The Government of Cook Islands - The World Countries

Cook Islands - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Cook Islands, it was named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none

National symbols

A circle of 15 five-pointed white stars on a blue field, tiare maori flower (Gardenia taitensis).

The flag

The National flag of Cook Islands has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of Cook Islands

Constitution
Date of Independence	4 August 1965 (Cook Islands became self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)
National holiday	Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965)
Legal system	common law similar to New Zealand common law
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964)
Amendment process	Proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum
Executive Branch
Chief of state	King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine GRAHAM (since 8 September 2024)
Head of government	Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020)
Cabinet	Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
Election/appointment process	the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Legislative branch
Legislature name	Parliament
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	24 (directly elected)
Electoral system	Plurality/majority
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	8/1/2022
Parties elected and seats per party	CIP (12); Demo (5); Cook Islands United Party (3); OCI (1); independent (3)
Percentage of women in chamber	25%
Expected date of next election	2026
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions)
Judge selection and term of office	High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms
Subordinate courts	Justices of the peace
Diplomatic representation in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy	None (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)