The Cook Islands were annexed to New Zealand in June 1901. Resident Agents, responsible to the Resident Commissioner in Rarotonga, were appointed in each of the islands in the Cook Islands group. Resident Agents chaired the Island Council meetings. The Resident Agent also had judicial powers under island ordinances, heard criminal matters cases, except murder and manslaughter, and civil cases, except divorce suits, where the consideration was no more than 50 pounds.
Reels 1-4: 17/1 Atiu - general, 1893-1966; Atiu – Public Works, 1909-14; Atiu – annual reports, 1913-14;
Reels 4-7: 18/1 Mauke – general, 1909-1968; Mauke – annual reports, 1950-59;
Reels 7- 11: 19/1 Mangaia – general, 1899-1967; Mangaia – annual reports, 1950-58;
Reel 11-12: Atiu – annual reports, 1950-65; Aitutaki – annual reports, 1950-65;
Reel 12-14: 20/1 Penrhyn – general, 1909-1974;
Reel 14: 20/1 Northern Group – weekly diaries, 1968-1969;
Reel 14: Penrhyn – annual report, 1950-52;
Reel 15: 17/1 Atiu – general, 1893-1913 (papers removed for conservation);
Reel 15-17: 1/21 Manahiki and Rakananga – general, 1909-1958; Manahiki and Rakahanga – annual report, 1950-62.
<b>See Finding aids for details.</b>
See also: PMB 1192: COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION, Resident Commissioner’s Office: Correspondence with Aitutaki Resident Agents, 1908-1967. Reels 1-5. (Restricted access.)