On this page:

• A Short History
• Politics
• Law
• Diplomacy
• International Fora

A Short History

Prior to European settlement, the islands were governed by a system of chiefs, known as "ariki." The chiefs had significant authority to manage local affairs, land, and resources within their communities. They played a crucial role in maintaining social order and cultural practices, with their leadership often tied to spiritual beliefs.

While most islands had a single tribe, the largest island, Rarotonga, had five tribes. Each tribe had its own district that included residential areas, agricultural plots, and sacred sites. The land was organised into family or clan groups, with ownership typically being passed down through the generations.

European contact in the late 18th century marked a turning point for the Cook Islands, particularly with the arrival of missionaries who successfully converted almost all the population to Christianity. Not long afterward, all but 2,000 people died from introduced diseases or were ensnared by Peruvian slave traders.

Fearing occupation by the French, in 1849 the island chiefs sought protection from the British government. In 1888, the arrangement was formalised, and the Cook Islands became a British protectorate. A single federal parliament was established whereby Britain controlled foreign relations and defence and local chiefs maintained internal control, albeit under a British system.

New Zealand was keen to take control of the islands and in 1900 they petitioned the chiefs of Rarotonga to formally request annexation. This occurred almost a year later in 1901. After World War I, the Cook Islands formally came under New Zealand's administration as part of a mandate from the League of Nations. In this context, New Zealand assumed responsibility for the islands' defence and foreign affairs, while also administering domestic governance. New Zealand set to work improving infrastructure, social services and the economy; however, there was a growing call from the indigenous population for greater political autonomy.

In August 1965, the Cook Islands gained self-governing status in free association with New Zealand. This arrangement allowed the islands to establish their own government and constitution while still retaining New Zealand's support in certain areas, particularly defence and foreign relations.

Cook Islands Politics

The Cook Islands government operates as a parliamentary democracy, with a system that reflects both traditional governance and modern democratic principles. The government is led by a Prime Minister, who is elected by members of the Cook Islands Parliament, known as the "Palemia". It consists of 24 members elected for four-year terms from various constituencies across the islands.

The Cook Islands constitution outlines the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet form the executive branch and are responsible for implementing laws and managing government operations. The legislative branch, represented by Parliament, has the authority to create laws and oversee the executive’s actions, while the judiciary operates independently.

Local governance plays a crucial role in maintaining the islands' cultural heritage and ensuring the people’s voice is heard. Each island has its own local council that are responsible for managing community affairs. As part of the free association with New Zealand, The Cook Islands government can engage in international affairs independently while still benefiting from New Zealand's support when needed.

Law

Cook Islands law is based on a combination of traditional customs, statutory law, and New Zealand legislation. While the constitution serves as the supreme law, local statutes are enacted by the Cook Islands Parliament, addressing various areas such as civil rights, land tenure, and criminal justice. Traditional practices and customs still hold significant weight relating to many aspects of daily life, particularly in matters related to family, land, and the community. Land ownership is one area that is complicated, due to an interplay of traditional rights and modern legal frameworks. While most land remains under customary ownership, the Cook Islands government has established legal structures to formalise transactions and development.

Diplomacy

The Cook Islands has established diplomatic relations with numerous countries and is recognised as a sovereign state in many international fora. The US formally established relations with the Cook Islands in 2023 with the aim of countering growing Chinese influence in the Pacific. China and the Cook Islands have shared close diplomatic relations since 1989. In 2018, the government joined China’s Belt and Road initiative and have welcomed China’s economic and development support. Having autonomy in foreign policy has enabled the local government to advocate for its interests, including sustainable development, climate change, and the preservation of the islands’ cultural heritage.

Relationship with Australia

Australia officially established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands in1994 though the history of both countries is much older. Australians and Cook Islanders served side by side in both World Wars and in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. In 2022, the ‘Oa Tumanava partnership was signed, which means ‘friendship in peace times and in times of adversity’ in the Cook Islands Māori language – The partnership is based on five pillars:

• Strengthening people-to-people links
• Enhancing security cooperation to address shared regional challenges
• Achieving greater prosperity for both peoples and our region
• Cooperation on regional and international issues
• Fostering closer institutional linkages

International Fora

Cook Islands is actively involved in numerous international fora and is a non-member observer state at the UN. While it does not have full constitutional independence, New Zealand has formally allowed the Cook Islands to conduct its own foreign affairs since April 2001. The Cook Island government has taken an active role in addressing regional issues, as a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, as well as contributing to discussions on global issues such as, human rights, sustainability and climate change. The islands were granted membership to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1994.

For more information on Cook Islands diplomacy, see resources below:

Articles

• Cook Islands – Australia ‘Oa Tumanava partnership | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Cook Islands country brief | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• The Cook Islands: negotiating for a better future | Pacific Environment
• Parliament of the Cook Islands
• Politics Archives – Cook Islands News
• Cook Islands | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade