A travel bubble between New Zealand and Rarotonga was worth the wait.

That's the message from a Cook Islands industry leader, welcoming the announcement of quarantine-free travel.

Unrestricted flights between the two countries will take off from May 17.

Our Prime Minister's met in Auckland to discuss the bubble in March, but wouldn't commit to a date at the time.

Cook Islands' Private Sector Taskforce chair Fletcher Melvin told Heather du Plessis-Allan gaps had to be tightened-up first.

“For the last month, everyone’s played their part, we’ve got clear answers from New Zealand and that’s probably why we were able to have concrete date.”

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