Type of Government:

Self-governing under the Constitution, in free association with New Zealand. The Cook Islands is responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand has responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands.

Former Government - British protectorate; annexed to the then British colony of New Zealand.

Capital city:

Avarua, on Rarotonga

Population:

21,388 (July 2006 est.) ¹

Independence :

4 August 1965 - Became self-governing in free association with New Zealand; with right to move to full independence.

Year of current Constitution:

1965

Previous constitutions:

Pre-1965 Legislation

Head of State:

Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II who is represented by the Queen’s Representative.

The Queen’s Representative:

Mr. Frederick Goodwin

Prime Minister:

Mr. Jim Marurai (since December 14, 2004)

Deputy Prime Minister:

Hon Sir Terepai Maoate, KBE (MD)

Ministries and Departments:

Agriculture

Secretary Mr Nga Mataio


Audit (PERCA) Office

Director Mr Paul Allsworth


Cook Islands Investment Corporation

Chief Executive Officer Mr John Tini


Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund

Chief Executive Officer - Ms Anne Herman


Cook Islands Tourism Corporation

Chief Executive - Mr John Dean


Crown Law Office

Acting Solicitor-General Mr Tingika Elikana


Cultural Development

Secretary Mr Makiuti Tongia


Business Trade Investment Board

Chief Executive Mr Mark Short


Energy Division

Director Mr Mata Nooroa


Environment Service

Director Vaitoti Tupa


Finance and Economic Management (MFEM)

Financial Secretary Mr Sholan Ivaiti


MFEM Revenue Management Division

Manager Mr Geoff Stoddart


MFEM Treasury Division

Manager Priscilla Maruariki


MFEM Statistics Office Division

Manager Mrs Taggy Tangimetua


Foreign Affairs and Immigration

Secretary Mr Mike Mitchell


Health

Secretary Dr Roro Daniel


Internal Affairs

Secretary Tamarii Tutangata


Justice

Secretary Mr Terry Hagan


Marine Resources

Secretary Mr Ian Bertram


National Police Department

Police Commissioner Mr Pat Tasker


Meteorological Service

Director Arona Ngari


Office of the Prime Minister

Chief of Staff - Mac Mokoroa


Aid Management Division

Manager Garth Henderson


Financial Supervisory Commission

Commissioner - Lorraine Allan


Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

Acting Manager Bob Williams


Ombudsman's Office

Ombudsman Ms Janet Maki


Office of the Minister of Island Administration

Chief Executive Officer Mr Otheniel Tangianau


Parliamentary Services Clerk

Mr Nga Valoa


Public Service Commission

Commissioner Mr Navy Epati
CEO Mr Russell Thomas


Transport

Secretary Mr Aukino Tairea


Works

Secretary Mr Ata Herman


Education

Secretary Mr John Herrmann


National Human Resources Department

Manager Ms Frances Topa

Parliament:

The Cook Islands has a Westminster parliamentary style of government similar to that of New Zealand and England.  Thus, Parliament has two houses. The lower house or Legislative Assembly has 25 elected members – 24 from districts of the Cook Islands and one representing the many Cook Islanders who live overseas. The Members of Parliament represent districts and islands.

The upper house, or House of Ariki, is made up of traditional leaders, who provide consultation and advice.

Each of the outer islands has at least one elected Member of Parliament and some have two or three. The islands are also administered by Government Representatives (GRs) in addition to their own mayors and island councils.

Electoral System:

The Cook Islands elects on national level a legislature. The Legislative Council’s 25 members are elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies. The Cook Islands have a two-party system, which means that there are two dominant political parties, with extreme difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party.

Most recent election:

26 September 2006 – this was after the opposition Cook Islands Party won a by-election in Matevera, leaving the government without a majority. The result was a close victory for the Democratic Party.

Previous elections:

1965, 1978, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004

Political Parties:

Democratic Party:

Cook Islands Party

Democratic Party

Cook Islands First Party

Tumu Enua

Judicial System:

The High Court - which exercises jurisdiction in respect of civil, criminal and land title matters;

The Court of Appeal - which hears appeals against decisions of the High Court; and

The Privy Council (London), which is the final Appellate Tribunal for the country

Chief Justice:

Justice D.R. Williams (27th June 2007)

Speaker of the House of Representatives:

Speaker of the House Norman George (2005)

Auditor General:

Director of Audit  Paul Raui Steven Allsworth

Ombudsman:

Ms Janet Maki

Solicitor General:

Ms Janet Maki

Commissioner of Police:

Mr Pat Tasker

Chairman of the Public Service Commission:

Mr. Navy Epati

Military Commander:

Defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request.

International Memberships

African, Caribbean , and Pacific Group of States (ACP)

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) 

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) 

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (Sparteca)

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 

University of the South Pacific (USP)

World Health Organisation (WHO)

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Sources:

(1) Official Site - Government of Cook Islands
http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/index.php

(2) Cook Islands - Cabinet
http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/cabinet.php

(3) Cook Islands - Ministries and Departments
http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/ministries.php