British Cook Islands year 1900/50 – MH/Used postage stamps

British Cook Islands year 1900/50 – MH/Used postage stamps

The Cook Islands is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand, between French Polynesia and American Samoa. While it has its own government and parliament, New Zealand is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs.

The Cook Islands were named after Captain James Cook, who was the first European to visit the islands in 1773. However, they were later settled by Polynesian peoples. The islands became a British protectorate in the 19th century and were eventually annexed by New Zealand in 1901.

The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is based on the Cook Islands Constitution, which was enacted in 1965. This constitution provides for self-government in free association with New Zealand, meaning that while the Cook Islands governs itself in most internal matters, New Zealand assists with defense and foreign affairs. The Cook Islands also uses the New Zealand dollar as its currency and has close economic ties with New Zealand.

Overall, while the Cook Islands have historical ties to Britain through colonization and later association with New Zealand, they are not directly governed by Britain and have their own government and degree of autonomy.