Jonassen, Jon Michael2011-09-072011-09-071982http://hdl.handle.net/10125/21106Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1982Pacific Islands StudiesThis thesis lull focus on the historical development of the External Affairs Department during the period 1965 to 1981. It will trace the dynamics of relationships with other governments as well as examine the current structure of the External Affairs Department. The development of the department supports the argument that the Cook Islands Government is increasing its prerogative to manage its own external affairs. The thesis is organized into six chapters. Chapter two addresses the concept of Cook Islands self government in free association with New Zealand. Chapter three traces the historical development of External Affairs and integrates it with the following chapter on regional, bilateral and multilateral relationships. In chapter five, contemporary views of Cook Islanders towards the External Affairs Department are presented, and this is followed by a summary chapter with which the thesis concludes. The views analyzed are based on surveys conducted during a three month visit to Rarotonga, the main island in the Cook group, and the seat of government.vii, 110 leavesAll UHM dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.Polynesia - Cook IslandsCook Islands--External Affairs Dept.Cook Islands--Politics and Government.