Transport in the Cook Islands

[3] In 2018, crashes neared a record high, with speeding, alcohol and careless behaviour being the main causes.

[7] In 2016, a law was passed requiring visitors and riders aged 16 to 25 to wear helmets, but it was widely flouted.

[8] In March 2020 the Cook Islands parliament again legislated for compulsory helmets to be worn from June 26, but implementation was delayed until July 31,[9] and then until September 30.

In the past, shipping interruptions have led to shortages of imported goods and fuel, and electricity blackouts on the outer islands.

[18] The Cook Islands operates an open ship registry[19] and has been placed on the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control Black List as a flag of convenience.

[20] Ships registered in the Cook Islands have been used to smuggle oil from Iran in defiance of international sanctions.

[22] In April 2022 the motoryacht Tango owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg was seized in Spain.

[24] In July 2022 two yachts owned by sanctioned oligarch Roman Abramovich were reflagged as Cook Islands vessels, allowing them to escape arrest in Antigua and Barbuda.