What are the principal work projects in The Cook Islands?

Global Volunteers has been invited by several local organizations to lend a hand in a variety of ways. Following is a description of some of the different work projects available. While we always ask our volunteers to be flexible, this is especially important in the Cook Islands due to the wide breadth of projects. Volunteers should expect to work on two or more of the following projects.

Library and Museum: Volunteers also are needed in several libraries on Rarotonga, including the National Library, the Cook Islands Library and Museum Society, occasionally the school libraries. Projects range from routine cleaning and straightening of shelves to protecting and filing archival documents. As mentioned previously, the salty, humid conditions on Rarotonga are not paper-friendly, and consequently, books and documents need to be covered in plastic and monitored for deterioration.

One day a week, a volunteer may have the opportunity to read to children at the Cook Islands Library and Museum, through children's reading program sponsored by the Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association.

Takitumu Conservation Area: This conservation area was established in 1996 to protect native plants and animals, and thereby conserve an important part of the Cook Islands' history, culture and unique natural heritage. Volunteers are needed to help local staff repair existing trails, blaze new trails, clear fallen trees, and do light construction.

Are Pa Metua Senior Activity Center: Mamas and papas (respectful names for senior citizens) are well cared for, usually by their families, so there is little need for institutionalization. A senior citizens center helps with mobility and activities. Three days a week, senior citizens are transported to Are Pa Metua for the day. Volunteers are needed to simply be present to the seniors, play cards, talk with them, sing songs, and take part in any scheduled activities. Past volunteers have enjoyed having a firsthand glimpse of how the mamas and papas lived and worked and raised their families a generation ago.

Schools: While tutoring is the main project in most schools, just like schools in your neighborhood, volunteers are always needed in Rarotonga to straighten and shelve books, and inventory and maintain materials. Some volunteers have also been asked to assist with repair and fix-up projects such as painting, plumbing, building bookcases and repairing classroom furniture.

Whale Center: World famous marine scientist Nan Hauser has been studying whales all over the world, including the Cook Islands. She showed some data on whale to the prime minister of the Cook Islands. Within weeks, a whale sanctuary had been created in the Cook Islands waters. The Whale Center is open to all people of all ages. Students flock there after school to study different marine creatures. Other visitors can explore a number of educational exhibits.

From January through March, and from July through September, volunteers may have an opportunity to work with Nan, researchers, interns, and the children who visit the Center. Volunteers may help by building and rebuilding exhibits, teaching children, or scheduling school class visits. They may also assist with research tasks such as cataloging data, organizing DNA samples and DAT recordings of whale songs, or working on the Centers web page. If you have a teaching, art, computer or science background, you will find the Center a fascinating place to work.

Back to top

Who manages the service program in the Cook Islands?

Taiana Torea-Allan is the Global Volunteers onsite team leader and country manager in the Cook Islands. Taiana has been country manager since January 2007. Previous to that, she assisted the former Cook Islands Country Manager, Anita Allan. Taiana has a diploma in sales management and has also acquired skills and experience from working with special needs adults and community groups in her previous roles.

Global Volunteers sent its first team of volunteers to the Cook Islands in November,1998. They have continued to send teams on a regular basis to work under the direction of local people.

Which airport should I book my flight into?

There is only one international airport in the Cook Islands (RAR) and flights from Europe and the U.S. are limited. The only airlines flying into Rarotonga are Air New Zealand, Aloha and Royal Tongan Airlines. The airport is located on the island of Rarotonga, just outside of the capital city of Avarua..

When should I arrive in Rarotonga?

Please arrive on the first day of your service program. You will be informed of the prescribed arrival window at the time you submit your application. This coordinated schedule will assist in assembling the team for transportation to the host community. For more information please contact a Volunteer Coordinator at 800-487-1074. For more information please contact a Volunteer Coordinator at 800-487-1074. .

Will someone meet me at the airport?

A Global Volunteers representative will be at the airport to meet flights arriving on the day the service program begins. You must provide us with your flight arrival information. S/he will be waiting for you outside of the baggage claim area after you clear customs and will be holding a Global Volunteers sign.

At what time and on what date can I depart the Cook Islands?

Please schedule your departure from Rarotonga anytime on the scheduled departure date of the service program or late in the evening on the day prior to the departure date. Global Volunteers' staff understands that there may be limited flights departing on Saturday, therefore it is acceptable for you to depart late in the evening on Friday. Please understand that Friday is a work project day, so you will need to plan accordingly in order to give yourself enough time to pack and prepare for departure. If you leave after the scheduled departure date, you will need to make your own transportation arrangements to the airport. If you stay at the KiiKii Motel, their staff will be able to assist you with this.

For Comprehensive Information on Getting There, refer to the Global Volunteers FAQ Web Page

Back to top

What are the sleeping accommodations?

The KiiKii Motel has double occupancy rooms with kitchenettes, including refrigerator and stove, TV and comfortable chairs. The rooms are not air-conditioned, however, ceiling and or upright fans are available in every room. The motel also has a nice pool surrounded by a lovely garden area. Rooms are serviced daily and the bedding is changed every three days. One towel daily is provided for bathing. Please bring your own towel if you require a separate towel for swimming. There is a safe at the front desk where volunteers may keep small items. Only the owner and manager are able to open the safe, so you may have limited access to the items you place in the safe.

The motel is located right on the north shore beach of the Pacific Ocean, next door to Avarua, the largest community on the island of Rarotonga. The view is beautiful, but this particular beach is not a swimming beach. The best swimming beaches on the islands are a few kilometers to the east, and are very popular with our volunteers. Hot bathing water is available.

What is the local cuisine?

The diet in The Cook Islands consists partly of processed foods imported from New Zealand and fish. Some pork is also available. Beef is imported from New Zealand.

It is possible to accommodate low-fat, low-salt and vegetarian diets. However, be prepared for a lack of variety in the food.

Back to top

What is the weather like?

Rarotonga is 21° south of the equator, so the seasons are the opposite of North America and Europe. The climate of the Cook Islands is very similar to Hawaii. The information provided here is based on historical data. However, climate changes are making it increasingly more difficult to accurately predict weather trends or average temperatures.

What are the seasons?

The temperature is usually quite pleasant year round, but it can be quite hot during the summer months (December through March). During this time the temperature will range form 79 - 97 degrees F. This is also the rainy and hurricane season. It can also be wet at other times, so it always pays to bring rain gear. The coolest months are June through September when the temperature will range from 59 to 80 degrees.

What is the altitude?

The altitude on Rarotonga ranges from sea level (on the coast line) to 653 meters (in the central mountains).

For Comprehensive Information on Climate, refer to the Global Volunteers FAQ Web Page

Back to top

What is the local currency?

The local currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ$).

What is the current exchange rate?

The NZ$ fluctuates against the US dollar, the Euro and other major currencies. On average USD1 = NZ$1.80. For currency conversion information, refer to the following web site: FXConverter

Can I use cash, credit cards or checks?

Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted on Rarotonga. These credit cards can also be used to buy dollars from the Westpac Bank. However, if you use a credit card for cash advances you must have a PIN number and you may pay a very high commission. American Express, Discover, and Diners Club are not widely accepted on the island. There are ATMs available at the ANZ Bank in Avarua on Rarotonga.

Traveler's Checks: It is relatively easy to exchange traveler's checks on Rarotonga, and you get about 4% more for traveler's checks than cash. However, you must pay a commission fee for traveler's checks so it evens out.

Cash: You will need to convert foreign currency into NZ$. Some banks will only exchange crisp new bills. If you plan to visit the outer islands during free time, you must exchange your money on Rarotonga first because it will be difficult, if not impossible, to change money once you leave the main island.

For Comprehensive Information on Money, refer to the Global Volunteers FAQ Web Page