Oceania > Cook Islands > Government

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Administrative divisions	none
Capital city	Avarua
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	21 12 S, 159 46 W
Constitution	4 August 1965
Executive branch > Cabinet Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament
Executive branch > 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
Executive branch > Head of government Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)
Flag description 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 self-governing parliamentary democracy
Independence 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 ACP, ADB, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Judicial branch	High Court
Legal system based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch 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
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in August
Political parties and leaders Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]
Political pressure groups and leaders Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)
Status democracy
Suffrage NA years of age; universal (adult)
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none

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