Cook Islands Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand
About Cook Islands
First settled by Polynesians around 1000 CE, the islands are 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. New Zealand handles defence, foreign affairs (including passports), and currency; otherwise the islands are self-governing. This includes immigration, which is strictly controlled—even for non-Cook Island New Zealanders. Many Cook Islanders will tell you how there are more Cook Islanders living in mainlandNew ZealandandAustraliathan in the Cook Islands. The population of the Cook Islands is less than 15,000 but there are over 50,000 Cook Islanders living in mainlandNew Zealand, and over 3
Cook Islands Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 19 sections including: