Oceania > Cook Islands > Government

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Administrative divisions	none
Capital city	Avarua
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	21 12 S, 159 46 W
Capital city > Name	Avarua
Capital city > Time difference UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution	4 August 1965
Dependency status 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 none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
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 > 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
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
Legislative branch > A note the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Legislative branch > 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
Legislative branch > Elections last held 26 September 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
Legislative branch > Note the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in August
political parties > Two party	•
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)
Political pressure groups and leaders > Other various groups lobbying for political change
Prime minister	Jim Marurai
Status democracy
Suffrage NA years of age; universal (adult)
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none

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