From Wikitravel

The Cook Islands [1] are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand, located in Polynesia, in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, between French Polynesia (Society Islands) to the east and Tonga to the west. It is an archipelago with 15 islands spread out over 2.2 million sq. km of ocean. Though quite far, there's nothing between the Cook Islands and Antarctica.

With the same time zone and latitude (disregarding north and south) as Hawaii, the islands are sometimes thought of as "Hawaii down under". Though smaller, it reminds some elderly visitors of Hawaii before statehood without all the large tourist hotels and other development.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Climate 4.2 Terrain 5 Get in 5.1 On arrival 5.2 By plane 5.3 By boat 6 Get around 6.1 By plane 6.2 By boat 6.3 By car 6.4 By bus 7 Talk 8 Buy 8.1 Economy 8.2 Costs 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 12 Learn 13 Work 14 Stay safe 15 Stay healthy 16 Respect 17 Contact

Regions

• Southern Cook Islands
  • Aitutaki
  • Atiu
  • Mangaia
  • Manuae
  • Mauke
  • Mitiaro
  • Palmerston Island
  • Rarotonga (capital)
  • Takutea

• Northern Cook Islands
  • Manihiki
  • Nassau Island
  • Penrhyn Island (Tongareva or Mangarongaro)
  • Pukapuka
  • Rakahanga
  • Suwarrow (also called Suvorov or Suvarov)

Cities

• Avarua - Capital
• Avatiu a port

Other destinations

Understand

Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. In effect, New Zealand handles defense, foreign affairs (including passports), and currency; otherwise the islands are self-governing. This includes immigration, which is strictly controlled -- even for New Zealanders. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.

Climate

Tropical, moderated by trade winds.

Terrain

The northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls. The southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives

Get in

On arrival

You must have a reservation for accommodations pre-arranged, or risk being sent back on the next flight out. Though immigration and customs may be a little less strict about this than in the past and let you reserve at the airport by phone, if nothing is available you will be sent back. Camping on the beach is not allowed.

By plane

Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) is the main gateway to the Cook Islands. There are daily services to Auckland, New Zealand and weekly services to Fiji and via Papeete (Tahiti) to Los Angeles. The only international airlines at present are Air New Zealand and twice-weekly Pacific Blue. Air New Zealand has code share arrangements with all other Star Alliance members including United Airlines and Rarotonga is a popular stopover on Round the world flights.

By boat

Rarotonga and Aitutaki are regular stops for cruises operating from Tahiti. Other cruise companies also stop by occassionaly.

Get around

By plane

Domestic inter-island service is provided by Air Rarotonga [2]. Although you can book flights through Air Zealand, it is usually cheaper to do so directly with Air Rarotonga. This has become much easier in the past few years, now that they offer online booking through their web site http://www.airraro.com. Unless you're a member of Air New Zealand's "Airpoints Dollars" program, you won't receive any airline miles for Air Rarotonga -- and then only if you book through Air New Zealand, often at a higher price. Star Alliance mileage for Air Rarotonga is not available.

Most of the outer islands have only unpaved runways. However, landing won't be much rougher than that of a paved runway. If you've never landed on an unpaved runway before, it's nothing to be overly concerned about, and you've probably had a few rougher landings on a paved runway.

By boat

The Intrepid traveler can visit all inhabited islands by Interisland Freighters. Due to lack of accommodation and political issues one needs to depart with the same boat.

The uninhabited islands of Takutea and Suwarrow and also Palmerston can be visited with a research vessel stationed at Rarotonga

By car

By bus

Talk

Languages: English (official), Cook Islands Maori

Buy

Economy

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.

Costs

Overall, much cheaper than nearby Tahiti, though anything imported (petrol/gasoline, milk, etc.) will be expensive. Calling home can cost a bundle, due to the need to have a large satellite dish and related equipment on each sparsely populated island.

Eat

Drink

If travelling to Aitutaki, you must visit the fantastic Coconut Crusher Bar. A great feed, a great drink, and wonderful people

Sleep

Most of the outer islands turn off the entire electric system (blackout) overnight. Bring a flashlight (torch) with batteries.

Learn

Work

Stay safe

No major hazards, but medical care is limited -- especially on the outer islands. Though the locals often go barefoot (they're experts at it!), it's not recommended beyond sandy beaches due to the sharp coral rocks. Use caution when climbing stairs that connect the lower parts of an island near the sea to the upper part above the cliffs. Some do not have railings on the edge, including platforms. Only the most acrophobic would be uncomfortable with this (they're plenty wide enough and not vertically "open"), but for children, the blind, and someone who's had too much to drink, the risk is extreme. On the platforms, avoid getting too close to the edge -- especially if you need a rest from climbing. Motorcycle accidents cause many injuries and fatalities. Mosquitos are mostly a nuisance, though every few years there is a dengue fever outbreak in the wet season.

Stay healthy

Respect

Though the survey form given on arrival (and collected at departure) is optional, the airport staff will be very disappointed if you don't complete or lose it.

German tourists may be ask about the Nazi Holocaust (and other tourists asked about their opinion of Germans), as it is a new topic for the islanders having only recently acquired broadcast television. Those on the outer islands may be quite ignorant about what's happened to Germany in the 60-plus years since then. Try not be caught off-guard by such questions and do take them seriously. The Cook Islands own history includes head hunting and a large loss of life during the earlier World War I (1914-1918) fighting for the British against the Germany and Central Powers.

Contact

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