Regions and territories: Cook Islands

The 15 volcanic islands and coral atolls of the Cook Islands are scattered over 770,000 square miles of the South Pacific, between American Samoa to the west and French Polynesia to the east.

A former British protectorate, the territory is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand.

Overview

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

Its economy centres on tourism; the territory's natural assets include fine beaches and volcanic mountains.

Aitutaki: The atoll is a tourism hub

More than twice as many native Cook Islanders live in New Zealand than live in the islands themselves. Most of them have left in search of a brighter economic future. As New Zealand citizens they can also live in Australia.

The government has encouraged islanders to return. Businesses have been involved in the drive. But the population level has continued to fall.

Black pearls are the chief export. Agriculture, the sale of fishing licences to foreign fleets and offshore finance are also key revenue earners.

The Cook Islands are prone to tropical storms; Hurricane Martin devastated the northern islands in 1997 causing substantial losses for the black pearl industry.

Named after Captain Cook, who explored them in 1773, the islands were once autonomous, home to tribes of mixed Polynesian ancestry. Governments still seek advice on matters of culture, custom and land ownership from a council of hereditary leaders known as the House of Ariki.

Facts

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

• Territory: Cook Islands
• Status: Self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand.
• Population: 18,000 (UN, 2004)
• Capital: Avarua, on Rarotonga
• Area: 237 sq km (91 sq miles)
• Major language: English and Cook Islands Maori
• Major religions: Christianity
• Monetary unit: 1 New Zealand dollar ($NZ) = 100 cents
• Main exports: Black pearls
• Internet domain: .ck
• International dialling code: +682

Leaders

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Sir Frederick Goodwin

Jim Marurai, Cook Islands prime minister

Prime minister: Jim Marurai

Jim Marurai, of the Democratic Party, was sworn in in December 2004 after winning the backing of MPs.

His party went on to win the snap election held in 2006, two years ahead of schedule.

The Cook Islands have been administered by coalition governments since 1999.

Media

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media

The main radio and TV stations are operated by the privately-owned Elijah Communications, which also publishes weekly newspapers.

In 2004 plans for a public radio service were outlined, with programming to be targeted at the territory's outer islands in particular.

The press:

• The Cook Islands News - private, daily
• The Cook Islands Herald - private, weekly, owned by Elijah Communications
• The Cook Islands Independent - private, weekly, owned by Elijah Communications

Television:

• Cook Islands Television (CITV) - private, operated by Elijah Communications

Radio:

• Radio Cook Islands - private mediumwave (AM) station, operated by Elijah Communications
• Radio Ikurangi - private FM station