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
Languages: English & Cook Islands Māori
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 & languages

Physical geography

Low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south.

Languages

Languages used in public life include English, Cook Islands Māori.

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand.

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

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.