Caution this is non-motorcycle rated subject

When converting to New Zealand dollars from Canadian is it best to get most of the money ahead of time here. Or do the exchange down there (Raratonga)   Some say take little cash and use the ATMs down there but there would be fees for each transaction.   Also Visa and Mastercard will be with us if that also works?

Many of you have been down there often so just need your input on exchanging

June is thinking we can mix a little of both so we have cash on hand when we arrive at least.

Ask Dave Barrett.  He goes there frequently.

  1) a mix of payment is always best. Pre flight cash. Credit cards with credit card carrier aware of your travels so they don’t cancel it out of security reasons.  Same for ATM cards, make bank aware of your travels. I even go a step further, and get a fresh  ATM card to reduce/eliminate lack of ability to use  ATM machines  because of worn out card strips.   ATM are available at Western Union,  ANZ ( Australia  New Zealand Banking Group) and Bank of Cook Islands. As always, international fees will be charged, so getting a handle of how much cash you’ll will go through, versus foreign transaction credit card fees could keep You busy thinking a lot.  I try to avoid corner store ATM’s, only bank ATM’s, don’t have a clue about the Cook Islands.

 2)   Depending on where you are travelling, having a load of cash while walking around could be an issue. Checking the Government of Canada  Travel Advisory for the Cook Islands , shows  nominal risk to travelling g around, the usual city pick pocket issue of any place, no extra safety situations going on.

  As is the case in most places, it sucks to have to convert a tons of paper cash back to Cdn$ when you return,,,,you’ll get nailed the service charge departing and returning . You’re not gonna know how much cash you’ll need, only someone who’s been on Rarotonga the last 6 months.

  I used the ATM's while in New Zealand back in 2017.  No real issues, but I only took out a small amount of cash each time.  I used my Mastercard and Visa for larger purchases.

There's 100 cents to the Kiwi dollar

   March 3rd 2025 current retail currency exchange, New Zealand - Canadian dollar:  Sell NZ $ at $.8495Cdn. Buy back NZ $ at $.7900Cdn.

https://columbiacurrencyexchange.ca/live-rates/

We have decided to take a little more cash as the ATM units in Raratonga are sparce and sometimes not working.   I have purchased them from a money exchange supplier in Coquitlam, from there we still have our debit cards to fall back on rather than rely on.   Any larger expenditures and we will be able to use our Canada or US credit cards so all options now covered.
10 days to go now and not looking forward to the long flights with my legs curled up.

YEAH, it's a LOOOOONG flight.  You had better hope the on-board movies are worthwhile.  I was lucky as they had the more or less documentary of the English Rock Group...headed by Freddie Mercury.  Well done movie and I enjoyed it.  The cramped seats, NOT so much. Food was typical airline and reasonable, and their staff were pleasant and efficient.  It was a BIG mother of an aircraft, Boeing 777 with a full load of folks on board. I really enjoyed my 3 weeks in New Zealand.  Stayed with friends on the North Island, and borrowed my host wife's Ninja 650 to do some exploring.  Rented a car for the trip to the South Island.   Went to the BIG motorcycle Museum there.  Worth a visit if you've never been.
ENJOY !!!!

i believe they are playing non-stop Bluey reruns on the plane

  Luckily you’re not  flying via Auckland, that is a long flight!! Seattle-Honolulu is about 4.5 hrs, and Honolulu -Rarotonga is about 6.25hrs, not bad at all especially if you’re overnighting in Honolulu.