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 administration country also retains responsibility for the Islands' defence, and External Affairs.

Maori is the Cook Islanders' native language, but English is a compulsory subject in schools, most of which are staffed by teachers trained in New Zealand. Here, at one of many modern State schools on Rarotonga, principal island of the group, children are being taught English by an oral method specially adapted for primary school in the Cook Islands. Cook Islands, Education, Rarotonga publicity photograph. (1965)

Photographer: Unknown

Archives New Zealand Reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 R3413