Language
Overview
The official languages are Cook Islands Maori (Rarotonga) and English, with the orthography based on New Zealand English. Maori spoken in the Cook Islands is a Polynesian language, closely related to Tahitian and New Zealand’s Te Reo Māori. Almost every Cook Island developed its own dialect with the same name as the island, such as Mitiaro, Mauke, Atiu, Mangaia and Aitutaki. For example, about 2,500 people on Rakahanga and Manihiki speak Rakahanga-Manihiki, which is very different from Cook Islands Maori, and residents on the northern Cook Islands Pukapuka and Nassau speak Pukapukan. There are no foreign language classes in the schools.
Idioms
Eight = varu work = ānga blood = toto three = toru one = taʻi, taī food = kai-nga fish = ika woman = īne, vaīne five = rima happy = mataora hello = kia orana my name is… = ko … toku ingoa. I am from Rarotonga = Mai Rarotonga au. yes = ʻe child = tama, tamariki, tamaiti running = āere man = tāne, tamora sea = moana, tai no = kare, āuraka, kaaʻore nine = iva zero = kare tahiti = taʻiti six = ono see = kite seven = ʻitu, itu And you? = E koe? Four = āa, a What’s your name? = Ko ‘ai tou ingoa? Ten = ngaʻuru Two = rua
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/18/2022 easter monday
04/25/2022 ANZAC Day
06/06/2022 Queen’s birthday
08/04/2022 Constitution Day
10/26/2022 National Gospel Day
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into the Cook Islands (persons aged 18 and over): 250 cigarettes, 250 g tobacco products or cigars or 250 g tobacco articles; 2.25 liters of spirits or 1.5 liters of wine or 4.5 liters of beer; Gifts valued at up to NZ$750 in total.
Import regulations
A special permit is required for weapons and ammunition. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
Fruit, plants, meat, meat and meat products (excluding New Zealand). Narcotics, pornographic material, fireworks and explosives. Further information is available from the Cook Islands Customs Office.
Contact addresses
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Government Building, PO Box 105
Avarua, Rarotonga
Cook Islands
+682 293 47.
http://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/
http://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/
Business
Business etiquette
Tropical suits or summer dresses for business appointments. Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-16.00.
Business contacts
Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce Tutakimoa Road, Avarua Rarotonga, PO Box 242, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Tel. +682 (0)2 09 25. Website: www.cookislandschamber.org
Communication
Phone
The country code for the Cook Islands is 00682
Mobile phone
GSM 900, 3G and 4G (on Rarotonga and Aitutaki). Mobile operator is Bluesky. It may be worth purchasing a local prepaid SIM card, which Bluesky offers for tourists.
Internet
There are no internet cafes in the Cook Islands. The hotels and resorts offer their guests free WiFi. Many restaurants, cafes, bars, markets and shopping malls also provide free Wi-Fi.
Post office
Cook Islands Post Offices are located in Bluesky branches. Postal items to Europe take up to 20 days.
