Cafe Pacific: Nius Country Profiles: Cook Islands

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Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II (represented by a Governor-General).
Head of Government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry.
Capital: Avarua (Rarotonga).
Official languages: Cook Islands Maori, English.
Currency: NZ dollar = 100 cents.
Area: 234 sq km (15 islands); Rarotonga (67 sq km); Mangaia (51).
Population: 19 100 (1994 est.).
Time: -- 1030 hours GMT.
Adult literacy: 75 per cent (1990).
GDP per capita: $3800 (1992).

Map of Cook Islands
Map: Gemini News Service

Political system: The Cook Islands is self-governing in free association with New Zealand. It has a 24-member Parliament (one member representing Cook Islanders abroad) elected for a five-year term by universal adult suffrage, an elected prime minister and a cabinet of ministers.

The upper legislative house of 21 hereditary chiefs, the House of Ariki, has advisory functions only. Local affairs are handled by island councils and village committees in the outer islands. More Cook Islanders live in New Zealand than inhabit the islands themselves. The Queen's Representative in the Cook Islands represents the British sovereign who is head of state.

Political parties: Cook Islands Party (ruling party since 1989 elections) and Democratic Party (opposition). Each party is split into several factions.

News media:

Press:

Cook Islands News: Daily; 2500; English; Cook Islands-owned, Cook Islands News Ltd; Editor: Alex Sword. PO Box 15, Rarotonga. Tel: (682) 22999; Fax: (682) 25303.
Email: editor@cinews.co.ck
WWW: http://www.cinews.co.ck/
Cook Islands Press: Weekly; English; Publisher: Jason Brown; Editor: Barbara Dreaver. Email: cipress@gatepoly.co.ck
Kia Orana Times: Quarterly; 300; English; Seventh Day Adventist Mission. PO Box 31, Rarotonga. Tel: (682) 20900

Radio:

Radio Cook Islands: Broadcasts in English and Maori, including bulletins from Australian and NZ national stations. Cook Islands Broadcasting Corporation (CIBC). PO Box 126, Rarotonga. Tel: (682) 29460. Fax: (682) 21907.
Radio Kia Orana Country FM103: Broadcasts general programs 18 hrs/day, seven days/week in English and Maori.

Television:

Television Cook Islands (CITV): The station broadcasts daily showing footage on local sports, news and cultural programs, as well as New Zealand and world news from Television New Zealand. Broadcasting hours are from 1700-2300 (Mon-Fri). Cook Islands Broadcasting Corporation (CIBC). PO Box 126, Rarotonga. Tel: (682) 29460. Fax: 21907.

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