Facts

Cook Islands

Made up of a northern (atolls) and southern (higher) group of islands with Rarotonga and Aitutaki the main tourist destinations.
Time Zone:  10 hours behind GMT
Capital: Rarotonga
International Airport: Conveniently located on Rarotonga
Language:  English and Cook Island Maori
Currency:  New Zealand Dollar
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted
Mobile Phones: Good island wide network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots are rare but improving
Tipping:  Is not expected and is contrary to Cook Island custom
Electricity:  A normal 240 volts - 50 hertz cycle and plugs are the same as New Zealand and Australia

Fiji Islands

Made up of 332 islands of which more than 100 are inhabited. Population is made up of Fijians and Indians. Two main islands of Viti levu and Vanua Levu.
Time Zone:  12 hours ahead of GMT
Capital: Suva on the island of Viti Levu
International Airport: Near Nadi on Viti Levu.
Language:  English
Currency:  Fijian Dollar
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted
Mobile Phones: Good island wide network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots in most touris areas
Tipping:  Is not expected nor encouraged
Electricity:  A normal 240 volts - 50 hertz cycle and plugs are the same as New Zealand and Australia

New Caledonia

Made up of the main island, Grande Terre, the Isle of Pines, the Loyalty Islands and a number of small islands. Is an overseas territory of France
Time Zone:  11 hours ahead of GMT
Capital: Noumea
International Airport: 30 minutes from Noumea
Language:  French
Currency:  Central Pacific Franc (XPF) and Euro
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted
Mobile Phones: Good island wide network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots in most touris areas
Tipping:  Is not expected
Electricity:  A normal 240 volts - 50 hertz cycle and plugs are the European variety

Samoa

Formerly Western Samoa and consistes of two main islands: Upolu and Savai'i
Time Zone:  11 hours ahead of GMT (it has recently moved zones)
Capital: Apia
International Airport: On the notrthern boundary of Upolu
Language:  English and Samoan
Currency:  Samoan Tala (WST)
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted
Mobile Phones: Good network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots available
Tipping:  Is not expected
Electricity:  A normal 240 volts - 50 hertz cycle and plugs are the same as New Zealand and Australia

Tahiti and her islands (French Polynesia)

Around 130 islands in the group made up of 6 groups including the Society Islands and The marquesas.  Tahiti is the largest and most populated
Time Zone:  10 hours behind GMT
Capital: Papeete
International Airport: Near Papeete on Tahiti
Language:  French but English widely spoken
Currency:  Central Pacific Franc (XPF) and Euro
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted
Mobile Phones: Good island wide network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots in most touris areas
Tipping:  Is not customary nor expected
Electricity:  A normal 110 or 220 volts - 60 hertz cycle and plugs are of a European style

Tonga

Tonga is composed of 176 islands, 52 inhabited and many of them volcanic
Time Zone:  13 hours ahead of GMT
Capital: Nuku'alofa on Tongatapu
International Airport: Fua'amotu on Tongatapu aand Lupepau'u on Vava'u
Language:  English and Tongan
Currency:  Pa'anga (TOP)
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted
Mobile Phones: Good network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots available
Tipping:  Is not expected
Electricity:  A normal 230 volts - 60 hertz cycle and plugs are the same as New Zealand and Australia

Vanuatu

It was named New Hebrides during its colonial period. There are 83 islands with most volcanic in origin
Time Zone:  11 hours ahead of GMT
Capital: Port Vila on the islands of Efate
International Airport:  Bauerfield which is 10 minutes from Port Vila
Language:  English, French and Bislama (pidgin English)
Currency:  Vatu (VUV)
Credit Cards: All credit cards are widely accepted in Port Vila
Mobile Phones: Good network
Broadband: Is available in most hotels. Wi-fi hotspots available
Tipping:  Is not expected and neither is bargaining
Electricity:  A normal 230 volts - 50 hertz cycle and plugs are the same as New Zealand and Australia