How did the British protectorate unite the Cook Islands under one government?

The British protectorate did not inherently unite the islands through its own administrative structure alone; rather, the establishment of the protectorate in 1888 served as the catalyst for the creation of a single federal parliament.1

Prior to this, the islands were largely autonomous, with competing communities and no central authority. The move toward unification was driven by local ariki (chiefs) who petitioned the United Kingdom for protection due to fears of a French takeover, similar to events in Tahiti. Upon complying with this request, the British government facilitated the formation of the federal parliament, marking the first time the scattered islands were brought under a united government.1