Cook Islands

Saving lives

Results to 30 June 2012

• A water metering system was installed on the remote outer island of Mauke to conserve water. This has improved water supply and increased water security.

Commitments 2012–13

• Improve public health by increasing access to safe water and sanitation.
• Improve the quality of lagoon water by developing a water catchment scheme. This will also include upgrades of residential septic systems as well as legislative and regulatory policy development.

Promoting opportunities for all

Results to 30 June 2012

• Local non-government organisations were trained on their rights and responsibilities under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This was supported by the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Pacific Disability Forum.
• Since 2007, Australia has provided funding for 18 Australia Awards scholarships for Cook Islanders to study at tertiary institutions in Australia and across the Pacific.

Commitments 2012–13

• Continue to provide support for training on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Continue funding a joint Australia-New Zealand program providing regional scholarships and short-term study awards.

Sustainable economic development

Results to 30 June 2012

• Rainwater capture systems were built on outer islands that are vulnerable to climate variability.
• An outer-island power station was refurbished, leading to a more reliable and affordable energy supply.
  

Commitments 2012–13

• Support the Cook Islands to reduce reliance on imported diesel. This will be done by establishing renewable energy facilities to generate electricity on selected outer islands, and completing the design of a large-scale facility on Rarotonga.
• Support the Cook Islands to establish Rarotonga’s water supply infrastructure unit.
• Support the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation to increase sustainable tourism by developing amenities, facilities and services, and carrying out marketing.

Effective governance

Results to 30 June 2012

• The Ministry of Marine Resources was supported to pursue corporate reforms. A performance-linked program has been established which rewards the achievement of Ministry corporate goals. The focus of the program is on the pearl industry, offshore fisheries, inshore fisheries and aquaculture.
• The Ministry of Finance led the Government of the Cook Islands’ 2011-15 Roadmap to improve public financial management systems, budget planning and transparency. This included a diagnostic review of Government procurement by AusAID.
• Cook Islands Customs automated the passenger processing component of its border management system.

Commitments 2012–13

• Support the Cook Islands Government to improve public financial management and service delivery through a technical assistance facility.
• Support Cook Islands Customs to automate goods processing.
• Support the Cook Islands Government’s public expenditure review of the education system.
• Support the Cook Islands Government with making policies on renewable energy, and water and sanitation infrastructure.

Humanitarian and disaster response

Results to 30 June 2012

• Following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pat in 2010, Australian assistance repaired more than 160 damaged homes and restored schools and hospitals in Aitutaki through a multi-donor humanitarian assistance package managed by New Zealand.

Commitments 2012–13

• The reconstruction of harbours on Mauke and Mitiaro is to be completed by November 2012. As a result, the harbours will be more resilient to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.

Australian ODA to the Cook Islands, 2001-02 to 2013-14 ($m)

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The graph above shows the Australian Official Development Assistance to the Cook Islands, including AusAID funding and funding by Other Government Departments (OGD).

The exact values are as follows:

• 2001-02: AusAID $1,815,961, OGD $266,206
• 2002-03: AusAID $2,034,834, OGD $244,682
• 2003-04: AusAID $2,069,864, OGD $225,770
• 2004-05: AusAID $2,916,522, OGD $217,409
• 2005-06: AusAID $4,539,286, OGD $297,326
• 2006-07: AusAID $2,371,393, OGD $210,155
• 2007-08: AusAID $3,419,283, OGD $391,923
• 2008-09: AusAID $4,183,173, OGD $163,415
• 2009-10: AusAID $4,374,124, OGD $208,783
• 2010-11: AusAID $3,922,963, OGD $174,626
• 2011-12: AusAID $5,187,007, OGD $152,587
• 2012-13 (estimated outcome): AusAID $6,783,879, OGD -
• 2012-13 (budget estimate): AusAID $6,757,057, OGD $5,009

Australian ODA to the Cook Islands by strategic goal, 2010-11 to 2013-14 (%)

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The graph above shows Australian Official Development Assistance to the Cook Islands by strategic goal.

The exact values are as follows (%):

• 2013-14 (budget estimate)
  Saving lives: 20
  Promoting opportunities for all: 25
  Sustainable economic development: 33
  Effective governance: 13
  Humanitarian and disaster response: 9
  General development support: 0
• 2012-13 (estimated outcome)
  Saving lives: 18
  Promoting opportunities for all: 19
  Sustainable economic development: 45
  Effective governance: 9
  Humanitarian and disaster response: 9
  General development support: 0
• 2011-12
  Saving lives: 0
  Promoting opportunities for all: 19
  Sustainable economic development: 39
  Effective governance: 32
  Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
  General development support: 11
• 2010-11
  Saving lives: 0
  Promoting opportunities for all: 15
  Sustainable economic development: 30
  Effective governance: 13
  Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
  General development support: 42

ODA to Cook Islands by other government departments, 2010-11 to 2012-13 ($'000)

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The graph above shows the Australian Official Development Assistance to the Cook Islands by Other Government Departments.

The exact values are as follows:

• Department of Defence
  2010-11: $174,600. 2011-12: $152,600. 2012-13: $0.

Research overview

Research funded by AusAID's Cook Islands country program targets the country's specific development challenges. Research is also carried out on a regional level. Some of the highlights are listed below.

Moving beyond SPARTECA: Opportunities and challenges for the Cook Islands (2010)

This report looks at regional trade and integration in the Pacific, looking beyond the South Pacific Area Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA).

The Cook Islands, as a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, is advancing toward more cohesive regional economic relations in areas including trade, security, politics and social development.

However, the limited human resources in some government departments have contributed to delays for some projects, including regional initiatives that have a direct bearing on the overall regional integration of the Cook Islands.

The report was commissioned by the Government of Cook Islands and carried out by the Pacific Institute of Public Policy, with funding from AusAID.

Read the full report[external link, PDF 1.57mb]

Where are the Cook Islands?

View demographic and development statistics for the Cook Islands