Social Conventions
Dress code is informal, though brief attire should not be
worn when visiting town or villages. Women are expected to
wear dresses for church services and social functions.
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.
Credit cards
Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard and American Express are all
accepted. Check with your credit card company for details
of merchant acceptability and other services which may be
available.
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into the Cook Islands
by travelers over the age of 18 without incurring customs
duty:
a)200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 250g of tobacco
b)2 liters of spirits or wine or 4.5 liters of beer.
c) Goods up to the value of NZ$250.
Prohibited items
The items are fruit, meat, livestock, narcotics, pornographic
material, fireworks, firearms, gunpowder and ammunition.
Getting There
By Air:
The Cook Islands are served by Air New Zealand (NZ).
By Sea:
Cargo passenger lines operating to the Cook Islands are run
by Cook Islands Shipping Limited, New Zealand Motor Vessel
Company and Express Cook Islands Line.
Getting Around
By Air:
Air Rarotonga (GZ) runs regular inter-island services to Aitutaki,
Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Penrhyn, Manihiki and Rakahanga.
By Road:
Traffic drives on the left.
a)Bus: The 'Island Bus' operates regular services around Rarotonga
from Monday to Saturday. Buses are available from a number
of hotels on the Islands.
b)Taxi:
Available on Rarotonga.
c)Car hire:
Several companies offer cars for hire from a number of shops
and hotels. Motor scooter and bicycle hire is also popular.
Drivers of all vehicles are required to have a current Cook
Islands driver's licence
|
