World Factbook
Cook Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large circle of 15 five-pointed white stars (one for each island) centered in the right half of the flag
Capital
name
Avarua
etymology
translates as "two harbors" in Maori
time difference
UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
21 12 S, 159 46 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
history
4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum
Country name
former
Hervey Islands
etymology
named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Cook Islands
Independence
4 August 1965 (Cook Islands became self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)
Legal system
common law similar to New Zealand common law
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
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)
subordinate courts
justices of the peace
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
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine GRAHAM (since 8 September 2024)
head of government
Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
National holiday
Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)
Dependency status
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs and conducts its own international relations, including establishing diplomatic relationships with foreign countries; New Zealand has a constitutional responsibility to respond to requests for assistance with foreign affairs, disasters, and defense
National color(s)
green, white
Political parties
Cook Islands Party or CIP Democratic Party or Demo One Cook Islands or OCI
Legislative branch
note
note: the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the King's representative, serves as a consultative body to the Parliament
term in office
4 years
number of seats
24 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
8/1/2022
expected date of next election
2026
percentage of women in chamber
25%
parties elected and seats per party
CIP (12); Demo (5); Cook Islands United Party (3); OCI (1); independent (3)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
royal anthem
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars on a blue field, tiare maori flower ( Gardenia taitensis )
National coat of arms
the coat of arms was designed by Papa Motu Kora, a mataiapo (traditional chief) from the Matavera village in Rarotonga; the shield with a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars represents the protection of the people and the country; on each side of the shield is a flying fish ( maroro ) and a white tern ( kakaia ); a Rarotongan orator club above the fish represents local traditions, and a cross above the tern symbolizes Christianity; a red-feathered Ariki headdress ( pare kura ) at the top of the shield represents the country’s traditional ranking system
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US
note
note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands
embassy
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction