On 4 August 1965 the Cook Islands achieved self-government from New Zealand. As nzhistory.net notes, New Zealand’s formal ties with the Cook Islands began as a result of a petition it had induced some local chiefs to present. In 1901 the Federal Parliament of the Cooks was abolished. The islands were now governed by a Resident Commissioner sent to Rarotonga by the New Zealand government. This ended after the Legislative Assembly declared its intention to achieve internal self-government in 1962, leading to the New Zealand’s Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964.
The films shown here, Cook Islands Looks Ahead, was produced by the National Film Unit and shows a survey of Cook Islands preparations in 1965 for internal self-government. Developments in industry, education and health services are shown too. There is also footage of the opening of the first Assembly under a new Constitution and the following celebrations.
The National Film Unit was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the Second World War. After 1945 the Film Unit expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the Film Unit produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the National Film Unit's extensive film processing facilities.
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Material from Archives New Zealand
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New Zealand National Film Unit presents The Cook Islands Looks Ahead (1965)
A survey of Cook Islands preparations in 1965 for internal self-government. Developments in industry, education and health services. The opening of the first Assembly under a new Constitution and the following celebrations.