 Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form:Cook Islands former:Harvey Islands
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 and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands
Government type:
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name:Avaruageographic coordinates:21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference:UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
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, first Monday in August (1965)
Constitution:
effective 4 August 1965 (Cook islands Constitution Act 1964); amended many times, last in 2004 (2004)
Legal system:
common law similar to New Zealand common law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna KEMPKERS (since 19 July 2013)head of government:Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010) cabinet:Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections:the monarchy is hereditary; the UK representative appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner 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
| | Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Ariki, or upper house, made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly, or lower house, (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)note:the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers elections:last held on 17 November 2010 (next to be held by 2014) election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 16, Demo 8
Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions)note - appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are brought before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office:High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms subordinate courts:justices of the peace
Political parties and leaders:
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
name:'Te Atua Mou E' (To God Almighty)
 lyrics/music:Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS note:adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics |