THE COOK ISLANDS TRAVEL BUBBLE IS OPEN FROM 17 MAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Cover image photo credit:  NZ Herald 

More than a year after borders closed around the Pacific, the Cook Islands border will open to New Zealand from the 17th of May with no quarantine in either country! 

It will only be open to people who have been resident in New Zealand for 14 consecutive days prior to travel.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: 

* The border is open from the 17th May and Air New Zealand is offereng flights from Auckland to Rarotonga and return here.  Check out Air New Zealand's website for flight schedules and bookings.

* No quarantine in either country.  You will not be required to quarantine or self-isolate in the Cook Islands OR on your return to New Zealand.

* Quarantine free travel is between New Zealand and the Cook Islands only and you must have been resident in New Zealand for 14 consecutive days prior to travel.

You must ensure that if you leave New Zealand you are legally able to return to New Zealand. 

* The Cook Islands have remained Covid-19 free to date.  They don't want that to change.  If you feel sick or have flu symptoms - STAY IN NEW ZEALAND or delay your travel plans until you feel better.

They have a Cook Islands promise to keep visitors safe while on holiday in their beautiful paradise and there are two contact tracing systems - CookSafe and the CookSafe+ App that is now ready for everyone to use in the Cook Islands.

While you suss out your dates for a trip home to see family or friends or look to go over for the first time for a holiday, check out some of the things you can see and do while you're there.

Plus we have some essential tips from our Kuki Airani locals.