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Cook Islands
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
The Cook Islands possesses a rich and distinctive Polynesian culture shaped by centuries of tradition, strong community bonds, and a deep connection to the Pacific Ocean. The islands' people, known as Cook Islanders or M?ori (not to be confused with New Zealand M?ori, though the two groups share ancestral ties), maintain cultural practices that permeate daily life, from language to music, dance, and craft. The Cook Islands M?ori language is one of two official languages alongside English and remains widely spoken across the islands. Oral tradition has historically been the primary means of passing down genealogies, legends, and knowledge, a practice that continues to be honored by elders and community leaders. Dance holds a central place in Cook Islands culture. The traditional form known as ura is performed at community celebrations, festivals, and the annual Te Maeva Nui festival, which commemorates the nation's self-governance established on August 4, 1965. This festival brings together performers from all fifteen islands and serves as a major showcase of cultural identity. The rhythmic hip movements and elaborate costumes characteristic of Cook Islands dance distinguish it from other Polynesian traditions. Tivaevae, intricately hand-sewn patchwork quilts, represent another significant cultural art form. Introduced through missionary influence in the nineteenth century, the practice evolved into a deeply local tradition. These quilts are often made collaboratively by groups of women and are presented as gifts at important life events such as weddings and funerals, carrying considerable social and emotional weight. Religion plays an important role in community life, with the majority of Cook Islanders identifying as Christian. The Cook Islands Christian Church, established by London Missionary Society activity in the nineteenth century, remains the largest denomination. Church attendance and community service connected to religious institutions are common practices. Extended family networks, known as the vaka system, structure social organization and responsibilities. Decisions about land, community matters, and cultural events are frequently made collectively, reflecting a broader Pacific value of communal obligation over individual interest.
Paradise Woven in Ocean and Song
Social Customs & Etiquette
Greetings in the Cook Islands reflect the warm and welcoming nature of the Polynesian culture that defines daily life across the island group. The most common greeting in Cook Islands Māori, the official indigenous language alongside English, is "Kia orana," which is used much like "hello" but carries a deeper meaning of "may you live long" or "may you be well." This phrase is heard everywhere — in markets, schools, homes, and government buildings — and visitors are warmly encouraged to use it themselves.
When meeting someone for the first time or in a formal setting, a handshake is the standard form of physical greeting. Among friends, family, and close acquaintances, a light pressing of noses — a traditional Polynesian hongi — may be exchanged, though this is less common in everyday casual encounters than it once was. A simple embrace or kiss on the cheek has also become common, particularly among younger generations and in more urban settings like Avarua, the capital located on the island of Rarotonga.
Respectful address is important in Cook Islands society, especially when speaking with elders or community leaders. Older community members are generally greeted with particular deference, and using someone's title or position before their name is considered courteous in formal interactions.
English is widely spoken throughout the Cook Islands, making it easy for international visitors to communicate, but making the effort to say "Kia orana" is greatly appreciated by locals and is considered a genuine sign of respect for the indigenous culture. The phrase is frequently seen on welcome signs at airports, printed on tourist materials, and used as a standard greeting in hotels and businesses.
Beyond verbal greetings, smiling and making eye contact are seen as expressions of goodwill and friendliness. The social culture of the Cook Islands places a high value on hospitality, and visitors are often struck by how readily residents engage in friendly conversation with strangers, reflecting the community-centered values deeply rooted in Cook Islands Māori tradition.
Dating Customs
Dating and marriage customs in the Cook Islands reflect a blend of traditional Polynesian values and contemporary influences, shaped by the islands' close cultural ties to New Zealand and the broader Pacific region.
In traditional Cook Islands society, family and community approval played a central role in courtship. Relationships were often influenced by extended family networks, and marriages were seen not just as unions between individuals but between family groups. Elders historically held significant influence over whom young people could marry, and community gatherings, church events, and cultural celebrations served as common settings for meeting potential partners.
Christianity, particularly the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC), has had a profound influence on social norms since missionaries arrived in the early 19th century. Today, church communities remain important social hubs, and religious values continue to shape attitudes toward dating, courtship, and marriage for many islanders.
The legal marriage age in the Cook Islands is 16 years old with parental consent. Civil marriages are conducted through government registration, while many couples also choose church ceremonies that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance. Weddings in the Cook Islands often incorporate traditional elements such as Polynesian dance, music, and communal feasting, making them significant community celebrations rather than purely private affairs.
Due to significant emigration — the Cook Islands diaspora in New Zealand is estimated to be larger than the resident population of around 17,000 people on the islands themselves — many Cook Islanders form relationships and marry abroad, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. This has introduced greater diversity in relationship patterns and has led to increasing rates of intercultural marriages.
Same-sex relationships were decriminalized in the Cook Islands in 2023, marking a significant legal shift. However, social acceptance of LGBTQ+ relationships continues to vary, with more conservative attitudes prevalent in rural and outer island communities compared to the main island of Rarotonga.
Overall, while traditional values around family involvement and religious observance remain meaningful, younger generations on the islands show growing openness to modern approaches to dating and partnership.
Dates of Interest
- Untitled date
What social customs and community values shape daily life in the Cook Islands?
Cook Islands culture centers on strong community bonds and communal obligation over individual interest, structured through extended family networks called the vaka system. Decisions about land, community matters, and cultural events are frequently made collectively.
Do
- Respect the authority of elders and community leaders who preserve oral tradition
- Recognize the social and emotional weight of tivaevae quilts given at weddings and funerals
Good to know
- The Cook Islands M?ori language is an official language alongside English and is widely spoken
- Cook Islanders are also known as M?ori, sharing ancestral ties with New Zealand M?ori but distinct from them
How is family and community organized in the Cook Islands?
Extended family networks known as the vaka system structure social organization and responsibilities, reflecting a broader Pacific value of communal obligation over individual interest.
Good to know
- Decisions about land, community, and cultural events are often made collectively
What cultural celebrations and arts can travelers experience in the Cook Islands?
Dance holds a central place in the culture, with the traditional ura performed at celebrations and the annual Te Maeva Nui festival, which commemorates self-governance established on August 4, 1965.
Good to know
- Te Maeva Nui brings together performers from all fifteen islands as a major showcase of cultural identity
- Look for tivaevae, intricately hand-sewn patchwork quilts often made collaboratively by groups of women
- Cook Islands dance is distinguished by rhythmic hip movements and elaborate costumes
What should travelers know about religion in the Cook Islands?
Religion plays an important role in community life, with the majority of Cook Islanders identifying as Christian. The Cook Islands Christian Church, established through London Missionary Society activity in the nineteenth century, remains the largest denomination.
Good to know
- Church attendance and community service connected to religious institutions are common practices
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Cook Islands
Photos of Cook Islands
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Currency
- 1.4279
- Time Difference
- UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Tropical; moderated by trade winds
- Airports
- 9
- Recommended Vaccinations
- How important is it to do your research about vaccinations? It might just save your life! Make yourself aware of the different types of vaccinations and which ones you may need to travel to your destination. Schedule an appointment with your doctor at least four to six weeks before you travel to ensure you receive all important shots. Be sure that you and your family are up to date on your routine vaccinations. Which vaccinations you need will depend on a number of factors including your destination, whether you will be spending time in rural areas, the season of the year you are traveling, your age, health status, and previous immunizations.
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideHistory
History
Historical Eras
Polynesian Settlement
900 – 1821
Migrants from French Polynesia and Samoa settled the fifteen islands from around the 13th century, establishing chiefly societies governed by ariki. Rarotonga became a crucial waypoint on trans-Pacific voyaging routes, with oral tradition crediting its navigators — most famously the 1350 fleet of seven vaka from Avana Harbour — as among the founding ancestors of New Zealand's Māori people.
Missionary Era
1821 – 1888
London Missionary Society representatives arrived in 1821 and rapidly converted influential ariki, transforming the social and legal fabric of the islands. Working alongside chiefs, missionaries drafted legal codes and abolished violent dispute settlement, producing remarkable political stability. European contact accelerated, with Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña making the first recorded European sighting in 1595 and Captain James Cook surveying the islands between 1773 and 1777.
British Protectorate
1888 – 1901
At the petition of leading ariki seeking protection from rival colonial powers, Britain declared a protectorate over the Southern Group in 1888, extending it to the Northern Group islands in the early 1890s. New Zealand, itself a self-governing British colony, funded and effectively controlled the resident consul, who held advisory and legislative veto powers. Tensions between traditional leaders and New Zealand administrators grew, with some ariki ultimately requesting direct British annexation.
New Zealand Administration
1901 – 1965
On 27 September 1900 the New Zealand Parliament approved annexation, and the islands formally became a New Zealand territory in 1901. Colonial administration restructured land tenure, governance, and public services, while significant emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand began reshaping island demographics. The period saw gradual moves toward internal self-governance culminating in a United Nations-supervised plebiscite process.
Self-Governance
1965 – present
In 1965 Cook Islanders voted to become a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, retaining New Zealand citizenship while managing their own internal affairs. The economy has relied heavily on tourism, remittances, and foreign aid, while persistent emigration of skilled workers and recurring government deficits remain structural challenges. Natural disasters, including four cyclones in rapid succession in 2005, have periodically set back development gains.
Overview
The Missionaries Representatives of the London Missionary Society began arriving in the Cook Islands in 1821. After the early conversion of a number of important ariki (chiefs) support for Christianity increased rapidly throughout the Southern Group. Working through the ariki the missionaries drew up draft legal codes which together with the abolition of violence as a means of dispute settlement, led to unprecedented political stability. In 1881 the British Colonial Office decided that New Zealand interests in the area needed some form of protection against foreign powers and the British Government granted a petition by local European traders and planters for the appointment of an unpaid British Consul for the Hervey Islands, as the Southern Group was then known. In 1888, acting on a petition from the principal ariki seeking British protection, the British Government agreed to permit its then vice-consul in Rarotonga to declare a Protectorate over the Southern Group islands to protect pro-British islanders and New Zealand trade. Similar protectorates were declared over several islands in the Northern Group in the early 1890s. The Colonial Office also decided that certain other Northern Group islands should be annexed for possible future use as trans-Pacific cable stations. In October 1885 the Colonial Office accepted an offer by New Zealand, which was then a self-governing British colony, for New Zealand to pay for a British Consul for Rarotonga on condition that he be nominated by New Zealand and act as the country’s official agent. This "Resident" was also to act as adviser to the ariki in drafting and administering laws and he would sign all acts of the local legislature in the name of the Governor of New Zealand. He would also have the right to reject proposed legislation. In 1890 the newly appointed Resident persuaded the ariki of Rarotonga to form a provisional Rarotongan legislature or General Council, the first government for the entire island. The following year representatives of the ariki from Rarotonga and the Southern Group islands agreed to form the first federal legislature in the islands. However the path through the last decade of the 19th century was far from smooth and the numerous changes that took place were not well accepted by the traditional leaders. Ill feeling between the islanders and New Zealand reached a point where two ariki told the New Zealand premier that the traditional leaders wanted the Cook Islands to be annexed to Great Britain. On 27 September 1900 the New Zealand Parliament approved the annexation of the islands to New Zealand and the following month the British Governor in New Zealand landed at Rarotonga. Without any discussion on its implications, the ariki and other traditional leaders signed a deed of cession and from June 11, 1901 the boundaries of New Zealand were extended to include the Cook Islands. In spite of the fact that the ariki and local government had told a visiting New Zealand parliamentary mission in 1903 that they wanted to remain independent in legislative matters and that the Cook Islands were, under the terms of the annexation a self-governing community under the British Crown, by 1909 the first New Zealand Resident Commissioner and the Minister of Island Territories had taken almost complete responsibility for the administration of the Cook Islands. Enactments of the New Zealand Parliament had the effect of doing away with the Federal Council by 1915. The New Zealand Parliament would legislate for the Cook Islands, while the laws of England at the time New
Timeline of Key Events
1596
Spaniard Alvaro de Mendana is the first European to sight the islands.
Spaniard Alvaro de Mendana is the first European to sight the islands.
1773
Captain James Cook explores the islands and names them the Hervey Islands.
Captain James Cook explores the islands and names them the Hervey Islands. Fifty years later they are renamed in his honor.
1888
Cook Islands are proclaimed a British protectorate.
Cook Islands are proclaimed a British protectorate and a single federal parliament is established.
1901
Islands are annexed to New Zealand.
Islands are annexed to New Zealand.
1965
Islands become a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand.
Islands become a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. Albert Henry, leader of the Cook Islands Party, is elected as the territory’s first prime minister.
2005
Four cyclones in as many weeks hit the territory, causing widespread damage.
Four cyclones in as many weeks hit the territory, causing widespread damage.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
The islands were formerly called the Hervey Islands. Avarua on Rarotonga is the administrative center of the group.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
- Climate
- tropical; moderated by trade winds
- Natural Hazards
- typhoons (November to March)
- Current Environmental Issues
- NA
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
English (official), Maori
- English
- Maori
Population
- Population
- 17,011
- Nationality Noun
- Cook Islander(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Education
- Literacy Definition
- NA
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in the Cook Islands is relatively high compared to many Pacific island nations, reflecting the country's access to healthcare services, its close ties with New Zealand, and ongoing public health initiatives. Current estimates place overall life expectancy at approximately 76 to 77 years, with women typically outliving men by several years — female life expectancy averaging around 79 years and male life expectancy around 74 years. These figures are notable given the Cook Islands' small, dispersed population spread across 15 islands in the South Pacific. The country benefits significantly from its free association status with New Zealand, which allows Cook Islanders to access New Zealand's healthcare system and provides a pipeline of medical training and resources back to the islands. Rarotonga Hospital serves as the primary referral center for the entire island group, while outer islands rely on smaller health clinics and regular visits from medical teams. Despite these advantages, the Cook Islands faces persistent health challenges that put pressure on longevity outcomes. Noncommunicable diseases — particularly cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity — are leading causes of illness and premature death. The prevalence of obesity in the Cook Islands is among the highest in the world, a factor strongly linked to shifting dietary patterns, reduced physical activity, and the widespread availability of imported processed foods. Emigration also complicates health statistics for the Cook Islands. A significant portion of the indigenous population lives in New Zealand or Australia, meaning that health data collected locally reflects a smaller, sometimes older or more health-compromised resident population. This demographic reality can affect how life expectancy figures are interpreted and compared internationally. Public health authorities continue to prioritize programs targeting diet, physical activity, and chronic disease management. Regional organizations, including the Pacific Community and the World Health Organization's Western Pacific office, provide ongoing support for health surveillance and capacity building across the islands. Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases remains the most significant lever for improving life expectancy outcomes in the coming decades.
- Infant Mortality Rate
- The Cook Islands maintains a relatively low infant mortality rate compared to many Pacific Island nations, reflecting the country's commitment to public health infrastructure and maternal and child care services. The infant mortality rate stands at approximately 9 to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places the Cook Islands in a favorable position regionally, though still above rates seen in many developed nations. Several factors contribute to this outcome. The Cook Islands benefits from a government-funded health system that provides free or heavily subsidized medical care to residents, including prenatal and postnatal services. The main island of Rarotonga hosts the Tupapa Hospital, which serves as the primary medical facility for the country and offers maternal and neonatal care. Outer island communities, however, face greater challenges in accessing timely medical services, which can influence health outcomes for vulnerable newborns. Geographic isolation remains one of the most significant challenges to reducing infant mortality further. Emergency medical evacuations to New Zealand, which handles complex cases beyond the capacity of local facilities, are sometimes necessary, and logistical delays can affect outcomes in critical situations. The country has a close health partnership with New Zealand, and many Cook Islanders hold dual citizenship, allowing them to access New Zealand's healthcare system when needed. The government, in collaboration with international organizations, has worked to improve trained birth attendance, neonatal nutrition programs, and community health education. Breastfeeding promotion and immunization coverage have been key pillars of child health initiatives in recent decades. While progress has been steady, the small population size of the Cook Islands — estimated at fewer than 20,000 people — means that even a handful of infant deaths can cause noticeable statistical fluctuation from year to year. Continued investment in outer island health services and maternal care training remains a priority for sustaining and improving upon current outcomes.
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in the Cook Islands is relatively high compared to many Pacific island nations, reflecting the country's access to healthcare services, its close ties with New Zealand, and ongoing public health initiatives. Current estimates place overall life expectancy at approximately 76 to 77 years, with women typically outliving men by several years — female life expectancy averaging around 79 years and male life expectancy around 74 years. These figures are notable given the Cook Islands' small, dispersed population spread across 15 islands in the South Pacific. The country benefits significantly from its free association status with New Zealand, which allows Cook Islanders to access New Zealand's healthcare system and provides a pipeline of medical training and resources back to the islands. Rarotonga Hospital serves as the primary referral center for the entire island group, while outer islands rely on smaller health clinics and regular visits from medical teams. Despite these advantages, the Cook Islands faces persistent health challenges that put pressure on longevity outcomes. Noncommunicable diseases — particularly cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity — are leading causes of illness and premature death. The prevalence of obesity in the Cook Islands is among the highest in the world, a factor strongly linked to shifting dietary patterns, reduced physical activity, and the widespread availability of imported processed foods. Emigration also complicates health statistics for the Cook Islands. A significant portion of the indigenous population lives in New Zealand or Australia, meaning that health data collected locally reflects a smaller, sometimes older or more health-compromised resident population. This demographic reality can affect how life expectancy figures are interpreted and compared internationally. Public health authorities continue to prioritize programs targeting diet, physical activity, and chronic disease management. Regional organizations, including the Pacific Community and the World Health Organization's Western Pacific office, provide ongoing support for health surveillance and capacity building across the islands. Reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases remains the most significant lever for improving life expectancy outcomes in the coming decades.
- Infant Mortality Rate
- The Cook Islands maintains a relatively low infant mortality rate compared to many Pacific Island nations, reflecting the country's commitment to public health infrastructure and maternal and child care services. The infant mortality rate stands at approximately 9 to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places the Cook Islands in a favorable position regionally, though still above rates seen in many developed nations. Several factors contribute to this outcome. The Cook Islands benefits from a government-funded health system that provides free or heavily subsidized medical care to residents, including prenatal and postnatal services. The main island of Rarotonga hosts the Tupapa Hospital, which serves as the primary medical facility for the country and offers maternal and neonatal care. Outer island communities, however, face greater challenges in accessing timely medical services, which can influence health outcomes for vulnerable newborns. Geographic isolation remains one of the most significant challenges to reducing infant mortality further. Emergency medical evacuations to New Zealand, which handles complex cases beyond the capacity of local facilities, are sometimes necessary, and logistical delays can affect outcomes in critical situations. The country has a close health partnership with New Zealand, and many Cook Islanders hold dual citizenship, allowing them to access New Zealand's healthcare system when needed. The government, in collaboration with international organizations, has worked to improve trained birth attendance, neonatal nutrition programs, and community health education. Breastfeeding promotion and immunization coverage have been key pillars of child health initiatives in recent decades. While progress has been steady, the small population size of the Cook Islands — estimated at fewer than 20,000 people — means that even a handful of infant deaths can cause noticeable statistical fluctuation from year to year. Continued investment in outer island health services and maternal care training remains a priority for sustaining and improving upon current outcomes.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- CookIslands
- Former Name
- Harvey Islands
Government Structure
- Government Type
- self-governing parliamentary democracy
- Legal System
- based on New Zealand law and English common law
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Sir Tom MARSTERS (since 9 August 2024); New Zealand High Commissioner represents New Zealand interests in the Cook Islands head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Teariki HEATHER (since 2024) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the King's representative is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Cook Islands Government; the New Zealand High Commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral Parliament of the Cook Islands (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Elections: last held on 1 August 2022 (next to be held in 2026) Election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Cook Islands Party (CIP) 12, Democratic Party (Demo) 11, One Cook Islands Movement (OCI) 1 Note: the House of Ariki (a council of hereditary chiefs) advises on matters relating to custom, tradition, and land, and maintains considerable cultural influence, but holds no formal legislative powers
- Judicial Branch
- High Court
- Suffrage
- NA years of age; universal adult
- Constitution
- 4-Aug-65
- Independence
- none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
- National Holiday
- Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Avarua
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 21 12 S, 159 46 W
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Military
Branches: No regular military forces; National Police Department
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by isolation from foreign markets, the limited size of the domestic market, a lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Tourism is by far the largest industry, typically generating more than two-thirds of GDP and serving as the country's primary source of foreign exchange. Agriculture, while still important for subsistence and local consumption, plays a smaller role in exports than in the past, with copra, papaya, and other tropical fruits among the main agricultural products. Offshore banking, marine resources, and pearl farming also contribute to the economy. Manufacturing remains limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from Cook Islanders living abroad and by foreign aid, the bulk of which comes from New Zealand.
After living beyond its means in the 1980s and early 1990s and accumulating substantial foreign debt, the country undertook major reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the promotion of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement. These measures rekindled investment and growth, and in 2020 the Cook Islands became the first Pacific island nation to be classified as a high-income economy by the World Bank. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted tourism and triggered a sharp economic contraction, with recovery underway as international visitor numbers have rebounded.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- NZ dollars (NZD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 4.2%
Banknotes
Budget & Public Finance
- Fiscal Year
- 1 April - 31 March
- External Debt
- $141,000,000 (USD)
Labor, Industry & Trade
- Labor Force by Occupation
- agriculture 29%; industry 15%; services 56%
- Industries
- fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
- Agriculture Products
- copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
- Export Commodities
- copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
- Export Partners
- Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8%
- Import Commodities
- foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
- Import Partners
- NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2%
Energy
- Oil Production
- 0 bbl/day
- Oil Consumption
- 400 bbl/day
- Oil Reserves
- 0 bbl/day
- Natural Gas Production
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Consumption
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Reserves
- 0 cu m
Communications
- Telephone System
- General assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex Domestic: Individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable International: Country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
- Internet Country Code
- .ck
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
Marine Critical Minerals in the Cook Islands: A Preliminary Look - NOAA Ocean Exploration (.gov)
NOAA Ocean Exploration (.gov) · 1d ago
Getting to the Cook Islands Just Got Much Easier Thanks to This New Airline Partnership—I’ve Flown the Route Myself - Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure · 2d ago
Several megalodon teeth found on the ocean floor offer new clues about the ancient giant - FOX Weather
FOX Weather · 3d ago
A Union Restored: New Zealand and the Cook Islands Repair Ties - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies
CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies · 102d ago
‘I didn’t lose hope’: how Cook Islands fisher survived eight days lost in the Pacific Ocean - The Guardian
The Guardian · 38d ago
What living in the Cook Islands taught me about reo Māori - The Spinoff
The Spinoff · 1d ago
Navigating Seabed Mining in the Cook Islands: A Conversation with John Parianos - stimson.org
stimson.org · 127d ago
US envoy says Cook Islands minerals are a top priority - Reuters
Reuters · 37d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Tropical; moderated by trade winds
Videos
Videos
2 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cook Islands?
What social customs and community values shape daily life in the Cook Islands?
How is family and community organized in the Cook Islands?
What cultural celebrations and arts can travelers experience in the Cook Islands?
What should travelers know about religion in the Cook Islands?
What is the capital of the Cook Islands?
Where are the Cook Islands located?
What bodies of water surround the Cook Islands?
What religion is practiced in the Cook Islands?
What currency is used in the Cook Islands?
What languages are spoken in the Cook Islands?
What is the geography of the Cook Islands like?
What is the Cook Islands known for?
Last reviewed 2026