The Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna says New Zealanders are welcome to stay longer now that his government issues renewable three-month visitor permits.
Mr Puna, who is on his first visit to Wellington as prime minister, says extending the previous one-month permit is a step to enhance the special relationship between the two countries.
Mr Puna says especially retirees can opt to stay long and escape winter weather.
"People who cannot take too much of this snow, they are quite welcome to come to the Cook Islands, but for retirees, they can stay for 12 months plus 12 months."
The Cook Islands prime minister Henry Puna
