Country profile: Cook Islands

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Overview

The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific over 900 miles from their nearest neighbours of Tahiti in the east and American Samoa in the west. They consist of 15 main islands split into two groups the southern which are mostly volcanic islands (Rarotonga, Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Takutea, Mitiaro, Manuae, Aitutaki & Palmerston) and the northern which are coral islands (Suwarrow, Nassau Island, Pukapuka, Manihiki, Rakahanga and Penryhn). They are spread across an area of sea which is a similar size to Western Europe.

The Cook Islands are thought to have first been inhabited around 1500 years ago but the first European sighting of the islands was in 1595 by a Spanish explorer, followed by Captain Cook during his expedition of 1773 and again in 1777. He named them the Hervey Islands but later the whole group was renamed after him instead. Missionaries governed the islands religion throughout the 19th century imposing strict laws from their administrative centre on Rarotonga. Their influence was less on the outer islands which were instead governed by the tribal chiefs. In 1881 the islands were declared a protectorate by the British. By 1901 they were linked to New Zealand, and they later became self-governed in 1965 in free association with New Zealand.

Today more than 90% of the islands population is Polynesian, and the local dialect spoken is Cook Island Maori and does vary from island to island, although English is the official language and spoken almost everywhere. More than twice as many native Cook Islanders live in New Zealand than live in the islands themselves. Most of them have left in search of a brighter economic future. The government has encouraged islanders to return but the population level has continued to fall. The islands economy is mainly based around tourism and banking, but the more traditional pearl and clam farming are also still significant.

The climate is pleasant all year round although some islands do experience a little more of the wet season than others. The Cook Islands are also prone to tropical storms. Water sports are not surprisingly a big favourite on the islands, but exact sports vary from island to island. Hiking, cycling and caving are also readily available to pass away the hours.

ATMs are available on Rarotonga and Aitutaki and credit and debit cards are widely accepted. No pre-arranged visas are required for the Cook Islands, although if you are planning staying more than 31 days you will need to extend the visitor permit you receive upon arrival. Stays of more than six months will have to be applied for outside of the country to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.

Health system

While the population on the main island, Rarotonga, has access to the best health care in the country, those on the outer islands, especially the northern islands, do not.

To date, there are only two islands, Palmerston and Rakahanga, without a resident doctor. However, there are health officers on these two islands. The Ministry of Health has also provided extra doctors at the Rarotonga Hospital so that services are provided 24 hours a day without any doctor having to work more than eight hours a day. There is a general hospital with 70 beds in Rarotonga and seven primary health care centres.

In 2001, the Ministry of Health opened a new hospital wing that provides ample room for laboratory services, maternal health care, and statistics. There is also a library and a conference room to assist in continuous medical education. A telehealth venture provides distance-learning education for doctors, nurses and other health staff in Rarotonga and some of the outer islands to improve human resource development and strengthen health services. At the same time, telehealth will be used to consult specialists overseas in regard to problematic cases.

The leading causes of morbidity and mortality are noncommunicable diseases. Disease of the circulatory system has continued to be the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 25% of deaths in 2008. Total expenditure on health is 4.5% of GDP.