The power to allow Cook Islanders and permanent residents to return home lies in the hands of Prime Minister Henry Puna.

A nine month old baby will reunite with his father when the prison reopens to visitors on Sunday, after a month of lockdown.

Edgewater Resort will be the quarantine facility for stranded Cook Islands residents returning next week.

There will be no punitive approach for companies belatedly seeking help, after previously failing to pay super contributions. 

Gyms have reopened, golf, sailing and cycling are back on-track, and there are hopes the big team sports can resume playing again soon. 

Fresh warnings have been issued to employers and employees who continue to abuse the wage subsidy paid by the government.

Government is promising a bigger stimulus in the next stage of the Covid-19 economic recovery plan. Finance Minister Mark Brown said he would double that to about $76 million when Parliament meets in June.

Rarotonga residents will have to wait until the commissioning of the new water system to get regular clear water, authorities say.

A local company selling eco-friendly cleaning products has started an initiative to minimise plastic waste being sent to the Arorangi landfill.