Cook Islands

group of islands that are located in the south Pacific Ocean and are ruled autonomously under a loose association with New Zealand

The Cook Islands (Cook Islands Māori: Kūki 'Āirani) are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. The fifteen small islands in this South Pacific Ocean country have a total land area of 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi), but the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1.8 million square kilometres (0.7 million sq mi) of ocean.
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Flag of Cook Islands
Background Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Map of Cook Islands More about Cook Islands: Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian DONNELLY (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand

Head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)

Cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament

Elections: 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 majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
  

(Self-governing in free association with New Zealand)Prime Minister ….. Robert WOONTON, Dr.Dep. Prime Min. ….. Geoffrey HENRYMin. of Agriculture ….. Robert WIGMOREMin. of Broadcasting ….. Robert WOONTON, Dr.Min. of Civil Aviation ….. Tom MASTERSMin. of Commerce Commission ….. Peri Vaevae PAREMin. of Crown Law ….. Tom MASTERSMin. of Cultural Development ….. Jim MARURAIMin. of Education ….. Jim MARURAIMin. of Energy ….. Geoffrey HENRYMin. of Environment ….. Tom MASTERSMin. of Finance ….. Geoffrey HENRYMin. of Foreign Affairs ….. Robert WOONTON, Dr.Min. of Health ….. Peri Vaevae PAREMin. of Human Resources ….. Jim MARURAIMin. of Immigration ….. Robert WOONTON, Dr.Min. of Information Technology ….. Peri Vaevae PAREMin. of Internal Affairs & Social Services ….. Peri Vaevae PAREMin. of Justice ….. Robert WIGMOREMin. of Marine Resources ….. Robert WIGMOREMin. of Police & Disaster Management ….. Geoffrey HENRYMin. of Shipping ….. Tom MASTERSMin. of Tourism ….. Robert WOONTON, Dr.Min. of Transportation ….. Tom MASTERSMin. of Youth, Sports, & Recreation ….. Peri Vaevae PAREMin. of Works ….. Robert WIGMOREAttorney General ….. Tom MASTERS