Germany recognised the Cook Islands as a self-governing country in March 2001. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 11 September 2001. The German Embassy responsible for the Cook Islands is based in Wellington, New Zealand. In the country itself, Germany is represented by an honorary consul (based in Avarua on the main island Rarotonga). The Embassy of New Zealand in Berlin represents the Cook Islands in Germany.

Germany supports the Cook Islands via its contributions to the EU’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) (until 2021: European Development Fund (EDF)) and with bilateral projects. The scale of bilateral economic relations with Germany is low. According to Federal Statistical Office figures, Germany exported goods worth 231.000 euro to the Cook Islands in 2023 and imported goods worth 45,000 euro from the country. The Cook Islands’ main trading partners are New Zealand, China, Fiji, the United States, Australia and Japan.