So, I’ve always been into this whole global citizen thing, you know, having the freedom to travel and explore without borders. That’s why I started looking into getting a second passport. After doing a bunch of research, I decided to go for the Cook Islands passport. Let me tell you, it was quite the journey, but totally worth it in the end.
First off, I had to figure out the whole deal with the Cook Islands passport. Turns out, they don’t issue their own passports. Instead, Cook Islanders hold New Zealand passports, which means they’re New Zealand citizens. So, basically, if you’re born in the Cook Islands, that’s your proof of heritage, and you can get a New Zealand passport.
Here’s how I went about it:

- Gathering Documents: I needed a valid passport, proof of where I’d be staying in the Cook Islands, my travel plans, and enough money to cover my stay. Plus, I had to make sure my current passport had at least six months of validity left.
- Figuring Out the Visa Stuff: Cook Islands passport holders can travel to a bunch of countries without a visa – like 109, to be exact. They can also get visas online for 34 countries, which is super convenient. But, for 30 countries, they need to get a visa beforehand.
- Looking into Citizenship by Investment: I came across this concept while researching. Places like Antigua and Barbuda offer citizenship if you invest in their country. You gotta keep the investment for five years, but then you get a passport that lets you travel visa-free to 153 countries. I thought about it, but it wasn’t the right path for me at the time.
- Contacting Agencies: I reached out to some agencies that deal with birth certificates, citizenship, and passports. They were pretty helpful in providing information and guiding me through the process.
Once I had all my documents in order, I booked my trip to the Cook Islands. I made sure to double-check everything before leaving, especially my passport’s expiry date. I actually found out it was expiring soon, so I had to get that renewed ASAP.
After arriving in the Cook Islands, I followed the local procedures for confirming my stay and intention to connect with my heritage. It involved showing my documents, filling out some forms, and having a chat with the local authorities. They were pretty chill and welcoming, which made the whole process smoother.
Eventually, I got everything sorted out. It took some time and effort, but holding that New Zealand passport as a Cook Islander felt amazing. It opened up so many travel opportunities and made me feel like a true citizen of the world.
Now, I can travel to 175 countries pretty easily, either without a visa or by getting one online. It’s been a game-changer for me, and I’m so glad I went through this whole process. If you’re thinking about getting a second passport, I’d say go for it. Just be prepared for a bit of paperwork and some waiting, but it’s an adventure in itself!