Cook Islands Currency
What is the currency in the Cook Islands?
The currency in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar. Each New Zealand dollar is divided into 100 cents.
When you’re buying currency for the Cook Islands, look out for the currency code NZD. And once you’re in the Cook Islands, you’ll see the symbol $ used to show prices.
You’ll find New Zealand banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 40 and 100. There are also 1 and 2 dollar coins.
The cent comes in coins of 10, 20 and 50.
Use the Wise New Zealand dollar card to spend in Cook Islands currency.
The Wise New Zealand dollar travel money card lets you top up in your local currency, and switch to New Zealand dollar to spend when you’re in the Cook Islands. You’ll get the best rate for spending in New Zealand dollar - and can also hold and spend 40+ other currencies with the same card.
Get your Wise travel money card online for free, to send and spend money around the world at the mid-market exchange rate.
Simply top up your card and convert to the currency you need in real time using the Wise app.
You’ll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden costs, and you’ll avoid foreign transaction fees while withdrawing from ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights.
Tips for exchanging currency in the Cook Islands.
- The mid-market rate is the true exchange rate - with no sneaky hidden fees. Use an online currency converter before your trip to get a feel for what your money is worth and make sure you get a fair rate when you buy your travel money. Convert GBP to NZD >
Familiarise yourself with the mid-market rate before your trip.
- Being offered to pay in your own currency at an ATM is a sneaky trick and causes many travellers to pay more than they need to. Always choose to pay in the local currency - in this case, New Zealand dollar - to cut your costs and get the best rates available.
Choose to be charged in the Cook Islands currency when withdrawing from ATMs.
- Withdraw money, pay for meals in restaurants or spend in shops in New Zealand dollar, all at the mid-market exchange rate with the Wise debit card. Get your travel money card >
Use the Wise debit card to spend in the Cook Islands without rip-off fees.
Spending money in the Cook Islands.
Paying by credit or debit card in the Cook Islands
Major credit cards are accepted in the larger retail outlets and restaurants.
However not all merchants can accept card payments so carry cash as a backup, or check if card payments are available in advance.
ATMs in the Cook Islands
There are approximately sixteen ATMs around Rarotonga and two on Aitutaki, but no ATM facilities on any of the other islands.
To get the best deal when spending on card or withdrawing money in the Cook Islands, don’t forget to use the Wise travel money card to avoid sneaky exchange rate markups and excessive fees.
Cook Islands currency services.
Convert GBP to New Zealand dollar
Use our currency converter to see how much your money is worth in New Zealand dollar and familiarise yourself with the mid-market rate before your trip.
Send money to the Cook Islands
Need to send GBP to the Cook Islands? Use Wise for fast, low-cost, and secure online money transfers from the United Kingdom to the Cook Islands.
See the best New Zealand dollar exchange rates
Compare live New Zealand dollar exchange rates and see how much you could save with Wise.
Other helpful currency guides.
Other helpful currency guides.
| Currency guide: | |||
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Peruvian currency | |||
Cook Islands currency FAQs.
Get your Wise debit card and save on your trip to the Cook Islands
Spend smart, save money. Avoid sneaky bank fees when travelling, with Wise.