Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It has 15 islands and covers about 236.7 square kilometres. The capital city, Avarua, is on the largest island called Rarotonga.

The Cook Islands works closely with New Zealand but makes its own decisions about foreign affairs and defense. It has its own police force and a small boat to protect its waters. Many people from the Cook Islands live in New Zealand and Australia, where they can live and work.

Tourism is very important to the Cook Islands. Many visitors come each year to enjoy its beautiful beaches and nature. Other industries include fishing, farming fruit, and making pearls. The main airport on Rarotonga helps connect the islands to the rest of the world.

Etymology

The Cook Islands have 15 islands, each with its own name in local languages like Cook Islands Māori and Pukapukan. The first European name given to one of these islands, Rakahanga, was Gente Hermosa, meaning "beautiful people," by Spanish explorers in 1606.

The islands are named after Captain James Cook, an English explorer who visited them in the 1770s. He named one island "Hervey Island" after a British nobleman. Later, a Russian admiral called the southern islands the "Cook Islands" in his atlas. The name "Cook Islands" was used for all of them after New Zealand took control in the early 1900s.

History

Main articles: History of the Cook Islands and British Western Pacific Territories

The Cook Islands were settled around the year 1000 by Polynesian people who came from Tahiti, which is northeast of the main island Rarotonga.

The first Europeans to see the islands were Spanish explorers in 1595 and 1606. Later, British explorer James Cook visited in 1773 and 1777 and gave the islands their name.

In 1888, the Cook Islands became a British protectorate. In 1901, they became part of the Colony of New Zealand. In 2017, the Cook Islands created Marae Moana, one of the world's largest protected areas.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. They are northeast of New Zealand between American Samoa and French Polynesia. There are 15 main islands spread across a large area of ocean. The islands are divided into two groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands. The northern islands are made of coral atolls.

The islands were created by old volcanic activity. The climate is warm and pleasant. The islands can sometimes feel strong storms between March and December. The islands are home to special forests called the Central Polynesian tropical moist forests and the Cook Islands tropical moist forests.

The Cook Islands have many birds and sea creatures. The national flower is called the tiare māori. The waters around the islands are home to a special kind of fish called the peppermint angelfish. These fish are very rare and valuable.

Politics and foreign relations

Main articles: Politics of the Cook Islands and Foreign relations of the Cook Islands

Further information: Political status of the Cook Islands and Niue

The Cook Islands is a country that runs itself but has a special link with New Zealand. It has its own government and laws, with a Prime Minister leading it. The King of New Zealand is the official head of state but is shown by a special person in the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands handles its own foreign affairs and has friends with many countries around the world. Though not a member of the United Nations, it works with UN groups and other international teams. Recently, it has made important agreements and built friendly ties with countries like the United States. The Cook Islands also works with New Zealand on safety and protection, sharing the job of guarding its waters.

Defence and police

The Cook Islands Police Service keeps order and safety. To protect its waters, it works with New Zealand, which can send navy ships and airplanes when needed. The Cook Islands has its own small boats to watch over its big ocean area.

Human rights

Further information: Human rights in the Cook Islands and LGBTQ rights in the Cook Islands

In the past, some laws in the Cook Islands were not fair to everyone, but these have been changed. In 2023, new laws were made to ensure everyone is treated the same, no matter who they are.

Local government

The Cook Islands has local leaders on each of its islands, each led by a mayor. There are also small village groups that help make choices for their people. Some islands have special teams to help guide local issues.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Cook Islands

See also: Transport in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands' economy is shaped by its faraway location and limited resources. Tourism is the biggest part of the economy, making up most of the country's wealth. Help from other countries, especially New Zealand, also supports the economy. China has helped too, building important buildings like the Police Headquarters.

Only Rarotonga International Airport gets international flights. Eight other airports serve local flights. Just Rarotonga and Aitutaki have paved runways; the others use coral. The main port is at Avatiu on Rarotonga, where big ships can stop. At Arutanga on Aitutaki, ships stay outside the reef, and goods are moved to the dock by smaller boats.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Cook Islands

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Cook Islands

In the Cook Islands, the government and religious groups work together, and most people believe in Christianity.

Many Christian groups live there. The biggest group is the Cook Islands Christian Church, with smaller groups such as Seventh-day Adventists, Assemblies of God, and the Apostolic Church. Some people are Catholic, and others do not follow any religion.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands have a rich culture with many languages and art forms. People speak English and Cook Islands Māori, also called Rarotongan, as well as Pukapukan. Cook Islands Māori is related to the languages of Tahiti and New Zealand Māori.

Art in the Cook Islands includes woodcarving, weaving, and making patchwork quilts called tivaevae. These quilts were introduced by missionaries and are now very popular. Artists from the Cook Islands are known around the world for their paintings, sculptures, and other creative works.

Music in the Cook Islands includes traditional songs and dances and Christian music. Rugby league is the most popular sport, and the Cook Islands have competed in the Summer Olympic Games since 1988.

Newspapers in the Cook Islands are usually in English, with some articles in Cook Islands Māori. The Cook Islands News has been published since 1945.

Main article: Music of the Cook Islands

Main article: Sport in the Cook Islands