Cook Islands: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 09:36, 13 November 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use New Zealand English Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main other The Cook IslandsTemplate:Efn is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands whose total land area is approximately Template:Convert. The Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers Template:Convert of ocean.^[1] Avarua on the main island of Rarotonga is the capital.

The Cook Islands is self-governing while in free association with New Zealand. Since the start of the 21st century, the Cook Islands conducts its own independent foreign and defence policy, and also has its own customs regulations.^[2] Like most members of the Pacific Islands Forum, it has no armed forces, but the Cook Islands Police Service owns a Guardian Class Patrol Boat, Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., provided by Australia, for policing its waters. In recent decades, the Cook Islands has adopted an increasingly assertive and distinct foreign policy, and a Cook Islander, Henry Puna, served as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum from 2021 to 2024.^[3]^[4] Most Cook Islanders have New Zealand citizenship, plus the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens. The Cook Islands has been an active member of the Pacific Community, formerly the South Pacific Commission, since 1980.

The Cook Islands' main population centres are on Rarotonga (10,863 in 2021),^[5] also the location of Rarotonga International Airport, the main international gateway to the country. The census of 2021 put the total population at 14,987. There is also a larger population of Cook Islanders in New Zealand and Australia: in the 2018 New Zealand census, 80,532 people said they were Cook Islanders, or of Cook Islands descent.^[6] The last Australian census recorded 28,000 Cook Islanders living in Australia, many with Australian citizenship.^[7] With over 168,000 visitors to the islands in 2018,^[8] tourism is the country's main industry and leading element of its economy, ahead of offshore banking, pearls, and marine and fruit exports.

Etymology

The Cook Islands comprise 15 islands that have had 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.^[9]

The islands as a whole are named after the English captain and explorer 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.^[10] 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. This situation had changed by the passage of the Cook Islands Act 1915, which defined the Cooks' area and included all presently included islands.^[11]

The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is Kūki 'Āirani, a transliteration of the English name.^[12]^[13]

History

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The Cook Islands were first settled around AD 1000^[14] by Polynesian people who are thought to have migrated from Tahiti,^[15] an island Template:Convert 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).^[9]

British explorer and naval officer Captain James Cook arrived in 1773 and again in 1777,^[16] 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.^[10]

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.^[17] 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.^[17] 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.^[18]

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.^[19] Their favourite islands were Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia and Penrhyn.

File:Cook Islands Annexation Ceremony.jpg

Governor Lord Ranfurly reading the annexation proclamation to Queen Makea on 7 October 1900

The Cook Islands became a British protectorate in 1888, following a petition from Queen Makea Takau Ariki, largely because of the fear of British residents that France might occupy the islands, as it already had Tahiti.^[20]^[21] On 6 September 1900, the islanders' leaders presented a petition asking that the islands (including Niue "if possible") should be annexed as British territory.^[22]^[23] 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.^[22] 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.^[24]^[25] In 1901 the islands were included within the boundaries of the Colony of New Zealand by Order in Council^[26] under the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895 of the United Kingdom.^[22]^[27] The boundary change became effective on 11 June 1901, and the Cook Islands have had a formal relationship with New Zealand since that time.^[22]

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.^[28]

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.^[29] 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.^[30] Albert Henry of the Cook Islands Party was elected as the first Premier and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.^[18] Henry led the nation until 1978, when he was accused of vote-rigging and resigned. He was stripped of his knighthood in 1979.^[18] He was succeeded by Tom Davis of the Democratic Party, who held that position until March 1983.^[31]

On 13 July 2017, the Cook Islands established Marae Moana, making it become the world's largest protected area by size.^[32]

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 natureTemplate:'".^[12]^[13] 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.^[33] Discussions over the name continued in 2020.^[34]

Geography

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

File:Wyspy Cooka.png

Map of the Cook Islands

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 Template:Convert of ocean, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls.^[35]

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.^[36] Two terrestrial ecoregions lie within the islands' territory: the Central Polynesian tropical moist forests and the Cook Islands tropical moist forests.^[37]

Island group	Island	Area (km²)	Population	Density per km²
Northern	Penrhyn atoll	10	233	24
Northern	Rakahanga	4	81	20
Northern	Manihiki	5	215	40
Northern	Pukapuka	1	456	351
Northern	Tema Reef (submerged)	0	0	–
Northern	Nassau	1	92	71
Northern	Suwarrow	0.4	0	0
Southern	Palmerston	2	25	12
Southern	Aitutaki	18	1,782	97
Southern	Manuae	6	0	0
Southern	Takutea	1	0	0
Southern	Mitiaro	22	155	7
Southern	Atiu	27	383	14
Southern	Mauke	18	249	14
Southern	Winslow Reef (submerged)	0	0	–
Southern	Rarotonga	67	10,898	162
Southern	Mangaia	52	471	9
Total	Total	237	15,040	64

The table is ordered from north to south. Figures are from the 2021 census.^[38]

Aerial photograph of Pukapuka

Aerial photograph of Pukapuka
Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) at Aitutaki

Tapuaetai (One Foot Island) at Aitutaki
Rock outcrop on Rarotonga

Rock outcrop on Rarotonga

Biodiversity

File:Tiaré tahiti.jpg

Tiare māori, the national flower of the Cook Islands

The national flower of the Cook Islands is the tiare māori or tiale māoli (Penrhyn, Nassau, Pukapuka).^[39]

The Cook Islands have a large population of non-native ship rat^[40] and kiore toka (Polynesian rat).^[41] The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.^[42]

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.^[43]

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.^[44]

Politics and foreign relations

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote".

File:Parliament of the Cook Islands - 2006.JPG

The parliament building of the Cook Islands, formerly a hotel

File:Sustainable Development and Conservation Event in the Cook Islands (7907701948).jpg

Prime Minister Henry Puna with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Rarotonga, 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|Template:Monarch of New Zealand, current of New Zealand]], who is represented in the Cook Islands by the [[Template:Monarch of New Zealand, current's Representative]].^[45]

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, Template:As of, 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,^[46]^[47] 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.^[48] In 1990 the Cook Islands and France signed a treaty that delimited the boundary between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.^[49] 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.^[50] 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.^[51]

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.^[52]

In 2025, prime minister Mark Brown said that the Cook Islands did not meet the requirements for UN membership and foreign minister Tingika Elikana said that any 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.^[53] Additionally, in response to a push to introduce Cook Island 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.^[54]

Defence and police

The Cook Islands Police Service polices the 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.^[55] Vessels of the Royal New Zealand Navy can be employed for this task including its Template:Sclass2s.^[56] These naval forces may also be supported by Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft, including P-8 Poseidons.^[57] 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.^[58] 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.^[59]

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 Template:Sclass2, Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". commissioned in May 1989 which received a re-fit in 2015^[60] but was withdrawn from service and replaced by a larger and more capable Template:Sclass2, Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., which entered service in 2022.^[61] Cook Islands has its own customs regulations.^[62]

Human rights

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote".

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.^[63] In 2023, legislation was passed which legalised homosexuality.^[64]

Local government

There are island councils, each headed by a mayor, 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).

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

Map of the islands of Cook Islands

File:Rarotopo.png

Vaka councils of Rarotonga, 1997–2008

The ten island councils in the outer islands
File:Aitutakitopo.png	File:AST-01-039 Aituctaki Atoll.jpg	Aitutaki (including uninhabited Manuae)
File:Atiumap.png	File:Atiu Aerial.jpg	Atiu (including uninhabited Takutea)
File:Mangaia english version.png	File:Mangaia (Correct Orientation).JPG	Mangaia
File:Manihiki.jpg	File:Manihiki Aerial.jpg	Manihiki
File:Mauke map.jpg	File:Mauke Aerial.jpg	Mauke
File:Mitiaro Island map.jpg	File:Mitiaro Aerial.jpg	Mitiaro
File:Palmerston Island map.jpg	File:Palmerston Aerial.jpg	Palmerston
File:Penrhyn.png	File:Penhryn atoll.jpg	Penrhyn
File:Pukapuka.png	File:Pukapuka Atoll.jpg	Pukapuka (including Nassau and Suwarrow)
File:Rakahanga.jpg	File:ISS002-E-10047rakahanga.jpg	Rakahanga

File:Rarotaperedistrict.png

The five districts of Rarotonga, subdivided into 54 traditional tapere

Three vaka councils headed by mayors were established on Rarotonga by the Rarotonga Local Government Act 1997,^[65] then abolished in February 2008, despite much controversy.^[66]^[67]

Vaka councils of Rarotonga, 1997–2008
Vaka	Districts
Puaikura	Arorangi
Takitumu	Matavera, Ngatangiia, Takitumu
Te-Au-O-Tonga	Equivalent to Avarua, the country's capital

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.

Economy

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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.^[68] 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.^[69]

Tourist arrivals of 2024 in %^[70]

<timeline> ImageSize=width:270 height:250 PlotArea=left:60 bottom:25 top:3 right:16 AlignBars=justify Period=from:0 till:11 TimeAxis=orientation:horizontal

Colors=

id:gray value:gray(0.5)
id:line1 value:gray(0.9)
id:line2 value:gray(0.7)

ScaleMajor=unit:year increment:2 start:0 gridcolor:line2 ScaleMinor=unit:year increment:2 start:0 gridcolor:line1

BarData=

bar:January text:January
bar:February text:February
bar:March text:March
bar:April text:April
bar:May text:May
bar:June text:June
bar:July text:July
bar:August text:August
bar:September text:September
bar:October text:October
bar:November text:November
bar:December text:December

PlotData=

color:tan1 width:10

bar:January from:start till:6.1 text:
bar:February from:start till:4.3 text:
bar:March from:start till:6.8 text:
bar:April from:start till:8.2 text:
bar:May from:start till:9.3 text:
bar:June from:start till:9.5 text:
bar:July from:start till:10.2 text:
bar:August from:start till:9.8 text:
bar:September from:start till:10.2 text:
bar:October from:start till:9.6 text:
bar:November from:start till:7.9 text:
bar:December from:start till:8.1 text:

</timeline>

Rarotonga International Airport is the only airport that receives international flights. Eight airports on other islands provide local or charter services. Only Rarotonga and Aitutaki Airport have paved runways; the others have coral runways.^[71] The main seaport and the only one where container ships can berth is Rarotonga's port of Avatiu. At the port of Arutanga at Aitutaki, ships anchor outside the reef and cargo is carried to the dock by lighter barge.^[72]

Since about 1989, the Cook Islands has specialised in so-called asset protection trusts through its International Trusts Act. This allows investors to shelter assets from the reach of creditors and legal authorities.^[73]^[74] 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 reach of American justice; creditors must travel to the Cook Islands and argue their cases under Cooks law, often at prohibitive expense.^[73] 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.^[73] Taxes on trusts and trust employees account for some 8% of the Cook Islands economy, behind tourism but ahead of fishing.^[73]

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.^[75] In 2022, the SBMA granted three exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules to three private companies, including one co-owned by the government.^[76] In 2025, the Cook Islands signed seabed mineral exploration agreements with the United States and China.^[77]^[78]

Demographics

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Population pyramid

Births and deaths^[79]

Year	Population	Live births	Deaths	Natural increase	Crude birth rate	Crude death rate	Rate of natural increase
2009	22,600	284	72	212	12.6	3.2	9.4
2010	23,700	286	92	194	12.1	3.9	8.2
2011	14,974	262	72	190	13.6	3.7	9.8
2012	19,500	259	104	155	13.3	5.3	7.9
2013	18,600	256	115	141	13.8	6.2	7.6
2014	18,600	204	113	91	11.0	6.1	4.9
2015	18,400	205	102	103	11.0	5.5	5.5
2016	17,434	242	87	155	12.5	4.5	8
2017	19,500	222	93	129	11.4	4.8	6.6
2018	18,600	232	121	111	12.5	6.5	6
2019	20,200	225	105	120	11.1	5.2	5.9
2020

Religion

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

CICC church in Avarua, Rarotonga

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In the Cook Islands, there is separation between the church and the state, and most of the population is Christian.^[80]

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.^[80]

Culture

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

Language

File:Rarotonga-8-Maeva-Nui.jpg

Float parade during the annual Maeva Nui celebrations

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 Te Reo Maori Act. The legal definition of Cook Islands Māori includes Pukapukan.^[81]

Art

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

Traditional arts

File:Narrative of Missionary Enterprises engraving.jpg

Confiscation and destruction of idol gods by European missionaries in Rarotonga, 1837

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.^[82]

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.^[83]

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.^[84]

Contemporary art

The Cook Islands has produced internationally recognised contemporary artists, especially from 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 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.^[85]

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 Rarotonga, and represents Cook Islands artists such as Sylvia Marsters, Mahiriki Tangaroa, Nina Oberg Humphries, Joan Gragg and Tungane Broadbent.^[86] The Art Studio Gallery in Arorangi was run by Ian George and Kay George and is now Beluga Cafe.^[87]^[88] There is also Gallery Tavioni and Vananga run by Mike Tavioni,^[89] and the Cook Islands National Museum exhibits art.^[90]

Music

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

File:Cook Islands IMG 5905 (8451965559).jpg

A CICC congregationalist church

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.

Sport

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

The Cook Islands have competed at the Summer Olympic Games since 1988, without winning a medal.^[91] Rugby league is the most popular sport and the national sport of the country.^[92]

Newspapers

Newspapers in the Cook Islands are usually published in English with some articles in Cook Islands Māori.^[93] The Cook Islands News has been published since 1945, although it was owned by the government until 1989.^[94] Former newspapers include Te Akatauira, which was published from 1978 to 1980.^[93]

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Wikivoyage

Cook Islands. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency
Independent Guide to all 15 islands
Cook Islands from UCB Libraries GovPubs

Template:Cook Islands topics Template:Navboxes Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Culture of Oceania Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Subject bar Template:Authority control

Template:Coord

↑ Fisheries, Ecosystems and Biodiversity. Sea Around Us
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :3
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Thomas, Nicholas (2003). Cook : the extraordinary voyages of Captain James Cook, Walker & Company, Template:ISBN, pp. 310–311.
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ 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.
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 891
↑ N.Z. Parliamentary p., A3 (1901)
↑ "Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 761
↑ N.Z. Parliamentary Pp., A1 (1900)
↑ S.R.O. & S.I. Rev. XVI, 862–863
↑ 58 & 59 V. c. 34.
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ 3. Aliens and citizens – Citizenship – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Teara.govt.nz (4 March 2009). Retrieved 26 December 2012.
↑ Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "CIA World Factbook".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ "Cook Islands Travel Guide" (with description), World Travel Guide, Nexus Media Communications, 2006. Webpage: WTGuide-Cook-Islands Template:Webarchive.
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Cook Islands Customs Legislation and Tariffs
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Larmour, Peter and Barcham, Manuhuia. Cook Islands 2004, Transparency International Country Study Report.
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Minister asked to answer queries over abolition of Vaka Councils. The Cook Islands Herald, No. 393 (9 February 2008)
↑ Polynesia French Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws Template:ISBN p. 130
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "CIA World Factbook".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ ^a ^b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[1] Fisheries, Ecosystems and Biodiversity. Sea Around Us

[2] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[3] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[4] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[:3-5] Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :3

[6] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[7] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[8] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Hooker_1998_54–62-9] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[Hist1-10] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[11] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[telegraphname-12] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore

[radionzname-13] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[14] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[15] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[16] Thomas, Nicholas (2003). Cook : the extraordinary voyages of Captain James Cook, Walker & Company, Template:ISBN, pp. 310–311.

[History-17] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[:2-18] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[19] 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.

[20] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[PIM1933-5-21] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Kenneth_Roberts-Wray_1966._P._891-22] "Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 891

[23] N.Z. Parliamentary p., A3 (1901)

[24] "Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 761

[25] N.Z. Parliamentary Pp., A1 (1900)

[26] S.R.O. & S.I. Rev. XVI, 862–863

[27] 58 & 59 V. c. 34.

[28] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[29] 3. Aliens and citizens – Citizenship – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Teara.govt.nz (4 March 2009). Retrieved 26 December 2012.

[30] Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "CIA World Factbook".

[31] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[32] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[33] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[34] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[35] "Cook Islands Travel Guide" (with description), World Travel Guide, Nexus Media Communications, 2006. Webpage: WTGuide-Cook-Islands Template:Webarchive.

[36] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[DinersteinOlson2017-37] Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".

[Census2021-38] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[39] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[40] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[41] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[42] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[43] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[44] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[45] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[art102-46] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[map-47] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[48] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[49] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[50] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[51] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[52] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[53] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[54] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[55] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[56] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[57] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[58] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[59] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[60] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[61] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[62] Cook Islands Customs Legislation and Tariffs

[63] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[64] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[65] Larmour, Peter and Barcham, Manuhuia. Cook Islands 2004, Transparency International Country Study Report.

[66] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[67] Minister asked to answer queries over abolition of Vaka Councils. The Cook Islands Herald, No. 393 (9 February 2008)

[68] Polynesia French Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws Template:ISBN p. 130

[69] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[70] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[71] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[LCA-72] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[flyspeck-73] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore

[74] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[sbma-75] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Carstens-76] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[77] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[Inayatullah-78] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[79] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[:0-80] Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "CIA World Factbook".

[81] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[82] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[83] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[84] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[85] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[86] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[87] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[88] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[89] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[90] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[ONOC_2024-91] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[92] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[:1-93] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[94] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

[60]

[61]

[62]

[63]

[64]

[65]

[66]

[67]

[68]

[69]

[70]

[71]

[72]

[73]

[74]

[75]

[76]

[77]

[78]

[79]

[80]

[81]

[82]

[83]

[84]

[85]

[86]

[87]

[88]

[89]

[90]

[91]

[92]

[93]

[94]

Cook Islands: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 09:36, 13 November 2025

Contents

Etymology

History

Geography

Biodiversity

Politics and foreign relations

Defence and police

Human rights

Local government

Economy

Demographics

Religion

Culture

Language

Art

Traditional arts

Contemporary art

Music

Sport

Newspapers

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links

Navigation menu

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Country in the South Pacific Ocean}}
-{{hatnote group|
+{{about|the country|other uses|Cook Islands (disambiguation)|and|Cook Island (disambiguation){{!}}Cook Island}}
-{{Other uses|Cook Islands (disambiguation)|Cook Island (disambiguation){{!}}Cook Island}}
-}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
 {{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2014}}
@@ Line 15: / Line 13: @@
 | symbol                 = Coat of arms of the Cook Islands
 | symbol_type            = Coat of arms
-| national_anthem        = [[Te Atua Mou E|Te Atua Mou Ē]] ([[Cook Islands Māori|Māori]])<br />"God is Truth"<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:National Anthem of the Cook Islands.ogg|center]]</div>
+| national_anthem        = [[Te Atua Mou E|Te Atua mou ē]] ([[Cook Islands Māori|Māori]])<br />"God of Truth"<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:National Anthem of the Cook Islands.ogg|center]]</div>
 | royal_anthem           = "[[God Save the King]]"
 {{parabr}}{{center|[[File:U.S. Navy Band - God Save the King.oga]]}}
@@ Line 22: / Line 20: @@
 | coordinates            = {{Coord|21|12|S|159|46|W|type:city}}
 | largest_city           = [[Avarua]]
-| official_languages     = {{unbulleted list||English|Cook Islands Māori (including [[Pukapukan language|Pukapukan]]{{Ref label|a|a}})}}
+| official_languages     = {{unbulleted list||English|[[Cook Islands Māori]] (including [[Pukapukan language|Pukapukan]]{{Ref label|a|a}})}}
 | languages_type         = Spoken languages
 | languages              = {{unbulleted list |English (86.4%)|Cook Islands Māori (76.2%) |other (8.3%)<ref name="CIA">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|date=26 October 2021}}</ref>}}
-| ethnic_groups          = {{unbulleted list |78.2% [[Cook Islanders|Cook Island Māori]] |7.6% Part-Māori |14.2% other}}
+| ethnic_groups          = {{unbulleted list |78.2% [[Cook Islanders|Cook Island Māori]] |7.6% part-Māori |14.2% other}}
 | ethnic_groups_year     = 2016 census<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfem.gov.ck/statistics/census-and-surveys/census/142-census-2016|title=Census of Population & Dwellings 2016 Results|publisher=Ministry of Finance & Economic Management|year=2016|at=Table 2: Social Characteristics – Sheet 2.3|access-date=26 December 2019|archive-date=12 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712004436/http://www.mfem.gov.ck/statistics/census-and-surveys/census/142-census-2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | demonym                = [[Cook Islanders|Cook Islander]]
@@ Line 34: / Line 32: @@
 | leader_name2           = Sir [[Tom Marsters]]
 | leader_title3          = [[Prime Minister of the Cook Islands|Prime Minister]]
-| leader_name3           = [[Mark Brown (Cook Islands)|Mark Brown]]
+| leader_name3           = [[Mark Brown (Cook Islands politician)|Mark Brown]]
 | leader_title4          = [[List of presidents of the House of Ariki|President of the House of Ariki]]
 | leader_name4           = [[Tou Travel Ariki]]
@@ Line 44: / Line 42: @@
 | established_date2      = 1992<ref>[https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/world00.pdf UN the World Today (PDF)] and [http://legal.un.org/repertory/art102/english/rep_supp8_vol6-art102_e_advance.pdf Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs Supplement No. 8; p. 10] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019223055/http://legal.un.org/repertory/art102/english/rep_supp8_vol6-art102_e_advance.pdf |date=19 October 2013 }}</ref>
 | area_km2               = 236.7
-| area_rank              = {{small|unranked}} <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]];(should not be any here as it is listed with a dash) -->
+| area_rank              = unranked <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]]; (should not be any here as it is listed with a dash) -->
 | area_sq_mi             = 91
 | percent_water          =
@@ Line 53: / Line 51: @@
 | population_density_sq_mi = 111
 | population_density_rank = 138th
-| GDP_nominal            = US$384 million<ref>{{Cite web|last=UNCTAD|title=UNCTADstat – General Profile: Cook Islands|url=http://unctadstat.unctad.org/countryprofile/generalprofile/en-gb/184/index.html|access-date=9 August 2021|website=UNCTADstat|language=en-GB}}</ref>
+| GDP_nominal            = US$384 million<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Profile: Cook Islands |publisher=[[UN Trade and Development|UNCTAD]] |website=UNCTADstat |url= http://unctadstat.unctad.org/countryprofile/generalprofile/en-gb/184/index.html |access-date=9 August 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
-| GDP_nominal_rank       = {{nowrap|{{small|not ranked}}}}
+| GDP_nominal_rank       = {{nowrap|not ranked}}
 | GDP_nominal_year       = 2020
 | GDP_nominal_per_capita = US$21,994
-| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = {{nowrap|{{small|not ranked}}}}
+| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = {{nowrap|not ranked}}
 | HDI                    =
 | HDI_year               =
@@ Line 75: / Line 73: @@
 | HDI_category           =
 }}
-The '''Cook Islands'''{{efn|[[Rarotongan language|Rarotongan]]: {{lang|rar|Kūki ‘Airani}};<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=AT2ENAHoS28C ''Cook Islands Maori dictionary''] by Jasper Buse & Raututi Taringa, Cook Islands Ministry of Education (1995) p. 200</ref> {{langx|pnh|Kūki Airani}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cookislandsdictionary.com/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&keywords=Cook+Islands&dictionary=Action&lang%5B%5D=it.&lang%5B%5D=A.&lang%5B%5D=Mang.&lang%5B%5D=MN&lang%5B%5D=MA.&lang%5B%5D=MI.&lang%5B%5D=P.&lang%5B%5D=Rar. |title=Search result: "Cook Islands" |publisher=Cook Islands Languages |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref>}} is an [[island country]] in [[Polynesia]], part of [[Oceania]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific Ocean]]. It consists of 15 islands whose total land area is approximately {{convert|236.7|km2|sqmi|0}}. The Cook Islands' [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] (EEZ) covers {{convert|1,960,027|km2|sqmi|abbr=}} of ocean.<ref>[http://www.seaaroundus.org/data/#/eez/184?chart=catch-chart&dimension=taxon&measure=tonnage&limit=10 Fisheries, Ecosystems and Biodiversity]. Sea Around Us</ref> [[Avarua]] is its capital.
+The '''Cook Islands'''{{efn|[[Rarotongan language|Rarotongan]]: {{lang|rar|Kūki ‘Airani}};<ref>Buse, Jasper; Taringa, Raututi (1995). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=AT2ENAHoS28C Cook Islands Maori Dictionary]''. Cook Islands Ministry of Education. p. 200</ref> {{langx|pnh|Kūki Airani}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cookislandsdictionary.com/search?idiom=&phrase=&proverb=&loan=&keywords=Cook+Islands&dictionary=Action&lang%5B%5D=it.&lang%5B%5D=A.&lang%5B%5D=Mang.&lang%5B%5D=MN&lang%5B%5D=MA.&lang%5B%5D=MI.&lang%5B%5D=P.&lang%5B%5D=Rar. |title=Search result: "Cook Islands" |publisher=Cook Islands Languages |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref>}} is an [[island country]] in [[Polynesia]], part of [[Oceania]], in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific Ocean]]. It consists of 15 islands whose total land area is approximately {{convert|236.7|km2|sqmi|0}}. The Cook Islands [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] (EEZ) covers {{convert|1,960,027|km2|sqmi|abbr=}} of ocean.<ref>[http://www.seaaroundus.org/data/#/eez/184?chart=catch-chart&dimension=taxon&measure=tonnage&limit=10 Fisheries, Ecosystems and Biodiversity]. Sea Around Us</ref> [[Avarua]] on the main island of [[Rarotonga]] is the capital.
-The Cook Islands is self-governing while in [[Associated state|free association]] with New Zealand. Since the start of the 21st century, the Cook Islands conducts its own independent foreign and defence policy, and also has its own customs regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trade |first=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and |title=Cook Islands |url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade |language=en-NZ}}</ref> Like most members of the Pacific Islands Forum, it has no armed forces, but the Cook Islands Police Service owns a  Guardian Class Patrol Boat, {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa II||6}}, provided by Australia, in order to police its waters. In recent decades, the Cook Islands have adopted an increasingly assertive and distinct foreign policy, and a Cook Islander, [[Henry Puna]], served as Secretary General of the [[Pacific Islands Forum]] from 2021 to 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=Since 2001, the Cook Islands has complete sovereignty in managing their Foreign affairs according to the common declaration of 6 April 2001.|url=http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/Cook-Islands|title=Cook Islands|website=France in New Zealand|access-date=30 October 2015|date=13 March 2014|archive-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627174702/http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/Cook-Islands|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of the Forum Chair, Cook Islands PM Mark Brown on the Transition in Leadership at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat  |url=https://forumsec.org/publications/release-statement-forum-chair-cook-islands-pm-mark-brown-transition-leadership-pacific |access-date=5 June 2024 |website=forumsec.org}}</ref> Most [[Cook Islanders]] are also [[New Zealand nationality law|citizens of New Zealand]], but they also have the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens. The Cook Islands have been an active member of the [[Pacific Community]] since 1980.
+The Cook Islands is self-governing while in [[Associated state|free association]] with [[New Zealand]]. Since the start of the 21st century, the Cook Islands conducts its own independent foreign and defence policy, and also has its own customs regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cook Islands |url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade}}</ref> Like most members of the Pacific Islands Forum, it has no armed forces, but the Cook Islands Police Service owns a Guardian Class Patrol Boat, {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa II||6}}, provided by Australia, for policing its waters. In recent decades, the Cook Islands has adopted an increasingly assertive and distinct foreign policy, and a Cook Islander, [[Henry Puna]], served as Secretary General of the [[Pacific Islands Forum]] from 2021 to 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |quote=Since 2001, the Cook Islands has complete sovereignty in managing their Foreign affairs according to the common declaration of 6 April 2001. |url= http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/Cook-Islands |title=Cook Islands|website=France in New Zealand|access-date=30 October 2015|date=13 March 2014|archive-date=27 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627174702/http://www.ambafrance-nz.org/Cook-Islands|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of the Forum Chair, Cook Islands PM Mark Brown on the Transition in Leadership at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat |url=https://forumsec.org/publications/release-statement-forum-chair-cook-islands-pm-mark-brown-transition-leadership-pacific |access-date=5 June 2024 |website=forumsec.org}}</ref> Most [[Cook Islanders]] have [[New Zealand nationality law|New Zealand citizenship]], plus the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens. The Cook Islands has been an active member of the [[Pacific Community]], formerly the South Pacific Commission, since 1980.
-The Cook Islands' main population centres are on the island of [[Rarotonga]] (10,863 in 2021).<ref name=":3" /> The [[Rarotonga International Airport]], the main international gateway to the country, is located on this island. The census of 2021 put the total population at 14,987. There is also a larger population of Cook Islanders in New Zealand and Australia: in the [[2018 New Zealand census]], 80,532 people said they were Cook Islanders, or of Cook Islands descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-ethnic-group-summaries/cook-islands-maori |title=2018 Census ethnic group summaries – Cook Islands Maori |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]] |access-date=22 January 2022}}</ref> The last Australian census recorded 28,000 Cook Islanders living in Australia, many with Australian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/guide-census-data/census-dictionary/2021/variables-topic/cultural-diversity/ancestry-1st-response-anc1p |title=Ancestry 1st response (ANC1P) |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref> With over 168,000 visitors to the islands in 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382353/cook-islands-welcome-more-visitors|title=Cook Islands welcome more visitors|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=February 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908142453/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382353/cook-islands-welcome-more-visitors|archive-date=8 September 2019}}</ref> tourism is the country's main industry and leading element of its economy, ahead of [[offshore banking]], pearls, and marine and fruit exports.
+The Cook Islands' main population centres are on Rarotonga (10,863 in 2021),<ref name=":3" /> also the location of [[Rarotonga International Airport]], the main international gateway to the country. The census of 2021 put the total population at 14,987. There is also a larger population of Cook Islanders in New Zealand and Australia: in the [[2018 New Zealand census]], 80,532 people said they were Cook Islanders, or of Cook Islands descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stats.govt.nz/tools/2018-census-ethnic-group-summaries/cook-islands-maori |title=2018 Census ethnic group summaries – Cook Islands Maori |publisher=[[Statistics New Zealand]] |access-date=22 January 2022}}</ref> The last Australian census recorded 28,000 Cook Islanders living in Australia, many with Australian citizenship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/guide-census-data/census-dictionary/2021/variables-topic/cultural-diversity/ancestry-1st-response-anc1p |title=Ancestry 1st response (ANC1P) |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref> With over 168,000 visitors to the islands in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382353/cook-islands-welcome-more-visitors|title=Cook Islands welcome more visitors|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=13 February 2019|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908142453/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382353/cook-islands-welcome-more-visitors|archive-date=8 September 2019}}</ref> tourism is the country's main industry and leading element of its economy, ahead of [[offshore banking]], pearls, and marine and fruit exports.
 ==Etymology==
-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 language|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.<ref name="Hooker 1998 54–62">{{cite journal |first=Brian |last=Hooker |date=1998 |journal=[[Terrae Incognitae (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 }}</ref>
+The Cook Islands comprise 15 islands that have had individual names in indigenous languages, including [[Cook Islands Māori]] and [[Pukapukan language|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.<ref name="Hooker 1998 54–62">{{cite journal |first=Brian |last=Hooker |date=1998 |journal=[[Terrae Incognitae (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 }}</ref>
-The islands as a whole are named after the English captain and explorer  [[James Cook]], who visited during the 1770s and named [[Manuae (Cook Islands)|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''.<ref name="Hist1"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+The islands as a whole are named after the English captain and explorer  [[James Cook]], who visited during the 1770s and named [[Manuae (Cook Islands)|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''.<ref name="Hist1"/> 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. This situation had changed by the passage of the ''Cook Islands Act 1915'', which defined the Cooks' area and included all presently included islands.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is ''Kūki 'Āirani'', a transliteration of the English name.<ref name="telegraphname"/><ref name="radionzname"/>
@@ Line 90: / Line 88: @@
 ==History==
 {{Main|History of the Cook Islands|British Western Pacific Territories}}
-The Cook Islands were first settled around AD 1000<ref>{{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|url-access=subscription }}</ref> by [[Polynesian people]] who are thought to have migrated from [[Tahiti]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> an island {{convert|1154|km|mi nmi}} to the northeast of the main island of Rarotonga.
+The Cook Islands were first settled around AD 1000<ref>{{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=12 July 2025 |access-date=21 August 2020|url-access=subscription }}</ref> by [[Polynesian people]] who are thought to have migrated from [[Tahiti]],<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 monarchy|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).<ref name="Hooker 1998 54–62"/>
@@ Line 96: / Line 94: @@
 British explorer and naval officer Captain [[James Cook]] arrived in 1773 and again in 1777,<ref>Thomas, Nicholas (2003). ''Cook : the extraordinary voyages of Captain James Cook'', Walker & Company, {{ISBN|0802714129}}, pp. 310–311.</ref> giving the island of [[Manuae (Cook Islands)|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.<ref name=Hist1>{{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  }}</ref>
-In 1813 [[John Williams (missionary)|John Williams]], a missionary on the colonial brig ''Endeavour'' (not the same ship as Cook's) made the first recorded European sighting of [[Rarotonga]].<ref name="History"/> 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.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.ck/history.htm|title=History of the Cook Islands|publisher=Ck/history|access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{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}}</ref>
+In 1813 [[John Williams (missionary)|John Williams]], a missionary on the colonial brig ''Endeavour'' (not the same ship as Cook's) made the first recorded European sighting of Rarotonga.<ref name="History"/> 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.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.ck/history.htm|title=History of the Cook Islands|publisher=Ck/history|access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2">{{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}}</ref>
-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.<ref>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.</ref> Their favourite islands were Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia and Penrhyn.
+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.<ref>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.</ref> Their favourite islands were Rarotonga, [[Aitutaki]], [[Mangaia]] and [[Penrhyn atoll|Penrhyn]].
 [[File:Cook Islands Annexation Ceremony.jpg|thumb|Governor [[Lord Ranfurly]] reading the annexation proclamation to [[Makea Takau Ariki|Queen Makea]] on 7 October 1900]]
-The [[Kingdom of Rarotonga|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.<ref name="PIM1933-5">{{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}}</ref> On 6 September 1900, the islanders' leaders presented a petition asking that the islands (including [[Niue]] "if possible") should be annexed as British territory.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891">''"Commonwealth and Colonial Law"'' by [[Kenneth Roberts-Wray]], London, Stevens, 1966. p. 891</ref><ref>N.Z. Parliamentary p., A3 (1901)</ref> 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.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891"/> 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.<ref>"Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 761</ref><ref>N.Z. Parliamentary Pp., A1 (1900)</ref> In 1901 the islands were included within the boundaries of the [[Colony of New Zealand]] by Order in Council<ref>S.R.O. & S.I. Rev. XVI, 862–863</ref> under the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895 of the United Kingdom.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891"/><ref>58 & 59 V. c. 34.</ref> The boundary change became effective on 11 June 1901, and the Cook Islands have had a formal relationship with New Zealand since that time.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891"/>
-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, New Zealand|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 and Palestine campaign|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
+The [[Kingdom of Rarotonga|Cook Islands]] became a British protectorate in 1888, following a petition from Queen [[Makea Takau Ariki]], largely because of the fear of British residents that France might occupy the islands, as it already had Tahiti.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gilson |first=Richard |date=1980 |editor-last=Crocombe |editor-first=Ron |title=The Cook Islands, 1820-1950 |place=Wellington |publisher=Victoria University Press |page=60}}</ref><ref name="PIM1933-5">{{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}}</ref> On 6 September 1900, the islanders' leaders presented a petition asking that the islands (including [[Niue]] "if possible") should be annexed as British territory.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891">"Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by [[Kenneth Roberts-Wray]], London, Stevens, 1966. p. 891</ref><ref>N.Z. Parliamentary p., A3 (1901)</ref> 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.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891"/> 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.<ref>"Commonwealth and Colonial Law" by Kenneth Roberts-Wray, London, Stevens, 1966. p. 761</ref><ref>N.Z. Parliamentary Pp., A1 (1900)</ref> In 1901 the islands were included within the boundaries of the [[Colony of New Zealand]] by Order in Council<ref>S.R.O. & S.I. Rev. XVI, 862–863</ref> under the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895 of the United Kingdom.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891"/><ref>58 & 59 V. c. 34.</ref> The boundary change became effective on 11 June 1901, and the Cook Islands have had a formal relationship with New Zealand since that time.<ref name="Kenneth Roberts-Wray 1966. P. 891"/>
+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, New Zealand|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 and Palestine campaign|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
-When the [[British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948]] came into effect on 1 January 1949, Cook Islanders who were [[British subject]]s automatically gained [[New Zealand citizenship]].<ref>[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.</ref> 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 [[Public holidays in the Cook Islands|Constitution Day]].<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref> [[Albert Henry (politician)|Albert Henry]] of the [[Cook Islands Party]] was elected as the first Premier and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.<ref name=":2" /> Henry led the nation until 1978, when he was accused of vote-rigging and resigned. He was stripped of his knighthood in 1979.<ref name=":2" /> He was succeeded by [[Tom Davis (Cook Islands)|Tom Davis]] of the [[Democratic Party (Cook Islands)|Democratic Party]] who held that position until March 1983.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+When the [[British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948]] came into effect on 1 January 1949, Cook Islanders who were [[British subject]]s automatically gained [[New Zealand citizenship]].<ref>[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.</ref> 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 [[Public holidays in the Cook Islands|Constitution Day]].<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref> [[Albert Henry (politician)|Albert Henry]] of the [[Cook Islands Party]] was elected as the first Premier and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.<ref name=":2" /> Henry led the nation until 1978, when he was accused of vote-rigging and resigned. He was stripped of his knighthood in 1979.<ref name=":2" /> He was succeeded by [[Tom Davis (Cook Islands)|Tom Davis]] of the [[Democratic Party (Cook Islands)|Democratic Party]], who held that position until March 1983.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 On 13 July 2017, the Cook Islands established [[Marae Moana]], making it become the world's largest [[protected area]] by size.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
@@ Line 124: / Line 123: @@
 ! Island
 ! Area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)
-! Population<br />census 2021
+! Population
 ! Density<br />per km<sup>2</sup>
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
-| [[Penrhyn atoll|Penrhyn]]
+| [[Penrhyn atoll]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 9.8
+| style='text-align:right;' | 10
-| style='text-align:right;' | 230
+| style='text-align:right;' | 233
-| style='text-align:right;' | 23.5
+| style='text-align:right;' | 24
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
 | [[Rakahanga]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 4.1
+| style='text-align:right;' | 4
 | style='text-align:right;' | 81
-| style='text-align:right;' | 19.8
+| style='text-align:right;' | 20
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
 | [[Manihiki]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 5.4
+| style='text-align:right;' | 5
-| style='text-align:right;' | 207
+| style='text-align:right;' | 215
-| style='text-align:right;' | 38.3
+| style='text-align:right;' | 40
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
 | [[Pukapuka]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 1.3
+| style='text-align:right;' | 1
 | style='text-align:right;' | 456
-| style='text-align:right;' | 350.8
+| style='text-align:right;' | 351
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
 | [[Tema Reef]] (submerged)
 | style='text-align:right;' | 0
@@ Line 157: / Line 156: @@
 | style='text-align:right;' | –
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
 | [[Nassau (Cook Islands)|Nassau]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 1.3
+| style='text-align:right;' | 1
 | style='text-align:right;' | 92
-| style='text-align:right;' | 70.8
+| style='text-align:right;' | 71
 |-
-| [[Northern Cook Islands|Northern]]
+| Northern
 | [[Suwarrow]]
 | style='text-align:right;' | 0.4
 | style='text-align:right;' | 0
-| style='text-align:right;' | –
+| style='text-align:right;' | 0
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Palmerston Island|Palmerston]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 2.1
+| style='text-align:right;' | 2
 | style='text-align:right;' | 25
-| style='text-align:right;' | 11.9
+| style='text-align:right;' | 12
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Aitutaki]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 18.3
+| style='text-align:right;' | 18
-| style='text-align:right;' | 1,776
+| style='text-align:right;' | 1,782
-| style='text-align:right;' | 97.0
+| style='text-align:right;' | 97
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Manuae (Cook Islands)|Manuae]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 6.2
+| style='text-align:right;' | 6
+| style='text-align:right;' | 0
 | style='text-align:right;' | 0
-| style='text-align:right;' | -
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Takutea]]
 | style='text-align:right;' | 1
 | style='text-align:right;' | 0
-| style='text-align:right;' | -
+| style='text-align:right;' | 0
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Mitiaro]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 22.3
+| style='text-align:right;' | 22
 | style='text-align:right;' | 155
-| style='text-align:right;' | 7.0
+| style='text-align:right;' | 7
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Atiu]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 26.9
+| style='text-align:right;' | 27
-| style='text-align:right;' | 382
+| style='text-align:right;' | 383
-| style='text-align:right;' | 14.2
+| style='text-align:right;' | 14
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Mauke]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 18.4
+| style='text-align:right;' | 18
 | style='text-align:right;' | 249
-| style='text-align:right;' | 13.5
+| style='text-align:right;' | 14
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Winslow Reef, Cook Islands|Winslow Reef]] (submerged)
 | style='text-align:right;' | 0
@@ Line 217: / Line 216: @@
 | style='text-align:right;' | –
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Rarotonga]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 67.1
+| style='text-align:right;' | 67
-| style='text-align:right;' | 10,863
+| style='text-align:right;' | 10,898
-| style='text-align:right;' | 161.9
+| style='text-align:right;' | 162
 |-
-| [[Geography of the Cook Islands#Southern Cook Islands|Southern]]
+| Southern
 | [[Mangaia]]
-| style='text-align:right;' | 51.8
+| style='text-align:right;' | 52
 | style='text-align:right;' | 471
-| style='text-align:right;' | 9.1
+| style='text-align:right;' | 9
 |-
 ! Total
 ! Total
-! style='text-align:right;' | 236.7
+! style='text-align:right;' | 237
-! style='text-align:right;' | 14,987
+! style='text-align:right;' | 15,040
-! style='text-align:right;' | 63.3
+! style='text-align:right;' | 64
 |}
-Note: The table is ordered from north to south. Population figures from the 2021 census.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>
+The table is ordered from north to south. Figures are from the 2021 census.<ref name=Census2021>{{Cite web |title= Census of Population and Dwellings 2021 |publisher=Cook Islands Statistics Office |date=2022 |url= https://stats.gov.ck/download/83/census-2021/1497/2021-census-report-with-tables-and-questionnaire.pdf |page=17 |access-date=1 August 2025}}</ref>
-== Gallery ==
 <gallery mode="packed">
 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:Aitutaki-Motu Tapuaetai.jpg|[[Tapuaetai]] (One Foot Island) at [[Aitutaki]]
-File:rarotonga beach.jpg|Beach on [[Rarotonga]]
+File:rarotonga beach.jpg|Rock outcrop on [[Rarotonga]]
 </gallery>
+===Biodiversity===
+[[File:Tiaré tahiti.jpg|thumb|''[[Gardenia taitensis|Tiare māori]]'', the [[national flower]] of the Cook Islands]]
+The national flower of the Cook Islands is the ''[[Gardenia taitensis|tiare māori]]'' or ''tiale māoli'' (Penrhyn, Nassau, Pukapuka).<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+The Cook Islands have a large population of non-native [[ship rat]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=8747 |title=''Rattus rattus'' – Ship Rat |website= [[Cook Islands Biodiversity]] |publisher= [[Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust]] |access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> and ''kiore toka'' ([[Polynesian rat]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=8745 |title=''Rattus exulans'' – Pacific Rat |website= [[Cook Islands Biodiversity]] |publisher= [[Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust]] |access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref> The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/showarticle.asp?id=7 |title=The Status of Cook Islands Birds – 1996 |website=[[Cook Islands Biodiversity]] |publisher= [[Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust]] |date=24 September 2005|access-date=18 November 2011}}</ref>
+In April 2007, 27 [[Kuhl's lorikeet]]s 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rimatara Lorikeet ''Vini kuhlii'' |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/rimatara-lorikeet-vini-kuhlii |website=Birdlife Datazone |publisher= BirdLife International |access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{Cite web |title= ''Centropyge boylei'', Peppermint angelfish |url=https://www.fishbase.se/summary/25427 |access-date=3 December 2020 |website=www.fishbase.se}}</ref>
 ==Politics and foreign relations==
@@ Line 250: / Line 259: @@
 [[File:Parliament of the Cook Islands - 2006.JPG|thumb|The parliament building of the Cook Islands, formerly a hotel]]
-[[File:Sustainable Development and Conservation Event in the Cook Islands (7907701948).jpg|thumb|Former Prime Minister [[Henry Puna]] with U.S. Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]], 31 August 2012]]
+[[File:Sustainable Development and Conservation Event in the Cook Islands (7907701948).jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Henry Puna]] with U.S. Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] in Rarotonga, 31 August 2012]]
 The Cook Islands are a [[representative democracy]] with a [[parliamentary system]] in an [[associated state]] relationship with New Zealand. [[Executive (government)|Executive power]] is exercised by the government, with the Prime Minister as [[head of government]]. [[Legislature|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.
@@ Line 258: / Line 267: @@
 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]],<ref name=art102>{{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  }}</ref><ref name=map>{{citation |url=https://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/world00.pdf |website=Legal.un.org |title=The World today }}</ref> 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 [[list of specialized agencies of the United Nations|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 [[Cook Islands–United States Maritime Boundary Treaty|a treaty]] with the Cook Islands specifying the [[maritime boundary|maritime border]] between the Cook Islands and [[American Samoa]] and also relinquishing any American claims to [[Penrhyn atoll|Penrhyn]], [[Pukapuka]], [[Manihiki]], and [[Rakahanga]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 1990 the Cook Islands and France signed [[Cook Islands–France Maritime Delimitation Agreement|a treaty]] that [[boundary delimitation|delimited]] the boundary between the Cook Islands and [[French Polynesia]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 25 September 2023, the Cook Islands and the United States of America established [[Cook Islands–United States relations|diplomatic relations]] under the leadership of Prime Minister [[Mark Brown (Cook Islands)|Mark Brown]] at a ceremony in Washington, DC.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+On 11 June 1980, the United States signed [[Cook Islands–United States Maritime Boundary Treaty|a treaty]] with the Cook Islands specifying the [[maritime boundary|maritime border]] between the Cook Islands and [[American Samoa]] and also relinquishing any American claims to [[Penrhyn atoll|Penrhyn]], [[Pukapuka]], [[Manihiki]], and [[Rakahanga]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 1990 the Cook Islands and France signed [[Cook Islands–France Maritime Delimitation Agreement|a treaty]] that [[National boundary delimitation|delimited]] the boundary between the Cook Islands and [[French Polynesia]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 25 September 2023, the Cook Islands and the United States of America established [[Cook Islands–United States relations|diplomatic relations]] under the leadership of Prime Minister [[Mark Brown (Cook Islands)|Mark Brown]] at a ceremony in Washington, DC.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-In 2025, Cook Islands prime minister [[Mark Brown (Cook Islands)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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 (Australia)|ABC News]]}}</ref>
+In 2025, prime minister Mark Brown said that the Cook Islands did not meet the requirements for UN membership and foreign minister [[Tingika Elikana]] said that any 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Additionally, in response to a push to introduce Cook Island 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.<ref>{{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 |url-status=live |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 (Australia)|ABC News]]}}</ref>
 ===Defence and police===
-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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Vessels of the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] can be employed for this task including its {{sclass2|Protector|offshore patrol vessel|1}}s.<ref>{{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}}</ref> These naval forces may also be supported by [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] aircraft, including [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8 Poseidon]]s.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+The [[Cook Islands Police Service]] polices the 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Vessels of the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] can be employed for this task including its {{sclass2|Protector|offshore patrol vessel|1}}s.<ref>{{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}}</ref> These naval forces may also be supported by [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] aircraft, including [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8 Poseidon]]s.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+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<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Cook Islands has its own customs regulations.<ref>[https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs-legislation-tariffs Cook Islands Customs Legislation and Tariffs]</ref>
-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<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Cook Islands has its own customs regulations.<ref>[https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs-legislation-tariffs Cook Islands Customs Legislation and Tariffs]</ref>
 ===Human rights===
-{{Further|Human rights in the Cook Islands|LGBT rights in the Cook Islands}}
+{{Further|Human rights in the Cook Islands|LGBTQ 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2023, legislation was passed which legalised homosexuality.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-==Administrative subdivisions==
+===Local government===
-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 (Cook Islands)|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.
+There are island councils, each headed by a mayor, 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 (Cook Islands)|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).
-[[File:Cook Islands, administrative divisions - de - colored.svg|thumb|Location of the islands of Cook Islands]]
+[[File:Cook Islands, administrative divisions - de - colored.svg|thumb|Map of the islands of Cook Islands]]
+[[File:Rarotopo.png|thumb|Vaka councils of [[Rarotonga]], 1997–2008]]
 {| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
-|+ Ten Island Councils in the Outer Islands
+|+ The ten island councils in the outer islands
 |-
 |[[File:Aitutakitopo.png|70px]]
@@ Line 325: / Line 333: @@
 |}
-[[File:Rarotopo.png|thumb|Former Three Vaka Councils of [[Rarotonga]]]]
+[[File:Rarotaperedistrict.png|thumb|The five districts of [[Rarotonga]], subdivided into 54 traditional [[tapere]]]]
-[[File:Rarotaperedistrict.png|thumb|Five Districts of [[Rarotonga]], with subdivision into 54 traditional [[Tapere]]]]
-The three ''Vaka'' councils of [[Rarotonga]] established in 1997 (''Rarotonga Local Government Act 1997''), also headed by mayors,<ref>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.</ref> were abolished in February 2008, despite much controversy.<ref>{{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  }}</ref><ref>[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)</ref>
+Three vaka councils headed by mayors were established on [[Rarotonga]] by the Rarotonga Local Government Act 1997,<ref>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.</ref> then abolished in February 2008, despite much controversy.<ref>{{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  }}</ref><ref>[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)</ref>
 {| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
-|+Three former Vaka Councils on Rarotonga
+|+Vaka councils of Rarotonga, 1997–2008
+!Vaka
+!Districts
 |-
-|[[Puaikura]]
+|Puaikura
 |Arorangi
 |-
-|[[Takitumu]]
+|Takitumu
 |Matavera, Ngatangiia, Takitumu
 |-
-|[[Te-Au-O-Tonga]]
+|Te-Au-O-Tonga
-|(equivalent to [[Avarua]], the capital of the Cook Islands)
+|Equivalent to [[Avarua]], the country's capital
 |}
 On the lowest level, there are village committees. [[Nassau (Cook Islands)|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.
+==Economy==
+{{Main|Economy of the Cook Islands}}
+{{See also|Transport in 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.<ref>''Polynesia French Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws'' {{ISBN|1-4387-7081-2}} p. 130</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cook Islands and China discuss forward co-operation {{!}} TE KAUONO TUTARA E TE MANA TIAKI |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/news-updates/cook-islands-and-china-discuss-forward-co-operation |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=mfai.gov.ck}}</ref>
+<div class="floatright">
+{|
+|+'''Tourist arrivals of 2024 in %'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=UN Tourism Data Dashboard |url=https://www.unwto.org/tourism-data/un-tourism-tourism-dashboard |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=www.unwto.org}}</ref>
+|-
+|
+<timeline>
+ImageSize=width:270 height:250
+PlotArea=left:60 bottom:25 top:3 right:16
+AlignBars=justify
+Period=from:0 till:11
+TimeAxis=orientation:horizontal
+Colors=
+ id:gray value:gray(0.5)
+ id:line1 value:gray(0.9)
+ id:line2 value:gray(0.7)
+ScaleMajor=unit:year increment:2 start:0 gridcolor:line2
+ScaleMinor=unit:year increment:2 start:0 gridcolor:line1
+BarData=
+ bar:January text:January
+ bar:February text:February
+ bar:March text:March
+ bar:April text:April
+ bar:May text:May
+ bar:June text:June
+ bar:July text:July
+ bar:August text:August
+ bar:September text:September
+ bar:October text:October
+ bar:November text:November
+ bar:December text:December
+PlotData=
+ color:tan1 width:10
+ bar:January from:start till:6.1 text:
+ bar:February from:start till:4.3 text:
+ bar:March from:start till:6.8 text:
+ bar:April from:start till:8.2 text:
+ bar:May from:start till:9.3 text:
+ bar:June from:start till:9.5 text:
+ bar:July from:start till:10.2 text:
+ bar:August from:start till:9.8 text:
+ bar:September from:start till:10.2 text:
+ bar:October from:start till:9.6 text:
+ bar:November from:start till:7.9 text:
+ bar:December from:start till:8.1 text:
+</timeline>
+|}</div>
+[[Rarotonga International Airport]] is the only airport that receives international flights. Eight airports on other islands provide local or charter services. Only Rarotonga and [[Aitutaki Airport]] have paved runways; the others have coral runways.<ref>{{cite web |title=Other airports of the Cook Islands |url= https://cookislandsairports.com/other-airports/ |work= cookislandsairports.com |publisher=Air Rarotonga |access-date=12 November 2025}}</ref> The main seaport and the only one where container ships can berth is [[Rarotonga]]'s port of [[Avatiu]]. At the port of [[Arutanga]] at [[Aitutaki]], ships anchor outside the reef and cargo is carried to the dock by [[Lighter (barge)|lighter barge]].<ref name=LCA>{{cite web |title=Cook Islands Port of Arutanga, Atiutaki |date=2018 |url= https://lca.logcluster.org/212-cook-islands-port-arutanga-aitutaki |work=Logistics Capacity Assessment |publisher=[[Logistics Cluster]] |access-date=12 November 2025}}</ref>
+Since about 1989, the Cook Islands has specialised in so-called [[asset-protection trusts#Cook Islands|asset protection trusts]] through its International Trusts Act. This allows investors to shelter assets from the reach of creditors and legal authorities.<ref name=flyspeck/><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 reach of American justice; creditors must travel to the Cook Islands and argue their cases under Cooks law, often at prohibitive expense.<ref name=flyspeck/> 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.<ref name=flyspeck/> Taxes on trusts and trust employees account for some 8% of the Cook Islands economy, behind tourism but ahead of fishing.<ref name=flyspeck>{{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}}</ref>
+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.<ref name="sbma">{{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}}</ref> In 2022, the SBMA granted three exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules to three private companies, including one co-owned by the government.<ref name="Carstens">{{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}}</ref> In 2025, the Cook Islands signed seabed mineral exploration agreements with the United States and China.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2025 |title=Chinese research ship scouts deep-ocean floor in South Pacific |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2025/11/08/chinese-research-ship-scouts-deep-ocean-floor-in-south-pacific/ |work=Hong Kong Free Press}}</ref><ref name="Inayatullah">{{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]]}}</ref>
 ==Demographics==
@@ Line 477: / Line 549: @@
 === Religion ===
+[[File:CICC CHURCH IN AVARUA, RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS.jpg|thumb|[[Cook Islands Christian Church|CICC]] church in Avarua, Rarotonga]]
 {{main|Religion in the Cook Islands}}
-In the Cook Islands, the Church is separate from the state, and most of the population is Christian.<ref name=":0">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> The religious distribution is as follows:
+In the Cook Islands, there is separation between the church and the state, and most of the population is Christian.<ref name=":0">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands|access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>
-[[File:CICC CHURCH IN AVARUA, RAROTONGA, COOK ISLANDS.jpg|thumb|Church in Avarua, Rarotonga]]
-The various [[Protestantism|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 [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rarotonga|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 .<ref name=":0" />
-==Economy==
-{{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.<ref>''Polynesia French Business Law Handbook: Strategic Information and Laws'' {{ISBN|1-4387-7081-2}} p. 130</ref> 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#Cook Islands|asset protection trusts]], by which investors shelter assets from the reach of creditors and legal authorities.<ref name=flyspeck/><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=flyspeck/> 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.<ref name=flyspeck/> Taxes on trusts and trust employees account for some 8% of the Cook Islands economy, behind tourism but ahead of fishing.<ref name=flyspeck/>
-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.<ref name=flyspeck>{{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}}</ref> Since 2023 the Executive Director of [[Bank of the Cook Islands|Cook Islands Bank]] has been [[Jennifer Henry (nee Matheson)]].<ref name=":02">{{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}}</ref>
-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.<ref name="sbma">{{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}}</ref> In 2022, the SBMA granted three exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules to three private companies, including one co-owned by the government.<ref name="Carstens">{{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}}</ref> In 2025, the Cook Islands announced that it had signed a seabed mineral exploration agreement with China.<ref name="Inayatullah">{{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]]}}</ref>
-===Infrastructure===
-{{See also|Transport in the Cook Islands}}
-There are eleven airports in the Cook Islands, including one with a paved runway, [[Rarotonga International Airport]],<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Cook Islands| date = 18 January 2022}}</ref> served by five passenger airlines.
+Various [[Protestantism|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 [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rarotonga|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.<ref name=":0" />
 ==Culture==
 {{Main|Culture of the Cook Islands}}
-=== Newspapers ===
-Newspapers in the Cook Islands are usually published in English with some articles in [[Cook Islands Māori]].<ref name=":1" /> The ''[[Cook Islands News]]'' has been published since 1945, although it was owned by the government until 1989.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Former newspapers include [[Te Akatauira]], which was published from 1978 to 1980.<ref name=":1">{{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}}</ref>[[File:Rarotonga-8-Maeva-Nui.jpg|thumb|Float parade during the annual Maeva Nui celebrations]]
 ===Language===
-The languages of the Cook Islands include English, [[Cook Islands Māori]] (or "Rarotongan"), and [[Pukapukan language|Pukapukan]]. Dialects of Cook Islands Māori include [[Penrhyn language|Penrhyn]]; [[Rakahanga-Manihiki language|Rakahanga-Manihiki]]; the [[Nga-Pu-Toru|Ngaputoru]] dialect of [[Atiu]], [[Mitiaro]], and [[Mauke]]; the [[Aitutaki]] dialect; and the [[Mangaia]]n dialect. Cook Islands Māori and its dialectic variants are closely related to both [[Tahitian language|Tahitian]] and to New Zealand [[Māori language|Māori]]. [[Pukapukan]] is considered closely related to the [[Samoan language]]. English and Cook Islands Māori are [[official language]]s 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/CK/languages|title=Cook Islands|website=Ethnologue|language=en|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref>
+[[File:Rarotonga-8-Maeva-Nui.jpg|thumb|Float parade during the annual Maeva Nui celebrations]]
-===Music===
+The languages of the Cook Islands include English, [[Cook Islands Māori]] (or "Rarotongan"), and [[Pukapukan language|Pukapukan]]. Dialects of Cook Islands Māori include [[Penrhyn language|Penrhyn]]; [[Rakahanga-Manihiki language|Rakahanga-Manihiki]]; the [[Nga-Pu-Toru|Ngaputoru]] dialect of [[Atiu]], [[Mitiaro]], and [[Mauke]]; the [[Aitutaki]] dialect; and the [[Mangaia]]n dialect. Cook Islands Māori and its dialectic variants are closely related to both [[Tahitian language|Tahitian]] and to New Zealand [[Māori language|Māori]]. [[Pukapukan]] is considered closely related to the [[Samoan language]]. English and Cook Islands Māori are [[official language]]s 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/CK/languages |title=Cook Islands |website=Ethnologue|language=en|access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref>
-{{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|thumb|Confiscation and destruction of idol gods by European missionaries in Rarotonga, 1837]]
-[[File:Cook Islands IMG 5905 (8451965559).jpg|thumb|The Cook Islands Christian Church]]
-===Public holidays===
-{{Main|Public holidays in the Cook Islands}}
 ===Art===
-{{Main|Art of the Cook Islands}}
+{{Main|Cook Islands art}}
-====Carving====
+====Traditional arts====
+[[File:Narrative of Missionary Enterprises engraving.jpg|thumb|Confiscation and destruction of idol gods by European missionaries in Rarotonga, 1837]]
 [[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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-====Weaving====
 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-====Tivaevae====
 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 ====Contemporary art====
-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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+The Cook Islands has produced internationally recognised contemporary artists, especially from 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 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
 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]]<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Art Studio Gallery in Arorangi, was run by [[Ian George (artist)|Ian George]] and [[Kay George]] is now Beluga Cafe.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> There is also Gallery Tavioni and Vananga run by [[Mike Tavioni]]<ref>{{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}}</ref>  and [[Cook Islands National Museum|The Cook Islands National Museum]] also exhibits art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cook-islands-library-museum.org/ |title=Cook Islands Museum and Library Society &#124; Official Website of the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society |website=Cook-islands-library-museum.org |date=22 December 1964 |access-date=31 December 2016}}</ref>
+[[Bergman Gallery]] (formerly BCA Gallery) is the main commercial dealer gallery in the Cook Islands, situated in Rarotonga, and represents Cook Islands artists such as [[Sylvia Marsters]], [[Mahiriki Tangaroa]], [[Nina Oberg Humphries]], [[Joan Gragg]] and [[Tungane Broadbent]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> The Art Studio Gallery in Arorangi was run by [[Ian George (artist)|Ian George]] and [[Kay George]] and is now Beluga Cafe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2018 |title=Celebrating 30 years of colour |url=https://www.cookislandsnews.com/culture/celebrating-30-years-of-colour/ |access-date=1 August 2025 |website=Cook Islands News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> There is also Gallery Tavioni and Vananga run by [[Mike Tavioni]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> and the [[Cook Islands National Museum]] exhibits art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cook-islands-library-museum.org/ |title=Cook Islands Museum and Library Society &#124; Official Website of the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society |website=Cook-islands-library-museum.org |date=22 December 1964 |access-date=31 December 2016}}</ref>
-==Wildlife==
+===Music===
-[[File:Tiaré tahiti.jpg|thumb|''[[Gardenia taitensis|Tiare māori]]'', the [[national flower]] of the Cook Islands]]
+{{Main|Music of the Cook Islands}}
+[[File:Cook Islands IMG 5905 (8451965559).jpg|thumb|A [[Cook Islands Christian Church|CICC]] congregationalist church]]
-* The national flower of the Cook Islands is the ''[[Gardenia taitensis|tiare māori]]'' or ''tiale māoli'' (Penrhyn, Nassau, Pukapuka).<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+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.
-* The Cook Islands have a large non-native population of [[ship rat]]<ref>{{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}}</ref> and ''kiore toka'' ([[Polynesian rat]]).<ref>{{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}}</ref> The rats have dramatically reduced the bird population on the islands.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-* In April 2007, 27 [[Kuhl's lorikeet]]s 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-*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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=''Centropyge boylei'', Peppermint angelfish|url=https://www.fishbase.se/summary/25427|access-date=3 December 2020|website=www.fishbase.se}}</ref>
-==Sport==
+===Sport===
 {{Main|Sport in the Cook Islands}}
-The Cook Islands have competed at the [[Summer Olympic Games]] since [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988]], but have never won a medal.<ref name="ONOC 2024">{{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}}</ref> [[Rugby league]] is the national and most popular sport in the Cook Islands.
+The Cook Islands have competed at the [[Summer Olympic Games]] since [[1988 Summer Olympics|1988]], without winning a medal.<ref name="ONOC 2024">{{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}}</ref> [[Rugby league]] is the most popular sport and the national sport of the country.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
-<ref>{{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}}</ref>
+=== Newspapers ===
+Newspapers in the Cook Islands are usually published in English with some articles in [[Cook Islands Māori]].<ref name=":1" /> The ''[[Cook Islands News]]'' has been published since 1945, although it was owned by the government until 1989.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Former newspapers include [[Te Akatauira]], which was published from 1978 to 1980.<ref name=":1">{{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}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 556: / Line 602: @@
 * [[Index of Cook Islands–related articles]]
 * [[List of Cook Islanders]]
-* [[List of islands]]
 * [[Outline of the Cook Islands]]
-* [[Telecommunications in the Cook Islands]]
+==Notes==
+{{Notelist}}
 ==References==
 {{Reflist|30em}}
-===Notes===
-{{Notelist}}
 ==Further reading==
@@ Line 571: / Line 615: @@
 ==External links==
-* {{Official website|http://www.cookislands.gov.ck/ }} Cook Islands Government
+{{Wikivoyage}}
-* [http://www.cookislandsnews.com/ Cook Islands News] – daily newspaper
+* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cook-islands/ Cook Islands]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]
-* [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.cookislands.org.uk/ Independent Guide to all 15 islands]
-* [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''
-{{subject bar|Geography|Oceania|<!--Polynesia-->|New Zealand|Politics|<!--Cook Islands-->|auto=1}}
 {{Cook Islands topics}}
 {{Navboxes
@@ Line 589: / Line 630: @@
 {{Culture of Oceania}}
 {{Countries and territories of Oceania}}
+{{subject bar|Geography|Oceania|<!--Polynesia-->|New Zealand|Politics|<!--Cook Islands-->|auto=1}}
 {{Authority control}}
@@ Line 598: / Line 640: @@
 [[Category:British Western Pacific Territories]]
 [[Category:Countries in Polynesia]]
-[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
+[[Category:Countries and territories where English is an official language]]
+[[Category:Former British colonies and protectorates in Oceania]]
 [[Category:Island countries]]
 [[Category:New Zealand–Pacific relations]]
@@ Line 604: / Line 647: @@
 [[Category:Small Island Developing States]]
 [[Category:States and territories established in 1965]]
-[[Category:Countries in Oceania]]