English: The Cook Islands, since 1901 a territory of New Zealand, attained internal self-government on August 4, 1965. The 20,000 inhabitants of this scattered South Pacific group, however, remain New Zealand citizens, while the former administrating country also retains responsibility for the Islands' defence and External Affairs.

Since the earliest days of New Zealand administration, the necessity of fighting disease with modern medical methods has been impressed upon the Cook Islanders, and today doctors and nurses, most of them trained and qualified in New Zealand, are greatly assisted by the health-conscious attitude of the people. Here, in the general hospital on Rarotonga, principal island of the group, a blood donor contributes to the hospital's "Blood Bank". Cook Islands, Health, Rarotonga publicity photograph. (1965)

Photographer: Unknown

Archives New Zealand Reference: AAQT 6539 W3537 R3412