cavemanzk

Isn't the Labour campaign launch this weekend? Maybe travel to the Cook Islands will be launched as apart of the campaign.

kiwifrequentflyer

There was discussion in the media that they may wait until after the election, just in case something went wrong and someone got infected, so that they don't hurt their election chances. Frankly, if it means waiting until end of September that isn't much different from 3-4 weeks away, really. But if it is sooner, that is extremely exciting.

Mwenenzi

No political party will take a risk.
The Covid-19 pandemic has always been about X% health plus Y% economic plus Z% political. (X+Y+Z=100%) In NZ Z is now a large number.

RNZ.co.nz
03 Aug 2020 ---> Travel bubble: Auckland Airport announces separate zones at terminal
04 Aug 2020 ---> Pacific neighbours in far greater need' of travel bubble - specialist workers
20 Jul 2020 ----> Niue waits to see how Cooks-NZ 'travel bridge' works out

Cook Islands is a little different as the people are NZ citizens
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rarotonga

cavemanzk

It would almost be like the Government saying you couldn't goto Chat or Stewart Island (not that many people would want too....)

Thai-Kiwi

OT. Whilst Chatham and Stewart Islands are somewhat remote, I’m fortunate to have flown into both and found them fascinating.

No doubt not to everyone’s travel taste...but for those wanting a different experience in the current situation perhaps a thought?

kiwifrequentflyer

I considered a cruise to the Chatham Islands for my parents, since they can't travel, but the boats are understandably industrial boats, rather than actual cruise ships, so they passed. But for anyone looking to travel right now, a cruise to more remote parts of the country is a nice substitute if you don't get sea sick!

cavemanzk

NZ has confirmed they are planning AKL/WLG/CHC-RAR services from once the Cook Islands bubble is started.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/trave...istchurch.html

Think this would be the first time there has been an direct flight between WLG and RAR?

The biggest issue doesn’t seem like be finding an flight to RAR, more how many people RAR could really handle an week.

prp343

With all the talk of a Cook Islands travel bubble, I decided to do some research on the likelihood of getting there at all, even if the borders are opened. This is because I think it would be interesting to concentrate all outbound New Zealand tourist traffic on a fairly small place.
First, there are two islands in the Cooks that host the vast majority of tourists, Rarotonga (67km²) and Aitutaki (18km²). Together, they are comparable in size to Waiheke Island (92km²). Rarotonga and Aitutaki combined have a population of about 15,000, while Waiheke’s is just under 10,000. So it’s about 50% more crowded in Rarotonga/Aitutaki than on Waiheke (New Zealand’s most densely populated island).
In the 2019 calendar year, there were 171,550 international visitors to the Cook Islands, of which 114,977 (67%) were New Zealanders. Monthly arrivals ranged from 7,608 in February to 18,612 in July. New Zealand visitors intended to stay for an average of nine days.
To make some assumptions, if there was a Cook Islands travel ‘bubble’:
• All of the Cook Islands’ international visitors would be from New Zealand
• No matter when the Cook Islands travel bubble was opened, the number of visitor arrivals would jump to peak levels almost immediately, even in February, because of the sheer numbers of New Zealanders wanting to travel overseas.
• 18,612 arrivals at July peak represents all Cook Islands accommodation being full.
So, at a July peak rate, that would have 600 New Zealanders arriving per day, each staying an average of nine nights, so using 5400 bed-nights.
If that tourist turnover rate was sustained for a year, 219,000 New Zealanders would be able to visit the Cook Islands, or 4.4% of the population.
But if you asked New Zealanders: “Assuming international borders remain closed, would you want to and be able to pay for a normally-priced holiday in the Cook Islands sometime in the next year?” I think the answer would be far more than four or five per cent. Not just because of the people who’ve missed out on going to Rarotonga because of COVID-19, but because of the people who’ve missed out on going anywhere else overseas, tropical paradise or not.

kiwifrequentflyer

Well, it's been officially announced by our PM. No actual dates given though. Any guesses? Very clearly it isn't going to happen before the election, IMHO!
​​​​
You can actually buy flights now from October 23rd if you want to secure your spot. I plan to do that! If it gets cancelled then hey it gets cancelled.

prp343

Of course not, all the treats with none of the consequences.

cavemanzk

I think it the Cook Islands we're likely the only International Place you could travel to this December/January, and demand has followed say Queenstown post COVID-19 revival.

AN 1000 people an day into RAR wouldn't to far out of the Question.

Kiwi Flyer

You're assuming direct flights. NZ could ensure there is connecting service from WLG and CHC to/from AKL-RAR vv flights.

Unlikely on any sustained basis. There simply isn't enough accommodation to support large numbers, not to mention the respective governments will want contingencies to deal with any outbreak (e.g. what if someone on a crowded flight later tests positive?) since the Cook Islands has such a limited health system.

prp343

Did you read what I wrote? I'm sure that many people would love to go but that's just not possible given accomodation constraints.

trooper

Are there any passenger services? I can only find sea FREIGHT....

kiwifrequentflyer

I literally just searched on Air NZ now and almost booked a flight (decided to wait and call them tomorrow to discuss cancellation options first) but yes, you can indeed book flights right now. Whether you will get to take them is another story since no dates have been announced.