Travel bubble between New Zealand and the Cook Islands opens May 17

From May 17, people who have been in New Zealand for the previous 14 days can travel to the Cook Islands’ capital Rarotonga and return without having to quarantine at either end of the trip.

‘It will mean families can reconnect, commercial arrangements can resume and Kiwis can take a much-welcomed winter break and support the Cook Islands’ tourism sector and recovery,’ Ardern said.

Maritime borders closed

However, like the trans-Tasman bubble, the agreement with the Cook Islands is for air travel only, with maritime borders closed. 

In response to a question from Seatrade Cruise News, a spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said: ‘At this time, cruise ships are explicitly excluded from participating in the quarantine-free travel arrangement between Australia and New Zealand and there is no timeframe for when this may alter.'