Cook Islands

I

Introduction

Cook Islands, self-governing island group in free association with New Zealand, in the Pacific Ocean. It is comprised of two groups of widely scattered islands located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, and to the west of American Samoa and the east of French Polynesia.

II

Land and Resources

A mixture of coral atolls and volcanic peaks, the total area of the island group is 237 sq km (91 sq mi). The Southern Cook Islands includes Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia (the most southerly of the islands), Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuae, and Takutea. Most of these islands are volcanic in origin, mountainous, and relatively fertile. The Northern Group is composed of low-lying coral atolls and includes Pukapuka, Tongareva (also called Penrhyn, the most northern island), Manihiki, Avarau (also known as Palmerston), Rakahanga, Suwarrow, and Nassau. Of the 15 islands only 2 are uninhabited: Manuae and Takutea. The highest point is Te Manga (652 m/2,139 ft) on the island of Rarotonga.

The climate is equable: tropical and humid, though moderated by trade winds. From December to March the weather is warm though there is the possibility of severe storms. The average annual rainfall is 2,012 mm (79 in).

III

Population

The inhabitants of the Cook Islands are Polynesians. They are culturally and linguistically related to Maori of New Zealand. The official languages are Cook Islands Maori and English. The population of the islands was estimated at 19,100 in July 1994, yielding a population density of 81 people per sq km (211 per sq mi). Most people live on the main island of Rarotonga. The port of Avarua on the northern coast of the island of Rarotonga is the administrative centre of the Cook Islands.

After World War II a boom in the New Zealand economy called for large numbers of unskilled workers, and many people from its protectorates of Western Samoa (now Samoa), the Cook Islands and Niue, and Tokelau migrated to fill the need. It is estimated that approximately 32,000 Cook Islanders currently live in New Zealand, where they have citizenship.

Education is provided by government and missionary schools and is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 15. In 1994 there were 20 primary schools and 15 secondary schools. An extension of the University of the South Pacific (based in Fiji) is located in the Cook Islands. Health care is free. The principal religion is Christianity; about 70 per cent of the population belongs to the Cook Islands Congregational Christian Church. Two television channels are available, as are two radio stations and a daily newspaper.

IV

Economy

The official currency of the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar. Tourism is the leading industry in the Cook Islands, with over 50,000 visitors arriving each year. Rarotonga has an international airport. In 1981 the Cook Islands developed an offshore financial industry, providing trustee and corporate services tax-free to international companies dealing in banking, insurance, and trusts. The offshore industry’s contribution to the Cook Island’s economy is second only to tourism.

Agriculture is an important economic base, engaging approximately 7 per cent of the employed labour. The principal exports are copra, coconuts, citrus and tropical fruits, clothing, mother-of-pearl shells, and handicrafts. Recent attempts at diversifying the economy have included cattle-ranching, ostrich-farming, and aquaculture (giant clam- and pearl oyster-farming). Trade deficits are made up by foreign aid, in the most part from New Zealand. The principal import is foodstuffs. New Zealand is the Cook Islands’s main trading partner, although trade is also conducted with Hong Kong S. A. R., Japan, and Australia. Remittances from Cook Islanders living abroad provide a significant source of the nation’s income.

In 1996 the Cook Islands declared itself bankrupt and an economic restructuring programme was launched. In an attempt to lessen costs, government assets were sold, public service salaries were halved, government departments reduced from 52 to 22, and employment in the public service sector decreased to 1,593 from 3,153, and all but one diplomatic post was closed.

Isolation from foreign markets is a hindrance to the nation’s economy. The Cook Islands have three ports on Rarotanga (Avaiu), Mangaia, and Aitutaki. Regular cargo services operate between the islands, Niue, and New Zealand. There are regular air services with New Zealand and other islands in the region. There is a 33 km (21 mi) sealed road on Rarotonga.