Country Summary
Introduction
Background
Polynesians from Tahiti and Samoa first settled the islands around A.D. 900. They are named for British explorer Capt. James COOK who spotted one of the islands in 1773. In 1901, the UK placed them in the New Zealand Colony and in 1915, organized the Cook Islands into one political entity.
Geography
Area
total: 236 sq km
land: 236 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Natural resources
coconuts (copra)
People and Society
Population
8,128 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups
Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 81.3%, part Cook Island Maori 6.7%, other 11.9% (2011 est.)
Languages
English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 est.)
Religions
Protestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Church of Jesus Christ 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate
-2.39% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Capital
name: Avarua
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Ms Tui DEWES (since October 2020)
head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament, formerly the Legislative Assembly (24 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the Queen's representative serves as a consultative body to the Parliament
Economy
Economic overview
high-income self-governing New Zealand territorial economy; tourism-based activity but diversifying; severely curtailed by COVID-19 pandemic; copra and tropical fruit exporter; recently received economic recovery support from Asian Development Bank
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$299.9 million (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$16,700 (2016 est.)
Agricultural products
vegetables, coconuts, roots/tubers, cassava, papayas, tomatoes, pork, fruit, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas
Industries
fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts
Exports
$3.125 million (2011 est.)
Exports - partners
Japan 37%, Thailand 21%, France 17% (2019)
Exports - commodities
fish products, recreational boats, precious metal scraps, fruit juice, chemical analysis instruments (2019)
Imports
$109.3 million (2011 est.)
Imports - partners
New Zealand 41%, China 21%, Italy 12%, Fiji 10% (2019)
Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, recreational boats, cars, flavored water (2019)
Exchange rates
NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, November 16, 2022
