| COOK ISLANDS Cook Islands Cook Islands (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Joined United Nations: 24 October 1945 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 09/09/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Avarua
11,870 (July 2010 est.)
Jim Marurai
Prime Minister since 14 December 2004
Prime Minister since 14 December 2004
The monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by
the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by
the New Zealand Government;
Next scheduled election: None
the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by
the New Zealand Government;
Next scheduled election: None
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or
the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes Prime
Minister who appoints the deputy Prime Minister
Next scheduled election: 2011
the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes Prime
Minister who appoints the deputy Prime Minister
Next scheduled election: 2011
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other
Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand with no administrative divisions; Cook Islands is fully
responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook
Islands; Legal system is based on New Zealand law and English common law
Executive: 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: 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
note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers
elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
Judicial: High Court
responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook
Islands; Legal system is based on New Zealand law and English common law
Executive: 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: 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
note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers
elections: last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
Judicial: High Court
| LANGUAGES |
English (official), Maori
| BRIEF HISTORY |
The Cook Islands were first settled in the sixth century by Polynesian peoples who migrated from Tahiti. Cook Islanders are true
Polynesians, the finest seafarers of the vast Pacific, voyagers on frail canoes who felt at home on the ocean and who travelled across
its huge wastes in search of new lands and new beginnings. The journeys undertaken by these stone age people in their fragile craft
dwarf the voyages of exploration boasted of by the Portuguese, Spanish, British, Dutch, and French. Over-population on many of
the tiny islands of Polynesia led to these oceanic migrations. Tradition has it that this was the reason for the expedition of Ru, from
Tupua'i in French Polynesia, who landed on Aitutaki and Tangiia, also from French Polynesia, who are believed to have arrived on
Rarotonga around 800 AD. Some evidence for this is that the old road of Toi, the Ara metua which runs round most of Rarotonga,
is believed to be at least 1200 years old. Similarly, the northern islands were probably settled by expeditions from Samoa and
Tonga. As was common with most patterns of Polynesian migration, expanding population and pressure on resources resulted in the
ocean-going canoes being stocked with food and the most venturesome souls being encouraged to set off to look for more living
space. This pattern continues today across most Pacific islands except that entry restrictions to other lands are nowadays much
more stringent. Cook Islanders are convinced that the great Maori migrations to New Zealand began from Rarotonga possibly as
early as the fifth century AD. The most favored location for the starting point was Ngatangiia on the eastern side of Rarotonga
where there is a gap in the fringing reef at the widest part of the island's lagoon. Spanish ships visited the islands in the late sixteenth
century; the first written record of contact with the Islands came with the sighting of Pukapuka by Spanish sailor Álvaro de
Mendaña de Neira in 1595. Another Spaniard Pedro Fernandes de Queirós made the first recorded European landing in the islands
when he set foot on Rakahanga in 1606. British navigator Captain James Cook arrived in 1773 and 1779; Cook named the Cook
Islands the Hervey Islands; the name "Cook Islands" was given by the British in honour of Cook when they published a Russian
naval chart in the early 1880s. In 1813, John Williams, a missionary on the Endeavour (not the same ship as Cook's), made the first
official sighting of the Island Rarotonga. The first recorded landing by Europeans was in 1814 by the Cumberland; trouble broke out
between the sailors and the Islanders and many were killed on both sides. The islands saw no more Europeans until missionaries
arrived from England in 1821. Christianity quickly took hold in the culture and retains that grip today.
The Kingdom of Rarotonga was established in 1858 and in 1888 it became a British protectorate at their own request in, mainly to
thwart French expansionism. Then were transferred to New Zealand in 1901. They remained a New Zealand protectorate until
1965, at which point they became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The first Prime Minister Sir
Albert Henry led the county until 1978 when he was accused of vote-rigging. Today, the Cook Islands are essentially independent
(self-governing in free association with New Zealand), but are still officially placed under New Zealand sovereignty. New Zealand is
tasked with overseeing the country's foreign relations and defence. The Cook Islands are one of four New Zealand dependencies,
along with Tokelau, Niue and the Ross Dependency. After achieving autonomy in 1965, the Cook Islands elected Albert Henry of
the Cook Islands Party as their first Prime Minister. He was succeeded in 1978 by Tom Davis of the Democratic Party. On June
11, 1980, the United States signed a treaty with New Zealand specifying the maritime border between the Cook Islands and
American Samoa and also relinquishing its claim to the islands of Penrhyn, Pukapuka (Danger), Manihiki, and Rakahanga. The
emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. The Cook Islands enjoys universal
suffrage, democratic government, several privately-owned newspapers and a vigorous standard of debate. For all practical
purposes the Cook Islands is independent. It is governed by a Parliament of 24 elected representatives including one who
represents Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and Australia, as well as a House of Ariki or hereditary chiefs who provide
consultation and advice. The Members of Parliament represent districts and entire islands. The system is based on the Westminster
model and elections are held every five years. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Cook Islands; Best Kept Secret of the Pacific: Cook Islands
Polynesians, the finest seafarers of the vast Pacific, voyagers on frail canoes who felt at home on the ocean and who travelled across
its huge wastes in search of new lands and new beginnings. The journeys undertaken by these stone age people in their fragile craft
dwarf the voyages of exploration boasted of by the Portuguese, Spanish, British, Dutch, and French. Over-population on many of
the tiny islands of Polynesia led to these oceanic migrations. Tradition has it that this was the reason for the expedition of Ru, from
Tupua'i in French Polynesia, who landed on Aitutaki and Tangiia, also from French Polynesia, who are believed to have arrived on
Rarotonga around 800 AD. Some evidence for this is that the old road of Toi, the Ara metua which runs round most of Rarotonga,
is believed to be at least 1200 years old. Similarly, the northern islands were probably settled by expeditions from Samoa and
Tonga. As was common with most patterns of Polynesian migration, expanding population and pressure on resources resulted in the
ocean-going canoes being stocked with food and the most venturesome souls being encouraged to set off to look for more living
space. This pattern continues today across most Pacific islands except that entry restrictions to other lands are nowadays much
more stringent. Cook Islanders are convinced that the great Maori migrations to New Zealand began from Rarotonga possibly as
early as the fifth century AD. The most favored location for the starting point was Ngatangiia on the eastern side of Rarotonga
where there is a gap in the fringing reef at the widest part of the island's lagoon. Spanish ships visited the islands in the late sixteenth
century; the first written record of contact with the Islands came with the sighting of Pukapuka by Spanish sailor Álvaro de
Mendaña de Neira in 1595. Another Spaniard Pedro Fernandes de Queirós made the first recorded European landing in the islands
when he set foot on Rakahanga in 1606. British navigator Captain James Cook arrived in 1773 and 1779; Cook named the Cook
Islands the Hervey Islands; the name "Cook Islands" was given by the British in honour of Cook when they published a Russian
naval chart in the early 1880s. In 1813, John Williams, a missionary on the Endeavour (not the same ship as Cook's), made the first
official sighting of the Island Rarotonga. The first recorded landing by Europeans was in 1814 by the Cumberland; trouble broke out
between the sailors and the Islanders and many were killed on both sides. The islands saw no more Europeans until missionaries
arrived from England in 1821. Christianity quickly took hold in the culture and retains that grip today.
The Kingdom of Rarotonga was established in 1858 and in 1888 it became a British protectorate at their own request in, mainly to
thwart French expansionism. Then were transferred to New Zealand in 1901. They remained a New Zealand protectorate until
1965, at which point they became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The first Prime Minister Sir
Albert Henry led the county until 1978 when he was accused of vote-rigging. Today, the Cook Islands are essentially independent
(self-governing in free association with New Zealand), but are still officially placed under New Zealand sovereignty. New Zealand is
tasked with overseeing the country's foreign relations and defence. The Cook Islands are one of four New Zealand dependencies,
along with Tokelau, Niue and the Ross Dependency. After achieving autonomy in 1965, the Cook Islands elected Albert Henry of
the Cook Islands Party as their first Prime Minister. He was succeeded in 1978 by Tom Davis of the Democratic Party. On June
11, 1980, the United States signed a treaty with New Zealand specifying the maritime border between the Cook Islands and
American Samoa and also relinquishing its claim to the islands of Penrhyn, Pukapuka (Danger), Manihiki, and Rakahanga. The
emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. The Cook Islands enjoys universal
suffrage, democratic government, several privately-owned newspapers and a vigorous standard of debate. For all practical
purposes the Cook Islands is independent. It is governed by a Parliament of 24 elected representatives including one who
represents Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and Australia, as well as a House of Ariki or hereditary chiefs who provide
consultation and advice. The Members of Parliament represent districts and entire islands. The system is based on the Westminster
model and elections are held every five years. The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Cook Islands; Best Kept Secret of the Pacific: Cook Islands
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country
from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters,
and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base
with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are
limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid
overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public
service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic
management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Cook Islands)
from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters,
and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base
with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are
limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid
overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public
service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic
management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Cook Islands)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The politics of the Cook Islands, an associated state, takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy
within a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of New Zealand, represented in the Cook Islands by the Queen's Representative, is
the Head of State; the Chief Minister is the head of government and of a pluriform multi-party system. The Islands are
self-governing in free association with New Zealand and are fully responsible for internal affairs. New Zealand retains some
responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands. In recent years, the Cook Islands has taken on more of its
own external affairs; as of 2005, it has diplomatic relations in its own name with eighteen other countries. Executive power is
exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the islands' parliament. The judiciary is
independent of the executive and the legislature.
The monarch is hereditary; her representative is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Cook Islands
Government. The cabinet is chosen by the prime minister and collectively responsible to Parliament. Ten years of rule by the Cook
Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe Williams. Williams had led a
minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main
opposition Democratic Party (DAP). On 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai Maoate was sworn in as prime minister. He
was succeeded by his co-partisan Robert Woonton. When Dr Woonton lost his seat in the 2004 elections, Jim Marurai took over.
On June 13, 2008, a small majority of members of the House of Ariki attempted a coup, claiming to dissolve the elected
government and to take control of the country's leadership. "Basically we are dissolving the leadership, the prime minister and the
deputy prime minister and the ministers," chief Makea Vakatini Joseph Ariki explained. The Cook Islands Herald suggested that the
ariki were attempting thereby to regain some of their traditional prestige or mana. Prime Minister Jim Marurai described the
take-over move as "ill-founded and nonsensical". By June 23, the situation appeared to have normalised, with members of the
House of Ariki accepting to return to their regular duties.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Cook Islands
within a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of New Zealand, represented in the Cook Islands by the Queen's Representative, is
the Head of State; the Chief Minister is the head of government and of a pluriform multi-party system. The Islands are
self-governing in free association with New Zealand and are fully responsible for internal affairs. New Zealand retains some
responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands. In recent years, the Cook Islands has taken on more of its
own external affairs; as of 2005, it has diplomatic relations in its own name with eighteen other countries. Executive power is
exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the islands' parliament. The judiciary is
independent of the executive and the legislature.
The monarch is hereditary; her representative is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Cook Islands
Government. The cabinet is chosen by the prime minister and collectively responsible to Parliament. Ten years of rule by the Cook
Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe Williams. Williams had led a
minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main
opposition Democratic Party (DAP). On 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai Maoate was sworn in as prime minister. He
was succeeded by his co-partisan Robert Woonton. When Dr Woonton lost his seat in the 2004 elections, Jim Marurai took over.
On June 13, 2008, a small majority of members of the House of Ariki attempted a coup, claiming to dissolve the elected
government and to take control of the country's leadership. "Basically we are dissolving the leadership, the prime minister and the
deputy prime minister and the ministers," chief Makea Vakatini Joseph Ariki explained. The Cook Islands Herald suggested that the
ariki were attempting thereby to regain some of their traditional prestige or mana. Prime Minister Jim Marurai described the
take-over move as "ill-founded and nonsensical". By June 23, the situation appeared to have normalised, with members of the
House of Ariki accepting to return to their regular duties.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Cook Islands
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
None reported.
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
None reported.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: New Zealand (including Cook Islands)
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Elections and Political Participation
Women participated fully in political life. There were 41 women in Parliament and eight on the executive council, which is composed of
28 ministers (20 within the cabinet and eight outside). The chief justice of the Supreme Court was a woman. There were three women
in the 25-seat parliament of the Associated State of the Cook Islands and four women in the 20-seat parliament of the Associated State
of Niue.
Section 6 Worker Rights
a. The Right of Association
Labor organization in the territory of Tokelau (population 1,466) was limited and based on communal decision making and activity. In
Niue, a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand (population 1,625), the dominant public sector (422 positions) had
an active public-service association. In the Cook Islands, also a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand (official
population 21,000; resident population 13,000), most workers in the public sector, the major employer, belonged to the Cook Islands
Workers' Association, an independent local union. Industrial relations in the Cook Islands are governed by a simplified version of New
Zealand's national legislation.
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Elections and Political Participation
Women participated fully in political life. There were 41 women in Parliament and eight on the executive council, which is composed of
28 ministers (20 within the cabinet and eight outside). The chief justice of the Supreme Court was a woman. There were three women
in the 25-seat parliament of the Associated State of the Cook Islands and four women in the 20-seat parliament of the Associated State
of Niue.
Section 6 Worker Rights
a. The Right of Association
Labor organization in the territory of Tokelau (population 1,466) was limited and based on communal decision making and activity. In
Niue, a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand (population 1,625), the dominant public sector (422 positions) had
an active public-service association. In the Cook Islands, also a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand (official
population 21,000; resident population 13,000), most workers in the public sector, the major employer, belonged to the Cook Islands
Workers' Association, an independent local union. Industrial relations in the Cook Islands are governed by a simplified version of New
Zealand's national legislation.
Click here to read more »
10 August 2007
Original: English
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Thirty-ninth session
23 July-10 August 2007
Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Cook Islands
Introduction
2. The Committee commends the Cook Islands for its accession to the Convention in its own right on 11 August 2006, while noting its
accession to the Convention in 1985 through territorial application under New Zealand. It expresses its appreciation to the Cook Islands
for the quality and timely submission, of its initial report, which followed the Committee’s guidelines for preparation of initial reports,
while noting that it does not refer to the Committee’s general recommendations. It also notes with appreciation that the report was
prepared in a broad-based consultative process with the participation of government bodies, non-governmental organizations and Cook
Islands women.
Positive aspects
6. The Committee commends the Cook Islands for commissioning, in 2005, a comprehensive review of the consistency of its legislation
with the Convention, to identify areas in need of reform. It welcomes the establishment of a Law Reform Committee to carry out the
reform process, which will include relevant line ministries and non-governmental representatives in consultation with the Crown Law
Office, and appreciates the clear timeline for completion of the process.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
9. While recalling the Cook Islands’ obligation to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the Convention, the
Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding comments as requiring priority attention
between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the Cook Islands to focus on
those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It calls on the
Cook Islands to submit the present concluding comments to all relevant ministries and to Parliament so as to ensure their full
implementation.
10. While noting that article 64 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Cook Islands guarantees equality before the law and the protection of
the law without discrimination on the grounds of sex, the Committee is concerned that neither the Constitution nor other appropriate
legislation embody the principle of equality between women and men, nor contain a definition of discrimination against women, in
accordance with article 1 of the Convention, covering both direct and indirect discrimination and extending to acts of both public and
private actors in accordance with article 2.
Click here to read more »
Original: English
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Thirty-ninth session
23 July-10 August 2007
Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Cook Islands
Introduction
2. The Committee commends the Cook Islands for its accession to the Convention in its own right on 11 August 2006, while noting its
accession to the Convention in 1985 through territorial application under New Zealand. It expresses its appreciation to the Cook Islands
for the quality and timely submission, of its initial report, which followed the Committee’s guidelines for preparation of initial reports,
while noting that it does not refer to the Committee’s general recommendations. It also notes with appreciation that the report was
prepared in a broad-based consultative process with the participation of government bodies, non-governmental organizations and Cook
Islands women.
Positive aspects
6. The Committee commends the Cook Islands for commissioning, in 2005, a comprehensive review of the consistency of its legislation
with the Convention, to identify areas in need of reform. It welcomes the establishment of a Law Reform Committee to carry out the
reform process, which will include relevant line ministries and non-governmental representatives in consultation with the Crown Law
Office, and appreciates the clear timeline for completion of the process.
Principal areas of concern and recommendations
9. While recalling the Cook Islands’ obligation to systematically and continuously implement all the provisions of the Convention, the
Committee views the concerns and recommendations identified in the present concluding comments as requiring priority attention
between now and the submission of the next periodic report. Consequently, the Committee calls upon the Cook Islands to focus on
those areas in its implementation activities and to report on action taken and results achieved in its next periodic report. It calls on the
Cook Islands to submit the present concluding comments to all relevant ministries and to Parliament so as to ensure their full
implementation.
10. While noting that article 64 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Cook Islands guarantees equality before the law and the protection of
the law without discrimination on the grounds of sex, the Committee is concerned that neither the Constitution nor other appropriate
legislation embody the principle of equality between women and men, nor contain a definition of discrimination against women, in
accordance with article 1 of the Convention, covering both direct and indirect discrimination and extending to acts of both public and
private actors in accordance with article 2.
Click here to read more »
Constructing a Government Index For the Cook Islands
Pacific Economic Bulletin Volume 22 Number 2 2007
Approach
The governance index for the Cook Islands is based on computations derived at three different levels. As noted earlier, the index is made
up from three core dimensions:
rule of law, government effectiveness and regulatory quality. The indices for each of the three core dimensions are computed from their
sub-dimensions. In turn, each sub-dimension is mostly computed from several indicators, hereafter referred to as sub-dimension
indicators.
The governance index, together with the core dimensions, sub-dimensions and sub-dimension indicators are measured numerically
within the range zero to 1.0. The interpretation of this zero to 1.0 range is that a value closer to zero indicates a lower level of
achievement. Since the governance index is constructed from annual data, expressing the index numerically allows governments and
others to follow the changes in levels of governance easily.
All of the indicators used by the World Bank team in the construction of their governance indices are taken from surveys of perceptions
of experts and opinion polls. In constructing governance indices for Pacific island countries, we felt expert opinions and opinion polls
reflecting perceptions about governance in the small Pacific states would be difficult to obtain on a widespread and regular basis.
Moreover, the subjectivity of indicators based on perceptions could be a source of resistance to developing economy governments
accepting them as fair evaluations of their governance quality (Knack 2002).
In contrast to the perceptions-based approach, the approach used here provides measures of governance quality that are almost entirely
based on objective data, a substantial proportion of which is drawn from official statistics. The only exceptions are the use of Freedom
House’s Freedom in the World and Freedom of the Press (Freedom House 2006a, 2006b) indicators. The approach we have adopted
intends there to be annual updates of the governance measures and for the indices to be comparable across the countries.
Click here to read more »
Pacific Economic Bulletin Volume 22 Number 2 2007
Approach
The governance index for the Cook Islands is based on computations derived at three different levels. As noted earlier, the index is made
up from three core dimensions:
rule of law, government effectiveness and regulatory quality. The indices for each of the three core dimensions are computed from their
sub-dimensions. In turn, each sub-dimension is mostly computed from several indicators, hereafter referred to as sub-dimension
indicators.
The governance index, together with the core dimensions, sub-dimensions and sub-dimension indicators are measured numerically
within the range zero to 1.0. The interpretation of this zero to 1.0 range is that a value closer to zero indicates a lower level of
achievement. Since the governance index is constructed from annual data, expressing the index numerically allows governments and
others to follow the changes in levels of governance easily.
All of the indicators used by the World Bank team in the construction of their governance indices are taken from surveys of perceptions
of experts and opinion polls. In constructing governance indices for Pacific island countries, we felt expert opinions and opinion polls
reflecting perceptions about governance in the small Pacific states would be difficult to obtain on a widespread and regular basis.
Moreover, the subjectivity of indicators based on perceptions could be a source of resistance to developing economy governments
accepting them as fair evaluations of their governance quality (Knack 2002).
In contrast to the perceptions-based approach, the approach used here provides measures of governance quality that are almost entirely
based on objective data, a substantial proportion of which is drawn from official statistics. The only exceptions are the use of Freedom
House’s Freedom in the World and Freedom of the Press (Freedom House 2006a, 2006b) indicators. The approach we have adopted
intends there to be annual updates of the governance measures and for the indices to be comparable across the countries.
Click here to read more »
Death Penalty: World trend down but secrecy surrounds China execution figures- new report
Posted: 14 April 2008
Amnesty International has today called for secrecy surrounding the use of the death penalty around the world to be lifted as it published
new figures showing that over 1,250 people were executed last year.
The call came as the human rights organisation published its global report on the death penalty for 2007, showing that a minimum of
1,252 people were executed in 24 countries last year (full list available), with at least 3,347 people sentenced to death in over 50
countries. Up to 27,500 people are now estimated to be on death row across the world.
Meanwhile, in comparison to 2006, last year saw large rises in the number of executions in Iran (at least 317 people, up from 177), in
Saudi Arabia (at least 143, up from 39), and in Pakistan (at least 135, up from 82). Just five countries - China, Iran, Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan and the USA - carried out the overwhelming majority (88%) of known executions in the world last year, though the hidden
extent of executions in China may have meant that China alone was responsible for the bulk of them.
'As the world's biggest executioner, China gets the 'gold medal' for global executions. Everyone involved in this year's Olympics,
especially the International Olympics Committee, should be pressing China to reveal the extent of its use of the death penalty, to reduce
the 60-plus crimes for which it can be imposed and to move toward abolition.'
Against a general trend of declining death penalty use internationally, Amnesty International is also seriously concerned at sharp rises in
executions in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Iran's minimum of 317 executions in 2007 included the stoning to death of a man for
adultery, and the execution of three people who were just teenagers (aged between 13 and 16) at the time of their arrests. In Saudi
Arabia, where at least 143 people were executed, those killed included a child offender aged 15 or 16 at the time of his detention, and an
Egyptian man who was beheaded for 'sorcery' and adultery, one of at least 76 foreigners executed in the kingdom last year. Saudi Arabia
also had the highest per capita rate of execution in the world.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International's death penalty review welcomed the wider trend toward global abolition. Two-thirds of the world's
countries (135) have now either officially abolished capital punishment or have refrained from using it for at least 10 years. Last year
three more countries (Albania, Rwanda and the Cook Islands) abolished the death penalty, while in the USA New Jersey became the first
US state to legally abolish capital punishment since it was reintroduced in the US in 1972.
Click here to read more »
Posted: 14 April 2008
Amnesty International has today called for secrecy surrounding the use of the death penalty around the world to be lifted as it published
new figures showing that over 1,250 people were executed last year.
The call came as the human rights organisation published its global report on the death penalty for 2007, showing that a minimum of
1,252 people were executed in 24 countries last year (full list available), with at least 3,347 people sentenced to death in over 50
countries. Up to 27,500 people are now estimated to be on death row across the world.
Meanwhile, in comparison to 2006, last year saw large rises in the number of executions in Iran (at least 317 people, up from 177), in
Saudi Arabia (at least 143, up from 39), and in Pakistan (at least 135, up from 82). Just five countries - China, Iran, Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan and the USA - carried out the overwhelming majority (88%) of known executions in the world last year, though the hidden
extent of executions in China may have meant that China alone was responsible for the bulk of them.
'As the world's biggest executioner, China gets the 'gold medal' for global executions. Everyone involved in this year's Olympics,
especially the International Olympics Committee, should be pressing China to reveal the extent of its use of the death penalty, to reduce
the 60-plus crimes for which it can be imposed and to move toward abolition.'
Against a general trend of declining death penalty use internationally, Amnesty International is also seriously concerned at sharp rises in
executions in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Iran's minimum of 317 executions in 2007 included the stoning to death of a man for
adultery, and the execution of three people who were just teenagers (aged between 13 and 16) at the time of their arrests. In Saudi
Arabia, where at least 143 people were executed, those killed included a child offender aged 15 or 16 at the time of his detention, and an
Egyptian man who was beheaded for 'sorcery' and adultery, one of at least 76 foreigners executed in the kingdom last year. Saudi Arabia
also had the highest per capita rate of execution in the world.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International's death penalty review welcomed the wider trend toward global abolition. Two-thirds of the world's
countries (135) have now either officially abolished capital punishment or have refrained from using it for at least 10 years. Last year
three more countries (Albania, Rwanda and the Cook Islands) abolished the death penalty, while in the USA New Jersey became the first
US state to legally abolish capital punishment since it was reintroduced in the US in 1972.
Click here to read more »
ICBL Intervention on Article 7 (Transparency Reporting) of the Mine Ban Treaty
Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, to the Standing
Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention
April 23, 2007
Geneva, Switzerland
Thank you Mr. Chairman and thanks also to Belgium for its coordination of the Article 7 contact group and its informative report. We
have produced our traditional Landmine Monitor Fact Sheet on Article 7, and I would like to highlight some of the points from it, but I
also encourage all delegates to get a copy of the fact sheet which has more detail, and names more names, than I can in this intervention.
Annual Reporting
It appears that compliance with the requirement for annual updates of Article 7 transparency reports is slipping. A total of 26 States
Parties did not submit an annual report for either 2004 or 2005 (due 30 April 2005 and 30 April 2006). An additional 11 States, or 37
total, did not submit an annual report for 2005. Of these, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Malawi, and the Philippines are of greatest
concern, because they are mine-affected, or their mine-affected status is uncertain.
Initial Reporting
Since the publication of Landmine Monitor Report 2006, three States Parties met their deadline for submitting initial Article 7 reports:
Brunei, Ukraine, and Vanuatu. Congratulations to them. In addition, Guyana finally submitted its initial report, due 31 July 2004, in
October 2006.
However, three States Parties did not meet their deadlines-Bhutan (31 July 2006), Haiti (28 January 2007), and Cook Islands (28
February 2007). In addition to those three, five other States Parties are late in submitting their initial reports: Equatorial Guinea (due by
28 August 1999), Cape Verde (due by 30 April 2002), Gambia (due by 28 August 2003), São Tomé e Príncipe (due by 28 February
2004), and Ethiopia (due by 28 November 2005). Of these, Ethiopia is most worrisome because it is mine affected and likely has a
sizeable stockpile of antipersonnel mines.
Click here to read more »
Delivered by Steve Goose, Director of Human Rights Watch Arms Division and Head of the ICBL Delegation, to the Standing
Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention
April 23, 2007
Geneva, Switzerland
Thank you Mr. Chairman and thanks also to Belgium for its coordination of the Article 7 contact group and its informative report. We
have produced our traditional Landmine Monitor Fact Sheet on Article 7, and I would like to highlight some of the points from it, but I
also encourage all delegates to get a copy of the fact sheet which has more detail, and names more names, than I can in this intervention.
Annual Reporting
It appears that compliance with the requirement for annual updates of Article 7 transparency reports is slipping. A total of 26 States
Parties did not submit an annual report for either 2004 or 2005 (due 30 April 2005 and 30 April 2006). An additional 11 States, or 37
total, did not submit an annual report for 2005. Of these, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Malawi, and the Philippines are of greatest
concern, because they are mine-affected, or their mine-affected status is uncertain.
Initial Reporting
Since the publication of Landmine Monitor Report 2006, three States Parties met their deadline for submitting initial Article 7 reports:
Brunei, Ukraine, and Vanuatu. Congratulations to them. In addition, Guyana finally submitted its initial report, due 31 July 2004, in
October 2006.
However, three States Parties did not meet their deadlines-Bhutan (31 July 2006), Haiti (28 January 2007), and Cook Islands (28
February 2007). In addition to those three, five other States Parties are late in submitting their initial reports: Equatorial Guinea (due by
28 August 1999), Cape Verde (due by 30 April 2002), Gambia (due by 28 August 2003), São Tomé e Príncipe (due by 28 February
2004), and Ethiopia (due by 28 November 2005). Of these, Ethiopia is most worrisome because it is mine affected and likely has a
sizeable stockpile of antipersonnel mines.
Click here to read more »
Prime Ministers statement to the 15th session of the UNFCCC
HONOURABLE JIM MARURAI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE COOK ISLANDS
STATEMENT TO THE FIFTEENTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS
FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
16 December 2009, Copenhagen
Madame President, I address you today to bring to the leaders of the world the plea of my people that they may continue to “live on” in
their own country for generations to come.
At the outset, the Cook Islands supports the statements made by Grenada on behalf of the Alliance of the Small Islands States – AOSIS.
To the Cook Islands people, this conference represents hope – ‘Hopenhagen’ for the hope of my people who are already experiencing
the adverse effects of climate change – the loss of their homes, loss of their foods’ sources, their churches, the graves of their departed
ones, and fearful for the impending loss of their land and therefore their livelihoods, culture, identify and sense of belonging as a people.
Madame President, the Cook Islands has contributed very little to the problem of climate change. Yet we are paying so dearly for it.
The science is clear. What more evidence do we need? Even the pledges on the table right now do not guarantee the future of our
children.
Each year, the world comes together with the intention of moving forward on climate change. Almost two decades later, the talking has
not delivered enough. Now is the time. Now is the time to put words into serious action.
Sadly Madame President, from what I have been hearing, some parties are not willing to respect our right – our right to survive.
My people want a fair, legally binding agreement from this Conference – an agreement that would secure a meaningful reduction in
emissions, and guarantee support for adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change.
We stand to lose everything. But this loss and damage is morally unacceptable, and humanly unjust.
I have come a long way to give you this message. And it will be a long journey home to tell my people that this plea for their future
survival has fallen on deaf ears.
The opportunity is now. Let the cry of the world be heard in Copenhagen and turn hope into certainty. Say “yes” now to a fair and
legally binding-agreement.
Kia orana e kia manuia.
Click here to read more »
HONOURABLE JIM MARURAI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE COOK ISLANDS
STATEMENT TO THE FIFTEENTH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS
FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
16 December 2009, Copenhagen
Madame President, I address you today to bring to the leaders of the world the plea of my people that they may continue to “live on” in
their own country for generations to come.
At the outset, the Cook Islands supports the statements made by Grenada on behalf of the Alliance of the Small Islands States – AOSIS.
To the Cook Islands people, this conference represents hope – ‘Hopenhagen’ for the hope of my people who are already experiencing
the adverse effects of climate change – the loss of their homes, loss of their foods’ sources, their churches, the graves of their departed
ones, and fearful for the impending loss of their land and therefore their livelihoods, culture, identify and sense of belonging as a people.
Madame President, the Cook Islands has contributed very little to the problem of climate change. Yet we are paying so dearly for it.
The science is clear. What more evidence do we need? Even the pledges on the table right now do not guarantee the future of our
children.
Each year, the world comes together with the intention of moving forward on climate change. Almost two decades later, the talking has
not delivered enough. Now is the time. Now is the time to put words into serious action.
Sadly Madame President, from what I have been hearing, some parties are not willing to respect our right – our right to survive.
My people want a fair, legally binding agreement from this Conference – an agreement that would secure a meaningful reduction in
emissions, and guarantee support for adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change.
We stand to lose everything. But this loss and damage is morally unacceptable, and humanly unjust.
I have come a long way to give you this message. And it will be a long journey home to tell my people that this plea for their future
survival has fallen on deaf ears.
The opportunity is now. Let the cry of the world be heard in Copenhagen and turn hope into certainty. Say “yes” now to a fair and
legally binding-agreement.
Kia orana e kia manuia.
Click here to read more »
Cook Islands Ombudsman says OIA has made workload manageable
26 Aug 2009
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands ---- Inefficient record keeping in government entities is being seen as a major challenge to administering
the Official Information Act in the Cook Islands, reports Radio New Zealand International.
Ombudsman Janet Maki said given there are no information standards, many departments need better systems of record keeping and
information management.
She said since the OIA came into law in February this year, staggering its implementation across government entities by getting at least
six departments up to par every three months, has made the workload manageable.
“The platform to any FOI (Freedom of Information) legislation is that you have good records that you can access quite easily and
readily. And at the moment for some of the departments they would have difficulty in doing that.”
Ms Maki said another challenge is a lack of resources but both the Ombudsman’s office and Archives office in New Zealand have
offered help.
Click here to read more »
26 Aug 2009
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands ---- Inefficient record keeping in government entities is being seen as a major challenge to administering
the Official Information Act in the Cook Islands, reports Radio New Zealand International.
Ombudsman Janet Maki said given there are no information standards, many departments need better systems of record keeping and
information management.
She said since the OIA came into law in February this year, staggering its implementation across government entities by getting at least
six departments up to par every three months, has made the workload manageable.
“The platform to any FOI (Freedom of Information) legislation is that you have good records that you can access quite easily and
readily. And at the moment for some of the departments they would have difficulty in doing that.”
Ms Maki said another challenge is a lack of resources but both the Ombudsman’s office and Archives office in New Zealand have
offered help.
Click here to read more »
Agreements signed by volunteers
17 June 2010
Four national voluntary agencies have signed agreements with NZAID and OzAID for next year, in what Julie Affleck of NZAID called
‘low spend, high impact’ funding.
The Cook Islands Red Cross received $70,000, the Creative Centre Trust $65,000, the Cook Islands National Council of Women
$65,000, and Punanga Tauturu $150,000.
Bob Kimiangatau is manager of the Creative Centre, which gives adults with disabilities somewhere where they can learn new skills
which increase their confidence and independence. The Centre has 22 members from 17 to 80 years old, and Kimiangatau says that
activities like learning to use the bus, pottery and attending community events give members a new lease of life.
“There are 300 people with disabilities on the islands, so our members are only the tip of the iceberg. We would really like to see many
more people attending. Even just coming in two days a week will mean that families get back a much happier person,” Kimiangatau says.
Punanga Tauturu’s president Vaine Nooana-Arioka said that their funding for the coming year has increased by $20,000, showing
NZAID’s confidence in the project. The extra funding means that Punanga Tauturu will add two new aspects to their service next year.
They will be aiming to provide a support network for their counsellors. They are also planning a safe house for victims of domestic
violence which will be monitored and attended so women and children can feel safe.
Niki Rattle, the Secretary General of Cook Islands Red Cross said their allocation will help them develop their 11 outer islands branches
as well as improve transport for people in wheelchairs.
The National Council for Women’s Acting President, Frances Topa-Apera, said that the money will go towards focusing on key areas of
women’s concerns in the outer islands to ensure that women receive education and training on topics which empower them.
Linda Te Puni said that NZAID wanted to recognise the contribution of the NGOs for the value of the work they do delivering services,
as well as advocating for women, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged. She wanted to pass on NZAID’s appreciation of all volunteers
who give up their time to help others.
Click here to read more>>
17 June 2010
Four national voluntary agencies have signed agreements with NZAID and OzAID for next year, in what Julie Affleck of NZAID called
‘low spend, high impact’ funding.
The Cook Islands Red Cross received $70,000, the Creative Centre Trust $65,000, the Cook Islands National Council of Women
$65,000, and Punanga Tauturu $150,000.
Bob Kimiangatau is manager of the Creative Centre, which gives adults with disabilities somewhere where they can learn new skills
which increase their confidence and independence. The Centre has 22 members from 17 to 80 years old, and Kimiangatau says that
activities like learning to use the bus, pottery and attending community events give members a new lease of life.
“There are 300 people with disabilities on the islands, so our members are only the tip of the iceberg. We would really like to see many
more people attending. Even just coming in two days a week will mean that families get back a much happier person,” Kimiangatau says.
Punanga Tauturu’s president Vaine Nooana-Arioka said that their funding for the coming year has increased by $20,000, showing
NZAID’s confidence in the project. The extra funding means that Punanga Tauturu will add two new aspects to their service next year.
They will be aiming to provide a support network for their counsellors. They are also planning a safe house for victims of domestic
violence which will be monitored and attended so women and children can feel safe.
Niki Rattle, the Secretary General of Cook Islands Red Cross said their allocation will help them develop their 11 outer islands branches
as well as improve transport for people in wheelchairs.
The National Council for Women’s Acting President, Frances Topa-Apera, said that the money will go towards focusing on key areas of
women’s concerns in the outer islands to ensure that women receive education and training on topics which empower them.
Linda Te Puni said that NZAID wanted to recognise the contribution of the NGOs for the value of the work they do delivering services,
as well as advocating for women, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged. She wanted to pass on NZAID’s appreciation of all volunteers
who give up their time to help others.
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Queen since 6 February 1952
Queen since 6 February 1952
Linda Te Puni
New Zealand High Commissioner
since 3 June 2010
New Zealand High Commissioner
since 3 June 2010
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Sir Frederick Goodwin
Queen's Representative since 9 February 2001
Queen's Representative since 9 February 2001
Robert Wigmore
Deputy Prime Minister since 23 December 2009
Deputy Prime Minister since 23 December 2009
