Cook Islands unique currency

Collector’s Item Cook Islands unique currency

The currency in the Cook Islands is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD), with some local notes and coins too.

Cook Islands issues $3 notes and triangular $2 coins. You can’t change Cook Islands money outside the Cook Islands, so remember to change them before you leave, unless you want to keep them as souvenirs! The Cook Islands $3 note, with the iconic image of Ina and the Shark (pictured), is often sold online for over $50. According to the Cook Islands News in January 2022, this note was up for the worlds ‘banknote of the year’. The award given for artistic merit, imaginative design and security features. This is where it gets interesting as the note’s design was based on a painting by the late Cook

Islands contemporary artist,

American, Rick Welland, who lived and painted on Rarotonga for 28 years before moving to

Mexico.

In August 2022, the $3 note was given a ‘fresh look’ when the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management reprinted the note after it had been severely depleted due to its popularity as a souvenir. Cook Islands News quoted Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown as saying: “The iconic image of Ina and the Shark has long been a part of Cook Islands folklore and legend, and I am delighted with the design of the new note.” A great memento from your holiday in the Cook Islands, if you can find one!

Ina and the Shark by Rick Welland Three dollar Cook Islands notes

COOK’S FUDGE F A C T O R Y

PACIFIC

WEAVE

Island Life

Dine with the locals, in their own homes

Enjoy an entrée, main course and dessert where each course is hosted in a different home.

This popular dining experience offers an insight into the life of locals, whilst providing a 3-course meal featuring authentic cuisine. It’s called Rarotonga’s ‘Progressive Dinner’.

A driver-guide takes care of the transport including pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.

Guests share local food delicacies and traditional dishes with the locals in their own homes. Learn about the Cook Islands way of living and culture, enjoy the local music and singing as well. The Progressive Dinner is very much a casual and unique local experience.

What to expect on a typical evening: tropical gardens, buffet feast, Cook Islands family gatherings, local sweets and fruits, Atiu coffee, and the sounds of local ukuleles, guitar and voices of the small string band. You certainly won’t wind-up the night feeling hungry!

This is an escorted mini-bus tour where the conversation flows genuinely between guests and the host families. The food is abundant, and the families are real.

The Progressive Dinner circuit is well established and has been in existence for many years. Operated by Cook Islands Tours on Mondays and Thursdays, 5.30pm-9.30pm, the Progressive Dinner costs $99.00pp adult, $70.00 (6-11yrs). Call 20 639 to book.