Cook Islands

Passports & Visas
A valid passport is required with at least 6 months validity after departure from the Cooks. Tourists do not require an entry permit provided they possess proof of prepaid and prebooked onward passage for stays of not more than 31 days. In addition tourists are expected to have adequate financial means of supporting their stay and suitable accommodation.

Customs
Each visitor may bring the following duty free items into the Cook Islands:- 200 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco or 50 cigars, 2 litres of spirit or wine and 4 ½ litres of beer.  Goods in excess of NZ$250.00 are liable for duty.

Health
There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Immunisation against Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid (long stays only) is recommended but not compulsory. See Health Advice booklet T6 for further details or consult your GP for individual advice.  The Cook Islands are very clean with no special health problems or poisonous animals and insects.  There are modern hospitals with New Zealand trained doctors and dentists.  Pharmacies are available for prescription medicine.

Currency
New Zealand Dollar (NZ$).  Paper currency is issued in 5,10,20,50, 100 notes.  Coins are issued in NZ$ 1,2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents.  100 cents = 1NZ$. Souvenir Cook Islands coins and notes can be purchased.

Major credit cards are accepted throughout the Islands at most shops and restaurants.  Travellers cheques and principal currencies can be exchanged at larger stores, hotels and in banks. Banking facilities are available at the airport.  Cash advances on major credit cards are accepted. ATM/Cash dispensing machines are available on Rarotonga.

Taxes and tipping
Tax is included in all prices displayed during your stay.
Tipping is not expected and is contrary to Cook Islands Custom.

Departure Tax
Upon departure all visitors will be charged the following tax:
Adults NZ$25  Children U12 NZ$10  Children U2 free of charge

General Information
Location : A group of 15 islands in the heart of the South Pacific, 1,950 miles   north-east of Auckland.
Local Time: GMT – 11 hours
Capital Island: Rarotonga
Language: English, Maori
Population: 18,000
Electricity: 220V AC
International Direct Dial Code: 682
Driving: Driving is on the left.  Must obtain Cook Islands licence from Police Station in Avarua on presentation of your own licence and on completion of a basic test. NZ$10.00.
Business Hours: Banks   Mon – Fri  0900 – 1500 hrs Sat 0900 – 1100 hrs
      Post Office Mon – Fri  0800 – 1600 hrs
      Shops Mon – Fri  0800 – 1600 hrs Sat 0800 – 1200 hrs
Flying time to the UK  : 20 – 22 hrs plus approx 2 hrs on the ground in Los Angeles.

Weather
Warmth and sunshine can be enjoyed all year round in the Cook Islands.  Rarotonga is one of the southernmost of the Cook Islands and enjoys temperatures of between 18°C and 28°C during May to October and 21°C to 29°C from November to April. The average temperature in July and August is 18.5°C.

Clothing
A light sweater may come in handy for the cooler evenings during July and August.  Avoid wearing brief attire when visiting towns or villages.  Nude or topless sunbathing will cause offence. Please ensure that upon entry into the country that all sports/walking shoes are clean and free of mud as they may be confiscated to be disinfected which may take several days and will incur a charge to the owner.

Sport
Rugby is a leading sport in the Cook Islands. Tereora College on Rarotonga is home to a well equipped stadium built in 1985 for the South Pacific Mini Games. Most Fridays see some sort of sporting event held at the stadium. The sports clubs in Rarotonga welcome visitors. Watersports activities include scuba diving, deep sea fishing and sightseeing cruises.

Brief History / Government
Named after the explorer Captain James Cook who first sighted the Islands in 1773. The first settlers were Polynesians in 800AD. The islands were declared a British protectorate in 1888 and came under New Zealand control in 1891. They gained independence in 1965 but Cook Islanders remain citizens of NZ. The Cook Islands enjoys universal suffrage, democratic government, a privately owned newspaper and vigorous debate. The Cook Islands are independent. They are governed by a Parliament of 24 elected representatives including one who represents Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and Australia (some 40,000), as well as a House of Ariki or hereditary chiefs who provide consultation and advice.  The MPs represent districts and entire islands. Elections are held every 5 years.  The Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand.

Please note
Attention all sports players – you must ensure your boots are free of any mud and are clean.  If not they will be taken from you on arrival and cleaned for which there is a compulsory fee of NZ$5 per pair of boots.