Editing Cook Islands (section)

===Defence and police===
The Cook Islands Police Service polices its own waters, and shares responsibility for defence with New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands Government and at its request. The total offshore EEZ is about 2 million square kilometres.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/cook-islands/new-zealand-high-commission-to-the-cook-islands/about-cook-islands/ |title=About Cook Islands |access-date=21 August 2023|website=New Zealand – Foreign Affairs and Trade}}</ref> Vessels of the [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] can be employed for this task including its {{sclass2|Protector|offshore patrol vessel|1}}s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/assets/Uploads/DocumentLibrary/NavyToday_Issue261.pdf |title=Illegal Fishing Targeted |access-date=21 August 2023|website=Navy Today |date=December 2021}}</ref> These naval forces may also be supported by [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] aircraft, including [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8 Poseidon]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/more-than-20-fishing-vessels-inspected-during-new-zealand-led-south-pacific-fisheries-patrol/ |title=More than 20 fishing vessels inspected during New Zealand-led South Pacific fisheries patrol |access-date=21 August 2023|website=New Zealand – Ministry for Primary Industries |date=11 August 2023}}</ref>

However, these forces are limited in size and in 2023 were described by the Government as "not in a fit state" to respond to regional challenges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/08/04/new-zealand-military-not-fit/#google_vignette |title=New Zealand Military 'Not in a Fit State,' Government Says |access-date=21 August 2023|website=The Defence Post |date=4 August 2023}}</ref> New Zealand's subsequently announced "Defence Policy and Strategy Statement" noted that shaping the security environment, "focusing in particular on supporting security in and for the Pacific" would receive enhanced attention.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defence.govt.nz/assets/publication/file/23-0195-Defence-Policy-and-Strategy-Statement-WEB.PDF |title=Defence Policy and Strategy Statement 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023|website=New Zealand Government |date=August 2023}}</ref>

The [[Cook Islands Police Service]] is the police force of the Cook Islands. The Maritime Wing of the Police Service exercises sovereignty over the nation's EEZ.  Vessels have included a {{sclass2|Pacific|patrol boat|1}}, {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa}} commissioned in May 1989 which received a re-fit in 2015<ref>{{cite news |title=Patrol boat 'born again' |url=http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/51765-patrol-boat-born-again/51765-patrol-boat-born-again |accessdate=9 December 2019 |work=Cook Islands News |date=15 May 2015}}</ref> but was withdrawn from service and replaced by a larger and more capable {{sclass2|Guardian|patrol boat|1}}, {{ship|CIPPB|Te Kukupa II}}, which entered service in 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Prime Minister Brown to Attend Handover Ceremony for CIPPB Te Kukupa II |url=https://mfai.gov.ck/news-updates/mfai-media-release-prime-minister-brown-attend-handover-ceremony-cippb-te-kukupa-ii |access-date=21 August 2023 |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration – Government of the Cook Islands |date=9 June 2022}}</ref> Cook Islands has its own customs regulations.<ref>[https://www.mfem.gov.ck/customs-legislation-tariffs Cook Islands Customs Legislation and Tariffs]</ref>