Government of Cook Islands
Long Conventional Name
None
Short Conventional Name
Cook Islands
Long Local Name
Harvey Islands
Short Local Name
Government Type
Self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital City
Avarua
Administrative Divisions
None
Independence Day
Wednesday, 4th August 1965
Constitutional History
04 August 1965
Legal System
Based on New Zealand law and English common law
Suffrage
N/A years of age; universal (adult)
Executive Branch
Chief of State
Queen Elizabeth II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Frederick Goodwin (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Brian Donnelly (since 21 February 2008), representative of New Zealand
Head of Government
Prime Minister Jim Marurai (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai Maoate (since 9 August 2005)
Cabinet
Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament
Elections
None. The monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; 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
Bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (25 seats, 24 seats representing districts of the Cook Islands, 1 seat representing Cook Islanders living overseas; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a House of Ariki (or upper house) made up of traditional leaders.
Judical Branch
High Court
Flag Description
Blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centred in the outer half of the flag.
