Laws of Cook Islands

Public law and official guidance, published as research. Not legal, tax or financial advice.

All laws Agreements

Agriculture Energy Freight & Shipping Base Metals Precious Metals Critical & Battery Minerals Softs

214 laws on this page

2nd Joint National Action Plan - A Sectoral Approach to Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2016 – 2020

policy · Made 2016

Action Plan for Sea Turtle Mitigation

policy · Made 2008

Administration Act 1969

Act · Made 1969-10-02

Agriculture Act No. 4 of 2021

Act · Made 2021-03-25

Agriculture Regulations 2025

Regulation · Made 2025-02-18

Aitutaki Fisheries Protection By-Laws 1990

Regulation · Made 1990-11-16

Aitutaki Motus Prohibition of Leases Act 1970 (No. 1 of 1970)

Act · Made 1970-08-28

Aitutaki Motus Prohibition of Leases Amendment Act 1981 (No. 5 of 1981)

Act · Made 1981-07-17

Animals Act 1975

Act · Made 1975

Repealed

Aquaculture Development Plan 2012 – 2016

policy · Made 2012

Atomic Energy Act, 1945 (Act No. 41 of 1945)

Act · Made 1945-12-07

Biosecurity Act, 2008 (No. 14 of 2008)

Act · Made 2008-09-24

Biosecurity (Fees, Charges, and Penalties) Regulations 2025

Regulation · Made 2025-01-28

Biosecurity Plan for Palmerston, Manihiki and Penrhyn Islands of the Cook Islands

policy · Made 2023-07-14

Climate and Disaster Compatible Development Policy 2013-2016

policy · Made 2013-08

Conservation Act 1986-87

Act · Made 1987-04-15

Continental Shelf Amendment Act (No. 17 of 1977)

Act · Made 1977-12-14

Repealed

Cook Island's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)

policy · Made 2015-11-20

Cook Islands Act 1915 (No. 40 of 1915)

Act · Made 1915-10-01

Cook Islands Amendment Act 1957

Act · Made 1957-10-25

Cook Islands Amendment Act 1965 (No. 1 of 1965)

Act · Made 1965-07-01

Cook Islands Amendment Act 1970 (No. 56 of 1970)

Act · Made 1970-11-27

Cook Islands Amendment Act 1982 (No. 4 of 1982)

Act · Made 1982-11-23

Cook Islands Amendment (No 2) Act 1970 (No. 4 of 1970)

Act · Made 1970-08-28

Cook Islands Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan (2017-2020)

policy · Made 2017

Cook Islands Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

policy · Made 2002-04-11

Cook Islands Climate Change Policy 2018 - 2028

policy · Made 2019

Cook Islands Climate Change Policy Assessment Report 2013

policy · Made 2014

Cook Islands Constitution (with amendments incorporated)

Constitution · Made 1965-08-04

Cook Islands Declaration on the establishment of a whale sanctuary

Other · Made 2001-09

Cook Islands invasive species early detection and rapid response plan

policy · Made 2018-02

Cook Islands Investment Corporation Act 1998, (No. 3 of 1998)

Act · Made 1998-03-18

Cook Islands Land Owners Incorporation Regulations 1972

Regulation · Made 1972-10-25

Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources Action Plan for Sea Turtle Mitigation

Other · Made 0000

Cook Islands National Invasive Species Strategy And Action Plan 2019 - 2025

policy · Made 2019-03

Cook Islands National Plan of Action for Reducing Incidental Catch of Seabirds (NPOA-Seabirds)

policy · Made 2006

Cook Islands National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (NPOA-IUU)

policy · Made 2006

Cook Islands National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment & Strategic Plan of Action (2011 – 2016)

policy · Made 2011

Cook Islands Native Timber Preservation Ordinance 1957

Act · Made 1957-11-08

Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust Act 1999 (No. 14 of 1999)

Act · Made 1999-03-25

Cook Islands Pearl Authority Act No. 6 of 1993

Act · Made 1993-11-10

Repealed

Cook Islands Sanitation Policy

policy · Made 2014-06-18

Dangerous Goods Act 1984

Act · Made 1984-12-27

Design and Construction Standards

Other · Made 2014-06-18

Development Investment Act 1995-96

Act · Made 1996

Development Investment (Amendment) Act No. 14 of 2019

Act · Made 2019-12-17

Disaster Risk Management Act, 2007 (No. 33 of 2007)

Act · Made 2007-11-30

Economic Development Strategy 2030

policy · Made 2021-01

Environment Act 2003 (No. 23 of 2003)

Act · Made 2003-11-19

Environment Act (Ozone Layer Protection) Regulations 2008 (No. 23 of 2008)

Regulation · Made 2008-10-07

Repealed

Environment (Atiu and Takutea) Regulations 2008

Regulation · Made 2008-07-08

Environment (Mitiaro) Regulations 2008 (No. 5 of 2008)

Regulation · Made 2008-10-07

Environment (Montreal Protocol) Regulations 2021

Regulation · Made 2021-12-07

Environment (Seabed Minerals Activities) Regulations 2023

Regulation · Made 2023-06-13

Exclusive Economic Zone (Foreign Fishing Craft) Regulations 1979 (1979/14)

Regulation · Made 1979-10-01

Fisheries Protection Act, 1976

Act · Made 1976

Repealed

Food Act (No. 23 of 1992-1993)

Act · Made 1993-07-13

Food Amendment Act 2005 (No. 13 of 2005)

Act · Made 2005-10-10

Food (Fish Export Processing) Regulations 2006

Regulation · Made 2006-05-02

Food Regulations 2014 (No. 01 of 2014)

Regulation · Made 2014-02-04

Fruit fly emergency response plan

policy · Made 2018-02

Infrastructure Act No. 6 of 2019

Act · Made 2019-06-17

Initial National Communication of the Cook Islands

policy · Made 1999-10

Joint National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (JNAP) 2011- 2015

policy · Made 2011

Land Agents Registration Act 2009 (No. 2 of 2009)

Act · Made 2009-02-11

Land Agents Registration Act (Code of Ethics) Regulations 2017

Regulation · Made 2017-11-21

Land (Facilitation of Dealings) Act (Act No. 7 of 1970)

Act · Made 1970-09-22

Land (Facilitation of Dealings) Amendment Act 1973-1974 (Act No. 25 of 1974)

Regulation · Made 1974-04-18

Land (Facilitation of Dealings) Amendment Act, 1973 (Act No. 11)

Act · Made 1973-05-22

Land Use Act (Act No. 10 of 1969)

Act · Made 1969-10-15

Leases Restrictions Act (Act No. 22 of 1976)

Act · Made 1976-11-30

Leases Restrictions Amendment Act 2002 (No. 5 of 2002)

Act · Made 2002-05-09

Leases Restrictions Amendment Act 2005 (No. 16 of 2005)

Act · Made 2005-10-14

Leases Restrictions (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Regulation · Made 2006-02-01

Leases Restrictions Amendment Regulations 2016

Regulation · Made 2016-03-01

Leases Restrictions Regulations 1977

Regulation · Made 1977-05-18

Mangaia Island Disaster Risk Management Plan 2014-2018

policy · Made 2014

Manihiki (Natural Resources) By-Laws No. 5 of 2003

Regulation · Made 2003-06-03

Manihiki Pearl and Pearl Shell By-Laws 1991

Regulation · Made 1991-09-02

Manihiki Pearl Farming Management Plan 2016-2026

policy · Made 2016

Marae Moana Act 2017 (No. 10 of 2017)

Act · Made 2017-07-13

Marae Moana Policy 2016-2020

policy · Made 2016

Marine Pollution Act

Act · Made 1974-04-06

Marine Resources Act 1989 (Act No. 33)

Act · Made 1989-12-22

Repealed

Marine Resources Act 2005 (No. 7 of 2005)

Act · Made 2005-07-29

Marine Resources (Aitutaki and Manuae Bonefish Fishery) Regulations 2010 (No. 12 of 2010)

Regulation · Made 2010-10-27

Marine Resources (Aitutaki and Manuae Bonefish Fishery) (Amendment) Regulations 2016

Regulation · Made 2016-12-13

Marine Resources Amendment Act 1989

Act · Made 1990-09-13

Repealed

Marine Resources Amendment Act, 1991 (Act No. 1)

Act · Made 1991-03-15

Repealed

Marine Resources (Large Pelagic Longline Fishery and Quota Management System) Regulations 2016

Regulation · Made 2016-12-06

Marine Resources (Large Pelagic Longline Fishery) Regulations 2012

Regulation · Made 2012-06-09

Repealed

Marine Resources (Licensing and Regulation of Fishing Vessels) Regulations 1995

Regulation · Made 1995-01-01

Marine Resources (Licensing Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Regulation · Made 2023-01-17

Marine Resources (Licensing) Regulations 2012

Regulation · Made 2012-06-14

Marine Resources (Longline Fishery) Amendment Regulations 2010 (No. 3 of 2010)

Regulation · Made 2010-03-05

Marine Resources (Longline Fishery) Regulations 2008 (No. 2 of 2008)

Regulation · Made 2008-08-27

Marine Resources (Purse Seine Fisheries) Regulations 2013

Regulation · Made 2013-02-26

Marine Resources (Purse Seine Fishery) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Regulation · Made 2023-01-17

Marine Resources (Shark Conservation) Regulations 2012

Regulation · Made 2012-12-19

Maritime Rules (Offences) Regulations 2014

Regulation · Made 2014-12-16

Maritime Transport Act 2008 (No. 4 of 2008)

Act · Made 2008-02-19

Maritime Zones Act No. 1 of 2018

Act · Made 2018-02-23

Maritime Zones (Baselines of Territorial Sea) Regulations 2020

Regulation · Made 2020-09-29

Maritime Zones (Contiguous Zone Outer Limits) Regulations 2020

Regulation · Made 2020-09-29

Maritime Zones (Exclusive Economic Zone Outer Limits) Regulations 2020

Regulation · Made 2020-09-29

Repealed

Maritime Zones (Exclusive Economic Zone Outer Limits) Regulations 2021

Regulation · Made 2021-06-01

Maritime Zones (Territorial Sea Outer Limits) Regulations 2020

Regulation · Made 2020-09-29

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act 1978 (No. 13 of 1978)

Act · Made 1978-12-27

Repealed

Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) Strategic Plan 2022-2026

policy · Made 2022-06

Ministry of Health Act, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991)

Act · Made 1991-05-14

Repealed

Ministry of Health Act 2013 (Act No. 6 of 2013)

Act · Made 2013-06-13

Ministry of Health (Amendment) Act, 1992-1993 (No. 17 of 1992-1993)

Act · Made 1993-05-21

Repealed

Ministry of Marine Resources Act, 1984 (Act No. 15)

Act · Made 1984-12-27

Ministry of Marine Resources Legislation Act No. 16 of 2019

Act · Made 2019-12-17

National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management 2009-2015

policy · Made 2009

National Agricultural Policy 2017-2021

policy · Made 2017-04

National Agriculture Strategic Plan

policy · Made 2001-01

National Ballast Water Management Strategy 2016‐2020

policy · Made 2016-02

National Environment Policy 2022 - 2032

policy · Made 2022-12

National Environment Strategic Action Framework 2005-2009

policy · Made 2004-12

National Health Road Map

policy · Made 2017

National Health Strategic Plan 2017 – 2021

policy · Made 2017

National health strategic plan 2023 - 2027

policy · Made 2023

National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention in the Cook Islands

policy · Made 2011-03-10

National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy

policy · Made 2014-03-25

National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks in the Cook Islands, 2012

policy · Made 2012

National policy on gender equality and women's empowerment and Action Plan 2019 - 2024

policy · Made 2019-03

National Seabed Minerals Policy

policy · Made 2014-03-04

National Security Policy 2023–2026

policy · Made 2023

National Strategy on Aquatic Biosecurity for the Cook Islands

policy · Made 2018

National Sustainable Development Agenda (NSDA) 2020+ 2021–2121

policy · Made 2021

National Sustainable Development Plan 2006-2010

policy · Made 2006

National Sustainable Development Plan 2011-2015

policy · Made 2011

National Sustainable Development Plan 2016-2020

policy · Made 2016

National Water Policy 2016

policy · Made 2016

National Youth Policy 2015-2020

policy · Made 2015-06

Noise Control Act (No. 3 of 1986)

Act · Made 1986-07-22

Noise Control Amendment Act 1993-94 (No. 14 of 1993-94)

Act · Made 1994-01-13

Occupier's Liability Act 1962

Act · Made 1962-11-28

Official Information Act No.2 of 2008

Act · Made 2008-02-18

Offshore Fisheries Policy

policy · Made 2013

Operation, Testing and Reporting Standards

Other · Made 2014-06-18

Outer Island (Aitutaki Paua) By-laws 1988

Regulation · Made 1988-12-23

Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility Act 2016 (No. 1 of 2016)

Act · Made 2016-06-10

Repealed

Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility Act (No. 15 of 2021)

Act · Made 2021-12-06

Pearl and Pearl Shell (Penrhyn, Rakahanga and Manihiki Lagoons) Act 1982 (No. 8 of 1982)

Act · Made 1982-09-10

Pearl and Pearl-Shell (Penrhyn, Rakahanga and Manihiki Lagoons) Amendment Act 1984-85 (No. 29 of 1984-85)

Act · Made 1985-03-12

Penrhyn (Naharakura Lease) Facilitation Act 1992 (No. 12 of 1992)

Act · Made 1992-12-21

Penrhyn (Naharakura Lease) Facilitation Amendment Act 2009 (No. 6 of 2009)

Act · Made 2009-03-20

Penrhyn (Prohibition on Exportation of Pasua) By-Laws No. 21 of 2007

Regulation · Made 2007-08-30

Pesticides Act

Act · Made 1987-12-04

Plants Act, 1973

Act · Made 1974-02-15

Repealed

Policy for Coastal Fisheries Resources 2014

policy · Made 2014

Ports Authority Act 1994-95 (No. 30)

Act · Made 1995-07-01

Ports Authority (Amendment) Act, 1999 (No. 9 of 1999)

Act · Made 1999-03-24

Ports Authority (Amendment) Act, 2019 (No. 20 of 2019)

Act · Made 2019-12-18

Prevention of Marine Pollution Act (No. 5 of 1998)

Act · Made 1998-07-23

Property Act 1952

Act · Made 1952-10-24

Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Cook Islands

Treaty · Made 2021

Public Health Act 2004 (No. 13 of 2004)

Act · Made 2004-06-14

Repealed

Public Health Act (No. 17 of 2024)

Act · Made 2024-05-20

Public Health (Sewage and Wastewater Treatment and Disposal) Regulations 2014

Regulation · Made 2014

Public Health Sewage (Code) Regulations 2008

Regulation · Made 2008-12-04

Repealed

Public Health Sewage (Forms) Regulations 2008

Regulation · Made 2008-12-04

Public Health (Sewage) Regulations 2008

Regulation · Made 2008-01-25

Repealed

Rarotonga Environment Act 1994-1995 (Act No. 39 of 1995)

Act · Made 1995-07-31

Repealed

Rarotonga Environment Amendment Act 1998 (Act No. 16 of 1998)

Act · Made 1998-09-28

Repealed

Rarotonga Environment Amendment Act 1999 (Act No. 18 of 1999)

Act · Made 1999-12-17

Repealed

Rarotonga Motus (Prohibition of Leases) Act 1981-1982 (No. 21 of 1981-1982)

Act · Made 1982-04-06

Rarotonga Motus (Prohibition of Leases) Amendment Act 1989-1990 (No. 42 of 1989-1990)

Act · Made 1990-03-30

Rarotonga Pilotage Regulations 2017

Regulation · Made 2017-10-24

Re-use of Bottles Act 1988

Act · Made 1988-06-14

Sanitation (Wastewater Management) Policy 2016

policy · Made 2016-06-21

Seabed Minerals Act 2009

Act · Made 2009

Repealed

Seabed Minerals Act No. 5 of 2019

Act · Made 2019-06-17

Seabed Minerals (Amendment) Act (No. 1 of 2015)

Act · Made 2015-06-16

Repealed

Seabed Minerals (Amendment) Act No. 1 of 2024

Act · Made 2024-02-21

Seabed Minerals (Amendment) Act No. 18 of 2020

Act · Made 2020-06-30

Seabed Minerals (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2021

Act · Made 2021-03-25

Seabed Minerals (Exploration Fees) Regulations 2020

Regulation · Made 2020-10-21

Seabed Minerals (Exploration) Regulations 2020

Regulation · Made 2020

Seabed Minerals (Minerals Harvesting and Other Mining) Regulations 2024

Regulation · Made 2024-10-01

Seabed Minerals (Prospecting and Exploration) Regulations 2015

Regulation · Made 2015

Seabed Minerals (Royalties) Regulations 2013

Regulation · Made 2013-12-10

Seabed Minerals (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2019

Regulation · Made 2019-09-10

Ship Registration Act 2007

Act · Made 2007-06-27

Shipping (Infringement Deficiency) Regulations No. 31 of 2014

Regulation · Made 2014-12-16

Shipping Ordinance 1963 (No. 9 of 1963)

Act · Made 1963

Repealed

Shipping Registry Act (No. 3 of 1985)

Act · Made 1985-07-19

Repealed

Shipping Registry Amendment Act 1986 (No. 4 of 1986)

Act · Made 1986-07-22

Repealed

Shipping Registry Amendment Act 1987 (No. 27 of 1987)

Act · Made 1987-12-18

Shipping Registry Amendment Act 1989 (No. 32 of 1989)

Act · Made 1989-12-22

Repealed

Shipping Registry Amendment Act 1997 (No. 7 of 1997)

Act · Made 1997-03-25

Repealed

Short Term Crop Leases Act (Act No. 11)

Act · Made 1966-11-10

Short Term Crop Leases Amendment Act, 1967 (Act No. 14)

Act · Made 1967-10-23

Small Claims Act 1986

Act · Made 1986-08-06

Small Claims Tribunal Act 2008 (No. 20 of 2008)

Act · Made 2008-11-26

Solid and Hazardous Waste Act (No. 4 of 2025)

Act · Made 2025-06-27

Solid Waste Management Policy 2016 – 2026

policy · Made 2016-06-21

Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Cook Islands

Treaty · Made 2016-10-04

Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Framework

policy · Made 2016

Takitumu Conservation Area Management Plan 2020–2030

policy · Made 2020 · Local level

Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act, 1977 (Act No. 16)

Act · Made 1977-11-14

Repealed

Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Amendment Act No. 14 of 2011

Act · Made 2011-12-13

Repealed

Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Amendment Act No. 7 of 2012

Act · Made 2012-06-22

Repealed

The Continental Shelf Act 1964, No.28

Act · Made 1964-11-03

Repealed

To Tatou Vai Act (No. 10 of 2021)

Act · Made 2021-11-24 · Local level

To Tatou Vai (Free Water Allocation and Funding of Catchment Committees) Regulations 2025

Regulation · Made 2025-06-04

Traditional Knowledge Act No. 7 of 2013

Act · Made 2013-12-06

Trochus Act 1975

Act · Made 1975-03-05

Unit Titles Act (No. 17 of 2005)

Act · Made 2005-10-14

Unit Titles Amendment Act 2007 (No. 2 of 2007)

Act · Made 2007

Wandering Animals Act 1976

Act · Made 1976-12-01

Water Supply Master Plan for Rarotonga

policy · Made 2014-04-04