The Cook Islands /ˈkʊk ˈaɪləndz/ (help·info) (Cook Islands Māori The Cook Islands Māori language, also called Māori Kūki 'Āirani or Rarotongan, is the official language of the Cook Islands. Most Cook Islanders also call it Te reo Ipukarea, literally "the language of the Ancestral Homeland": Kūki 'Āirani) is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted. The details of such "free association" are contained in a Compact of Free Association or Associated Statehood Act and are with New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also. The fifteen small islands in this South Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east country have a total land area of 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi The square mile is an imperial and US unit of measure for an area equal to the area of a square of one statute mile. It should not be confused with miles square, which refers to the number of miles on each side squared. For instance, 20 miles square (20 × 20 miles) is equal to 400 square miles), but the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone Under the law of the sea, an Exclusive Economic Zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. In casual use, the term may include the territorial sea and even the continental shelf (EEZ) covers 1.8 million square kilometres (0.7 million sq mi The square mile is an imperial and US unit of measure for an area equal to the area of a square of one statute mile. It should not be confused with miles square, which refers to the number of miles on each side squared. For instance, 20 miles square (20 × 20 miles) is equal to 400 square miles) of ocean.^[2]

The main population centres are on the island of Rarotonga Cook Islands' Parliament buildings, as well as the international airport, are located on Rarotonga. Because it is the most populous island, Cook Islanders may be referred to as Rarotongan, but they may in fact come from one of the other 14 islands in the group, such as Aitutaki or Mangaia. Rarotonga is also a very popular tourist destination with (14,153 as of 2006), where there is an international airport. There is also a much larger population of Cook Islanders in New Zealand, particularly the North Island The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the South Island by Cook Strait. The island is 113,729 square kilometres (43,911 sq mi) in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island. It has a population of 3,287,600 (June 2009 estimate). In the 2006 census, 58,008 self-identified as being of ethnic Cook Island Māori descent.^[3]

With over 90,000 visitors travelling to the islands in 2006, tourism Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than twenty-four hours and not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity is the country's number one industry, and the leading element of the economy The Economy of the Cook Islands, as in many other South Pacific island nations, is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit, far ahead of offshore banking, pearls, marine and fruit exports.

Defence is the responsibility of New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request. In recent times, the Cook Islands have adopted an increasingly independent foreign policy. Cook Islanders are nationals of New Zealand: there is no "Cook Islands citizenship".

Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Politics 4 Administrative subdivisions 5 Economy 6 Culture 6.1 Language 6.2 Public Holidays 7 Art 8 Biology 9 Sport 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Cook Islands Map of the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands are in the South Pacific Ocean, north-east of New Zealand, between French Polynesia French Polynesia [ˈfrɛntʃ pɒlɨˈniːʒə] (French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is a French overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat and American Samoa American Samoa /əˈmɛrɪkən səˈmoʊə/ (Samoan: Amerika Sāmoa or Sāmoa Amelika) is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa). The main (largest and most populous) island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and. There are fifteen major islands, spread over 2.2 million square kilometres of ocean, divided into two distinct groups: the Southern Cook Islands, and the Northern Cook Islands of coral atolls An atoll is an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.^[4]

The islands were formed by volcanic activity; the northern group is older and consists of six atolls An atoll is an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely (sunken volcanoes topped by coral Corals are marine organisms in class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria typically living in compact colonies of many identical individual "polyps". The group includes the important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans, which secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton growth). The climate is moderate to tropical.

The 15 islands and two reefs are grouped as follows:

• Southern Cook Islands:
  • Nga-pu-Toru ("Three Roots", the group name for the easternmost islands of Southern Group)
    • Atiu (Enua Manu or Island of Birds)
    • Ma'uke Mauke is half as big as Rarotonga in circumference. It is 18 kilometres around compared to Rarotonga's 32 kilometres (20 miles). The topography, however, is quite different. Mauke consists of a central volcanic plateau which climbs to a maximum height of about 30 metres. It is surrounded by a raised, fossilised coral reef – 'makatea' – which (Akatokamanava)
    • Mitiaro (Nukuroa)
  • Remaining islands of the South:
    • Aitutaki (Araura Enua)
    • Mangaia (Auau Enua)
    • Rarotonga Cook Islands' Parliament buildings, as well as the international airport, are located on Rarotonga. Because it is the most populous island, Cook Islanders may be referred to as Rarotongan, but they may in fact come from one of the other 14 islands in the group, such as Aitutaki or Mangaia. Rarotonga is also a very popular tourist destination with (Tumutevarovaro) and also with the capital, Avarua.
    • Palmerston Island (Pamati) sometimes grouped with the Northern Group.
    • Manuae
    • Takutea Takutea, in the Cook Islands, is a small uninhabited island 21 km northwest of Atiu in the southern Cook Islands. Because it is only 1.22 km² in size and has a very dangerous landing at the northwest corner of the reef, it has been designated a wildlife sanctuary, mainly for the red-tailed tropic birds and red-footed Boobies
    • Winslow Reef (submerged)
• Northern Cook Islands:
  • Manihiki (Te Fuinga o Niva)
  • Nassau (Te Nuku o Ngalewu )
  • Penrhyn Island (Tongareva or Mangarongaro)
  • Pukapuka Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with three small islets threaded on a reef, which encloses a beautifully clear lagoon. It is one of the most remote islands of the Cook Islands, situated about 1140 kilometres northwest of Rarotonga. It is a triangular atoll with three islets comprising little more than 3 square (Te Ulu o te Watu)
  • Rakahanga (Tapuahua)
  • Suwarrow also called Suvorov
  • Tema Reef (submerged)

History

Main article: History of the Cook Islands Beach on Rarotonga Cook Islands' Parliament buildings, as well as the international airport, are located on Rarotonga. Because it is the most populous island, Cook Islanders may be referred to as Rarotongan, but they may in fact come from one of the other 14 islands in the group, such as Aitutaki or Mangaia. Rarotonga is also a very popular tourist destination with.

The Cook Islands were first settled in the 6th century CE Common Era, abbreviated as CE, is one of the designations for the world's most commonly used year-numbering system. The numbering of years using Common Era notation is identical to the numbering used with Anno Domini notation, 2010 being the current year in both notations and neither using a year zero. Common Era is also known as Christian Era and by Polynesian people who migrated from nearby Tahiti Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The island has a population of 178,133 according to an August 2007 census. This makes it the most populous island of French Polynesia, accounting for 68.6% of the total population. The capital,, to the southeast.^[5]

Spanish Spain (pronounced /ˈspeɪn/ spayn; Spanish: España, pronounced [esˈpaɲa] ( listen)), officially the Kingdom of Spain (Spanish: Reino de España), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.[note 6] Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for ships visited the islands in the sixteenth century; the first written record of contact with the Islands came with the sighting of Pukapuka Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with three small islets threaded on a reef, which encloses a beautifully clear lagoon. It is one of the most remote islands of the Cook Islands, situated about 1140 kilometres northwest of Rarotonga. It is a triangular atoll with three islets comprising little more than 3 square by Spanish sailor Álvaro de Mendaña in 1595 who called it San Bernardo (Saint Bernard). Portuguese-Spaniard Pedro Fernández de Quirós, made the first recorded European landing in the islands when he set foot on Rakahanga in 1606, calling it Gente Hermosa (Beautiful People).^[6]

British navigator Captain James Cook Captain James Cook FRS RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy. Cook was the first to map Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean during which he achieved the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands as arrived in 1773 and 1777^[7] and named the islands the Hervey Islands; the name "Cook Islands", in honour of Cook, appeared on a Russian naval chart published in the 1820s.^[8]

In 1813, John Williams, a missionary on the Endeavour (not the same ship as that of Cook), made the first official sighting of the island of Rarotonga Cook Islands' Parliament buildings, as well as the international airport, are located on Rarotonga. Because it is the most populous island, Cook Islanders may be referred to as Rarotongan, but they may in fact come from one of the other 14 islands in the group, such as Aitutaki or Mangaia. Rarotonga is also a very popular tourist destination with.^[9] The first recorded landing on Rarotonga by Europeans was in 1814 by the Cumberland; trouble broke out between the sailors and the Islanders and many were killed on both sides.^[10] The islands saw no more Europeans until missionaries arrived from England in 1821. Christianity quickly took hold in the culture and many islanders continue to be Christian believers today.

The Cook Islands became a British The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland[note 7] is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of the island of Ireland, and many small islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with a land protectorate A protectorate, in international law, is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity. In exchange for this, the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship. However, it retains sufficient at their own request in 1888, mainly to thwart French expansionism. They were transferred to New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also in 1901. They remained a New Zealand protectorate until 1965, at which point they became a self-governing It may refer to personal conduct or family units but more commonly refers to larger scale activities, i.e., professions, industry bodies, religions and political units, up to and including autonomous regions and aboriginal peoples . It falls within the larger context of governance and principles such as consent of the governed, and may involve non- territory in free association An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted. The details of such "free association" are contained in a Compact of Free Association or Associated Statehood Act and are with New Zealand. In that year, Albert Henry of the Cook Islands Party was elected as the first Prime Minister A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. The position is usually held by, but need not always be held by, a politician. In many systems, the prime minister selects and can dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the Government. In. Sir Albert Henry led the country until he was accused of vote-rigging. He was succeeded in 1978 by Tom Davis of the Democratic Party.

Today, the Cook Islands are essentially independent ("self-governing in free association with New Zealand") but New Zealand is tasked with overseeing the country's defence.

On 11 June 1980, the United States ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language signed a treaty with the Cook Islands specifying the maritime border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa American Samoa /əˈmɛrɪkən səˈmoʊə/ (Samoan: Amerika Sāmoa or Sāmoa Amelika) is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa). The main (largest and most populous) island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and and also relinquishing its claim to the islands of Penrhyn, Pukapuka Pukapuka is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with three small islets threaded on a reef, which encloses a beautifully clear lagoon. It is one of the most remote islands of the Cook Islands, situated about 1140 kilometres northwest of Rarotonga. It is a triangular atoll with three islets comprising little more than 3 square, Manihiki, and Rakahanga.^[11] In 1990 the Cook Islands signed a treaty with France France (pronounced /ˈfrænts/ frantss or /ˈfrɑːnts/ frahnts; French pronunciation (help·info): [fʁɑ̃s]), officially the French Republic (French: République française, pronounced: [ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛz]), is a state in Western Europe with several of its overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, which delimited Boundary delimitation, or simply delimitation, is the term used to describe the drawing of boundaries, but is most often used to describe the drawing of electoral boundaries, specifically those of precincts, states, counties or other municipalities. Often this takes places in democracies, in this context it can be called redistricting, in order to the boundary between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia French Polynesia [ˈfrɛntʃ pɒlɨˈniːʒə] (French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is a French overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat.^[12]

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Cook Islands The politics of the Cook Islands, an associated state, takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of New Zealand, represented in the Cook Islands by the Queen's Representative, is the Head of State; the Chief Minister is the head of government and of a multi-party system. The The parliament building of the Cook Islands, formerly a hotel.

The politics of the Cook Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch are drawn from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined. In such a system, the head of government is both de facto chief executive and chief legislator representative democratic Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people, as opposed to autocracy and direct democracy associated state An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted. The details of such "free association" are contained in a Compact of Free Association or Associated Statehood Act and are, whereby the Queen of New Zealand The monarchy of New Zealand – also referred to as The Crown in Right of New Zealand, Her Majesty in Right of New Zealand, or The Queen in Right of New Zealand – is the constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of the Realm of New Zealand, forming the core of the country's Westminster-, represented in the Cook Islands by the Queen's Representative, is Head of State Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising the political powers, functions and duties and the Chief Minister is the head of government Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled Prime Minister, President of the Government, Premier, etc. In presidential republics or absolute monarchies, the head of government may be the same person as the head of. There is a pluriform multi-party system and the islands are self-governing in free association An associated state is the minor partner in a formal, free relationship between a political territory with a degree of statehood and a nation, for which no other specific term, such as protectorate, is adopted. The details of such "free association" are contained in a Compact of Free Association or Associated Statehood Act and are with New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses , and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as The Land of the Long White Cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also and fully responsible for both internal and external affairs.

New Zealand retains some responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands. As of 2005, it has diplomatic relations in its own name with eighteen other countries. Executive power On the study of political science the executive branch of government has sole authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state bureaucracy. The division of power into separate branches of government is central to the republican idea of the separation of powers is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of the Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands is not a United Nations full member but participates in WHO and UNESCO, and is an associate member of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Administrative subdivisions

There are island councils on all of the inhabited outer islands (Outer Islands Local Government Act 1987, with amendments up to 2004 and Palmerston Island Local Government Act 1993) except Nassau, which is governed by Pukapuka (Suwarrow, with only one caretaker living on the island, also governed by Pukapuka, is not counted with the inhabited islands in this context). Each council is headed by a mayor.

The ten Outer Islands councils are

		Aitutaki (including uninhabited Manuae)
		Mangaia
		Atiu (including uninhabited Takutea)
		Ma'uke
		Mitiaro
		Manihiki
		Penrhyn
		Rakahanga
		Pukapuka (including Nassau and Suwarrow)
		Palmerston

Districts of Rarotonga.

The three vaka councils of main island Rarotonga established in 1997 (Rarotonga Local Government Act 1997), that were also headed by mayors,^[13] were abolished in February 2008, despite much controversy^[14]

The three Vaka councils on the main island Rarotonga were

Te au o tonga	(equivalent to Avarua, the national capital of the Cook Islands)
Puaikura
Takitumu

On the lowest level, there are village committees. Nassau, which is governed by Pukapuka, has an island committee (Nassau Island Committee), which advises the Pukapuka Island Council on matters concerning its own island.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Cook Islands

Culture

Float parade during the annual Maeva Nui celebrations. See also: Music of the Cook Islands

Language

The languages of the Cook Islands include English, Cook Islands Maori, or "Rarotongan," and Pukapukan. Dialects of Cook Islands Maori include Penrhyn; Rakahanga-Manihiki; the Ngaputoru dialect of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke; the Aitutaki dialect; and the Mangaian dialect. Cook Islands Maori and its dialectic variants are closely related to both Tahitian and to New Zealand Māori. Pukapukan, by contrast, is considered closely related to the Samoan language. Both English and Cook Islands Maori are considered official languages of the Cook Islands.

Public Holidays

Holidays

Date	Name
1 January	New Year's Day
2 January	Day after New Year's Day
The Friday before Easter Sunday	Good Friday
The day after Easter Sunday	Easter Monday
25 April	ANZAC Day
The first Monday in June	Queen's Birthday
during July	Rarotonga Gospel Day
4 August	Constitution Day (Te Maevea Nui Celebrations)
26 October	Gospel Day
25 December	Christmas
26 December	Boxing Day

Art

Carving - Woodcarving is a common art form in the Cook Islands. Sculpture in stone is much rarer although there are some excellent carvings in basalt by Mike Tavioni. The proximity of islands in the southern group helped produce a homogeneous style of carving but which had special developments in each island. Rarotonga is known for its fisherman's gods and staff-gods, Atiu for its wooden seats, Mitiaro, Ma'uke and Atiu for mace and slab gods and Mangaia for its ceremonial adzes. Most of the original wood carvings were either spirited away by early European collectors or were burned in large numbers by missionary zealots. Today, carving is no longer the major art form with the same spiritual and cultural emphasis given to it by the Maori in New Zealand. However, there are continual efforts to interest young people in their heritage and some good work is being turned out under the guidance of older carvers. Atiu, in particular, has a strong tradition of crafts both in carving and local fibre arts such as tapa. Mangaia is the source of many fine adzes carved in a distinctive, idiosyncratic style with the so-called double-k design. Mangaia also produces food pounders carved from the heavy calcite found in its extensive limestone caves.

Weaving - The outer islands produce traditional weaving of mats, basketware and hats. Particularly fine examples of rito hats are worn by women to church. They are made from the uncurled immature fibre of the coconut palm and are of very high quality. The Polynesian equivalent of Panama hats, they are highly valued and are keenly sought by Polynesian visitors from Tahiti. Often, they are decorated with hatbands made of minuscule pupu shells which are painted and stitched on by hand. Although pupu are found on other islands the collection and use of them in decorative work has become a speciality of Mangaia. The weaving of rito is a speciality of the northern island of Penrhyn.

Tivaevae - A major art form in the Cook Islands is tivaevae. This is, in essence, the art of making of tropical Island scenery handmade patchwork quilts. Introduced by the wives of missionaries in the 19th century, the craft grew into a communal activity and is probably one of the main reasons for its popularity. The Cook Islands make some of the most beautiful displays of tivaevae the eye can see.

Contemporary Art - The Cook Islands has produced notable and internationally recognised contemporary artists and the main island of Rarotonga has an exceptionally vibrant contemporary arts scene. Artists include painter (and photographer) Mahiriki Tangaroa, sculptors Eruera (Ted) Nia (originally a film maker) and master carver Mike Tavioni, painter (and Polynesian tattoo enthusiast) Upoko’ina Ian George, Aitutakian-born painter Tim Manavaroa Buchanan, Loretta Reynolds, Judith Kunzlé, Joan Rolls Gragg, Kay George (who is also known for her exquisite fabric designs), Apii Rongo, and multi-media, installation and community-project artist Ani O'Neil, all of whom currently live on the main island of Rarotonga. Atiuan-based Andrea Eimke is an artist who works in the medium of tapa and other textiles, and also co-authored the book 'Tivaivai - The Social Fabric of the Cook Islands' with British academic Susanne Kuechler. Many of these artists have studied at university art schools in New Zealand and continue to enjoy close links with the New Zealand art scene.

New Zealand-based Cook Islander artists include Michel Tuffrey, print-maker David Teata, Richard Shortland Cooper, Sylvia Marsters, and Jim Vivieaere, who has mentored many of his compatriots and is a well-known curator and installation artist.

On Rarotonga, the main commercial galleries are Beachcomber Contemporary Art (Taputapuatea, Avarua) run by Ben Bergman, and The Art Gallery ('Arorangi), run by Kay and Ian George. The Cook Islands National Museum also exhibits art.

Biology

• The national flower of the Cook Islands is the Tiare māori or Tiale māoli (Penrhyn, Nassau, Pukapuka).^[15]

• The Cook Islands are infested with Polynesian rats.^[16] The infestation has devastated the bird population on the islands.^[17]

• In April 2007 twenty-seven Kuhl's Lorikeet were re-introduced to Atiu from Rimatara. Fossil and oral traditions indicate that the species was formerly on at least five islands of the southern group. Excessive exploitation for its red feathers is the most likely reason for the species's extinction in the Cook Islands.^[18]

Sport

Main article: Sport in the Cook Islands

Rugby union is the most popular sport in the Cook Islands with association football (soccer) and rugby league also popular.^{[citation needed]}

See also

Main article: Outline of the Cook Islands

• Index of Cook Islands-related articles
• Demographics of the Cook Islands

References

1. ^ World fact book : Cook Islands
2. ^ A View from the Cook Islands SOPAC
3. ^ "QuickStats About Culture and Identity - Pacific Peoples". 2006 Census. Statistics New Zealand. http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/quickstats-about-culture-identity/quickstats-about-culture-and-identity.htm?page=para016Master. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
4. ^ "Cook Islands Travel Guide" (with description), World Travel Guide, Nexus Media Communications, 2006. Webpage: WTGuide-Cook-Islands.
5. ^ Cook Islands Samoa2007.com
6. ^ European discovery of the Cook Islands by Brian Hooker
7. ^ Cook : the extraordinary voyages of Captain James Cook, 2003, by Nicholas Thomas, page 310-311.
8. ^ Cook Islands Government website
9. ^ TEN DECADES: The Australasian Centenary History of the London Missionary Society, Rev. Joseph King (Word document)
10. ^ History of the Cook Islands
11. ^ "Treaty Between the United States of America and the Cook Islands on Friendship and Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary Between the United States of America and the Cook Islands (and Exchange of Notes)". Pacific Islands Treaty Series. University of the South Pacific School of Law. http://www.paclii.org/pits/en/treaty_database/1980/6.html. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
12. ^ "Agreement on Maritime Delimitation Between the Government of the Cook Islands and the Government of the French Republic". Pacific Islands Treaty Series. University of the South Pacific School of Law. http://www.paclii.org/pits/en/treaty_database/1990/4.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
13. ^ http://www.transparency.org.au/documents/cookislands.pdf
14. ^ RAROTONGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT (REPEAL) BILL TO BE TABLED, Cook Islands Government and HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 393 :09 February 2008
15. ^ www.govisitcookislands.com "Cook Islands Wildlife"
16. ^ cookislands.bishopmuseum.org "Rattus exulans Kiore Toka Pacific Rat"
17. ^ cookislands.bishopmuseum.org "The Status of Cook Islands Birds - 1996"
18. ^ BirdLife International: Rimatara Lorikeet (Vini kuhlii) at birdlife.org

External links

Find more about Cook Islands on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions from Wiktionary
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	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Images and media from Commons
	News stories from Wikinews
	Learning resources from Wikiversity

• Cook Islands Government
• Cook Islands Government (summary)
• Chief of State and Cabinet Members
• Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
• Cook Islands travel guide from Wikitravel
• Cook Islands entry at The World Factbook
• Cook Islands from UCB Libraries GovPubs
• Cook Islands at the Open Directory Project
• Comprehensive Cook Islands site with news section
• Detailed and non-commercial website
• Cook Islands National Environment Service
• Cook Islands Biodiversity Database
• Photographs of CI banknotes including unique 3 dollar bill
• Topographic maps of all the Cook Islands

Geographic locale Realm of New Zealand Cook Islands · New Zealand · Niue · Ross Dependency · Tokelau Polynesia Polynesian triangle Austral Islands · Cook Islands · Easter Island · Gambier Islands · Hawaiian Islands · Marquesas · New Zealand · Pitcairn Islands · Sala y Gómez · Samoan Islands · Society Islands · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuamotus · Tuvalu · Wallis and Futuna Islands Polynesian outliers and peripheral cultures Anuta · Emae · Futuna · Kapingamarangi · Loyalty Islands · Mele · Nuguria · Nukumanu · Nukuoro · Ontong Java · Ouvéa · Pileni · Rennell · Rotuma · Sikaiana · Takuu · Tikopia Countries and territories of Oceania Sovereign states Australia · East Timor (Timor-Leste)1 · Fiji · Indonesia1 · Kiribati · Federated States of Micronesia · Marshall Islands · Nauru · New Zealand · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Samoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu Dependencies and other territories Australia Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Norfolk Island France French Polynesia · New Caledonia · Wallis and Futuna New Zealand Cook Islands · Niue · Tokelau United Kingdom Pitcairn Islands United States American Samoa · Guam · Hawaii · Northern Mariana Islands · U.S. Minor Islands Chile Easter Island Fiji Rotuma 1 Transcontinental country

Culture of Indigenous Oceania List of resources about traditional arts and culture of Oceania Art ahu · Australia · Austronesia · Cook Islands · Hawaiʻi · kapa (Hawaiʻi) · lei (Hawaii) · magimagi · Māori · moai · New Zealand · nguzu nguzu · Oceania · Papua New Guinea · reimiro · tā moko · tapa ["masi" (Fiji), "ngatu" (Tonga), "siapo" (Sāmoa), " ʻuha" (Rotuma)] · tabua · ta'ovala · tattoo · tēfui · tivaivai Broad culture areca nut · Kava culture · kava, [" ʻawa" (Hawaii), "yaqona" (Fiji), or "sakau" (Pohnpei) · Sāmoa 'ava ceremony] · Lapita · Māori · Polynesia · Polynesian navigation · wood carving Geo-specific, general Australia · Australian Aboriginal astronomy · Austronesia · Caroline Islands, -Pwo · Chatham Islands · Cook Islands · Easter Island · Fiji, -Lau Islands, -traditions and ceremonies · Guam · Hawaiʻi, -Lomilomi massage · Kiribati · French Polynesia's Marquesas Islands · Marshall Islands, -Stick charts of · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Caledonia · New Zealand · Niue · Norfolk Island · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Pitcairn Islands · Sāmoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Torres Strait Islands · Tuvalu · Vanuatu · Wallis and Futuna · Yap, -navigation, -Weriyeng navigation school Canoes Aboriginal Dugout · Alingano Maisu · Drua · Dugout (boat) · Hawaiʻiloa · Hōkūleʻa · Modern Hawaiian outrigger · Māori migration · Outrigger · Polynesian sailing · Proa · Waka,-List of · Walap Dance 'aparima · cibi · fara · fire dancing · firewalking · haka · hivinau · hula · kailao · kapa haka · Kiribati · meke · 'ote'a · pa'o'a · poi · Rotuma · siva · Tahiti · tāmūrē · tautoga · Tonga · 'upa'upa Festivals Australia's Garma Festival · Hawaiʻi's Aloha Festivals, Merrie Monarch Festival, and World Invitational Hula Festival · Fiji · New Zealand's Pasifika Festival · The Pacific Community's Festival of Pacific Arts · Festivals in Papua New Guinea Languages by area Languages of Oceania Sovereign states Australia · Cook Islands · East Timor1 · Fiji · Indonesia1 · Kiribati · Papua New Guinea · Marshall Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Niue · Palau · Samoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu Dependencies and other territories American Samoa · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · French Polynesia · Guam · Hawaii · New Caledonia · Norfolk Island · Northern Mariana Islands · Pitcairn Islands · Rotuma · Tokelau · Wallis and Futuna 1 Transcontinental country. by category Languages of Oceania Literature Literature of Oceania Sovereign states Australia · Cook Islands · East Timor1 · Fiji · Indonesia1 · Kiribati · Papua New Guinea · Marshall Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Niue · Palau · Samoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu Dependencies and other territories American Samoa · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · French Polynesia · Guam · Hawaii · New Caledonia · Norfolk Island · Northern Mariana Islands · Pitcairn Islands · Rotuma · Tokelau · Wallis and Futuna 1 Transcontinental country. Music Austral Islands (French Polynesia) · Australia · Austronesia · Cook Islands · didgeridoo · Easter Island · Fiji · Guam · Hawaiʻi · Kiribati · Lali · Māori · Melanesia · Northern Mariana Islands · Micronesia · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Caledonia · New Zealand · Niue · Palau · Papua New Guinea · Polynesia · Sāmoa · Slit drum · Solomon Islands · Tahiti · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu · Wallis and Futuna Mythology Australian Aboriginal · Fijian · Māori · Melanesian · Menehune · Micronesian · Oceanian legendary creatures · Polynesian · Rapa Nui · Vanuatu People Indigneous Australian · Austronesian · Chamorro · Chatham Islander (Moriori or Rekohu) · Fijian · Hawaiian (kānaka maoli) · Māori · Marshallese · Melanesian · Micronesian · Negrito · Norfolk Islander · Papuan · Polynesian · Indigenous Polynesian (Mā’ohi) · Rapanui · Rotuman · Samoan · Tahitian · Tongan · Torres Strait Islander Religion Religion in Oceania Sovereign states Australia · Cook Islands · East Timor1 · Fiji · Indonesia1 · Kiribati · Papua New Guinea · Marshall Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Niue · Palau · Samoa · Solomon Islands · Tonga · Tuvalu · Vanuatu Dependencies and other territories American Samoa · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · French Polynesia · Guam · Hawaii · New Caledonia · Norfolk Island · Northern Mariana Islands · Pitcairn Islands · Rotuma · Tokelau · Wallis and Futuna 1 Transcontinental country. Not included: Oceanian: cinema, (indigenous) currency, dress, folkore, cuisine. Also see Category:Oceanian culture.

Categories: Cook Islands | English-speaking countries and territories | Former British colonies | Freely associated states | Island countries | New Zealand – Pacific relations | Polynesia | States and territories established in 1965

 

 

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• Law of The Cayman Islands: Encyclopedia
• Law of The British Virgin Islands: Encyclopedia
• Society: Law: Law Libraries: United States: Rhode Island: Directory
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