English: The Cook Islands, since 1901 a territory of New Zealand, attained internal self-government on August 4, 1965. The 20,000 inhabitants of this scattered South Pacific group, however, remain New Zealand citizens, and the former administrating country retains responsibility for the Islands' defence and External Affairs.

Through the introduction of welfare clinics and services, the infant mortality rate, generally high among Polynesian peoples since contact with Europeans, has been cut to a minimum.

Here, mothers and children on Rarotonga, principal island of the Cook group, gather in the village centre for advice, weighing and examinations by trained district nurses, who visit the area every two weeks. Cook Islands, Infant Welfare, Rarotonga publicity photograph. (1965)

Photographer: Unknown

Archives New Zealand Reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 R3422