Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. Its capital, Avarua, is on Rarotonga.

Find Cook Islands

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Avarua
Language guide: Languages spoken & official status
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Population: 15,0402021 Census · Cook Islands Statistics Office · total population
Area: 236 km²91.12 square miles
Self-government: 1965In free association with New Zealand.

Cook Islands in context

Oceania and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Avarua; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & environment

Landscape

The Cook Islands include both high volcanic islands and low coral atolls spread across a large area of the South Pacific. These two island types have very different landscapes and freshwater conditions. They should not be pictured as one compact group.

Rarotonga has steep volcanic mountains and a coastal settlement belt. Aitutaki is known for its lagoon and reef setting, with both higher land and small low islands. Northern atolls are flatter and more directly exposed to ocean conditions.

Climate & seasons

The islands have a warm oceanic climate moderated by trade winds. A wetter summer season alternates with a generally drier, cooler part of the year.

Island contrasts

High islands can support streams and upland forest, while atolls have fewer freshwater resources. Reefs and lagoons are important throughout the group. Tropical weather affects islands differently depending on elevation, exposure and location.

Flag

Blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large circle of 15 five-pointed white stars (one for each island) centered in the right half of the flag

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · New Zealand MFAT · Cook Islands · Cook Islands Ministry of Finance · currency · Cook Islands Statistics Office · 2021 Census

Landscapes & nature

Languages

Public and official use

Cook Islands Māori and English are official languages. Cook Islands Māori has several island varieties, and Pukapukan has a distinct linguistic tradition.

Community and regional languages

Cook Islands Māori is related to, but not identical with, New Zealand Māori. English is widely used in education and public life, while the balance between languages varies by island, household and generation.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

History & status

Polynesian settlement preceded European contact by centuries. The islands became a British protectorate in 1888 and were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. In 1965 they became self-governing in free association with New Zealand. The Cook Islands conducts its own international relations, while the relationship with New Zealand includes shared citizenship and assistance when requested.

1888
The islands become a British protectorate
1901
The islands are annexed to New Zealand
1965
Self-government in free association with New Zealand begins

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · New Zealand MFAT · Cook Islands · Cook Islands Ministry of Finance · currency · Cook Islands Statistics Office · 2021 Census

Economy

Main activities

Tourism supports accommodation, restaurants, transport and many small businesses. Agriculture, fishing and pearl production also contribute. A scattered island geography creates high transport and infrastructure costs. The currency is the New Zealand dollar, with locally issued notes and coins also circulating.

Industry and production

Tourism services, agriculture, fisheries and cultured pearl production. Local Cook Islands notes and coins circulate alongside New Zealand currency.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · New Zealand MFAT · Cook Islands · Cook Islands Ministry of Finance · currency · Cook Islands Statistics Office · 2021 Census

Population

15,040 · 2021 Census · Cook Islands Statistics Office · total population

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · New Zealand MFAT · Cook Islands · Cook Islands Ministry of Finance · currency · Cook Islands Statistics Office · 2021 Census

Government

A self-governing parliamentary state in free association with New Zealand. A Prime Minister leads the government, an elected Parliament legislates, and the King’s Representative represents the shared monarch. The Cook Islands conducts its own international relations; New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs and defence when requested.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · New Zealand MFAT · Cook Islands · Cook Islands Ministry of Finance · currency · Cook Islands Statistics Office · 2021 Census

Knowledge check

Three questions about Cook Islands.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

What is the Cook Islands’ relationship with New Zealand?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · New Zealand MFAT · Cook Islands · Cook Islands Ministry of Finance · currency · Cook Islands Statistics Office · 2021 Census

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.