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Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean comprising 15 islands. These islands are situated between Hawaii and New Zealand. It has self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand takes decisions on external and defense affairs only after consultation with Cook Islands while Cook Islands look after the internal affairs. Rarotonga is the most populated island. Capital Avarua (21 12 S, 159 46 W) is situated in the island of Rarotonga.


HISTORY:- Polynesian people were the first inhabitants of the islands. Spanish sailor Álvaro de Mendaña first landed on the islands in 1595. Pedro Fernández de Quirós another Spanish sailor reached the coasts of the islands in 1606. British sailor James Cook arrived on the islands in 1773 and again in 1779. The islands were renamed after the name of James Cook. Island of Rarotonga was first explored by John Williams in 1813. In 1814, conflicts were raised between the sailor and the inhabitants of the islands. By 1821, English missionaries started promoting Christianity in the islands. The Cook Islands turned up as the Kingdom of Rarotonga in 1858. In 1888, the islands became British protectorate. In 1901 it became a territory of New Zealand and remained until 1965. In 1965, the islands became the autonomous territory in association with New Zealand. New Zealand took the defense responsibilities of the islands. Albert Henry became the first Prime minister.

 

GEOGRAPHY:-The Cook Islands are located at 21 14 S, 159 46 W in the Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. The island nation comprises 15 major islands. Collectively the islands possess total 236.7 sq km land area with no internal water bases. The coastline is 120 km long. The northern islands are mainly 6 low coral atolls, while the southern islands are volcanic and hilly. The lowest point is located at the Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Te Manga (652 m).

CLIMATE:- The climate of the Cook Islands is mainly tropical oceanic, which is moderated by trade winds. A dry season persists from April to November and a humid season persists from December to March.

 

GOVERNMENT:- Cook Islands enjoy autonomy in free association with New Zealand. The islands have an autonomous parliamentary democracy. The constitution was adopted on 4th August 1965. The legal system is based on the New Zealand law and English common codes. The trio-government branches are:

Executive branch comprises The Queen (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. The cabinet ministers are chosen by the Prime minister. The Queen’s Representative is Sir Frederick Goodwin.

Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament, which consists of the Legislative Assembly (24 seats), and the House of Ariki (traditional leaders). The members of the House of Ariki, advise on the traditional matters without any legislative powers.

Judicial branch comprises the High Court.

Prominent political parties are Cook Islands Party and Democratic Party or Demo. Suffrage is universal for all adults.

Head of State    Queen Elizabeth II

Queen's Representative   Sir Frederick Goodwin

Prime Minister   Jim Marurai

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- The islands are not administratively divided.

 

CULTURE:- Rugby union, soccer and  rugby league are very popular sports in the islands. Woodcarving is a common art form practiced by the islanders. Other arts include weaving of mats, basketware, hats and tivaevae. Christian music is very famous in the islands. Imene tuki is another form of popular music genre. Dances are accompanied by drums. Traditional dances are very important in the islands as each island has its own unique dance genres.

 

ECONOMY:- Tourism is the pillar of the economy of the islands. Agriculture is the other backbone of Cook Islands’ economy, engaging more than 33% of the population. The islands’ isolated position, small domestic markets, limited natural sources, unskilled infrastructure are responsible for the poor economy of the Cook Islands. Black pearl is the leading export commodity of the islands.

GDP - real growth rate: 0.1% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,100 (2005 est.)

Labor force: 6,820 (2001); agriculture: 29%; industry: 15%; services: 56% (1995)

Unemployment rate: 13.1% (2005)

Budget:  

Revenues: $70.95 million

Expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)

Agriculture - products: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Industries: fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicraft

Exports: $5.222 million (2005)

Exports - commodities: copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

Exports - partners: Australia 34%, Japan 27%, NZ 25%, US 8% (2006)

Imports: $81.04 million (2005)

Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods.

Imports - partners: NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6% (2006)

Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.)

Currency: NZ dollar (NZD)

 

LANGUAGE:- English is the official language. Cook Islands Mâori is also widely spoken.

 

CITIES:- The capital Avarua is the largest city. The islands are formed of 15 islands.

The southern islands are:

Aitutaki

Atiu

Mangaia

Ma'uke

Rarotonga

Palmerston Island

Manuae

Mitiaro

Takute

The northern islands are:

Manihiki

Nassau

Penrhyn Island

Pukapuka

Rakahanga

Suwarrow

 

POPULATION:-The population is estimated 21,923 until July 2008. 95% of the population is literate.

 

RACE:-

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%

Part Cook Island Maori 5.8%

Other 6.5%

(2001 census)

 

RELIGION:-

Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%

Roman Catholic 16.8%

Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%

Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%

Other Protestant 5.8%

Other 4.2%

Unspecified 2.6%

None 3%

(2001 census) 

 

HEALTH:- No outbreaks of any diseases from the Cook Islands are reported recently.

Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (2001 census)

Death rate: NA (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.1 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 19

Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 147/96

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 587

 

UNICEF:- UNICEF buys vaccines from 14 Pacific Island nations and ensures uninterrupted supply of medicines in the islands. UNICEF promotes a Child Protection Programme to protect the rights of children and in addition to this it provides psychosocial assistance to conflict-stricken children and families. UNICEF promotes an Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme to help young children to develop themselves, and to broaden awareness on HIV by publishing 10 thousand brochures and posters. The issues like teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are also widely discussed and measures are taken against those menaces. UNICEF also finances regional workshop to help in birth registrations. 

 

TRANSPORTATION:-

Roadways: total: 320 km; paved: 33 km; and unpaved: 287 km (2003)

Ports and terminals: Avatiu

Airports: 9 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 2

Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7

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