History of Cook Islands in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 28, 2025

The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in Polynesia, located in the South Pacific Ocean. It comprises 15 islands with a total land area of about 236.7 square kilometers. Its Exclusive Economic Zone spans approximately 1,960,027 square kilometers of ocean. The capital of the Cook Islands is Avarua.

September 1900: Petition for annexation as British territory

In September 1900, leaders of the Cook Islanders presented a petition requesting that the islands be annexed as British territory.

October 1900: Instruments of Cession

On 8 and 9 October 1900, seven instruments of cession of Rarotonga and other islands were signed by their chiefs and people, accepting the cessions and declaring the islands parts of Her Britannic Majesty's dominions.

June 1901: Inclusion within the boundaries of New Zealand

On June 11, 1901, the Cook Islands were included within the boundaries of the Colony of New Zealand by Order in Council under the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895 of the United Kingdom.

1901: Cook and other Islands Government Act

In 1901, the New Zealand parliament passed the Cook and other Islands Government Act, but this only referred to some of the islands as the "Cook Islands".

October 1915: First recruits depart on the SS Te Anau

On 13 October 1915, the first Cook Islands recruits departed on the SS Te Anau to support the war effort in World War I.

1915: Cook Islands Act

In 1915, the Cook Islands Act was passed, which defined the Cooks' area and included all presently included islands.

September 1916: Pioneer Battalion action in the Allied attack on Flers

In September 1916, the Pioneer Battalion, including Cook Islanders, saw heavy action in the Allied attack on Flers, which was the first battle of the Somme.

1945: Cook Islands News Publication

The Cook Islands News has been published since 1945.

January 1949: British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act came into effect

On January 1, 1949, the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act came into effect, granting New Zealand citizenship to Cook Islanders who were British subjects.

August 1965: Promulgation of the constitution

On August 4, 1965, the Cook Islands constitution was promulgated. The first Monday in August is celebrated each year as Constitution Day.

1978: Albert Henry resigned

In 1978, Albert Henry resigned as Premier of the Cook Islands after being accused of vote-rigging.

1978: Te Akatauira publication

Te Akatauira was published from 1978 to 1980.

1979: Albert Henry stripped of knighthood

In 1979, Albert Henry was stripped of his knighthood.

June 1980: Treaty with the United States

On 11 June 1980, the United States signed a treaty with the Cook Islands specifying the maritime border between the Cook Islands and American Samoa and also relinquishing any American claims to Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Manihiki, and Rakahanga.

1980: Active member of the Pacific Community

In 1980, the Cook Islands became an active member of the Pacific Community.

1980: Te Akatauira publication stopped

Te Akatauira was published from 1978 to 1980.

March 1983: Tom Davis became Premier

In March 1983, Tom Davis of the Democratic Party succeeded Albert Henry as Premier of the Cook Islands.

1987: Outer Islands Local Government Act

In 1987, the Outer Islands Local Government Act was established with amendments up to 2004.

May 1989: CIPPB Te Kukupa commissioned

In May 1989, the Pacific-class patrol boat, CIPPB Te Kukupa, was commissioned in the Cook Islands Police Service.

1989: Specialization in asset protection trusts

Since approximately 1989, the Cook Islands have become a location specializing in asset protection trusts, which are used by investors to shelter assets from creditors and legal authorities.

1989: Cook Islands News ownership change

Until 1989, Cook Islands News was owned by the government.

1990: Treaty with France

In 1990, the Cook Islands and France signed a treaty that delimited the boundary between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.

1993: Palmerston Island Local Government Act

In 1993, the Palmerston Island Local Government Act was established.

1997: Establishment of Vaka councils of Rarotonga

In 1997, three Vaka councils of Rarotonga were established.

2004: Outer Islands Local Government Act amendments

The Outer Islands Local Government Act was amended up to 2004.

February 2008: Abolishment of Vaka councils of Rarotonga

In February 2008, the three Vaka councils of Rarotonga were abolished.

August 2012: Visit by Hillary Clinton

In late August 2012, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the islands.

2015: CIPPB Te Kukupa refit

In 2015, the Pacific-class patrol boat, CIPPB Te Kukupa received a re-fit.

July 2017: Establishment of Marae Moana

On 13 July 2017, the Cook Islands established Marae Moana, the world's largest protected area by size.

2017: Signing of UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

In 2017, the Cook Islands signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

2018: Tourism in Cook Islands

In 2018, tourism was the main industry in the Cook Islands, with over 168,000 visitors to the islands that year.

March 2019: Plans to change name

In March 2019, plans were reported for the Cook Islands to change its name to reflect its 'Polynesian nature'.

May 2019: Poorly received name change

In May 2019, it was reported that the proposed name change had been poorly received by the Cook Islands diaspora. As a compromise, a new Cook Islands Māori name would be adopted.

2020: Discussions over name continued

In 2020, discussions over the name continued.

2021: Henry Puna served as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum

In 2021, Henry Puna, a Cook Islander, began serving as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, a position he held until 2024.

2021: Rarotonga Population

In 2021, the population of Rarotonga, the main population center of the Cook Islands, was 10,863. The total population of the Cook Islands was 14,987 according to the 2021 census.

2022: CIPPB Te Kukupa II entered service

In 2022, the larger and more capable Guardian-class patrol boat, CIPPB Te Kukupa II, entered service in the Cook Islands Police Service replacing CIPPB Te Kukupa which was withdrawn from service.

September 2023: Establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States

On 25 September 2023, the Cook Islands and the United States of America established diplomatic relations under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Brown at a ceremony in Washington, DC.

September 2023: Diplomatic relations with the United States

On 25 September 2023, the United States recognised Cook Islands sovereignty and established diplomatic relations.

2023: Legalisation of homosexuality

In 2023, legislation was passed in the Cook Islands legalising homosexuality.

2023: State of regional challenges response

In 2023, the Cook Islands forces were described by the Government as "not in a fit state" to respond to regional challenges.

2023: Executive Director of Cook Islands Bank

Since 2023, Jennifer Henry (nee Matheson) has been the Executive Director of Cook Islands Bank.

2024: Henry Puna served as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum

In 2024, Henry Puna's term as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum concluded, he served in the role from 2021 to 2024.

2024: Commonwealth membership efforts

In 2024, the Cook Islands' efforts to join the Commonwealth of Nations as a full member were "ongoing", however the government was unable to secure an invitation to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.