Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration website.

As Secretary of the Ministry,it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.The Ministry comprises two separate departments:Foreign Affairs and Immigration having being amalgamated as a consequence of a 1996 decision to combine the entities as part of a restructuring exercise at the time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration is the lead agency in managing the Cook Islands international affairs.  It is Government's principal adviser and negotiator on foreign affairs and trade policy issues.

The Cook Islands key relationships are with New Zealand, Pacific Island Countries, the European Union and China.  It is a member of a number of regional and international treaties and institutions.  It is a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum.  Our overall objective is to protect and advance the political and socio-economic interests of the Cook Islands by developing and sustaining relationships with foreign governments and international organisations; so that we can influence the decisions that they make to accommodate the interest of the Cook Islands.

The Immigration Division of the Ministry ensures that the regional and international obligations of the Cook Islands, relative to border security, are honoured.  Our job is to protect national security and maintain the integrity of immigration surveillance.  The Division maintains regulatory control over arrival and departures, and manages the Government's residence and work permit regime.

This is a very brief summary of the Ministry's work - however, I invite you to explore our website and if you have any questions, please direct your enquiry to the Ministry.

Kia manuia.

M. C. Mitchell
SECRETARY
March 2009