Visitor Information: Head Office
P.O. Box 14, Rarotonga
Cook Islands
Telephone: (682) 29 435
Fax: (682) 21 435
Email: tourism@cookislands.co.ck

USA/ Canada:
Mr James McCann
280 Nelson Street, Suite 202
Vancouver, B.C. V6B2E2
CANADA
Telephone: (01) 604-301-1190
Fax: (01) 604 687 3454
Email: cookislands@earthlink.net

Entry Requirements/Customs:

A bona-fide visitor (any person who enters the Cook Islands solely for recreation or vacation/holiday), does not require an entry permit, provided he/she possesses proof of onward passage (booked and paid) for stays of not more than 31 days. Extension permits are usually granted for visitors wanting to stay over 31 days. All visitors are required to have a valid passport, proof of onward passage, adequate financial means of supporting stay, and suitable accommodation. Applications can be made upon arrival at the Immigration Department. Extensions are granted on a monthly basis, up to 5 additional months only. A fee is payable with each application within 14 days prior to the expiration of the permit. Extensions are granted at two levels. Up to three months NZ$70.00 (15 years and older), up to five months NZ$120.00 (15 years and older). Children under 15 years of age are exempt from charges but must report to Immigration for official paperwork to be completed.

For those wanting to stay in the Cook Islands longer than 6 months, must apply for a visa from their home territory, prior to their arrival in the Cook Islands.

Please direct applications to :
Principal Immigration Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
PO Box 105
Rarotonga Ph: (682) 29347 COOK ISLANDS Fax: (682) 21247

No duty is levied on clothing or personal effects (including sports equipment). In addition, each visitor may bring the following items, free of duty, into the Cook Islands: 200 cigarettes or up to 1/2 pound (1 kg) of tobacco or up to 50 cigars, 2 litres of spirit or wine or 41/2 litres of beer.

Goods with total value of up to NZ$250.00 are not open to duties, however goods in excess of NZ$250.00 are liable to duty.

Upon departure all visitors will be charged the following taxes: Adults NZ$25.00, Children under 12 years NZ$10.00, Children 2 years and under are free of charge. This must be paid upon departure, and is not included as part of prepaid taxes with airline tickets.

Currency:

The denomination of currency used in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The Westpac and ANZ Banks in Avarua are open Monday to Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm. In addition visitors can exchange travellers cheques and principal currencies at larger stores and hotels.

Banking facilities are also provided at the airport for currency exchange and cashing of travellers cheques. They are open for the arrival and departure of all International flights. Major credit cards are accepted throughout the island at most shops, and restaurants. ANZ have recently installed an ATM machine. EFTPOS facilities are becoming more widespread throughout local businesses and cash advances on major credit cards are accepted.

Electricity:

Voltage is 220 AC/50 cycle, the same as New Zealand and Australia. In some cases, a two pin adapter may be required. Some hotels and motels have provisions for 110 volt AC electric razors.

Language:

In Cook Island Maori, there are 14 letters, including the glottal stop which is written as an inverted apostrophe: a, e, ng, I, k, m, n, o, p, r, t, u, v, ‘ The eight consonants (ng, k, m, n, p, r, t, v) are pronounced as in English, although non-Maori speakers often have difficulty with the ng (pronounced as in "sing") especially when it occurs at the beginning of a word. The ninth consonant, the glottal stop, typically replaces the "h" of other Polynesian dialects. In speech, the glottal stop is a brief, guttural sound preceding the vowel. The five vowels are either short or long. Long vowels are indicated by a macron, an overhead horizontal line. Short vowels Long vowels a as in above a as in father e as in met e as in men I as in I as in tea o as in bought o as in torn u as in put u as in moon In Maori speech the context is an important means of overcoming ambiguity.

When Maori words are written within an English text it is very important to include the glottal stops and macrons to avoid ambiguity and to aid correct pronunciation. The inclusion of glottal stops and macrons enables us to distinguish between: ua (rain) ‘ua (egg), u’a (female) and ‘u’a (thigh).

Health:

A range of medical and dental services are available on Rarotonga. This includes a hospital and emergency services, as well as an optometrist. Various pharmacies are available for prescription medicine.

Climate:

The Cook islands enjoy a pleasantly warm and sunny climate all year round. June to August are the cooler months, whilst November to March marks the warmer season, with occasional tropical showers expected.

The drier months from April to November have an average temperature of about 26°C, whilst the warmer, more humid and damp season runs from December to March. During this season the temperature ranges between 22°C and 28°C.