New Zealand abolished the death penalty for murder in 1961. Abolition was extended to the Cook Islands in 1962. Post-independence, the Cook Islands government reaffirmed the death penalty for treason in section 76 of the Crimes Act 1969. This was defined as participation in a war against the Cook Islands or New Zealand, an attempt to overthrow the Cook Islands government, or an attempt to harm the Queen of New Zealand.Crimes Act 1969, s75. The laws regarding capital punishment were based on New Zealand law at the time. Further provisions for the death penalty were enacted in the Criminal Procedure Act 1980-1981.
