Pacific Islands News Association

Sports News : Promoting gender equality at the Manu Samoa v Wales test match [22/06/2017 - Samoa]
News Feature : The old ways are gone: Papua New Guinea’s tribal wars become more destructive [22/06/2017 - Papua New Guinea]
Business News : Fiji Airways confirms acquisition of full flight simulator for Aviation academy [22/06/2017 - Fiji]
Business News : ADB approves new facility to upgrade, mantain PNG's highway [22/06/2017 - Papua New Guinea]
News : Vanuatu deputy PM Natuman, Maralau trial in December [22/06/2017 - Vanuatu]
News : Security responsibility of Fiji Military, Colonel Kalouniwai reiterates [22/06/2017 - Fiji]
News : Solomons' Chinese community concerned about RAMSI exit [22/06/2017 - Solomon Islands]
News Feature : ACP-EU Joint Assembly call on U.S. Government to review climate position [22/06/2017 - Malta]
Business News : Fraud cases total $4m: Fiji Police [22/06/2017 - Fiji]
News : PM Sogavare calls on Solomon Islanders to take ownership of country as RAMSI leaves [22/06/2017 - Solomon Islands]
News : Timing of calling election for Vanuatu President required under law: Chairman [22/06/2017 - Vanuatu]
News : Judgment on dismissal of Tongan broadcaster expected next week [22/06/2017 - Tonga]
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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