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The Cook Islands are a self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific Ocean. The islands are made up of 15 small atolls and islands, including Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, and Penrhyn, and are spread over about 770,000 square miles of sea. The Cook Islands were first settled around AD 1000 by Polynesian people and were a popular stop for whaling ships from countries including Australia in the 19th century. Today, the islands are a popular tourist destination, known for their beautiful beaches, turquoise lagoons, and modern Polynesian lifestyle. Many Cook Islanders also live in Australia and New Zealand, with the last Australian census recording 28,000 Cook Islanders in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | South Pacific Ocean |
| Number of Islands | 15 |
| Population | 14,987 (2021 census) |
| Capital | Avarua |
| Main Island | Rarotonga |
| Language | Cook Islands Māori |
| Currency | Cook Islands Dollar (CKD), New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
| Crime Rate | Low |
| Tourism | 168,000 visitors in 2018 |
| Main Industries | Tourism, offshore banking, pearls, marine and fruit exports |
| Climate Hazards | Tropical cyclones, droughts |
| Nearest Countries | New Zealand, Australia |
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What You'll Learn
- The Cook Islands are a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand
- The islands are spread over 770,000 square miles of sea in the South Pacific Ocean
- The islands are made up of 15 small atolls and islands
- The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is Kūki 'Āirani
- The islands are a popular tourist destination, with over 168,000 visitors in 2018
The Cook Islands are a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand
As decolonisation gained momentum after the Second World War, steps were taken to establish responsible internal self-government in the Cook Islands. A Legislative Council was formed in 1946, meeting annually in Rarotonga. In 1957, a representative Legislative Assembly of the Cook Islands with increased legislative powers was created. Under the terms of New Zealand’s Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964, an elected Legislative Assembly would make laws for the Cook Islands, while New Zealand retained control of external affairs and would continue to provide grants towards its budget.
The Cook Islands became a state in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965. While the Cook Islands conduct their own affairs, New Zealand has a constitutional responsibility to respond to requests for assistance with foreign affairs, disasters, and defence. The Cook Islands have an international legal personality and conduct their own international relations, including establishing diplomatic relationships with many countries. Most Cook Islanders are also citizens of New Zealand, but they also have the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens.
In 2025, the Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown stated that the UN had confirmed that the Cook Islands did not meet the requirements for UN membership. Despite this, the United States has recognised the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state and has signed treaties with the Cook Islands government. The Cook Islands are a popular tourist destination, with over 168,000 visitors in 2018. The country's main industries include tourism, offshore banking, pearls, and marine and fruit exports.
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The islands are spread over 770,000 square miles of sea in the South Pacific Ocean
The Cook Islands are spread over 770,000 square miles of sea in the South Pacific Ocean. The islands are a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand. They have their own foreign and defence policies, as well as customs regulations. The Cook Islands are made up of 15 islands, which can be divided into two main groups: the Southern group, with nine islands, and the Northern group, with six islands. The islands are spread out over a large area in the South Pacific, with a total area of about 2 million square kilometres.
The Cook Islands were first settled around AD 1000 by Polynesian people migrating from Tahiti. European contact with the islands began in 1595 when Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira sighted Pukapuka, one of the Cook Islands. The islands became a popular stop for whaling ships from the US, Britain, and Australia in the 19th century. They became a British territory in 1900 and remained a New Zealand-dependent territory until they were granted self-governing status in 1965.
The Cook Islands are located in the Southern Pacific Ocean, north of New Zealand and west of Chile and Peru. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, covering approximately 63,800,000 square miles or 165,250,000 square kilometres. It makes up about 33% of the Earth's total surface and is larger than the entire landmass of the planet. The Pacific Ocean is known for its warm waters and tropical climate, with temperatures reaching up to 31°C (88°F).
The Pacific Islands region, which includes the Cook Islands, covers more than 300,000 square miles (800,000 square kilometres) of land and millions of square miles of ocean. The region is home to diverse landscapes, including low atolls, raised limestone islands, and volcanic high islands. The islands are known for their rich biodiversity, with coral reefs, mangrove forests, and abundant marine life.
The Cook Islands, in particular, offer a range of activities for visitors, including lagoon cruises, sea scooters, fishing, mountain hikes, and cultural island nights. The islands have a population of around 18,000 people and are known for their warm and friendly local Māori community. The main international gateway to the Cook Islands is the Rarotonga International Airport.
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The islands are made up of 15 small atolls and islands
The Cook Islands are a Polynesian nation in the Southern Pacific Ocean, spread over an exclusive economic zone of around two million square kilometres. The islands are made up of 15 small atolls and islands, which are divided into two main groups: the Southern group (with nine islands) and the Northern group (with six islands). The islands cover less than 240 square kilometres in total.
The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is Kūki 'Āirani. They were first settled around AD 1000 by Polynesian people who are thought to have migrated from Tahiti. The first European contact with the islands took place in 1595 when the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira sighted the island of Pukapuka, which he named San Bernardo (Saint Bernard). The islands were a popular stop in the 19th century for whaling ships from the United States, Britain, and Australia. Their favourite islands included Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, and Penrhyn.
Today, the Cook Islands are self-governing while in free association with New Zealand. Most Cook Islanders are also citizens of New Zealand, but they also have the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens. The islands have their own customs regulations and conduct their own independent foreign and defence policies. The Cook Islands Police Service owns a Guardian Class Patrol Boat, provided by Australia, to police its waters.
The main international gateway to the islands is the Rarotonga International Airport, which is located on the most populous island, Rarotonga. With over 168,000 visitors to the islands in 2018, tourism is the country's main industry, ahead of offshore banking, pearls, and marine and fruit exports.
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The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is Kūki 'Āirani
The Cook Islands are a Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 15 islands spread over an exclusive economic zone of around two million square kilometres. The islands were first settled around AD 1000 by Polynesian people who migrated from Tahiti, an island 1,154 kilometres from the main island of Rarotonga. The islands' official name in Cook Islands Māori is Kūki 'Āirani, a transliteration of the English name. Māori people are warm and friendly, and tourists can enjoy wide-open beaches and clear turquoise lagoons. The islands were a popular stop in the 19th century for whaling ships from the United States, Britain, and Australia. They have been self-governing while in free association with New Zealand since the start of the 21st century. Most Cook Islanders are also citizens of New Zealand, but they also hold the status of Cook Islands nationals.
The islands gained their name from British explorer and naval officer Captain James Cook, who visited in 1773 and again in 1777, naming the island of Manuae "Hervey Island". The islands became aligned with the United Kingdom in 1890 due to British fears of French occupation, as had already occurred in Tahiti. In 1900, the leaders of the islands presented a petition requesting annexation as British territory, which was granted.
The Cook Islands are a popular tourist destination, with over 168,000 visitors in 2018. The main international gateway is Rarotonga International Airport. The islands offer a range of attractions, from lagoon cruises and sea scooters to mountain hikes and cultural island nights. The local people enjoy sharing their modern Polynesian lifestyle with visitors, whether it's relaxing on the beach, shopping at the markets, or enjoying a cocktail at a beach bar.
The Cook Islands have a unique culture and language. The indigenous language, Cook Islands Māori, is one of the languages used for the individual names of the islands. The islands are geographically and culturally divided into two main groups: the Southern group (with nine islands) and the Northern group (with six islands). The vulnerability of the low-lying atoll islands to climate change is a significant concern for the region.
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The islands are a popular tourist destination, with over 168,000 visitors in 2018
The Cook Islands are a popular tourist destination, attracting over 168,000 visitors in 2018. The islands are a Polynesian nation in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 15 islands spread over an exclusive economic zone of around two million square kilometres. The islands are self-governing while maintaining free association with New Zealand.
The Cook Islands have a rich history, first settled around AD 1000 by Polynesian people migrating from Tahiti. European contact began in 1595 when Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira sighted Pukapuka, one of the islands. The islands became a popular stop for whaling ships from the US, Britain, and Australia in the 19th century. Today, the islands offer a unique blend of modern conveniences and a simpler, relaxed lifestyle.
Tourists are drawn to the Cook Islands for their natural beauty, pristine beaches, and turquoise lagoons. The islands provide a range of activities, including kayaking, snorkelling, bonefishing, and lagoon cruises. The soft sand and clear waters offer a tranquil escape, often free from the crowds found at other tropical destinations. The islands' cultural heritage is also a significant attraction, with tourists enjoying the local crafts, cuisine, and vibrant community life.
Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, is known for its friendly atmosphere, shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The Punanga Nui Outdoor Market is a vibrant waterfront market offering a variety of local produce, crafts, and souvenirs. The town also boasts the century-old wreck of the Matai, a popular spot for snorkelling and semi-submersible tours. The Avarua Cook Islands Christian Church, with its colourful carved wooden accents and stained-glass windows, is another must-see attraction.
The islands offer a range of accommodation options, from luxury villas and resorts to holiday homes and apartments. Direct flights from Sydney to Rarotonga are available, making the Cook Islands an accessible tropical paradise for Australian travellers seeking a blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and modern comforts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cook Islands are a self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific Ocean.
The Cook Islands are not part of Australia, but Australia has provided aid to the islands in the form of a Guardian Class Patrol Boat, and Australian citizens can visit the islands and receive consular assistance from the Australian Government.
The Cook Islands are a popular tourist destination, with lagoon cruises, sea scooters, fishing, mountain hikes, mud buggies, cultural island nights, and more on offer.
