Who Owns the Cook Islands? The Political Status of the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a country in free association within the Realm of New Zealand, but what exactly does that mean?

In short, New Zealand carries out the Cook Islands’ defence and foreign affairs on their behalf if requested by the Cook Islands. In the meantime, the Cook Islands handles its own foreign affairs.

The two nations also coordinate on the "expansion of commercial, economic and investment relations between the private sectors", "encourage frequent contacts at the political, official, commercial and community levels" and more. The details on how the Governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand cooperate are outlined further in the Joint Centenary Declaration 2001.

Additionally, being part of the Realm of New Zealand means that Cook Islands nationals are automatically granted New Zealand citizenship and share New Zealand’s head of state, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Cook Islands has been operating as a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand since 4 August 1965.

The Cook Islands has a parliamentary style of government similar to that of New Zealand and England. The Parliament is made up of 24 members, known as "Members of Parliament" (MPs), who are directly elected by universal suffrage from single-seat constituencies.

Members are elected for a limited term and serve a maximum of four years in office. The Cook Islands Parliament meets in Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, on Rarotonga. The Cook Islands has two main political parties and some smaller parties.

A notable aspect of the Cook Islands Parliament worth mentioning is the "House of Ariki", which functions similarly to the "House of Lords" in England. Ariki means "high chief", which historically was used to lead various clans across the Cook Islands. Their role today, however, is that they may submit questions concerning the "welfare of the people" on which they make recommendations.

With its own government and the ability to request assistance from New Zealand, rather than being controlled by New Zealand, the Cook Islands is an independent country.

In terms of physical ownership, most freehold land in the Cook Islands is owned by hundreds of Cook Islands families. When a parent landowner dies, their children are entitled to the land. Rights to land can sometimes be exchanged for fixed-term leases of usually 60 years, particularly on Rarotonga.

Finally, to clear up any confusion about whether Rarotonga is a country. No, Rarotonga is not a country, but rather one of the 15 islands that comprise the Cook Islands. Rarotonga is often mistaken for being a country, as it is by far the most populated and developed of the Cook Islands.

Learn more about visiting Rarotonga in The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga, as well as about the other islands in What are the 15 Islands in the Cook Islands?