Cook Islands now have NZD $55 departure tax

It's probably two nights accomodations for some of you.

I'm amazed that no one had posted about this before.

It's been like that for months.

A while ago I read a Cook Islands News online "letter to the editor" where the author compared the different taxes and fees for all major destinations in the south pacific.
The Cook Islands NZ$55 fee was among the lowest, with some places charging more than NZ$100 in different arrival & departure taxes, customs fees and other fees. I don't recall the exact details, but several small island nations like New Caledonia and Niue charge between $50 and $60, so the CI fee isn't out of proportion.
The difference is that the fees are usually included in the ticket price for other destinations, while you have to pay it upon departure when leaving the CI.

Nuie is $30 NZD, New Caledonia is 1570 xpf or about $28 NZD.

I'm sure that there are countries that charge more, there are countries that gouge you on a visa but a $55 NZD departure tax is gouging.

I much prefer that taxes like these are hidden in the airfare so one compare airfares to airfares. Now, I'm going to have to research departure taxes before going someplace.

It does not make feel good about going to the Cook Islands at all.

A good reason to avoid the Cooks. []\

Not only do you have to pay a $55 departure tax for adults,there is also one for children 2-11. It used to be $15 but I think this may have gone up too. One the plus side you can take meat, dairy products etc but not the obvious fresh fruit and vegetables, so this can be a big saver.

Departure tax will be incorporated into airfares soon. Meantime enjoy the favourable NZ dollar exchange rate, the clean and beautiful environment and the fact that we are a hospitable and tolerant Polynesian society. If our culture and conditions don't suit - there are many other places to visit.

Actually, the Samoas would be a very good place to visit. The departure tax not nearly as high as as the Cooks.!!

For pago and others who simply cannot afford to pay $55.00 departure tax to enjoy beautiful beaches, high island scenery, cheap public transport and affordable accommodation set beside stunning lagoons, where good swimming and snorkelling beaches are free to step onto - by all means visit other islands where the overall experience may require you to pay that same $55.00 NZ by way of a taxi fare just to reach your accommodation. And where to find a $6.00 NZ hamburger in your remote location? Have fun!

Thank you, lagone, we will!

Cook islands is certainly worth it. Paying 55 NZD when you have already payed a considerable amount of moeny to get to the Cook islands is small change in comparison.

Hear, hear!

From Tripadvisor:
"But talking about these charges got me to thinking so have done a bit of research. All info is from the Air NZ site and in NZ$.

Every ticket has a portion of the fare called "airport and government costs". Here are some of the ones I looked at. All examples are for one way fare to Auckland, except for London and LA where they'd only let me look at returns.

Rarotonga - taxes $43 plus $55 as you all know

Samoa - Taxes again $43 PLUS ST$40 payable at airport for everyone aged over 11

Fiji - taxes $107.30 which includes departure tax of $56.70 (children 2-11 nil)

Brisbane - taxes $169.30 which includes a Passenger service charge international of $55.20 for all passengers, kids included.

Norfolk Island taxes $143 which includes $100 transportation tax for all passengers, kids included. In addition, a departure tax of $30 is payable at the airport for all aged 12 and older.

Auckland/LA return - taxes $127.20 which includes an LA Transportation tax of $47.80 for all passengers, kids included.

Kept the best til last!

Auckland/Heathrow - taxes $216.80 which includes a Heathrow Air Passenger duty of $96.60 for all passengers, kids included."

Still think Cook Islands departure tax is too high? It's less than Fiji, Norfolk Island and Australia and about the same as NZ. And not even close to London.
The $43 mentioned above is the NZ arrivals tax, about hte same as the NZ departure taxes/fees. Cook Islands, on the other hand doesn't charge a separate arrivals tax.

Edited by: TravelingSwede

Yes I do. Because it is not included in the airfare.

I want to compare apples to apples. I want to know how much it will cost me to get from here to there. I don't care if it is departure tax, arrivals tax, airport tax or airfare but I want one number.

A departure tax, especially a heflty one, changes that number. From now on, aside from checking the airfare to someplace I'm going to have to check to see whether my desination levies any other departure/arrival fees. Having an additional tax that is this expensive is a very bad precident.

I don't care for businesses that advertise airline tickets by showing only the "airfare" not the taxes. To me they come across as not being quite honest. That's how this additional Cook Islands tax comes across.

And just because I'm paying a significant amount of money doesn't justify my having to pay still more. Just because one can afford it does not mean one should be overcharged.

Air NZ and Pacific blue aren't keen on revenue gathering for the Cook Islands by including any additional fees within the airfare structure, nor have they been doing so. Government will continue to charge NZ$55 departure tax for all adults aged 12 years plus - as was announced this week. Children aged 2 - 12 years are to be exempted. The choice is over to the traveller whether they wish to visit our island nation, or not!