COK (Cook Islands)

The Cook Islands (COK) is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand (NZL).

The states of Aotearoa/New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and the Ross Dependency all compose the Realm of New Zealand. King Charles III is the current head of state for the Realm of New Zealand. The current prime minister for Aotearoa/New Zealand is Chris Hipkins. The state of New Zealand is not the same as the Realm of New Zealand. The state of New Zealand (NZL) itself does not have administrative oversight over the Cook Islands (COK) or Niue (NIU). Cook Islands and Niue both are in free association with the state of New Zealand. They both have constitutional independence and are recognized as sovereign entities. (x) Tokelau (TKL) and the Ross Dependency do not have constitutional independence and are not always recognized as sovereign entities, but they do not fall within the administrative bounds of the state of New Zealand. The state of New Zealand also claims nine offshore island groups (Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Islands, Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, Manawatāwhi, Snares Islands, & Solander Islands). The Solander Islands are under the administrative subdivision of the Southland District of New Zealand. The Chatham Islands have their own territorial authority. The other seven island groups are part of the Area Outside Territorial Authority, and do not fall under any administrative divisions, and thus are not included in the geoBoundaries data. (x)