Cook Islands travel deal: Quarantine-free flights from May 17 - a podcast by RNZ

New Zealand finally has a start date for the long-awaited Cook Islands bubble - May 17 - but conditions apply.
Both the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Cook Islands counterpart Mark Brown announced the date on Monday afternoon.
The announcement comes after numerous delays and false hope, but Ardern says the safety of the Cook Islands had to come first.
New Zealand had to be assured it was ready for a potential outbreak. She says the island nation is ready.
The green zone is still subject to a final set of criteria being signed off by the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield - including airline and airport preparedness.
New Zealand also hopes to start sending the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to the Cook Islands later this month.
Fletcher Melvin, president of the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, talks to Lisa Owen.

Further episodes of Checkpoint

Further podcasts by RNZ

Website of RNZ