This article lists details about the politics of the Cook Islands.

Country name

• Conventional long form: None
• Conventional short form: Cook Islands

Data code

CW

Dependency status

Self-governing in free association with New Zealand (see Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ)); 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 Queen's Representative Sir 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; her 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 [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [leader NA]

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

See also: Cook Islands