Page 413 - Melanesia

In 1962 New Zealand Minister of Island Territories Sir Leon Gotz COOK ISLANDS Needlefish
invited the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly to consider four Cornetfish
alternative courses for the country’s future. The most practical of REEF CREATURES GUIDE
these was full internal self-government whereby the Cook Islands Great Barracuda
people would remain New Zealand citizens with the right of free Long-Nosed Ornate Dot-and-Dash Chevron Moorish
entry into New Zealand for both themselves and their produce. The Butterflyfish Butterflyfish Butterflyfish Idol
Cook Islands would be responsible for the management of its own Butterflyfish
territory. The day after Sir Leon’s invitation, the Legislative Assem- Bonefish
bly unanimously adopted a resolution choosing self-government
while at the same time asking New Zealand to preserve for the peo- Teardrop Raccoon Trumpetfish Convict
ple their status as New Zealand citizens. Butterflyfish Butterflyfish Hexagon Grouper Tang
On 17 November 1964 the New Zealand Parliament passed the Whitebar
Cook Islands Constitution Act. This was to come into force on a Saddled Threadfin Axilspot Hogfish Surgeonfish
date requested by the Cook Islands legislature following general Butterflyfish Butterflyfish
elections to be held in the Territory. The elections were held on 20 Double-Saddle
April 1965, with resounding support for the proposed Constitu- Redfin Butterflyfish
tion and self-government. On 26 July the New Zealand passed the Butterflyfish
Cook Islands Constitution Amendment Act and the Cook Islands Lowfin Chub Peacock (Bluespotted)
became a State in free association with New Zealand. Sixbar Wrasse Male Grouper
The Cook Islands stretch over 2 million square kilometres of the
Pacific Ocean, consisting of 15 islands. The stunning delight known Pyramid Threespot Female Achilles Tang
as the Cook Islands is located in the heart of the South Pacific. This Butterflyfish Wrasse Bluefin Trevally
tropical paradise of lush islands and atolls, white sand beaches Masked Female Sailfin Tang Flametail (Bluefin Jack)
and blue lagoons, provides the ideal location for any holiday. The Tahiti Bannerfish Male Redlip Snapper
Cook Islands population is quite small with less than 20,000 peo- Butterflyfish Initial
ple. Many of the islands feature breathtaking lagoons and atolls, the Parrotfish Phase
most famous being Aitutaki, known for its beauty and one of the Sunset Female
most popular honeymoon and wedding destinations in the world. Wrasse Male Terminal
Phase

Scissor-Tail Pennant Blue Boxfish Immature
Sergeant Bannerfish Dull

Juvenile Bullethead
Parrotfish

Sergeant Regal Volitan Adult
Major Angelfish Lionfish

Yellowtail Coris

Lemonpeel Flame Checkerboard Bright Bicolor
Angelfish Angelfish Wrasse Pacific Longnose Parrotfish

Emperor Female Parrotfish
Angelfish Male

Male

Blue Devil Orangelined
Triggerfish

Bluespine Female Napolean
Unicornfish Bird Wrasse (Humphead) Wrasse

Porcupine Orangespine Blue Triggerfish
Pufferfish Unicornfish Starry

Day Octopus Spotted Broadstriped Pufferfish Titan Lagoon (Picasso)
Boxfish Cardinalfish Triggerfish Triggerfish
Crown of
Bluestreak Thorns Purple
Cleaner Starfish Queen
Wrasse
Fire Coral

Humbug Magnificent Giant Massive Snowflake
Dacylus Anemone Moray Coral Moray

Squirrelfish Scorpionfish

Ceylon Triton's
Gymnadoris Trumpet
Garden
Peach Arceye Pin
Fairy Anthias Half-&-Half Eel Hawkfish Cushion
Longbarbel Star Blue
Chromis Multibarred Goatfish Sea
Goatfish Urchin
Sea
Star
Bluegreen Sea Razor
Chromis Cucumber Fire Coral
Dartfish Peacock Blue Coral
Flounder
Yellowstripe Goatfish