In most of the countries you will find diplomatic missions, which usually refers to an embassy and/or a consulate. Diplomatic bodies represent other country’s interests in Cook Islands, with the aim of strengthening international relations between the states and providing services for their citizens in Cook Islands.

Embassies and consulates are considered legal territories of their home countries. They are not "foreign territory" but they are protected and considered the property of the country using them, meaning that Cook Islands does not have jurisdiction over the embassy or consulate of another country.

What is the difference between Embassy and Consulate?

The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations international treaty defines the diplomatic mission’s purpose and framework. The various diplomatic missions offer several services and carry out different missions. For example:

• Embassy: This is the primary diplomatic representation of a country’s government and is headed by an ambassador. An embassy is the main location for a diplomatic presence of one country in another. A country has at most one embassy in another country and is always established in the capital city of the host country. In the absence of a consulate in a country, the embassy also has a consular section to carry out all the relevant consular services (see below).
• Consulate General: This is a diplomatic mission, headed by a consul that provides a full range of services such as: issuing passports/visas, keeping birth and marriage records, assisting expats, providing legal information, translations etc. It can be located in any major city of the host country, although often in the capital city (in certain cases, in the same building as the embassy). In major countries and large territories, you often have more than one consulate.
• Honorary Consulate: It supplements the Consulate to provide a limited range of consular services and is headed by an honorary consul. They help nationals abroad. For example, in the event of a hospital stay, missing person, death, natural disaster or another emergency. They can also issue emergency travel documents and consular declarations for which the applicant is required to appear in person.

NB: You will usually apply for a visa at the Consulate of the country you want to visit. However, if there is no such representation in Cook Islands, you can apply for a visa at the embassy.

Where to find Consulates and Embassies in Cook Islands

Not all countries have an Embassy and/or a Consulate as it depends on the political situation, the relationship with the host country, the size of the country, and the number of foreign citizens living there.

In some cases, countries can share representations and you can be assisted by the services of another embassy or consular service to get the information you need.

We recommend you register/contact your country’s embassy at your destination. It is a free service provided by any diplomatic mission and it will allow them to record information about your upcoming trip abroad. It can be used to assist you in case of an emergency.

Registration will also allow you to get routine information from your nearest embassy or consulate, as citizens residing abroad.

The capital of Cook Islands, Avarua hosts 2 High Commissions.

There are also 4 honorary consulates. All honorary consulates are located in Avarua.

You will find below a list of the diplomatic mission in Cook Islands. The list includes High Commissions and honorary consulates for you to be able to get information and services.

Embassies and Main Consulates in Avarua

Australia

Australian High Commission in Cook Islands

Address: 1st floor Philatelic Bureau Building, Takuvaine Rd, Avarua, Rarotonga
Tel: (+682) 73379
E-Mail: Ahcrarotonga@dfat.gov.au
Social Media: https://twitter.com/AusHCCI and https://www.facebook.com/AusInTheCooks
Opening hours: The office is open for appointments between 10am and 12pm, Monday to Friday.

The role of the High Commission/Embassy includes promoting Australian interests in our countries of accreditation, encouraging trade, and providing assistance to Australian citizens in need.

The Australian High Commission in Rarotonga does not issue or renew passports. Passports can be renewed at the consulate in Auckland.
The High Commission in Rarotonga does not provide notarial services either. Australian Passport Offices in Sydney or Melbourne can legalise (Apostille/Authenticate) some Australian documents and can issue Certificates of No Impediment to Marriage (CNI).

New Zealand

High Commission of New Zealand in Cook Islands

Address: 1st floor, Philatelic Bureau Building, Takuvaine Rd, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Tel: (+682) 22201
E-Mail: nzhcraro@gmail.com
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/nzhccookislands
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.00am - 2.00pm

New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga runs an inclusive range of consular services to local, New Zealanders and international citizens in Cook-islands.

The diplomatic mission supports Cook Island citizens through its consular services on specific info regarding New Zealand economy, culture, sports, education and more.

As well as, information regarding requirements and process of getting New Zealand Citizenship, application on New Zealand Visa, etc.

Honorary Consulates in Cook Islands

Contact directly the Embassy/Consulate website for more information.

For countries with no consulates or embassies in Cook Islands, the Honorary Consulates are supervised by diplomatic representations located in other countries, often Auckland, in New Zealand for Cook Islands.

General Consulates and embassies in Avarua

• France
• Germany ( rarotonga@hk-diplo.de)
• Japan (consular@wl.mofa.go.jp)
• Spain (emb.wellington@maec.es)