Promote:
Invest in the Cook Islands
A short guide for companies expanding into the Cook Islands: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Cook Islands at a glance
PopulationEstimate
17,300
The resident population was an estimated 17,300 in the June quarter 2025; the total estimate of 25,900 includes visitors.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, population estimates, June 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of June quarter 2025
GDP
GDP at current prices was NZD 684.2 million in 2024, the Statistics Office reports.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, GDP annual 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
GDP per person
GDP per person was NZD 25,351 in 2023, the Statistics Office home page reports.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Real GDP growth
7.2%
Real GDP growth was 7.2 percent in 2024, at constant 2016 prices, the Statistics Office reports.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, GDP annual 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Inflation
1.3%
Consumer prices were 1.34 percent higher in the December quarter 2025 than a year earlier, the Statistics Office reports.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, consumer price index report, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of December quarter 2025
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$3.41 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$3.41 million in 2025, UNCTAD reports.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment flows and stock (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the New Zealand dollar; the PACER Plus page for the Cook Islands also lists a Cook Islands dollar.
Source: PACER Plus Implementation Unit, Cook Islands page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The Business Trade and Investment Board is the investment promotion agency, and its Foreign Investment Division regulates foreign investment.
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, foreign investment page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
BTIB runs a foreign investment one-stop shop with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management.
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, foreign investment page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Part D of the Investment Code 2003 reserves areas such as commercial agriculture, pearl farming, fresh fish exporting, food processing and garment manufacture for Cook Islanders.
Source: Cook Islands Investment Code 2003, BTIB copy (opens in a new tab) · as of 2003
The Development Investment Act and the Investment Code name no zone, so the zone count is 0.
Source: Development Investment Act 1995-96, consolidated 2007, BTIB copy (opens in a new tab) · as of 2007
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in the Cook Islands
- Apply to BTIB for approval to run a foreign enterprise, with the checklist documents and the fee.Business Trade and Investment BoardFee NZD 750; standard decision within 30 working days; express NZD 850 in 5 daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, foreign direct investment page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Register the company with the Ministry of Justice, using the BTIB approval letter and certificate.Ministry of Justice, Cook IslandsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, company registration page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Register the business for tax and get an RMD number; register for PAYE and value added tax as they apply.Revenue Management Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic ManagementOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, tax registration page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Check which licenses and permits your industry needs.Business Trade and Investment BoardOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, license and permit page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Show 1 more set-up step
- Apply for entry and work permits for staff who are not Cook Islanders.Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ImmigrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Business Trade and Investment Board, foreign direct investment page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with Customs. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Meet requirements
Company and business registry
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Justice, Cook Islands
Keeps the registers of companies and incorporated societies, which a foreign enterprise joins after BTIB approval.
Visit Ministry of Justice (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Justice, registry services page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Meet requirements
Foreign affairs and immigration ministry
MFAI
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Negotiates and carries out the Cook Islands' trade agreements, and BTIB's page lists it for visas and permits.
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs
Cook Islands Customs Service
Processes import and export declarations and runs the ASYCUDA World customs system and the trade portal.
Visit Customs (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Customs page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
Inland Revenue
Registers businesses for tax, collects income tax, value added tax and pay-as-you-earn, and publishes a tax calendar.
Visit Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Inland Revenue page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
Chamber of Commerce
Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce
Represents Cook Islands businesses and offers training, networking events and advocacy to members.
Visit Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)Source: Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Fuel and shipping costs
All-items prices rose 3.9 percent in the June quarter 2026, and transport prices 16.8 percent, on higher fuel and shipping costs.
What to do: Recheck freight and fuel costs before you price a project.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, consumer price index report, June 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Reserved sectors
Part D of the Investment Code reserves areas for Cook Islanders, including commercial agriculture, pearl farming, fresh fish exporting, tourist accommodation and grocery retail.
What to do: Confirm with BTIB whether your activity is reserved before you apply.
Sources: Cook Islands Investment Code 2003, BTIB copy (opens in a new tab); Business Trade and Investment Board, foreign investment FAQ (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Foreign enterprise approval
A business owned one third or more by an overseas investor is a foreign enterprise and needs BTIB approval; BTIB states a minimum capital of NZD 1,000,000 on Rarotonga.
What to do: Check the capital minimum and the monthly Board deadline with BTIB before you file.
Sources: Business Trade and Investment Board, foreign investment FAQ (opens in a new tab); Cook Islands Investment Code 2003, BTIB copy (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Tourism dependence
Nominal GDP rose 14.7 percent in 2024, driven mainly by service industries, particularly tourism, the Statistics Office reports.
What to do: Check whether your project depends on visitor demand before you commit capital.
Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office, GDP annual 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the Cook Islands with other countriesSet the Cook Islands beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Cook Islands project.
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Promote:Cook Islands is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 1, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.