}}

{{Further|Political status of the Cook Islands and Niue}}

File:Parliament of the Cook Islands - 2006.JPG

File:Sustainable Development and Conservation Event in the Cook Islands (7907701948).jpg with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 31 August 2012]]

The Cook Islands are a representative democracy with a parliamentary system in an associated state relationship with New Zealand. Executive power is exercised by the government, with the Prime Minister as head of government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of the Cook Islands. While the country is de jure unicameral, there are two legislative bodies with the House of Ariki acting as a de facto upper house.

There is a multi-party system. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The head of state is the Monarchy of New Zealand, who is represented in the Cook Islands by the title=*}}'s Representative.{{Cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/ck/government.html|title=Cook Islands System of Government Information|website=www.paclii.org|access-date=1 February 2019}}

The islands are self-governing in "free association" with New Zealand. Under the Cook Islands constitution, New Zealand cannot pass laws for the Cook Islands. Rarotonga has its own foreign service and diplomatic network. Cook Islands nationals have the right to become citizens of New Zealand and can receive New Zealand government services when in New Zealand, but the reverse is not true; New Zealand citizens are not Cook Islands nationals. Despite this, {{As of|2018|lc=y}}, the Cook Islands had diplomatic relations in its own name with 52 other countries. The Cook Islands is not a United Nations member state, but, along with Niue, has had their "full treaty-making capacity" recognised by the United Nations Secretariat,{{citation|url=http://legal.un.org/repertory/art102/english/rep_supp8_vol6-art102_e_advance.pdf |title=Repertory of Practice |website=Legal.un.org |number=8 |page=10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019223055/http://legal.un.org/repertory/art102/english/rep_supp8_vol6-art102_e_advance.pdf |archive-date=19 October 2013 }}{{citation |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/world00.pdf |website=Legal.un.org |title=The World today }} and is a full member of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, all UN specialized agencies, and is an associate member of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and a Member of the Assembly of States of the International Criminal Court.

On 11 June 1980, the United States signed a treaty with the Cook Islands specifying the maritime border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa and also relinquishing any American claims to Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Manihiki, and Rakahanga.{{cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/pits/en/treaty_database/1980/6.html|title=Treaty Between the United States of America and the Cook Islands on Friendship and Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary Between the United States of America and the Cook Islands (and Exchange of Notes)|work=Pacific Islands Treaty Series|publisher=University of the South Pacific School of Law|access-date=18 May 2009}} In 1990 the Cook Islands and France signed a treaty that delimited the boundary between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.{{cite web|url=http://www.paclii.org/pits/en/treaty_database/1990/4.html|title=Agreement on Maritime Delimitation Between the Government of the Cook Islands and the Government of the French Republic|work=Pacific Islands Treaty Series|publisher=University of the South Pacific School of Law|access-date=4 March 2010}} In late August 2012, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the islands. In 2017, the Cook Islands signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament – No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017}} On 25 September 2023, the Cook Islands and the United States of America established diplomatic relations under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Brown at a ceremony in Washington, DC.{{cite web |title=On the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the United States and the Cook Islands |url=https://www.state.gov/on-the-establishment-of-diplomatic-relations-between-the-united-states-and-the-cook-islands/#:~:text=With%20the%20establishment%20of%20diplomatic,human%20rights%2C%20and%20good%20governance. |website=U.S. Department of State |access-date=27 September 2023}}

In 2024, the Cook Islands' efforts to join the Commonwealth of Nations as a full member were "ongoing" but, despite this, the government was unable to secure an invitation to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.{{cite news |last1=Mika |first1=Talaia |title=Cook Islands 'not invited' to CHOGM |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/regional/economy/pacific-islands/cook-islands-not-invited-to-chogm/ |access-date=25 August 2024 |work=Cook Islands News |date=24 August 2024}}

In 2025, Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown stated that the UN confirmed that the Cook Islands did not meet the requirements for UN membership and foreign minister Tingika Elikana stated that any future decision to join the UN would require a referendum and reevaluation of the relationship with New Zealand. Brown also confirmed that at the Commonwealth of Nations, the Cook Islands is considered to be represented by the Realm of New Zealand, meaning that they would not have their own separate representation unless they become fully sovereign.{{cite news |last=Mika |first=Talaia |date=4 January 2025 |title=Cook Islands not qualified for UN membership, says prime minister |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/538066/cook-islands-not-qualified-for-un-membership-says-prime-minister |access-date=2 June 2025 |newspaper=Cook Islands News |via=RNZ International}} Additionally, in response to a push to introduce Cook Islander passports and agreements made with China, a spokesperson for New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters stated, "Unlike Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu, the Cook Islands is not a fully independent and sovereign state", unless its status and relationship with New Zealand are changed by referendum.{{Cite news |last=Dziedzic |first=Stephen |last2=Raela |first2=Johnson |date=3 April 2025 |title=Cook Islands PM says a new constitutional agreement with NZ needs to reflect country's increasing independence |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/china-cook-islands-deal-new-zealand-mark-brown-winston-peters/105128644 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407025520/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/china-cook-islands-deal-new-zealand-mark-brown-winston-peters/105128644 |archive-date=7 April 2025 |access-date=4 June 2025 |work=ABC News}}

The Cook Islands Police Service polices its own waters, and shares responsibility for defence with New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands Government and at its request. The total offshore EEZ is about 2 million square kilometres.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands/new-zealand-high-commission-to-the-cook-islands/about-cook-islands/ |title=About Cook Islands |access-date=21 August 2023|website=New Zealand – Foreign Affairs and Trade}} Vessels of the Royal New Zealand Navy can be employed for this task including its {{sclass2|Protector|offshore patrol vessel|1}}s.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/assets/Uploads/DocumentLibrary/NavyToday_Issue261.pdf |title=Illegal Fishing Targeted |access-date=21 August 2023|website=Navy Today |date=December 2021}} These naval forces may also be supported by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft, including P-8 Poseidons.{{cite web|url=https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/more-than-20-fishing-vessels-inspected-during-new-zealand-led-south-pacific-fisheries-patrol/ |title=More than 20 fishing vessels inspected during New Zealand-led South Pacific fisheries patrol |access-date=21 August 2023|website=New Zealand – Ministry for Primary Industries |date=11 August 2023}}

However, these forces are limited in size and in 2023 were described by the Government as "not in a fit state" to respond to regional challenges.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/08/04/new-zealand-military-not-fit/#google_vignette |title=New Zealand Military 'Not in a Fit State,' Government Says |access-date=21 August 2023|website=The Defence Post |date=4 August 2023}} New Zealand's subsequently announced "Defence Policy and Strategy Statement" noted that shaping the security environment, "focusing in particular on supporting security in and for the Pacific" would receive enhanced attention.{{cite web|url=https://www.defence.govt.nz/assets/publication/file/23-0195-Defence-Policy-and-Strategy-Statement-WEB.PDF |title=Defence Policy and Strategy Statement 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023|website=New Zealand Government |date=August 2023}}

The Cook Islands Police Service is the police force of the Cook Islands. The Maritime Wing of the Police Service exercises sovereignty over the nation's EEZ. Vessels have included a {{sclass2|Pacific|patrol boat|1}}, {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa}} commissioned in May 1989 which received a re-fit in 2015{{cite news |title=Patrol boat 'born again' |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/51765-patrol-boat-born-again/51765-patrol-boat-born-again |accessdate=9 December 2019 |work=Cook Islands News |date=15 May 2015}} but was withdrawn from service and replaced by a larger and more capable {{sclass2|Guardian|patrol boat|1}}, {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa II}}, which entered service in 2022.{{cite press release |title=Prime Minister Brown to Attend Handover Ceremony for CIPPB Te Kukupa II |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/news-updates/mfai-media-release-prime-minister-brown-attend-handover-ceremony-cippb-te-kukupa-ii |access-date=21 August 2023 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration – Government of the Cook Islands |date=9 June 2022}} Cook Islands has its own customs regulations.[https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs-legislation-tariffs Cook Islands Customs Legislation and Tariffs]

{{Further|Human rights in the Cook Islands|LGBT rights in the Cook Islands}}

Formerly, male homosexuality was de jure illegal in the Cook Islands and was punishable by a maximum term of seven years imprisonment; however, the law was never enforced.{{cite web|title=State Sponsored Homophobia 2016: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition|url=http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615160701/http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2016 |url-status=live|work=International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association|access-date=19 May 2016|date=17 May 2016}} In 2023, legislation was passed which legalised homosexuality.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/488019/cook-islands-parliament-decriminalises-homosexuality |title=Cook Islands parliament decriminalises homosexuality |publisher=RNZ |date=15 April 2023 |access-date=11 June 2023}}

There are island councils on all of the inhabited outer islands (Outer Islands Local Government Act 1987 with amendments up to 2004, and Palmerston Island Local Government Act 1993) except Nassau, which is governed by Pukapuka (Suwarrow, with only one caretaker living on the island, also governed by Pukapuka, is not counted with the inhabited islands in this context). Each council is headed by a mayor.

File:Cook Islands, administrative divisions - de - colored.svg

File:Rarotopo.png]]

File:Rarotaperedistrict.png, with subdivision into 54 traditional Tapere]]

The three Vaka councils of Rarotonga established in 1997 (Rarotonga Local Government Act 1997), also headed by mayors,Larmour, Peter and Barcham, Manuhuia. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090324214201/http://www.transparency.org.au/documents/cookislands.pdf Cook Islands 2004], Transparency International Country Study Report. were abolished in February 2008, despite much controversy.{{cite web |url=http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/view_release.php?release_id=990 |title=Rarotonga Local Government (Repeal) Bill To Be Tabled, Cook Islands Government |publisher=Cook-islands.gov.ck |access-date=17 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017220610/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/view_release.php?release_id=990 |archive-date=17 October 2013 }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20090102015825/http://www.ciherald.co.ck/articles/h392b.htm Minister asked to answer queries over abolition of Vaka Councils]. The Cook Islands Herald, No. 393 (9 February 2008)

On the lowest level, there are village committees. Nassau, which is governed by Pukapuka, has an island committee (Nassau Island Committee), which advises the Pukapuka Island Council on matters concerning its own island.

{{Main|Demographics of the Cook Islands}}{{Update|type=|date=June 2020|reason=}}

{{Population pyramid

|year=2011{{cite web |url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2014/Table07.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223135248/http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2014/Table07.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2015 |url-status=live |title=Demographic Yearbook, Population by age, sex and urban/rural residence: latest available year, 2005–2014|website=UN Data |publisher=United Nations |access-date=4 December 2015}}

| m0=4.5|m5=4.3 |m10=4.5 |m15=4.3 |m20=3.4 |m25=3.3 |m30=3 |m35=3.1 |m40=3.4 |m45=3.6 |m50=3 |m55=2.4 |m60=2.2 |m65=1.9 |m70=1.4 |m75=0.7 |m80=0.5 |m85=0

| f0=4.4|f5=4.3 |f10=4 |f15=4.1 |f20=3.7 |f25=3.8 |f30=3.3 |f35=3.6 |f40=3.6 |f45=3.6 |f50=3 |f55=2.4 |f60=2 |f65=1.8 |f70=1.4 |f75=0.9 |f80=0.6 |f85=0

|mmax=4.5

|fmax=4.5

}}

Births and deaths{{cite web|url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2.htm |title=United Nations Statistics Division – Demographic and Social Statistics |website=Unstats.un.org |access-date=24 December 2022}}

{{main|Religion in the Cook Islands}}

In the Cook Islands, the Church is separate from the state, and most of the population is Christian.{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|access-date=10 August 2020}} The religious distribution is as follows:

File:CICC CHURCH IN AVARUA, RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS.jpg

The various Protestant groups account for 62.8% of the believers, the most followed denomination being the Cook Islands Christian Church with 49.1%. Other Protestant Christian groups include Seventh-day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7% and Apostolic Church 2.1%. The main non-Protestant group are Catholics with 17% of the population. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes up 4.4%. "None" or "unspecified" account for 15.6% of the population .

{{Main|Economy of the Cook Islands}}

The economy is strongly affected by geography. It is isolated from foreign markets, and has some inadequate infrastructure; it lacks major natural resources except for significant seabed critical minerals, has limited manufacturing and suffers moderately from natural disasters.Polynesia French Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws {{ISBN|1-4387-7081-2}} p. 130 Tourism provides the economic base that makes up approximately 67.5% of GDP. Additionally, the economy is supported by foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. China has also contributed foreign aid, which has resulted in, among other projects, the Police Headquarters building.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} The Cook Islands is expanding its agriculture, mining and fishing sectors, with varying success.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Since approximately 1989, the Cook Islands have become a location specialising in so-called asset protection trusts, by which investors shelter assets from the reach of creditors and legal authorities.{{cite web|title=Review of Offshore Jurisdictions: Cook Islands|url=http://protectyou.com/1996/01/review-of-offshore-jurisdictions-part-1/|publisher=The Asset Protection News|last1=Rosen|first1=Howard|last2=Donlevy-Rosen|first2=Patricia|access-date=18 April 2014|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203030525/http://protectyou.com/1996/01/review-of-offshore-jurisdictions-part-1/|url-status=dead}} According to The New York Times, the Cooks have "laws devised to protect foreigners' assets from legal claims in their home countries", which were apparently crafted specifically to thwart the long arm of American justice; creditors must travel to the Cook Islands and argue their cases under Cooks law, often at prohibitive expense. Unlike other foreign jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Switzerland, the Cooks "generally disregard foreign court orders" and do not require that bank accounts, real estate, or other assets protected from scrutiny (it is illegal to disclose names or any information about Cooks trusts) be physically located within the archipelago. Taxes on trusts and trust employees account for some 8% of the Cook Islands economy, behind tourism but ahead of fishing.

In recent years, the Cook Islands has gained a reputation as a debtor paradise, through the enactment of legislation that permits debtors to shield their property from the claims of creditors.{{cite news |last=Wayne |first=Leslie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/business/international/paradise-of-untouchable-assets.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/business/international/paradise-of-untouchable-assets.html |archive-date=1 January 2022 |url-access=limited |title=Cook Islands, a Paradise of Untouchable Assets |newspaper=The New York Times |date=14 December 2013 |access-date= 27 December 2013}}{{cbignore}} Since 2023 the Executive Director of Cook Islands Bank has been Jennifer Henry (nee Matheson).{{Cite web |date=30 June 2023 |title=BCI names its next Chief Executive Officer |url=https://bci.co.ck/news/archive/bci-names-its-next-chief-executive-officer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724092356/https://bci.co.ck/news/archive/bci-names-its-next-chief-executive-officer/ |archive-date=24 July 2024 |access-date=1 February 2025 |website=bank of the cook icelands}}

In 2019, the Cook Islands passed the Sea Bed Minerals (SBM) Act to manage the seabed minerals located in the Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding the islands.{{Cite web|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2025|title=Sea Bed Minerals Act 2019 |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cca30fab2cf793ec6d94096/t/5d3f683993ea3f0001b7379c/1564436729995/Seabed+Minerals+Act+2019|work=Clerk of the Parliament}} In 2022, the SBMA granted three exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules to three private companies, including one co-owned by the government.{{Cite web|last=Carstens|first=Halfdan|date=September 22, 2022|access-date=April 29, 2025|title=The very first licences for nodule exploration |url=https://geoexpro.com/the-very-first-licences-for-nodule-exploration/ |work=Geo Expro}} In 2025, the Cook Islands announced that it had signed a seabed mineral exploration agreement with China.{{cite news |last=Inayatullah |first=Saim Dušan |date=February 22, 2025 |access-date=April 29, 2025|title=Cook Islands announces deep sea minerals deal with China |url=https://www.dw.com/en/cook-islands-announces-deep-sea-minerals-deal-with-china/a-71711275 |work=Deutsche Welle}}

{{See also|Transport in the Cook Islands}}

There are eleven airports in the Cook Islands, including one with a paved runway, Rarotonga International Airport,{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands| date = 18 January 2022}} served by five passenger airlines.

{{Main|Culture of the Cook Islands}}

Newspapers in the Cook Islands are usually published in English with some articles in Cook Islands Māori. The Cook Islands News has been published since 1945, although it was owned by the government until 1989.{{Cite web|title=Late Cooks PM a Free Press Leader: PFF - Solomon Times Online|url=https://www.solomontimes.com/news/late-cooks-pm-a-free-press-leader-pff/6958|access-date=16 September 2020|website=SolomonTimes.com|language=en}} Former newspapers include Te Akatauira, which was published from 1978 to 1980.{{Cite web|last=Dawrs|first=Stu|title=Research Guides: Pacific Islands Newspapers : Cook Islands|url=https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/c.php?g=105813&p=819105|access-date=16 September 2020|website=guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu|language=en}}File:Rarotonga-8-Maeva-Nui.jpg

The languages of the Cook Islands include English, Cook Islands Māori (or "Rarotongan"), and Pukapukan. Dialects of Cook Islands Māori include Penrhyn; Rakahanga-Manihiki; the Ngaputoru dialect of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke; the Aitutaki dialect; and the Mangaian dialect. Cook Islands Māori and its dialectic variants are closely related to both Tahitian and to New Zealand Māori. Pukapukan is considered closely related to the Samoan language. English and Cook Islands Māori are official languages of the Cook Islands; per the [http://www.paclii.org/ck/legis/num_act/trma2003130/ Te Reo Maori Act]. The legal definition of Cook Islands Māori includes Pukapukan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/CK/languages|title=Cook Islands|website=Ethnologue|language=en|access-date=6 May 2019}}

{{Main|Music of the Cook Islands}}

Music in the Cook Islands is varied, with Christian songs being quite popular, but traditional dancing and songs in Cook Islands Maori and Pukapukan remain popular.

File:Narrative of Missionary Enterprises engraving.jpg

File:Cook Islands IMG 5905 (8451965559).jpg

{{Main|Public holidays in the Cook Islands}}

{{Main|Art of the Cook Islands}}

Woodcarving is a common art form in the Cook Islands. The proximity of islands in the southern group helped produce a homogeneous style of carving but that had special developments in each island. Rarotonga is known for its fisherman's gods and staff-gods, Atiu for its wooden seats, Mitiaro, Mauke and Atiu for mace and slab gods and Mangaia for its ceremonial adzes. Most of the original wood carvings were either spirited away by early European collectors or were burned in large numbers by missionaries. Today, carving is no longer the major art form with the same spiritual and cultural emphasis given to it by the Maori in New Zealand. However, there are continual efforts to interest young people in their heritage and some good work is being turned out under the guidance of older carvers. Atiu, in particular, has a strong tradition of crafts both in carving and local fibre arts such as tapa. Mangaia is the source of many fine adzes carved in a distinctive, idiosyncratic style with the so-called double-k design. Mangaia also produces food pounders carved from the heavy calcite found in its extensive limestone caves.{{cite web|url=http://www.ck/culture.htm#visual |title=Lords of the Dance : Culture of the Cook Islands|publisher=Ck|date=12 November 2013|access-date=31 December 2016}}

The outer islands produce traditional weaving of mats, basketware and hats. Particularly fine examples of rito hats are worn by women to church. They are made from the uncurled immature fibre of the coconut palm and are of very high quality. The Polynesian equivalent of Panama hats, they are highly valued and are keenly sought by Polynesian visitors from Tahiti. Often, they are decorated with hatbands made of minuscule pupu shells that are painted and stitched on by hand. Although pupu are found on other islands the collection and use of them in decorative work has become a speciality of Mangaia. The weaving of rito is a speciality of the northern islands, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Penrhyn.{{cite web|url=http://www.ck/culture.htm#crafts |title=Lords of the Dance : Culture of the Cook Islands |publisher=Ck |date=12 November 2013|access-date=31 December 2016}}

A major art form in the Cook Islands is tivaevae. This is, in essence, the art of handmade Island scenery patchwork quilts. Introduced by the wives of missionaries in the 19th century, the craft grew into a communal activity, which is probably one of the main reasons for its popularity.{{cite web|url=http://www.ck/tivaevae.htm |title=Tivaevae – Quilts of the Cook Islands |publisher=Ck |date=15 July 2004 |access-date=31 December 2016}}

The Cook Islands has produced internationally recognised contemporary artists, especially in the main island of Rarotonga. Artists include painter (and photographer) Mahiriki Tangaroa, sculptors Eruera (Ted) Nia (originally a film maker) and master carver Mike Tavioni, painter (and Polynesian tattoo enthusiast) Upoko'ina Ian George, Aitutakian-born painter Tim Manavaroa Buchanan, Loretta Reynolds, Judith Kunzlé, Joan Gragg, Kay George (who is also known for her fabric designs), Apii Rongo, Varu Samuel, and multi-media, installation and community-project artist Ani O'Neill, all of whom currently live on the main island of Rarotonga. Atiuan-based Andrea Eimke is an artist who works in the medium of tapa and other textiles, and also co-authored the book 'Tivaivai – The Social Fabric of the Cook Islands' with British academic Susanne Kuechler. Many of these artists have studied at university art schools in New Zealand and continue to enjoy close links with the New Zealand art scene.{{cite web|title=The Cook Islands Arts Community|url=http://cookislandsarts.com/|website=Cookislandsarts.com|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423145822/http://cookislandsarts.com/|url-status=dead}}

New Zealand-based Cook Islander artists include Michel Tuffery, print-maker David Teata, Richard Shortland Cooper, Nina Oberg Humphries, Sylvia Marsters and Jim Vivieaere.

Bergman Gallery (formerly BCA Gallery) is the main commercial dealer gallery in the Cook Islands, situated in the main island of Rarotonga, and represents Cook Islands artists such as Sylvia Marsters, Mahiriki Tangaroa, Nina Oberg Humphries, Joan Gragg and Tungane Broadbent{{Cite web |date=22 February 2023 |title=Gallery director cautious as global market 'fairly immune so far' ... |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/business/gallery-director-cautious-as-global-market-fairly-immune-so-far/ |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=Cook Islands News |language=en}} The Art Studio Gallery in Arorangi, was run by Ian George and Kay George is now Beluga Cafe.{{Cite web |date=18 August 2020 |title=Celebrating 30 years of colour |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/culture/celebrating-30-years-of-colour/ |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=Cook Islands News |language=en}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tautai.org/artist/ian-george/ |title=Ian George – Tautai – Guiding Pacific Artstautai – Guiding Pacific Arts |publisher=TAUTAI |date=20 June 2014 |access-date=31 December 2016 |archive-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324203405/http://www.tautai.org/artist/ian-george/ |url-status=dead }} There is also Gallery Tavioni and Vananga run by Mike Tavioni{{Cite web |date=15 October 2022 |title=New Zealand Foreign Minister visits Gallery Tavioni and Vananga |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/uncategorised/internal/national/culture/new-zealand-foreign-minister-visits-gallery-tavioni-and-vananga/ |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=Cook Islands News |language=en}} and The Cook Islands National Museum also exhibits art.{{cite web|url=http://cook-islands-library-museum.org/ |title=Cook Islands Museum and Library Society | Official Website of the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society |website=Cook-islands-library-museum.org |date=22 December 1964 |access-date=31 December 2016}}

File:Tiaré tahiti.jpg, the national flower of the Cook Islands]]

• The national flower of the Cook Islands is the tiare māori or tiale māoli (Penrhyn, Nassau, Pukapuka).{{cite web|url=http://www.govisitcookislands.com/cook-islands/wildlife.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221233523/http://www.govisitcookislands.com/cook-islands/wildlife.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2007|website=Govisitcookislands.com|title=Cook Islands Wildlife}}
• The Cook Islands have a large non-native population of ship rat{{cite web|url=http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=8747|title=Cook Islands Biodiversity: Rattus rattus – Ship Rat|website=Cookislands.bishopmuseum.org|access-date=18 November 2011}} and kiore toka (Polynesian rat).{{cite web|url=http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=8745|title=Cook Islands Biodiversity: Rattus exulans – Pacific Rat|website=Cookislands.bishopmuseum.org|access-date=18 November 2011}} The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.{{cite web|url=http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/showarticle.asp?id=7|title=Cook Islands Biodiversity: The Status of Cook Islands Birds – 1996|website=Cookislands.bishopmuseum.org|date=24 September 2005|access-date=18 November 2011}}
• In April 2007, 27 Kuhl's lorikeets were re-introduced to Atiu from Rimatara. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five islands of the southern group. Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species's extinction in the Cook Islands.{{cite web|url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1365&m=0|title=BirdLife International: Rimatara Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii) at|website=Birdlife.org|access-date=18 November 2011|archive-date=3 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103004930/http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1365&m=0|url-status=dead}}
• The Islands' surrounding waters are the home of the peppermint angelfish. While they are common, due to the difficulty of harvesting them they are one of the most expensive marine aquarium fish with a price of US$30,000.{{Cite web|title=Centropyge boylei, Peppermint angelfish|url=https://www.fishbase.se/summary/25427|access-date=3 December 2020|website=www.fishbase.se}}

{{Main|Sport in the Cook Islands}}

The Cook Islands have competed at the Summer Olympic Games since 1988, but have never won a medal.{{cite web | title=Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) | website=ONOC | date=20 March 2024 | url=https://www.oceanianoc.org/membership/cook-islands | access-date=5 April 2024}} Rugby league is the national and most popular sport in the Cook Islands.

{{Cite news|title=Cook Islands loses to Papua New Guinea at Rugby League World Cup, but the game means more than the result|url= https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-26/cook-islands-hold-head-high-worlds-only-two-rugby-league-nations/101579188|access-date=26 October 2022|newspaper=ABC News|date= 26 October 2022}}

{{Portal|Geography|Islands|Oceania}}

• Index of Cook Islands–related articles
• List of Cook Islanders
• List of islands
• Outline of the Cook Islands
• Telecommunications in the Cook Islands

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Notelist}}

• Gilson, Richard. The Cook Islands 1820–1950. Wellington, New Zealand: Victoria University Press, 1980. {{ISBN|0-7055-0735-1}}
• Roberts, John. Around the Corner from Nowhere: The Cook Islands Rediscovered. Independent Publishing Network, 2022, Amazon. {{ISBN|978-1-80068-445-4}}

• {{Official website|http://www.cookislands.gov.ck/ }} Cook Islands Government
• [http://www.cookislandsnews.com/ Cook Islands News] – daily newspaper
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081210080320/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-c/cook-islands.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members]
• [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cook-islands/ Cook Islands]. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
• [http://www.cookislands.org.uk/ Independent Guide to all 15 islands]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080704000127/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/cookislands.htm Cook Islands] from UCB Libraries GovPubs

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