Administrative Subdivisions
There are Island Councils on all of the inhabited outer islands (Outer Islands Local Government Act 1987 with amendments up to 2004, and Palmerston Island Local Government Act 1993) except Nassau, which is governed by Pukapuka (Suwarrow, with only one caretaker living on the island, also governed by Pukapuka, is not counted with the inhabited islands in this context). Each council is headed by a Mayor.
- The Ten Outer Islands Councils are
| Aitutaki (including uninhabited Manuae) | ||
| Mangaia | ||
| Atiu (including uninhabited Takutea) | ||
| Ma'uke | ||
| Mitiaro | ||
| Manihiki | ||
| Penrhyn | ||
| Rakahanga | ||
| Pukapuka (including Nassau and Suwarrow) | ||
| Palmerston |
The three Vaka councils of Rarotonga established in 1997 (Rarotonga Local Government Act 1997), also headed by mayors, were abolished in February 2008, despite much controversy.
- The three Vaka councils on Rarotonga were
| Te-Au-O-Tonga | (equivalent to Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands) |
| Puaikura | Arorangi |
| Takitumu | Matavera, Ngatangiia, Takitumu |
On the lowest level, there are village committees. Nassau, which is governed by Pukapuka, has an island committee (Nassau Island Committee), which advises the Pukapuka Island Council on matters concerning its own island.
Read more about this topic: Cook Islands