Cook Islands
About Cook Islands
| Currency | New Zealand Dollar; Cook Islands Dollar (NZD; CKD) |
| Language | English; Cook Islands Maori |
| Capital | Avarua |
Located in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, the Cook Islands archipelago includes 15 islands with a total land area of 240 square kilometres (92.7 square miles). The islands were named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, and by 1888, they became a British protectorate. By 1901, boundary changes put the Cook Islands within the Colony of New Zealand. In 1949, islanders who were British subjects acquired full New Zealand citizenship.
The Cook Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand is responsible for external affairs and defense. The monarch of the United Kingdom is the chief of state, represented by a governor-general. The head of government is a prime minister.
The population of Cook Islands is about 11,700 (2016) with the majority of the people living on the island of Rarotonga. The economy is affected by the lack of natural resources, lack of adequate infrastructure, and isolation from foreign markets. Agriculture is the main sector of the economy, and black pearls are the leading export.
The Cook Islanders are protective of their culture and heritage. Many young people are taught the wood carving skills that the Cook Islanders are known for, and children attend mandatory classes to learn traditional songs and dance.
Facilities for travellers are well-developed on Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Travellers can take part in many outdoor activities that include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, or relaxing on beautiful beaches and swimming in clear lagoons.
Recommended Vaccinations For Cook Islands
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers whose activities or employment may bring them into direct contact with bats (i.e. adventure travellers, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers, etc.).
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.
Recommended Medications For Cook Islands
There are no recommendations for Cook Islands at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Cook Islands
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever may occur in this country.
Hepatitis A
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus in this country through contaminated food or water.
For Some Travellers
Measles
There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.
Chikungunya Fever
There is a risk of acquiring Chikungunya in this country.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hanta Virus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Zika Fever
There is a limited risk of Zika virus in this country.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in this country, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where water and food may not be safe.
Rabies
The risk of acquiring Rabies is low. However, it may be present in bats, but has not been reported in domestic animals in this country.
Safety & Security in Cook Islands
Personal Safety
The Cook Islands maintain a low crime rate, with most incidents being opportunistic rather than targeted. Petty theft is the primary concern for visitors, particularly at beaches and popular tourist areas. Thieves sometimes target items left in motor scooters or unlocked accommodation. Occasional assaults on travelers have been reported. The tight-knit community of around 17,000 people and well-resourced police force contribute to the overall safe environment. While violent crime is rare, you should remain alert and avoid leaving belongings unattended. Break-ins have increased in recent years, with March 2025 recording the highest crime figures in over two years, driven partly by juvenile offenders. Recent police reports from 2024-2025 show concerning trends in major crime categories. However, these remain low compared to most international destinations.
Extreme Violence
Violent crime is extremely rare in the Cook Islands. The small population and close community structure make serious violent incidents practically unheard of. Available data indicates very low rates of physical violence against visitors or residents. No homicide statistics are reported for countries with populations under 90,000 by international monitoring agencies. The community culture generally does not tolerate violent behavior. While domestic violence occurs within the local population, violent attacks on tourists are not a pattern. The Cook Islands are considered one of the safest Pacific destinations regarding physical violence. When assaults occur, they are typically isolated incidents rather than systematic problems. Organized crime activity in the region primarily relates to illegal fishing and drug transit rather than violence against persons.
Political Unrest
The Cook Islands experienced significant political unrest in early 2025 when hundreds of protesters gathered outside Parliament in February. The demonstrations centered on Prime Minister Mark Brown’s strategic partnership agreement with China and proposed passport changes that could affect Cook Islanders’ New Zealand citizenship. Over 400 people participated in protests demanding transparency and protection of the relationship with New Zealand. Opposition parties filed a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister. While these protests were peaceful, they represented a major political event for the small nation. The Cook Islands operates as a parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy, maintaining stable governance structures. The country has run its own foreign and defense policy since 2001. Political transitions occur through established democratic processes. These recent tensions were diplomatic rather than security threats to visitors. Normal political activities continue without disruption to daily life or tourism operations.
Areas To Avoid
The Cook Islands have no specific areas requiring avoidance due to crime or violence. The main safety concerns relate to natural hazards rather than dangerous neighborhoods. Reef passages on Rarotonga’s southern side, including Ava’avaroa, Papua, Rutaki, and Arorangi, are hazardous for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking due to powerful tidal currents and riptides. Several drownings occur each year in these coastal lagoons. Beaches lack regular lifeguard supervision. Some outer islands have limited healthcare facilities, particularly the Northern Group Islands with only small hospitals. Remote areas may have challenging road conditions, especially at night with poor lighting. Isolated accommodations are not recommended for solo travelers. The 15 islands spread over 2.2 million square kilometers create logistical challenges, with some uninhabited islands that are difficult to monitor. During cyclone season (November to April), certain areas may become dangerous due to severe weather, though this varies by year.
