Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand, comprising 15 islands in the South Pacific. It conducts its own domestic and foreign affairs while sharing New Zealand citizenship.

Free association: A political relationship in which self-governing states associate with another state under agreed terms. It defines the Cook Islands’ constitutional relationship with New Zealand.
Parliament of the Cook Islands: The Cook Islands’ legislature, comprising elected representatives who make national laws. It exercises legislative authority within the country’s self-governing system.
James Cook: A British naval officer and explorer whose Pacific voyages mapped numerous islands for Europeans. The islands were named after Cook, though he did not discover them for their inhabitants.
Rarotonga: The largest and most populous island of the Cook Islands, home to its capital, Avarua. It is the political and population center of the country.
Cook Islands diaspora: People of Cook Islands origin living outside the country, especially in New Zealand and Australia. A large diaspora links national identity and family life across the Pacific.
Realm of New Zealand: A grouping of states and territories sharing the monarch of New Zealand as head of state. The Cook Islands belongs to this realm while exercising self-government.
Prime Minister of the Cook Islands: The head of government of the Cook Islands, responsible for leading its executive administration. The prime minister leads the government that manages domestic policy.
British Western Pacific Territories: A former British colonial jurisdiction administering several Pacific islands and groups. The Cook Islands came under British protection before New Zealand administration.
Avarua: The capital town of the Cook Islands, located on the island of Rarotonga. National government and major services are concentrated here.
Pacific Islands Forum: A regional organization through which Pacific states cooperate on shared political and economic concerns. The Cook Islands uses the forum to advance regional priorities.

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