The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. People inhabited the islands about 1,000 years ago, and the first European contact happened in 1595. 

In 1890, the Cook Islands became aligned with the United Kingdom and became part of British dominions in 1900. The United Kingdom made the islands part of the colony of New Zealand one year after. 

The islands remained a New Zealand-dependent territory until August 4th 1965, when the constitution was promulgated. 

The islands became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand takes care of the foreign affairs and defense of the islands, but it needs to consult with the Cook Islands.