TERRITORY
The total land area of the country is just 91.4 square miles (236.7 square kms). But the Cook Islands' exclusive economic zone covers a maritime area of nearly 772,395 square miles (2 million square kms) - a space the size of India.
THE FLAG
The Constitution of the Islands explains the flag thus:
BLUE - is the colour most expressive of our Nation, it is representative of the vast area of the Pacific Ocean in which the islands of the Cook Islands are scattered. Blue also depicts the peaceful nature of the inhabitants of our islands. THE UNION JACK indicates our historical association with and membership of the British Commonwealth. The 15 WHITE STARS represent the 15 islands of the group.
The Constitution of the Islands explains the flag thus:
BLUE - is the colour most expressive of our Nation, it is representative of the vast area of the Pacific Ocean in which the islands of the Cook Islands are scattered. Blue also depicts the peaceful nature of the inhabitants of our islands. THE UNION JACK indicates our historical association with and membership of the British Commonwealth. The 15 WHITE STARS represent the 15 islands of the group.
TIME ZONE
The islands are 10 hours behind GMT. Daylight saving time is not observed - in other words, the clock remains the same all the year round. This is the current date and time in the Islands.
GOVERNMENT AND HEAD OF STATE
Parliamentary democracy based on the UK model. Officially the Islands are an independent nation in free association with New Zealand. They gained independence on 4 August, 1965. The free association agreement means:
Parliamentary democracy based on the UK model. Officially the Islands are an independent nation in free association with New Zealand. They gained independence on 4 August, 1965. The free association agreement means:
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- The Cook Islands Government has full executive powers
- The Cook Islands can make its own laws and New Zealand cannot make laws for the country unless authorised by Government
- Cook Islanders keep New Zealand citizenship
The Monarch is represented by Sir Frederick Goodwin. His official title is "HM the Queen's Representative in the Cook Islands". The Cook Islands remains part of the Realm of New Zealand and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is Head of State of the Cook Islands.
LANGUAGE
English and Cook Islands Maori are the official languages. In Cook Island Maori, there are 14 letters: a, e, ng, i, k, m, n, o, p, r, t, u, v and the glottal stop which is written as an inverted apostrophe. On the Northern island of Pukapuka, they have their own language. Only 2,000 people in the world speak Pukapukan. Find out more about the languages of the Islands.
MONEY
New Zealand Dollar. The Cook Islands also has its own distinctive notes and coins which are in circulation alongside the NZ currency, and of equal value. They are not legal tender outside the Islands. The three dollar note (left) is one of the most popular souvenirs. The only ATMs are on Rarotonga. Credit and some debit cards are widely accepted on the capital island and some places on Aitutaki.
DRIVING
Foreign and international driving licences are not accepted in the Islands. You have to buy a Cook Islands licence from police headquarters for NZ$20 (UK£9.22, US$14.74, 10 Euros, all approx.)...and it's also a great souvenir! You must be over 21 and show a current licence from your own country.
Foreign and international driving licences are not accepted in the Islands. You have to buy a Cook Islands licence from police headquarters for NZ$20 (UK£9.22, US$14.74, 10 Euros, all approx.)...and it's also a great souvenir! You must be over 21 and show a current licence from your own country.
Expect to queue up, fill in a form and then wait for an officer to take a head and shoulders photo. You'll be told to come back an hour or so later to collect the completed licence which is valid until your next birthday. If you want to drive a motorbike or scooter, you will also have take a short test which involves riding successfully around the only roundabout on Rarotonga. Driving is on the left hand side of the road, as in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Breathalyser testing was introduced in 2008, and if you are involved in an accident, your alcohol consumption could result in a prison sentence. Speed guns are also in use with on the spot fines. The limit on most of the island is 50kph (31mph), and just 30kph (18 mph) in town (Avarua).
Breathalyser testing was introduced in 2008, and if you are involved in an accident, your alcohol consumption could result in a prison sentence. Speed guns are also in use with on the spot fines. The limit on most of the island is 50kph (31mph), and just 30kph (18 mph) in town (Avarua).
MOBILE (CELL) PHONES Details as of 24 December, 2009
Mobile (cell) phone services have only been available since the end of 2003 and are provided by Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) using GSM technology. You can hire a local mobile in Rarotonga from the Telecom office near CITC. If you want to use your own, your service provider will have to have a roaming arrangement with TCI, or you will need a phone which isn't locked to a provider.
Mobile (cell) phone services have only been available since the end of 2003 and are provided by Telecom Cook Islands (TCI) using GSM technology. You can hire a local mobile in Rarotonga from the Telecom office near CITC. If you want to use your own, your service provider will have to have a roaming arrangement with TCI, or you will need a phone which isn't locked to a provider.
TAXES AND TIPPING
Shopping Every item sold has tax included in the price.
Tipping Tipping isn't expected and is contrary to Cook Islands custom.
Tipping Tipping isn't expected and is contrary to Cook Islands custom.
Departure tax When you leave the country, you will have to pay a departure tax. Adults pay a rather hefty NZ$55 (UK£24, US$39, 27 Euros). Children under 12 are exempt. The payment is not included in airline fares, so keep enough cash back There are plans to include it in the ticket price, but these are still being discussed. The tax applies only to international travel i.e. there is no tax on inter-island flights (Currency conversion is approximate and based on rates at 19 Dec, 2009)
And while we're on the subject of departing the Islands, some helpful advice about those gels, creams and liquids you're allowed to take on board an aircraft: Hang on to the plastic bag you'll get free at every other airport. If you don't, you'll have to buy one at the airport cafe for NZ$1 (UK 44p, US 72 cents, 0.5 Euros).
HIGHEST AND LOWEST POINTS
Highest Point: Te Manga, Rarotonga, pictured right. 2,139 ft (652 m)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 ft
Highest Point: Te Manga, Rarotonga, pictured right. 2,139 ft (652 m)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 ft
PEOPLE
POPULATION
19,569 people live in the Islands. According to preliminary results from the 2006 census, 72.3% live on Rarotonga, and 20.6% in the rest of the Southern Group of islands. Just 7.1% live on the six Northern Group islands. Find out more about the census results
ETHNIC DIVERSITY
19,569 people live in the Islands. According to preliminary results from the 2006 census, 72.3% live on Rarotonga, and 20.6% in the rest of the Southern Group of islands. Just 7.1% live on the six Northern Group islands. Find out more about the census results
ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Polynesian (81%), mixed Polynesian (16%), European (2%), other (1%)
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Women, 71 years. Men, 69 years
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Women, 71 years. Men, 69 years
HEALTHCARE
The National Health Service in the Cook Islands is of a good standard relative to the needs of the country. The system is managed by the Ministry of Health and provides a 90-bed central hospital on Rarotonga, seven outer island hospitals, 13 outpatient clinics, 5 healthcare centres and 58 maternity-child clinics. Difficult clinical cases are referred to New Zealand for specialised treatment. There is a comprehensive and compulsory immunisation program for all new-born children. There are no dangerous animals, no poisonous insects and no lethal viruses such as malaria indigenous to the Cook Islands.
Information courtesy of PRISM, the Pacific Regional Information System
Information courtesy of PRISM, the Pacific Regional Information System
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
ELECTRICITY
Diesel generators provide electricity with output at 240 volts-50 hertz cycle which is the same as the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Mauke have a continuous supply. On the other islands, it's available for at least 12 hours a day.
WATER
Rarotonga and Aitutaki have reticulated water supply systems. Water usage is not charged. On the other islands of the Southern Group limited reticulation is provided and augmented by rainwater catchment and storage. The atolls of the Northern Group rely on rainwater from roof catchments. [Author's note: water is precious in the islands, so please use it thoughtfully]
"SMELLY STUFF"!
On-site septic tanks and soak-aways are the common system of disposal throughout the islands. The largest hotels have packaged secondary wastewater treatment plants.
Information courtesy of PRISM, the Pacific Regional Information System
Diesel generators provide electricity with output at 240 volts-50 hertz cycle which is the same as the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Mauke have a continuous supply. On the other islands, it's available for at least 12 hours a day.
WATER
Rarotonga and Aitutaki have reticulated water supply systems. Water usage is not charged. On the other islands of the Southern Group limited reticulation is provided and augmented by rainwater catchment and storage. The atolls of the Northern Group rely on rainwater from roof catchments. [Author's note: water is precious in the islands, so please use it thoughtfully]
"SMELLY STUFF"!
On-site septic tanks and soak-aways are the common system of disposal throughout the islands. The largest hotels have packaged secondary wastewater treatment plants.
Information courtesy of PRISM, the Pacific Regional Information System
* The tuitui is the fruit of the candlenut tree which was introduced to the Islands by the early Polynesians. It's nearly as prolific as the coconut palm. The nut is inside a very hard shell. Before candles, Islanders pierced the nuts with wooden skewers and set light to them. They burn very slowly and last for hours.
Well, I thought it was more interesting than saying "in a nutshell"!
Well, I thought it was more interesting than saying "in a nutshell"!
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPLORE NEXT?
GETTING TO THE ISLANDS ESSENTIAL VISITOR INFORMATION TOP 10 "TO DO
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
GETTING TO THE ISLANDS ESSENTIAL VISITOR INFORMATION TOP 10 "TO DO
OR TAILOR MAKE YOUR OWN TOUR USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet cafes are springing up all over Rarotonga, and larger hotels and resort complexes also provide access. Broadband is relatively new. You should also be able to find somewhere on Aitutaki to connect, but don't expect any access on the rest of the islands unless you know someone who has their own account. Only Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia have broadband at present, and even that may seem slow to some (typically no more 256kbps),
Internet cafes are springing up all over Rarotonga, and larger hotels and resort complexes also provide access. Broadband is relatively new. You should also be able to find somewhere on Aitutaki to connect, but don't expect any access on the rest of the islands unless you know someone who has their own account. Only Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia have broadband at present, and even that may seem slow to some (typically no more 256kbps),
This is a list of countries and their service providers who currently have roaming arrangements:
UK: Vodafone; New Zealand: Telecom New Zealand, Vodafone; Australia: Optus, Vodafone; USA: AT&T, T-Mobile; Denmark and Sweden: Hi3G; Belgium: Base; Fiji: Vodafone; Hong Kong: CSL; Tahiti: Tikifone; Leichtenstein: Orange. Tonga: Digicel Tonga; Vanuatu: Digicel Vanuatu (US users note:: You need a phone capable of working on the GSM 900 or 1700 networks which are standard in Europe). Pay as you go phones will NOT work on any network. And note that the mobile service within the islands is limited to Rarotonga, Aitutaki and about 11 miles out to sea from each of those islands.
UK: Vodafone; New Zealand: Telecom New Zealand, Vodafone; Australia: Optus, Vodafone; USA: AT&T, T-Mobile; Denmark and Sweden: Hi3G; Belgium: Base; Fiji: Vodafone; Hong Kong: CSL; Tahiti: Tikifone; Leichtenstein: Orange. Tonga: Digicel Tonga; Vanuatu: Digicel Vanuatu (US users note:: You need a phone capable of working on the GSM 900 or 1700 networks which are standard in Europe). Pay as you go phones will NOT work on any network. And note that the mobile service within the islands is limited to Rarotonga, Aitutaki and about 11 miles out to sea from each of those islands.
