ARCHIVE // CK // 2008

Cook Islands

2008 Edition — territory

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Communications
Internet country code [time series]
.ck
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
2,234 (2008)
Internet users [time series]
3,600 (2002)
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
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)
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
6,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
1,500 (2002)
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Budget [time series]
revenues: $70.95 million expenditures: $69.05 million (FY05/06)
Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]
NZ dollar (NZD)
Current account balance [time series]
$26.67 million (2005)
Debt - external [time series]
$141 million (1996 est.)
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
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 about one-third 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.
Electricity - consumption [time series]
27.9 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production [time series]
30 million kWh (2006 est.)
Exchange rates [time series]
NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003)
Exports [time series]
$5.222 million (2005)
Exports - commodities [time series]
copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners [time series]
Australia 34%, Japan 27%, NZ 25%, US 8% (2006)
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$183.2 million (2005 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$183.2 million (2005 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: 15.1% industry: 9.6% services: 75.3% (2004)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$9,100 (2005 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
0.1% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$81.04 million (2005)
Imports - commodities [time series]
foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners [time series]
NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6% (2006)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
1% (2002)
Industries [time series]
fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.1% (2005 est.)
Labor force [time series]
6,820 (2001)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Oil - consumption [time series]
463.7 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports [time series]
475.5 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
13.1% (2005)
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 236.7 sq km land: 236.7 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March
Coastline [time series]
120 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
NA
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates [time series]
21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography - note [time series]
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km
Irrigated land [time series]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 8.33% other: 75% (2005)
Location [time series]
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Map references [time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Natural hazards [time series]
typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources [time series]
NEGL
Terrain [time series]
low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none
Capital [time series]
name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution [time series]
4 August 1965
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands
Dependency status [time series]
self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Executive branch [time series]
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: 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
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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) centered in the outer half of the flag
Government type [time series]
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Independence [time series]
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)
International organization participation [time series]
ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Judicial branch [time series]
High Court
Legal system [time series]
based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch [time series]
bicameral Parliament consisting of a Legislative Assembly (or lower house) (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-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) election results: percent of vote by party - Demo 51.9%, CIP 45.5%, independent 2.7%; seats by party - Demo 15, CIP 8, independent 1
National holiday [time series]
Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes) other: various groups lobbying for political change
Suffrage [time series]
NA years of age; universal (adult)
Introduction
Background [time series]
Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Military
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 157 female: 133 (2008 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
no regular military forces; National Police Department (2007)
People
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: (male 1,834/female 1,624) 15-64 years: (male 3,973/female 3,747) 65 years and over: (male 542/female 551)
Birth rate [time series]
16.71 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate [time series]
NA (2008 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
0.2% of GDP (2001)
Ethnic groups [time series]
Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)
Languages [time series]
English (official), Maori
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%
Median age [time series]
total: 29.8 years male: 29 years female: 30.4 years (2001 census)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander
People - note [time series]
2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017
Population [time series]
12,271 (July 2008 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
NA (2008 est.)
Religions [time series]
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)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2005)
Sex ratio [time series]
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001 census)
Total fertility rate [time series]
3.1 children born/woman (2008 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
9 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 26 by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 foreign-owned: 17 (Latvia 1, Lithuania 1, NZ 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 5, Sweden 8) (2008)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Avatiu
Roadways [time series]
total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2003)