The Cook Islands has a Westminster parliamentary style of government similar to that of New Zealand and England.

The country is a State in free association with New Zealand. While the Constitution provides for New Zealand to be responsible for defence and some aspects of international relation, this can only be enacted upon request by the Government of the Cook Islands. The Government is responsible for enacting legislation and is fully competent to enter into international agreement and conduct its own international relation.

Parliament consists of a single chamber of 24 elected members, 10 of whom are from the main island of Rarotonga and the rest are from the outer islands.

The Head of State is Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II who is represented by the Queen’s Representative. The position is currently held by Sir Frederick Goodwin, KBE.

CURRENT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT