<Ol> <Li> ^ As per the Te Reo Maori Act . </Li> </Ol> <Li> ^ As per the Te Reo Maori Act . </Li> <P> The Cook Islands (/ ˈkʊk ˈaɪləndz / (listen); Cook Islands Māori: Kūki' Āirani) is a self - governing island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand . It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi). The Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers 1,800,000 square kilometres (690,000 sq mi) of ocean . </P> <P> New Zealand is responsible for the Cook Islands' defence and foreign affairs, but they are exercised in consultation with the Cook Islands . In recent times, the Cook Islands have adopted an increasingly independent foreign policy . Although Cook Islanders are citizens of New Zealand, they have the status of Cook Islands nationals, which is not given to other New Zealand citizens . </P>

Where is cook islands located on the world map
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