Flag of Cook Islands
territoryThe flag of Cook Islands was adopted on August 4, 1979. Blue Ensign with a ring of fifteen white stars. It uses 3 colours: blue, white and red. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Cook Islands |
|---|---|
| Country | Cook Islands |
| Official Country Name | Cook Islands |
| Capital | Avarua |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Polynesia |
| ISO Country Code | CK / COK |
| Internet Domain | .ck |
| Calling Code | +682 |
| Currency | Cook Islands dollar (CKD), New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
| National Language(s) | Cook Islands Māori, English |
| Demonym | Cook Islander |
| Area | 236 km² |
| Population | 17,379 (2018 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Cook Islands |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 4, 1979 |
| First Used | 1979 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 4, 1979 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red |
| Design Type | Blue Ensign with a ring of fifteen white stars |
| Official Status | Official Territorial Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #012169 | 1, 33, 105 | 99, 69, 0, 59 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #C8102E | 200, 16, 46 | 0, 92, 77, 22 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the ocean and the peaceful nature of the islanders |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the fifteen stars |
| Red colour | Represents the Union Jack |
| Fifteen stars | The fifteen inhabited islands, arranged in a circle to show that no island stands above another |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1979 | The design was first used |
| 1979-08-04 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Cook Islands Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Cook Islands
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 47 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 4, 1979 |
| Oldest Version | 1979 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Anguilla, Ascension Island, Australia |
| Unique Feature | Blue Ensign with a ring of fifteen white stars |
Other british-style ensign flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Cook Islands
- The fifteen stars in a ring represent the fifteen islands of the group, arranged as a circle so that no island is shown as more important than another.
- The Cook Islands changed flag three times between 1973 and 1979 before settling on this design.
- The flag of Cook Islands was officially adopted on August 4, 1979.
- The flag in its present form is 47 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Blue Ensign with a ring of fifteen white stars.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 55 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, white and red.
- The blue on the flag stands for the ocean and the peaceful nature of the islanders.
- The white on the flag stands for the fifteen stars.
- The red on the flag stands for the Union Jack.
- Fifteen stars: The fifteen inhabited islands, arranged in a circle to show that no island stands above another.
- The design belongs to the "British-style ensign" family, shared with 22 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia.
- Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, administered by its own government, with New Zealand responsible for defence on request.
- Rugby league and rugby union are the most popular sports.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 4 August, Constitution Day.
- The capital is Avarua. The currency is the Cook Islands dollar (CKD), New Zealand dollar (NZD).
- It covers 236 km² and has a population of about 17,379 (2018 est.).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Cook Islands
When was the flag of Cook Islands adopted?
The flag of Cook Islands was officially adopted on August 4, 1979.
What do the colours of the flag of Cook Islands mean?
Blue for the ocean and the peaceful nature of the islanders, white for the fifteen stars and red for the Union Jack.
Is Cook Islands an independent country?
Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, administered by its own government, with New Zealand responsible for defence on request, a status held since 4 August 1965.
What is the national sport of Cook Islands?
Rugby league and rugby union are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Cook Islands represent?
Fifteen stars — The fifteen inhabited islands, arranged in a circle to show that no island stands above another.
What are the proportions of the flag of Cook Islands?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 55 national flags.
When is the national day of Cook Islands?
It falls on 4 August, Constitution Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Cook Islands?
The capital is Avarua. The currency is the Cook Islands dollar (CKD), New Zealand dollar (NZD) and the language spoken is Cook Islands Māori, English.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Cook Islands?
The closest matches are Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Cook Islands?
It uses 3 colours: blue, white and red.