Pacific Islands News Association

Business News : Cook Islands Superfund increases withdrawal limit from 15k to 45k [14/04/2021 - Cook Islands]
News Feature : Forum SG Dame Meg Taylor statement regarding Japan decision to release ALPS treated water into the Pacific Ocean [14/04/2021 - Fiji]
News : Double voting surfaces in Samoa’s elections final count [14/04/2021 - Samoa]
News : Unofficial close margins can be swung by special votes in Samoa [14/04/2021 - Samoa]
News : Two new COVID-19 deaths – PNG total deaths at 71 [14/04/2021 - Papua New Guinea]
News : Akaiti Puna wife of former PM named Cook Islands Party candidate [14/04/2021 - Cook Islands]
News : Fukushima: Japan announces it will dump contaminated water into sea [14/04/2021 - Japan]
News : First batch of 132,000 vaccines arrives in Port Moresby through COVAX facility [14/04/2021 - Papua New Guinea]
Sports News : Pacific pathway to Super Rugby sealed with Moana Pasifika, Fijian Drua confirmed to join in 2022 [14/04/2021 - New Zealand]
Sports News : A transformational and historic moment for Fiji Rugby as the Fijian Drua is welcomed into Super Rugby [14/04/2021 - Fiji]
Sports News : Kaiviti Silktails record first win of the season [12/04/2021 - Australia]
Sports News : PNG Hunters surge into top four after win over Mackay Cutters 26 - 14 [12/04/2021 - Australia]
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Country profile - Cook Islands

Cook Islands flag

The 15 volcanic islands and coral atolls of the Cook Islands are scattered over 770,000 square miles of the South Pacific, between American Samoa to the west and French Polynesia to the east.

A former British protectorate, the territory is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand.

Its economy centres on tourism; the territory's natural assets include fine beaches and volcanic mountains.

More than twice as many native Cook Islanders live in New Zealand than live in the islands themselves. Most of them have left in search of a brighter economic future. As New Zealand citizens they can also live in Australia.

The government has encouraged islanders to return. Businesses have been involved in the drive. But the population level has continued to fall.

Black pearls are the chief export. Agriculture, the sale of fishing licences to foreign fleets and offshore finance are also key revenue earners.

The Cook Islands are prone to tropical storms; Hurricane Martin devastated the northern islands in 1997 causing substantial losses for the black pearl industry.

Named after Captain Cook, who explored them in 1773, the islands were once autonomous, home to tribes of mixed Polynesian ancestry. Governments still seek advice on matters of culture, custom and land ownership from a council of hereditary leaders known as the House of Ariki.

Additional information