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Time difference :
GMT/UTC minus 9 hours
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Entry
Requirement :
New
Zealand citizens do not need passports, however
they will need them to return to New Zealand.
Entry permits are not required for stays of
up to 31 days if you have onward passage from
the Cook Islands. Visas are issued on arrival
for 31 days and may be extended on a monthly
basis with the local immigration department.
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Principal Immigration Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
PO Box 105 Rarotonga
COOK ISLANDS
Ph: (682) 29347 Fax: (682) 21247
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Customs
Regulation
No
levies charged on clothing or personal effects.
You are allowed 200 cigarettes, or 250 grams
of Tobacco or 50 cigars and 2 liters of spirits
or wine or 4.5 liters of beer.
Other goods in excess of USD 140 (NZD 250)are
dutiable. Liquor and cigarettes are available
for purchase on arrival.
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There are no CASH machines in the Cook Islands,
however the
banks in Rarotonga will
supply cash advances on VISA and MasterCard's.
Credit Cards are generally accepted at hotels.
In
Rarotonga
The two main banks WESTPAC and ANZ open Monday
to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Westpac
also opens 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m on Saturdays.
Services are available for all international
arrivals and departures at the airport.
There
are not many places
on Aitutaki
that accept credit cards,so it would pay to
bring cash or travelers cheques with you.
There are
no trading banks permanently based on Aitutaki,
no ATM machines..
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The
New Zealand Dollar is the local currency supplemented
with attractive and multi shaped local coins
and our unique Cook Island Three Dollar Note.
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Medical
service :
Medical
and Dental services are available.
No malaria but quite
a few mosquitoes.Bring repellent.
No dangerous or poisonous animals or insects
on land.
There are stone fish in the lagoon so good quality
reef shoes are needed if
you plan to go reef exploring or reef fishing
etc.
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Water
:
Tap
water is not treatd and you should consider
boiling it.
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Very casual and informal. Nude or topless sun
bathing will cause offence, and if in town please
cover up bathing suits with a pareu (or wrap around
sarong). A light sweater may come in handy during
the cooler months of July and August. Dress is
casual but, in common with most Pacific islands
and Asia, it is considered offensive to wear almost
nothing when visiting towns or villages. Topless
sunbathing is definitely a no-no. |
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Tiping
:
Tipping
is not expected in the Cook Islands. We do have
a Value Added Tax and all prices should include
this. Any costs you see for meals, purchases
of any type or other services do not need to
have any VAT or TIPS added to them.
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Electricity
:
Electrical power is 240 volts
50 cycles, as for New Zealand and Australia.
In some cases, a two pin adapter may be required.
Some accommodation providers can supply connections
for 110 volt electric razors.
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We drive
on the left hand side of the road here in the
Cook Islands and if you wish to drive, you will
need to get a license from the Police station
in Avarua. This is issued to you on presentation
of your own license and on payment of USD 6
(NZD 10).
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Communication
:
TELECOM
Cook Islands operates International telex telephones
and facsimile services. There are also a number
of sites including telecom for sending / receiving
email or going on the web. Almost all hotels
provide facsimile access and international phone
services.
Internet facilities
are available on the Island although at NZ$1
per minute to use,
not many people use the service.
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