The Cook Islands are a constitutional monarchy within the Realm of New Zealand.
Under the Cook Islands Constitution, the monarch in right of New Zealand has been Head of State of the Cook Islands since 4 August 1965. The Sovereign is represented by the Queen's Representative; as such, the Queen was the de jure head of state, holding several powers that are hers alone, while the Queen's Representative is sometimes referred to as the de facto head of state.
The Queen's official title was: Elizabeth the Second, By the Grace of God, Queen of New Zealand and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith. |