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 retains responsibility for the Islands' defence, and External Affairs. Education through primary and high school is free and compulsory for all children up to the age of 16, and modern well-equipped schools have been established on all the inhabited islands of the group.

Here is a classroom scene in the primary school at Avaroa, Rarotonga, capital of the Cook Islands. Cook Islands, Education, Rarotonga publicity photograph. (1965)

Photographer: Unknown

Archives New Zealand Reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 R3416