Away To Rarotonga

Navigating Health Checks For Your Move To Rarotonga.

Sarah Steiner

Dreaming of a life in Rarotonga? As you plan your exciting relocation to this Pacific paradise, understanding the necessary health checks is a crucial step. The Cook Islands government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and Te Marae Ora (Ministry of Health), has specific requirements to ensure the health and well-being of both new residents and the existing community.

But the good news? We have done it twice!  

This is our second time living in Rarotonga and moving to the Cook Islands.  

So not only can we share with you all about moving to Rarotonga. But we also have all the deets about shipping, health checks, renting a house in Rarotonga – and buying a car! 

Read all about: 

Now, let’s get into making that move and the first step of health checks before you get going. 

Hey! We are Away With The Steiners. Wondering honestly about Living in Rarotonga, Cook Islands?

Health Checks – Moving to Rarotonga 

The overarching principle is that individuals seeking long-term residency, work permits, or retiree visas must demonstrate an “acceptable standard of health.” 

This means you should not have a condition that poses a danger to public health or would place a significant, undue burden on the publicly funded health services of the Cook Islands. 

Furthermore, you should be sufficiently well to undertake the activities for which you are seeking to reside on the island.

Getting a Covid-19 test at the Tupapa Community Clinic after moving to Rarotonga the first time.

Essential Medical Requirements

For those planning to stay in Rarotonga for an extended period, specific medical examinations and documentation are typically required:

  1. Medical and Chest X-ray Form (IMM18): This is the primary document you’ll need to complete. It covers a comprehensive medical history and physical examination.
  2. Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is generally mandatory for all applicants planning to stay for more than six months. This is a key screening tool for tuberculosis (TB).
  3. General Medical Examination: For stays exceeding 12 months, or if specifically requested by immigration authorities, a full medical examination is required. This assesses your overall health status.
  4. Laboratory Tests: For all applicants aged 16 years and over, specific blood tests are typically required. These commonly include screenings for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis.
  5. Immunization Schedule: If you are moving with children under the age of 16, you will likely need to provide their up-to-date immunization schedule.
  6. TB Screening: Applicants not from New Zealand or Australia (i.e. Pacific Islands), will require to undergo Mantoux screening test (TB) .
Health checks for moving to Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
Checking in at WorldWise Travellers Health in Hamilton, NZ for our health checks.

The Process and Important Tips

These medical checks must be completed by a registered medical practitioner. In some countries – New Zealand and Australia – the Cook Islands Ministry of Health has a list of approved ‘Panel Doctors’ or radiologists whose services you must use. 

If no such list exists for your location, your own General Practitioner (GP) can usually complete the necessary forms.

When attending your medical examination, ensure you bring your valid passport for identification. Plus any current spectacles or contact lenses, details of existing medical conditions or ongoing treatments, and recent passport photos.

Instructions are on the cover page as to how the forms are to be completed. Note that should you be asked; these are for immigration purposes.  

We were advised that common mistakes made with previous applications are:

·        Doctor’s forget to initial each page

·        Passport photos are not attached to the forms

·        Incomplete family history

Note that the IMM18 Form is 16 pages. Do not forget to get the doctor to initial each page!

Family – Moving to Rarotonga 

Children are also required to submit the MOH checks and forms. Albeit we’ve now done it twice as a family.  But there are health checks and specifications required for kids too.  

For immigration as non-Cook Islanders, all applicants including children and newborn babies are required to undergo a medical examinations and have a medication certificate submitted as part of the application process. 

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the medical examination. 

Employer Approval – Health Checks for Moving to Rarotonga

It’s vital that all sections of the IMM18 form are fully completed and signed by the examining doctor.  The original documentation, including laboratory and X-ray reports, must be submitted. Which I might add again; is 16 pages of medical notes and checks! 

Plus – crucially – the medical certificate will not be accepted if it has been signed by the medical examiner more than three months prior to submission.

We had hoped that we could use the same health checks from moving to Rarotonga just a few years prior. But alas, no chance there. This is necessary to ensure compliance with current requirements from TMO.

The employer cannot proceed with the Immigration applications until the medicals have been approved.   

Clinics – Health Checks for Moving to Rarotonga

The medical test can be done at any registered clinic that is able to carry out the required testing.

For New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands Ministry of Health has a list of approved ‘Panel Doctors’ or radiologists whose services you must use.

We used WorldWise Travellers Health and Vaccination Centre, Hamilton Radiology and Pathlab Anglesea in Hamilton for our health checks moving to Rarotonga this time round. 

Pathlab Anglesea in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Costs – Health Checks for Moving to Rarotonga

Be prepared to cover the costs of these examinations, tests, and any specialist reports that may be required. The Cook Islands Ministry of Health reserves the right to request further information or additional tests if deemed necessary.

We used WorldWise Travellers Health and Vaccination Centre, Hamilton Radiology and Pathlab Anglesea in Hamilton for our health checks moving to Rarotonga this time. 

The costs for our health checks in Hamilton, New Zealand were: 

In theory for government contracts, the employer in the Cook Islands will reimburse the costs as part of your contract. Though do check ahead for these details! 

Insurance – Moving to Rarotonga

Finally, proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in the Cook Islands is a non-negotiable requirement. Given that serious medical conditions often necessitate evacuation to New Zealand. Ensuring your policy includes robust medical evacuation coverage is highly advisable.

Trust us. We have been travelling fulltime around the world for six years now as a family. But do you remember reading about the time Gavin got Dengue Fever in New Delhi, India? 

The good news though, is that a government contract in the Cook Islands includes health insurance. Do make sure you are covered. 

Ready to Move? 

Call us bias, but we reckon moving to Rarotonga is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made! It’s exciting, it’s different and moving from New Zealand it’s not actually all that far away… 

If you are ready to embrace all that embodies the island lifestyle and the beautiful culture of the Cook Islands, then moving to Rarotonga is about to be one of the best decisions you will make too.

Read more about: 

Visit the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration website at www.mfai.gov.ck for further information about working in the Cook Islands. 

By understanding and diligently fulfilling these health check requirements, you are on your way. Those 16 pages of IMM18 Form aside, it will all help a smoother transition to your new life in the beautiful Cook Islands. 

Kia Manuia! 

Read More About Rarotonga

Travel Planning for Cook Islands and Beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

Exit mobile version