
Cook Islands Government
Cook Islands Government: A summary of information about Cook Islands Government, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Cook Islands: Government
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands
Data code
CW
Dependency status
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Government type
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital
Avarua
Administrative divisions
none
Independence
none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 4 August (1965)
Constitution
4 August 1965
Legal system
based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage
NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister note: ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1 note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch
High Court
Political parties and leaders
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Joe WILLIAMS]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP ; New Alliance Party or NAP
International organization participation
AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description
blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag