Philippine-Cook Islands Bilateral Relations

The bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Cook Islands were formally established on 12 December 2011 where the Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Tiki Matapo, and the Philippines Ambassador, Virginia Benavidez, signed on behalf of their respective governments in Wellington.

The two countries have always maintained friendly relations and have supported each other in many common issues affecting them such as maritime safety and climate change. The establishment of diplomatic ties in 2011 further cemented this friendship and the two countries looked forward to deepening the cooperation existing between them.

The Cook Islands hosts a number of Filipino citizens in the professional and service sectors, mostly in Rarotonga.

Under its Constitutional Monarchy system, Cook Islands recognizes King Charles III as Chief of State, while represented by H.E. Sir Tom John Marsters KBE since 27 July 2013. Its Head of Government is Prime Minister Mark Brown since 01 October 2020.

The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. Situated in the South Pacific between French Polynesia and American Samoa, it forms part of the Realm of New Zealand.

While the Cook Islands manages its own domestic and international affairs, New Zealand retains a constitutional responsibility to assist, upon request, in matters relating to foreign affairs, disaster response, and defence. Possessing full international legal personality, the Cook Islands independently conducts its external relations, including the establishment of diplomatic ties with numerous countries.