A drink driving Kiwi couple landed in jail for a night and are at least $800 out of pocket following an incident in Rarotonga on Wednesday.

The married couple had been drinking in celebration of the wife’s birthday on Wednesday.

The husband was encountered by police near the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club in Tupapa about 5pm after he crashed a motorcycle and received a minor leg injury, a police spokesman said.

His wife arrived at the scene where police suspected she had also been drinking and driving.

The couple were transported to Rarotonga Hospital by ambulance, and after the husband was medically cleared, both were breathalysed with readings at more than double the legal driving limit. 

The pair admitted to having been celebrating the wife's birthday.

Both spent the night in jail and appeared in court at Avarua on Thursday where they were fined $350 and $50 court costs each, and told to surrender their driver licences for 12 months. 

“A tropical holiday, or even a birthday celebration, are no excuses to drive drunk on Rarotonga,” the spokesman said.

“While a Rarotonga holiday and celebration can be a joyous occasion for our visitors, the risks of drinking and driving are a dangerous cocktail for tragedy.

“Please don't do it, we want all our visitors to return home safe and sound, with happy memories.”