Politics Of The Cook Islands

Country name:

• Conventional long form: None

• Conventional short form: Cook Islands

Data code:

CW

Dependency status:

Self-governing in free association with New Zealand (see Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ)); Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands

Government type:

Self-governing parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Avarua

Administrative divisions:

None

Independence:

None (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 4 August (1965)

Constitution:

4 August 1965

Legal system:

Based on New Zealand law and English common law

Suffrage:

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:

Chief of state:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Queen's Representative Sir Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand

Head of government:

Prime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA)

Cabinet:

Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament

Elections:

None; the monarch is hereditary; her representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister

Note:

Ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister

Legislative branch:

Unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

• Elections: Last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)

• Election results: Percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1

• Note: The House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers

Judicial branch:

High Court

Political parties and leaders:

Cook Islands Party or CIP WILLIAMS; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP MAOATE; New Alliance Party or NAP NA

International organization participation:

AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

None (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

None (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Flag description:

Blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

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