The +682 country code belongs to the Cook Islands, a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, scattered across 2 million square kilometers of the South Pacific. Fifteen islands, population roughly 17,000, most of them living on Rarotonga.
Despite the close political relationship with New Zealand, the Cook Islands has its own country code. Calls between +682 and +64 (NZ) are international calls with international rates. The islands are also among the most expensive places on Earth to call, due to limited undersea cable infrastructure and extreme remoteness. This guide covers the dialing format, number structure, and what to expect when calling.
Quick answer: Dial +682 followed by the 5-digit local number. Cook Islands phone numbers have no area codes. Landlines start with 2x, mobiles start with 5x or 7x. From the US, dial 011-682-XXXXX.
How to call Cook Islands: quick reference
The Cook Islands uses its own country code (+682), not New Zealand's (+64). All local numbers are 5 digits with no area codes. From most countries, dial your international exit code + 682 + the 5-digit number.
| Calling from | Dialing format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +682-XXXXX | +682-22435 |
| US/Canada landline | 011-682-XXXXX | 011-682-22435 |
| New Zealand | 00-682-XXXXX | 00-682-22435 |
| Australia | 0011-682-XXXXX | 0011-682-22435 |
| UK | 00-682-XXXXX | 00-682-22435 |
| Within Cook Islands | XXXXX (5 digits) | 22435 |
Understanding Cook Islands phone numbers
Cook Islands numbers are simple: +682 XXXXX (5 digits, no area code). The first digit tells you what type of number it is.
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 2. Numbers beginning with 20-29 are on Rarotonga. Outer island landlines also use the 2x prefix but with different second digits. Most landlines are in Avarua (the capital), the airport area, and around the main ring road on Rarotonga.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 5 or 7. The 5xxxx range was the original mobile allocation, and 7xxxx was added as subscriber numbers grew. Mobile coverage is good on Rarotonga and Aitutaki but limited or absent on the more remote northern atolls.
Number structure
| Type | Prefix | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Landline (Rarotonga) | 2xxxx | +682 22435 |
| Landline (outer islands) | 2xxxx | +682 31xxx |
| Mobile | 5xxxx | +682 55123 |
| Mobile | 7xxxx | +682 71234 |
Mobile carriers in Cook Islands
The Cook Islands telecom market is tiny, with one main provider.
Vodafone Cook Islands
The sole mobile and fixed-line carrier. Previously known as Telecom Cook Islands, then Bluesky, it was rebranded to Vodafone Cook Islands. They provide mobile (2G/3G/4G), landline, and internet service. Coverage on Rarotonga is reliable. Aitutaki has 4G coverage in populated areas. The more remote northern group atolls (Penrhyn, Manihiki, Pukapuka) have limited or satellite-only connectivity.
Roaming
International roaming is available through Vodafone's agreements with carriers from New Zealand, Australia, and other countries. Roaming charges are high. If you're visiting, buying a local Vodafone prepaid SIM on Rarotonga is cheaper than roaming on your home carrier.
Don't confuse +682 with nearby codes
The Cook Islands code gets mixed up with New Zealand and other Pacific island codes.
| Code | Country/Territory | Why it's confused |
|---|---|---|
| +682 | Cook Islands | This article |
| +64 | New Zealand | Free association partner, NZ passports |
| +685 | Samoa | Similar code, nearby Pacific islands |
| +689 | French Polynesia | Neighboring Pacific territory, similar code |
The most common mistake is assuming you can reach the Cook Islands through New Zealand's +64 code. You can't. The Cook Islands has its own country code, its own phone system, and its own carrier. A Cook Islander with a New Zealand passport still needs to be called on +682 when they're in the Cook Islands.
Time zone considerations
The Cook Islands are on Cook Islands Time (CKT, UTC-10) year-round. No daylight saving time.
CKT is 2 hours behind Hawaii, 5 hours behind California (winter), and 22-23 hours behind New Zealand depending on NZ's daylight saving. The NZ time gap is the one that trips people up most, since so many Cook Islanders have family in Auckland.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (NZST/NZDT) | +22hrs / +23hrs | Morning NZ = evening CK (previous day) |
| Australia East (AEST/AEDT) | +20hrs / +21hrs | Morning AEST = afternoon CK (previous day) |
| Hawaii (HST) | same time zone | Anytime reasonable |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | -2hrs winter / -3hrs summer | 10am-6pm PT |
| UK (GMT/BST) | -10hrs / -11hrs | 6pm-midnight UK |
Communication in Cook Islands
Business hours
Government offices operate 8am-4pm, Monday through Friday. Banks close by 3pm. Shops in Avarua and along the ring road on Rarotonga generally close by 4-5pm. Saturday hours are shorter. Sunday is very quiet, as church attendance is a strong part of Cook Islands culture.
Network quality
The Manatua submarine cable, completed in 2020, connected Rarotonga and Aitutaki to Samoa and onward to the global internet backbone. Before this cable, all international connectivity relied on satellite, which meant high latency and frequent call drops. Voice quality to Rarotonga has improved since the cable went live, though outer island calls still route through satellite and can be less reliable.
Language
Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) and English are both official languages. Business and government communication is in English. Daily life is mostly in Maori. If you're calling a business, English is fine. Automated phone systems may be in either language.
The Cook Islands diaspora
Where they went
Far more Cook Islanders live abroad than in the Cook Islands. New Zealand is the primary destination, with around 80,000 Cook Islanders in Auckland alone (compared to 17,000 in the Cook Islands themselves). Smaller communities exist in Australia and other parts of New Zealand. Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens, so there are no visa barriers.
Why they call
Family connections drive most traffic. The Cook Islands community is tight-knit, and events like funerals, church dedications, land meetings, and family gatherings require coordination across the Auckland-Rarotonga corridor. Te Maeva Nui (Constitution Day, August 4) and Gospel Day are peak calling periods. Tourism businesses also generate calls, since Rarotonga and Aitutaki receive visitors from NZ, Australia, the US, and Europe year-round.
Dialing examples
Calling a hotel on Rarotonga
The hotel's number is 22435.
- From the US: 011-682-22435
- From New Zealand: 00-682-22435
- From within the Cook Islands: 22435
Calling a mobile on Rarotonga
Your contact's mobile is 55123.
- From the US: 011-682-55123
- From Australia: 0011-682-55123
- From within the Cook Islands: 55123
Calling Aitutaki from Rarotonga
There's no area code difference between islands. Dial the 5-digit number directly: 31xxx. It's a local call.
Calling New Zealand from the Cook Islands
Dial 00-64 + the NZ area code (without the leading 0) + local number. For example, to call Auckland: 00-64-9-XXX-XXXX.
Common mistakes to avoid
Trying to reach the Cook Islands through +64 (New Zealand)
The Cook Islands has its own country code (+682). You cannot call a Cook Islands number by dialing +64. They are separate phone systems.
Dialing too many digits
Cook Islands numbers are only 5 digits. If you're used to longer numbers, you might add extra digits. The format is simply +682-XXXXX.
Expecting cheap call rates
At $3.00/min, the Cook Islands is one of the more expensive destinations. The remoteness and limited infrastructure keep costs high. If you call frequently, consider scheduling longer calls rather than making many short ones, to reduce per-call connection overhead.
Calling outer islands at the wrong time
The northern group atolls (Penrhyn, Manihiki, Pukapuka, Nassau, Suwarrow) have limited satellite connectivity. Calls to these islands may not connect at all during peak satellite load or bad weather. Rarotonga and Aitutaki are more reliable.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +682 code?
The +682 code belongs to the Cook Islands, a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific. The main island is Rarotonga, where the capital Avarua is located.
How many digits are in a Cook Islands phone number?
Five digits. No area codes. Just dial +682 followed by the 5-digit number. Landlines start with 2, mobiles start with 5 or 7.
Is the Cook Islands part of New Zealand for phone calls?
No. The Cook Islands has its own country code (+682), separate from New Zealand (+64). Calls between the two are international calls with international rates, even though Cook Islanders hold NZ passports.
What time zone are the Cook Islands in?
Cook Islands Time (CKT, UTC-10), with no daylight saving. That's the same as Hawaii, 2 hours behind US West Coast in winter, and 22-23 hours behind New Zealand.
Why are calls to the Cook Islands so expensive?
The Cook Islands are extremely remote, scattered across 2 million km² of ocean. International connectivity relies on one submarine cable (Manatua, completed 2020) and satellite links. Limited infrastructure and small subscriber base keep per-minute costs high.
Calling other Pacific destinations? Check our guides for New Zealand (+64), Fiji (+679), and Samoa (+685).