The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for assisting with the Cook Island's requests for assistance in the areas of foreign affairs, defence and natural disasters. Under this arrangement, the Cook Islands has its own international legal personality and conducts its own …

The Cook Islands (Rarotongan: Kūki ‘Airani; [6] Penrhyn: Kūki Airani[7]) is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of 15 islands whose total land area is approximately 236.7 square kilometres (91 sq mi).

19 hours ago · SYDNEY: New Zealand said on Friday (Feb 7) it had been "blindsided" by the Cook Islands' plans to sign a major agreement with China and issue its own passports. Foreign Minister Winston Peters ...

The realm includes New Zealand, Tokelau, Niue, the Cook Islands, and the Ross Dependency. [2] The Cook Islands, a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand, [3] [4] demonstrates a unique governance framework shaped by its history, culture, and political evolution. The country has navigated a transition from ...

1 day ago · New Zealand and the Cook Islands are not seeing eye to eye on a number of issues, the Foreign Affairs Minister's office says. The Cook Islands is set to discuss a major partnership agreement with China this week.. A spokesperson for Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told RNZ that the lack of transparency with other countries could have significant security implications.

1 day ago · The ructions come after 1News revealed the Cook Islands was pushing for its own passport despite New Zealand saying it would be constitutionally impossible as a realm country. Last night, 1News revealed Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown was about to head to China on the country's first state visit, where he was expected to sign a ...

1 day ago · In an exclusive interview with Cook Islands News, Brown said the proposed Cook Islands passport was "off the table", after New Zealand "bared its teeth" over the initiative. The passport proposal was one of the two major initiatives planned by the Cook Islands government to celebrate the country's 60th year of self-governance this year.

13 hours ago · The Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next week.. Brown told RNZ Pacific ...

About Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in ‘free association’ with New Zealand. Located between French Polynesia and American Samoa, the Cook Islands is part of the Realm of New Zealand, which means that we share the same Head of State, King Charles III.

Dec 23, 2024 · The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation, is challenging its constitutional ties with New Zealand by advocating for its own passport. While nearly 15,000 residents enjoy New Zealand citizenship, independence might be required to fulfil this goal.