Last Updated:
November 5, 2007 11:47
EST
Still Valid:
November 15, 2007 23:33
EST
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1. RECENT UPDATES
Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Travel Report have been updated.
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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
There is no Official Warning for this country.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. Most Canadian visitors to the Cook Islands do not experience problems. There are no serious security or safety concerns.
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.
Petty crime occurs. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times.
You should be aware that sports and aquatic equipment may not meet Canadian safety standards and may not be covered by accident insurance. Check that your own travel insurance covers these activities if you decide to rent equipment or take classes.
Injuries and fatalities have occurred due to tidal changes and breaks in the reefs.
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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of the Cook Islands and was valid on June 21, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
For further information, contact the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, P.O. Box 14, Rarotonga, Cook Islands (country code: 682/ tel.: 29 435/ fax: 21 435/ e-mail: headoffice@cook-islands.com / Web site: www.cook-islands.com) or the office in White Rock, B.C. (604-541-9877).
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit the Cook Islands. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. An onward or return ticket, proof of sufficient funds and proof of accommodations are also required.
Tourist Visa: Not required (maximum 30 days)
Business Visa: Required (maximum 21 days)
Student Visa: Required
A fee of NZ$30 for adults and NZ$15 for children under 12 is levied upon departure. There is no fee for children under two years of age.
A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:
New Zealand - WELLINGTON, High Commission of Canada
Address: 125 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand
Postal Address: P.O. Box 8047, Wellington, New Zealand,
Tel.: 64 (4) 473-9577
Fax: 64 (4) 471-2082
E-Mail: wlgtn@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/newzealand
For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Wellington, New Zealand, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.
Homosexuality is illegal.
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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
Traffic drives on the left. Coastal roads in Rarotonga are paved. Driving at night can be dangerous due to poor visibility.
A valid Cook Islands driver's licence is required for all drivers and can be obtained from the police station in Avarua on presentation of your own licence. The cost is NZ$10.
The currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD), supplemented by Cook Island dollars and coinage for local use. Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, shops, and restaurants. Traveller's cheques are accepted at main shops and hotels. Automated banking services are available on Rarotonga but are extremely limited elsewhere.
Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine (ABM) services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The typhoon and monsoon seasons in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific are from November to April. Disruptions to air services, water and power supplies may occur. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
During a typhoon or monsoon, hotel guests may be required to leave their accommodation near the shore and move to safety centres inland. Travel to and from outer islands may be disrupted for some days.
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9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical and dental services are available on Rarotonga, including hospital and emergency services. Two pharmacies are available for prescription medicine. Hospital and medical facilities on the outer islands are limited. In the event of a major accident or illness, medical evacuation may be required. Canadian travellers should be aware that medical transport is very expensive and payment is often required up front.
Travellers are advised not to drink tap water. Because of possible water pollution, visitors should seek local advice on what parts of the lagoon are safe for swimming.
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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to Canada
Traveller's Checklist
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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12. ANNEX
N/A
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