Kia Orana! You’ve made the leap. You’ve traded the commute for the coral reef, and the office tower for the towering green peak of Te Rua Manga. It’s a goooood choice! This is the second stage now; to find out about all the boring but essential services for the next step of moving to Rarotonga.
Albeit planning a holiday to Rarotonga is easy. But moving here is a beautiful adventure that requires a slight mental adjustment and some practical knowledge.
The good news though? We’ve done it twice! We live in Rarotonga now for a second round. So, we’ve got a good handle on the moving info and there are a few things to pass on that we wish we’d been told first time round…
The magic of Rarotonga is that everything you need is on a 32-kilometre circle. However, finding that ‘everything’ requires navigating island logistics, which run on a charming rhythm called ‘Island Time’. To help you transition from being a visitor to a thriving resident, here is your essential guide to setting up house, managing transport, essential services and staying healthy in paradise.
- Moving To Rarotonga
- Setting Up House
– Homeware
– Appliances - Food & Shopping
– Supermarkets
– Markets - Phone & Internet
- Banks & Insurance
- Cars & Maintenance
– Vehicle Purchase
– Registration
– Maintenance - Medical Services
- Clothing & Tailors
Hey! We are Away With The Steiners. Wondering about Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands?
Moving To Rarotonga (For The First Time)
Moving here requires you to embrace this mindset from day one. You’ll be joining a diverse mix of locals (Cook Islanders), New Zealanders, and other expats who have all fallen for the island’s charm.
But call us bias, we always reaffirm that moving to the Cook Islands and renting a house in Rarotonga is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made!
Read All About:
- PART 1 – Moving to Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- PART 2 – Navigating Health Checks for Your Move to Rarotonga
- PART 3 – Shipping for Your Move to Rarotonga
- PART 4 – Finding and Renting a House in Rarotonga
- PART 5 – Buying a Car in Rarotonga
Setting Up House: Homeware, Linen, and Appliances
When you first arrive, you’ll be moving into a new home. Most rental houses in Rarotonga are ‘furnished’. Albeit that is to varying degrees each time! So, it’s likely you’ll need to outfit your new home with a few bits and bobs. Some you will have brought with you or shipped to Rarotonga with your contract. Then there is the missing pieces and food stuffs that you won’t have brought with you.
Technically, Rarotonga is a remote island, so you won’t find massive chain stores or endless online delivery options. Instead, though, the retail scene is centralised and efficient.
The undisputed champion for setting up your home is CITC (Cook Islands Trading Corporation). This conglomerate manages several key retail outlets:
- CITC General/Avarua: This department store in Avarua is your primary source for everything from frying pans and cutlery to towels and bed linen. There is even a CITC Pharmacy attached.
- CITC Supermarket: While primarily groceries, this is also where you’ll find smaller kitchen gadgets and cleaning supplies. This is our go-to every week for household shopping too. It’s simply the biggest!
- CITC Building Centre: For furniture, larger appliances (fridges, washing machines, stoves), and building supplies, the Building Centre is the place to look. While the selection isn’t massive, it’s reliable and basically has what anyone would need moving to Rarotonga.
Appliances
The best option is CITC General, Vonnia’s Warehouse (in Avarua) or Paradise Supplies appliance store in Panama (near the airport).
Expect to find standard brands, but selection is limited by what can be shipped and imported. If you need a specific, high-end appliance, it’s best to coordinate shipping before you arrive. Though this comes with its own customs and logistics challenges.
Homeware & Linen
While CITC covers the basics, smaller specialty shops often carry beautiful island-style linens, art, and craft items that can personalize your home. Keep an eye out for places selling local tivaevae (handmade quilts) for a truly authentic touch. Or – again – pack these homewares and linen in your shipping.
Food Shopping and Groceries: Essential Services in Rarotonga
The food scene in Rarotonga is a perfect blend of imported essentials and hyper-local freshness.
The roadside stalls and the market are the best bet for fresh vegetables and fruits. But the supermarkets on the island each have specialities in different areas of the ‘essentials’ you might need in your grocery list.
Supermarkets
The main grocery shops are:
- CITC Supermarket (Avarua): The largest and most comprehensive store, carrying most staple dry goods, chilled products, and imported items from New Zealand. This is where you’ll do your biggest weekly shop.
- Prime Foods (Avarua): Stocks a lot of fresh and frozen meat products and imported vegetables (fresh and frozen).
- Wigmore’s Superstore (Vaimaanga): Famous for its alternative location and opening hours – and a slightly different range of imported goods – Wigmore’s is a favourite among locals for fresh produce and bulk items.
- Smaller Local Stores: Numerous small convenience stores dot the perimeter road. These are great for emergency supplies, a cold drink, or basic bread and milk, but expect limited variety. The two Superbrown stores are open 24-hours.
Markets
To truly embrace island life, you must integrate the markets into your routine! These are the Punanga Nui Market and the small roadside market stalls and Saturday morning hub in town.
- Punanga Nui Market: Every Saturday morning in Avarua (and smaller versions on weekdays), this is the place for the freshest local fruits, vegetables, and the morning’s catch. This is where you’ll find avocados, mangoes, breadfruit, and fresh Rukau (cooked taro leaves).
- Roadside Stalls: Look for handwritten signs advertising Avocado, Limes, or “Nu” (young drinking coconuts). These small stalls offer the best and freshest seasonal produce at great prices. You will find your favourite local Aunty!
- Read Markets In Rarotonga.
Phone and Internet: Essential Services in Rarotonga
Connectivity is essential for setting up life, but it operates differently here. There is only one major provider: Vodafone Cook Islands.
Phone
The simplest approach is to buy a Vodafone SIM card upon arrival (they have a counter at the airport). You will need a prepaid plan and can top up your credit and data easily at supermarkets or Vodafone stores.
Internet
Home internet is typically delivered via fixed-line DSL or a more common Wireless Broadband service, which operates on data limits rather than unlimited usage.
Speeds and reliability have improved greatly, but you must be mindful of your data consumption, as it can be expensive to top up large amounts of data. (Read: Very Expensive!). However, there is a later and greater addition to home internet now living in Rarotonga. Starlink is an option too.
Most residents use a combination of home Wi-Fi (Vodafone or Starlink) and prepaid mobile data. We recommend that and currently are living in a house with Starlink and mobile data plans that have 50GB per month.
Banks and Insurance: Essential Services in Rarotonga
Financial services are straightforward, handled by a couple of major and international banks plus two options on the island for insurance.
Banks
The three main banks operating on the island are ANZ, BCI and BSP (Bank of South Pacific). Each have branches in Avarua and offer typical services like current accounts, foreign exchange, and ATMs.
Setting up an account usually requires proof of identity, a local address, and potentially a local work permit.
Insurance
Once you own a home or vehicle, insurance is vital, particularly for cyclone protection. Several local agents represent major regional insurance firms. It is highly recommended to seek advice on policies that specifically cover damage from tropical cyclones and associated flooding, as standard policies may exclude these risks.
Cars and Maintenance: Essential Services in Rarotonga
Getting around Rarotonga is part of the fun, but it comes with a few local quirks.
Buying a Vehicle
Most vehicles are second-hand imports shipped from New Zealand. Prices can be relatively high due to shipping and import duties. For a basic island runabout (under $15,000 NZD) we reckon you add about $3000 to the price you might pay for that same car in New Zealand.
For example, if you’d pay $3500 for that same car in New Zealand, you’d likely pay $6500 to buy that car in Rarotonga.
Remember as a bit of disclosure before you get into the nitty-gritty; you now live on a tropical island and the car had to get there somehow.
This is what we have come to know as ‘Paradise Tax’!
A small car – like a 2007 Nissan March, Toyota Passo – might cost between $5000 – $8000 NZD.
Car Registration
Vehicles must be registered annually at the Cook Islands Police Station in Avarua. This includes a compulsory, regular Warrant of Fitness (WOF) inspection performed by authorised garages to ensure the vehicle is safe.
Driver’s License
As a resident, you will use your standard license from your home country. However, if you opt to ride a scooter (which is highly recommended!), you must pass a brief practical test at the Police Station to get the famous Cook Islands Scooter Licence, which is a unique souvenir and a legal necessity.
Fuel Costs
Fuel costs in Rarotonga are similar to those in New Zealand:
- Petrol: 205 cents per litre
- Diesel: 201 cents per litre
Our small car costs around $50 NZD for petrol for a that lasts us around one week. Remember, the speed limit is only 50 kmph!
Mechanics
Reliable mechanics are abundant. Shops in and around Avarua and the main village areas handle everything from routine servicing to major repairs. There is a great tyre shop in Panama not far from the airport.
These mechanics are are skilled at keeping older, tropical-weathered cars running smoothly.
Doctors & Dentists: Essential Services in Rarotonga
While specialised care might require a flight to New Zealand, Rarotonga offers great foundational healthcare services.
Doctors and Hospital
The island’s main facility is Rarotonga Hospital in Nikao. It provides emergency services, basic surgery, and general practitioner care. There is also the Tupapa Outpatient Clinic for non-emergency outpatient services.
For routine appointments, there are several dedicated GP clinics (private and public) around the island.
- Rarotonga Medical Centre
- Holistic Medical
It’s wise to register with a local clinic upon arrival.
Dentists
There are several competent dental clinics in Avarua offering general dentistry.
- Rarotonga Medical Centre
- Philip Nicholas Dental Surgery
- Tupapa Outpatient Clinic Dental Health
As with doctors, it’s best to establish a relationship with a practice early on.
Tailors: Essential Services in Rarotonga
Tailors might not be on your list of essential services back home, but they are here!
Due to the reliance on imported clothing and the popular local pareu (sarong) fabric, local tailors are widely used for everything:
- Custom Clothing: Making beautiful, light island wear from locally purchased fabric.
- Repairs and Alterations: Extending the life of your clothes, which is practical on an island where fashion options are limited.
Plus, there really is a uniform or t-shirt for every occasion here! I get my dresses and Pareu work clothes made at Tuki’s Pareu in Avarua.
Try Tuki’s Pareu (recommended!) or look for small tailor signs and ask around; they are often based out of private homes and offer excellent, affordable service.
Welcome to Your New Life
Moving to Rarotonga is about embracing the beauty of simplicity and the warmth of the Kia Orana spirit. The logistics of setting up home may take a little longer than you’re used to, but the reward is worth every minute.
From sourcing the freshest Maroro at the Punanga Nui Market to cruising around the lagoon road on your registered scooter, you’re about to start living the dream.
Aere Mai (welcome) to your new life in paradise!
Read More About Travel to Rarotonga
- 10 Foods To Try In Rarotonga.
- 5 Best Fishing Charters In Rarotonga.
- All About The Rarotonga Bus.
- Hiring A Scooter In Rarotonga.
- Renting A Car In Rarotonga.
- 15 Best Holiday Homes In Rarotonga.
- 11 Best Tours & Adventures In Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
- Is Dengue Fever A Worry For Travel To Rarotonga?
- Transport And Getting Around Rarotonga.
More About Travel Planning for Cook Islands and Beyond
These are the companies we use and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. Easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel including those who have already left home. Make sure you have travel insurance before holidaying to Rarotonga!
Gavin is our people-meeter wherever we go. For all the stories we share about the kindness of strangers in Uzbekistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and more, it is Gavin that extends a handshake and meets a new friend without even sharing the same language.
