Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters.

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

There are no seasonal periods that cause disruption to transport or storage other than those occasional and relatively rare weather events mentioned in the tables above. 

There are generally no seasonal bottlenecks.

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

Government

The Government is well placed to respond to emergencies and has an on-going program to strengthen the country’s capability.

The Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) is the designated governmental division charged with ensuring the maintenance of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) plan and all necessary sub-plans for the Cook Islands. It is the coordinating body between other humanitarian actors in the region including the UN agencies (regionally based in Fiji and Somoa), Cook Islands Red Cross Society, the Adventist Disaster Relief Association (ADRA) and  the civil agencies of Police and Infrastructure Cook Islands. EMCI will also coordinate with the NZ and French military and NZ Aid organisation in events that require their assistance.  A cluster system is being finalised whereby specific organisations will take a lead role in key areas such as health, emergency communications, education, protection etc.

It is planned to establish a Cook Islands Civil Defence Organisation by 2023

The declaration of a disaster is the responsibility of the Prime Minister acting upon input from the EMCI, the Police and Meteorological Service At the declaration, the Police Commissioner – as the National Disaster Controller- activates the operation of the National Operations Centre based at Blue Sky, the national telecommunications provider. At this point, all stakeholders and first responders (EMCI, Police, Ministry Of Health, Blue Sky, Red Cross) and other relevant stakeholders and specialists commence response.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

Humanitarian Community

The Cook Islands Red Cross Society (CIRCS) and the Adventist Disaster Relief Association (ADRA) are present and active in the Cook Islands. Both organisations have contingency stocks of disaster relief items stored in country. The UN agencies whilst not permanently represented in country work with the EMCI through their regional offices in Fiji and Samoa on disaster preparedness and relief programs

Red Cross has offices on 9 of the 12 inhabited islands implementing programs working with communities to adapt to climate change and tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases in addition to cyclone relief efforts. They maintain contingency stocks of disaster relief supplies on all of the inhabited islands. ADRA provides disaster relief food and shelter funding through its partners, Red Cross and the UN agencies.

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List.

Further information on Cook Islands Disaster Management and Disaster Preparedness can be accessed at: http://www.emci.gov.ck/  and in Appendix 5.8 UNDP  Cook Islands Country Preparedness Package

The politics of the Cook Islands, an associated state, takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy within a constitutional monarchy.

The Cook Islands is not a United Nations member state but has had their "full treaty-making capacity" recognised by the United Nations Secretariat and is a full member of the WHO and UNESCO, UN specialised agencies is an associate member of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and a Member of the Assembly of States of the International Criminal Court.

Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI)

EMCI is the designated governmental division charged with ensuring the maintenance of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) plan and all necessary sub-plans for the Cook Islands. This involves combining a high state of preparedness from emergency services to respond to disasters (disaster management) with an on-going investment in activities that reduce the risk and vulnerability of the economy and communities (disaster reduction)

Ministry Of Infrastructure Cook Islands (MICI)

The Ministry Of Infrastructure Cook Islands (MICI) is responsible for the majority of governmental capital infrastructure projects across the Cook Islands and also some of the regulatory responsibilities and projects. MICI works with donor partner, Island Governments, other departments, the private sector and the community to implement activities and projects and carry out operations and maintenance of public infrastructure assets. It is responsible for infrastructure projects in the Pa Enua (Outer Islands).

Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM)

 The ministry serves four (4) separate functions, namely:

• Treasury Operations concerning Fiscal and financial management of public expenditure
• Revenue collection (tax and customs)
• Collection and dissemination of statistics and
• Responsible for the planning and overall management of donor program and project activities

Jointly with the Office of the Prime Minister it has responsibility and oversight for the Communications/Telecommunications sector.

Ministry Of Agriculture

The Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for agricultural development, legislation and sustainability , quarantine  and Bio security in the Cook Islands. Biosecurity Cook Islands operates very strict biosecurity procedures at airports and ports to prevent the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases of plants and animals. The main focus of Biosecurity is to manage biosecurity risk and facilitate trade into and out of the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands National Environment Service

The Cook Islands National Environment Service is the central government agency charged with protecting, managing and conserving the environment of the Cook Islands

Ministry Of Health

The Government through Te Marae Ora is the main provider of health care services in the Cook Islands. Services of the Ministry are complemented by a range of Civil Society and Non-government Organisations such as the Red Cross Society, Te Vaerua, Te Kainga, CI Family Welfare Association, CI Child Health and Welfare Association and the Creative Centre. The core function of the Outer Islands Health Services directorate is mainly to provide accessible and equitable health care with a focus on preventative and basic primary and secondary health care services.

Ministry Of Transport

The Cook Islands is a country dependent upon maritime and aviation transport, both nationally and internationally. The Ministry of Transport is charged with carrying out all of the functions of maritime and aviation administration necessary under international and national law

In addition, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service is a division of the Ministry of Transport providing weather updates, forecasts and warnings for the Cook Islands.

Ministry Of Internal Affairs

Among its responsibilities, of relevance to the Logistics Infrastructure, The Ministry of Internal Affairs is the government agency responsible for regular cleaning and maintenance of public roads.

Office Of the Prime Minister

The Office of the Prime Minister Cook Islands (OPM) is responsible for Central Policy and Planning, Emergency Management, Information Communication Technology, Corporate Services, Cabinet Services and Research.

Ministry Of Police

Responsibility for all uniformed police activity in addition to Meteorological Branch and Disaster Management.

Cook Islands Chamber Of Commerce

Whilst not empowered in regulatory activities it is worth noting this organization is active in the region and with around 100 full members and 204 members with associate membership, the Chamber has wide ranging connections to private enterprise in the Cook Islands and can potentially source many products and services through its database. It coordinates between EMCI and its membership for disaster preparedness.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List.

Duties and Tax Exemption

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 

4.1 Government Contact List 

Emergency Response:

[Note: This section contains information which is related and applicable to 'crisis' times. These instruments can be applied when an emergency is officially declared by the Government.  When this occurs, there is usually a streamlined process to import goods duty and tax free.]

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response): 

SECOND SCHEDULE Section 10(3)(b)

 Exempt importations

1. Passengers' baggage and personal effects admitted free of duty and import levy under references 85, 86 and 87 of the Customs Tariff Act 1980 and section 7 A of the Cook Islands Amendment Act 1981.

2. Goods admitted free of duty and import levy and entered into a Customs Bonded Warehouse under the Customs Tariff Act 1980.

3. Containers containing goods, being ordinary trade containers for packing of goods; or

4. Goods imported:

(a) by or on behalf of any overseas government for its use in the Cook Islands whether in an office established by that overseas government or in any approved aid project; or

(b) by or on behalf of the United Nations, Pacific Forum Secretariat or the South Pacific Commission or any agency of those organisations for approved project in the Cook Islands; or

(c) for use in any approved aid project in the Cook Islands; or

(d) by or on behalf of the University of the South Pacific for use at its centre on Rarotonga; or

(e) by a non profit body as donation for use in any project in the Cook Islands; or

(f) by any religious organisation, for its own use or for a specific church activity or project in the Cook Islands (except motor vehicles and motor cycles); or

(g) by any organisation for use in public projects in the Cook Islands, being projects designed primarily for the benefit of a particular island, vaka or village community; or

(h) by any school for educational purposes in the Cook Islands; or

(i) by or on behalf of any person or organisation being uniforms or sporting equipment to be donated to any sporting group in the Cook Islands;

(j) by or on behalf of any person requiring life saving medical supplies.

Organisations classed as Non-profit under Section 42 of the Income Tax Act 1996 are entitled to import goods duty free. Other organisations can do so provided those goods are then donated to other organizations such as sporting or community groups and not sold for profit or kept for their own benefit or use.  

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure: 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Transit Regime

There is no requirement for transit. The Cook Islands are not used as a transit stop for aid to other countries.