The Cook Islands Prime Minister, Jim Marurai, says while the country has gone through many changes over the past forty years, today it is financially stable.
The country is currently celebrating 40 years of independence, with many including politicians, the business sector, reflecting on how far the country has developed over the years.
Mr Marurai says the Cook Islands has developed well because of the country's resources like tourism and agriculture, but admits that the country can't take these for granted.
"Tourism is a very vulnerable industry. So the reliance on that and if we do, we can hopefully sustain the industry."
