Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
Representative of the Queen Apenera SHORT (since NA); Representative
of New Zealand Adrian SINCOCK (since NA)
head of government: Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since 1 February
1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1 February 1989)
cabinet: Cabinet; collectively responsible to the Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 24 March 1994 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Alliance Party 2 note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;
Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena
JONASSEN; Cook Islands People's Party, Sadaraka SADARAKA; Alliance
Party, Norman GEORGE
Member of: AsDB, ESCAP (associate), ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), IOC, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free association
with New Zealand)
Flag: 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
@Cook Islands:Economy
Overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and from foreign aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the fishing industry.