A New Zealand fire truck has arrived on shore in the Cook Islands

Fire and Emergency was able to send one of its surplus vehicles, to replace a Rarotonga Airport Rescue Fire station's truck, which is rusty and beyond repair.

It's the first fire truck they've sent across the Pacific in nearly 12 years.

Fire and Emergency's Ian Pickard says this vehicle is a real bonus for Cook Island residents.

He says it's nice to be able to send over any equipment that's reached its end of life here, but can be re-purposed elsewhere.

All Fire and Emergency signage and identification was removed prior to its departure.