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, while the former administrating country retain responsibility for the Islands defence and External Affairs.

One of the Cook Islands Health Department's most important functions in guarding against any outbreak of disease is the regular checking of household and communal water supplies to test its purity, here being carried out by Mr. Tuteru Arahu, a local health inspector on Rarotonga. Cook Islands, Health, Rarotonga publicity photograph. (1965)

Photographer: Unknown

Archives New Zealand Reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 R3420