Australia-Oceania :: Cook Islands (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

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## Introduction ::Cook Islands

Background:
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 ::Cook Islands

Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
21 14 S, 159 46 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 236 sq km country comparison to the world: 215 land: 236 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
120 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Terrain:
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 4.17% other: 87.5% (2011)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (November to March)
Environment - current issues:
NA
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 and Society ::Cook Islands

Nationality:
noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander
Ethnic groups:
Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official), Maori
Religions:
Protestant 69.6% (Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7.9%, other Protestant 5.8%), Roman Catholic 16.8%, Mormon 3.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Population:
10,447 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 225
Age structure:
0-14 years: 23.4% (male 1,297/female 1,150) 15-24 years: 18.1% (male 1,015/female 877) 25-54 years: 38% (male 1,995/female 1,971) 55-64 years: 9.9% (male 549/female 483) 65 years and over: 10.6% (male 544/female 566) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 33.7 years male: 33 years female: 34.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
-3.07% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 232
Birth rate:
14.93 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Death rate:
7.66 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Urbanization:
urban population: 75% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.81 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 112 male: 18.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.15 years country comparison to the world: 96 male: 72.35 years female: 78.09 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.31 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
43.2% (1999)
Health expenditures:
4.4% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 158
Physicians density:
1.18 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 87% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 13% of population total: 5% of population (2000 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
63.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 3
Education expenditures:
3.2% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 138
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: NA female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2011)
People - note:
2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017

## Government ::Cook Islands

Country 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 and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands
Government type:
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none
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)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Constitution:
4 August 1965
Legal system:
common law similar to New Zealand common law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
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 John CARTER (since 29 July 2011) head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the UK representative appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner 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 consists 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 on 17 November 2010 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 16, Demo 8
Judicial branch:
highest 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
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, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
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
National anthem:
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

## Economy ::Cook Islands

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 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$183.2 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
GDP (official exchange rate):
$183.2 million (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,100 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 5.1% industry: 12.7% services: 82.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
6,820 (2001) country comparison to the world: 218
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
13.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 132
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $70.95 million expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)
Taxes and other revenues:
38.7% of GDP (FY05/06) country comparison to the world: 49
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
1% of GDP (FY05/06) country comparison to the world: 33
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 2.2% (2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $38.99 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$148.2 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $170.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Agriculture - products:
copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Industries:
fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2002) country comparison to the world: 118
Current account balance:
$26.67 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 56
Exports:
$5.222 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 216
Exports - commodities:
copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Imports:
$83.49 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 215 $80.55 million (2010 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Debt - external:
$141 million (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Exchange rates:
NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.2334 (2012) 1.2659 (2011 est.) 1.3874 (2010) 1.6002 (2009) 1.4151 (2008)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

## Energy ::Cook Islands

Electricity - production:
31.13 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - consumption:
28.95 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8,090 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
98.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
1.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
974 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Refined petroleum products - imports:
484.7 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
302,000 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

## Communications ::Cook Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:
7,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 205
Telephones - mobile cellular:
7,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 211
Telephone 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)
Broadcast media:
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)
Internet country code:
.ck
Internet hosts:
3,562 (2012) country comparison to the world: 150
Internet users:
6,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 205

## Transportation ::Cook Islands

Airports:
11 (2012) country comparison to the world: 154
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2012)
Roadways:
total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 204 paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 35 country comparison to the world: 81 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 25, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 23 (Estonia 1, Germany 1, Lithuania 1, Norway 8, NZ 2, Russia 1, Sweden 3, Turkey 4, UK 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Avatiu

## Military ::Cook Islands

Military branches:
no regular military forces; National Police Department (2009)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,198 females age 16-49: 2,156 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 127 female: 107 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request

## Transnational Issues ::Cook Islands

Disputes - international:
none

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