Area Code 36 – Mitiaro

Geographic Overview

The +682 36 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the island of Mitiaro, one of the southern Cook Islands group. Mitiaro is a low-lying volcanic island with a population of approximately 200 residents, primarily concentrated in the villages of Araki, Takaue, and Atai. The prefix is used for fixed-line PSTN services within the island's telecommunications network, operated by the national carrier, Telecom Cook Islands.

Dialing Formats

To call a Mitiaro number from abroad, dial the international access code (e.g., 00 or +), followed by the Cook Islands country code +682, then the area code 36 and the subscriber's 4-digit local number. For example, a local number might be dialed as +682 36 1234.

Within the Cook Islands, callers must dial the full 7-digit national number, including the area code, even for local calls. Thus, a call from Rarotonga to Mitiaro would be dialed as 36 1234. Calls from within Mitiaro itself also require the full number, as there are no local-only dialing shortcuts.

Coverage and Administration

The +682 36 prefix covers the entire island of Mitiaro, including all administrative districts and villages. The island is part of the Aitutaki electoral district but maintains its own island council. The numbering plan follows the ITU-T E.164 standard, with the Cook Islands country code +682 and a closed numbering plan of 7 digits for all fixed-line services.

Caller Instructions

For international callers, always use the plus sign (+) when dialing from a mobile phone to ensure proper routing. For example, +682 36 5678. If dialing from a landline, replace the plus with the international access code of your country (e.g., 011 in the US, 00 in most European countries).

For local callers within the Cook Islands, simply dial the 7-digit number starting with 36. No trunk prefix (such as 0) is used in the Cook Islands, so do not add an extra leading zero.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there are no overlay codes for Mitiaro, and the +682 36 prefix is exclusively assigned to geographic fixed-line services. Mobile services on the island use separate non-geographic prefixes (e.g., 7 for Telecom Cook Islands mobile). As the Cook Islands numbering plan evolves, it is advisable to verify the latest allocations with the national regulatory authority, the Office of the Prime Minister's Telecommunications Division.