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Administration
The Cook Islands are an internally governing state in free association
with New Zealand. Executive power is formally held by the New Zealand
High Commissioner, but formally devolved to the cabinet.
This in turn is responsible to the 25-member parliament whose members
are directly elected every 5 years. An advisory body exists called
the House of Ariki which is composed of all the paramount chiefs
of the Cook Islands.
Advice is given on legislation concerning customs and traditions,
though the House of Ariki has no powers of legislation itself. New
Zealand is responsible for defence and foreign affairs.
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