Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic representation in US:
None (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

US diplomatic representation:
None (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)



FOREIGN RELATIONS

The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand. Since New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands, please see our New Zealand Page for this information.




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Cook Islands check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet for New Zealand.

The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (NZD) New Zealand Dollar
Electrical 240 Volts
Telephones Country Code 682, City Code, Rarotonga 2+4D



Time: GMT - 10.

Electricity: 220 volts DC, 50Hz.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 682. Outgoing international code: 00 (operator assistance may be required).

Climate: Can be quite changeable from day to day and varies throughout the islands. It is generally hot throughout the year, although the trade winds provide some moderating influence. Rainfall is heaviest in Rarotonga, while the northern atolls tend to be drier. The coolest months are June to August, while November to March marks the warmer season, which also has the highest rainfall.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings. Rainwear is advised in the rainy season.

Food & Drink: There are restaurants in hotels, and a variety of independent eating places as well, as a result of the increasing tourist trade. Local produce includes a wide variety of citrus and tropical fruits, island chestnuts and garden vegetables. Seafood features on many restaurant menus and so does coconut as the coconut palms produce an abundant supply of fruit all year round. Local meat and poultry are available. At larger resorts you can try the traditional Polynesian feast known as the 'Umukai', which involves baking food in an underground oven and is usually accompanied with traditional entertainment by local people.

Tipping: Tradition says that all gifts require something in return and tipping is therefore not practised.

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents, supplemented by notes and coins minted for local use which are not negotiable outside the Cook Islands. Notes are in denominations of NZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of NZ$2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency exchange: Exchange facilities are available at the airport, banks and in some larger stores and hotels. ANZ Bank have recently installed an ATM in Avarua.

Credit & debit cards: Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard and American Express are all accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco...............200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Liquor..................2 litres of wine or spirits or 4.5 litres of beer

Perfume..............Personal use

Goods..................Up to a value of NZ$250

Cameras..............No restrictions

Film.....................Reasonable amount

Gifts.....................Reasonable amount

Currency..............No restrictions

Prohibited items: Fruit, meat, livesock, drugs, naracotics, indecent pornographic material, fireworks, firearms, gunpowder and ammunition.



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