More Top Stories
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Man found guilty of rape, burglary
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Tenants face water bill burden
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Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
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Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
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Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
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Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
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Inflation eases but concerns remain
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Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
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Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
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Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
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PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
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ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
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Housing crisis hits tourism industry
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Challenging ‘rape culture’
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Articles by Emmanuel Samoglou
Workers lured to New Zealand with higher pay
Monday 20 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Local businesses continue to struggle to find employees and the situation is only set to get worse as more local workers are recruited for work in New Zealand, where they can earn higher wages and possibly find a path to residency.
Make Covid-19 testing mandatory, businessman says
Saturday 18 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in
A prominent local businessman is calling on the government to implement mandatory testing of visitors when current border restrictions are lifted and Kiwi visitors return to the country.
Chamber welcomes support but challenges remain
Thursday 16 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government is being commended by the Chamber of Commerce in responding swiftly with aid after the latest border closure, however challenges remain for businesses currently grappling with zero tourists.
Government closer to announcement on seabed mineral exploration
Wednesday 15 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands Government is moving forward with a process to potentially issue exploratory licenses to companies interested in mining the ocean floor as international conservationists, diplomats, and scientists call for a moratorium on all deep sea mining activities.
Additional business support announced
Tuesday 14 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government has announced additional financial support for businesses affected by the ongoing border closure.
Mitiaro lures in PhD researcher
Saturday 11 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
Nearly two years of carrying out research on Mitiaro gave Auckland University of Technology Marine Biology PhD candidate Antony Vavia insight into the relationship island’s residents have with the ocean, while also shedding light on a place where he has ancestral roots.
Superfund decreases rates again
Friday 10 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
The national superfund has decreased contribution rates, putting more money in the pockets of employees and employers during the ongoing economic downturn caused by New Zealand’s Covid-19 outbreak.
Emergency department returns to hospital
Tuesday 7 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health announced on Monday emergency health services will be moving back to Rarotonga Hospital.
Cook Islander takes to Youtube to spread the word on money matters
Saturday 4 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, In Depth
Developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with money has been a life-long goal for Gold Coast-based Cook Islander George Woonton. With help from YouTube, he’s now sharing what he’s learned along the way with the larger Pasifika community.
Demos confident in watchdog’s investigation of Pa Enua project
Saturday 4 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
Opposition Deputy Leader William Heather says he is confident in the Public Expenditure Review Committee and Audit’s handling of an investigation into a multi million-dollar Pa Enua project, despite the process dragging on for over a year.
Fishermen call for more fish aggregating devices to boost catches
Friday 3 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
The Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) and the Cook Islands Fishing Association (CIFA) met for a workshop at the New Hope Church yesterday where discussions regarding current fishing conditions and solutions on how to deal with them were discussed.
Audit investigation drags on
Wednesday 1 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
An investigation by a financial watchdog looking into an upstart Rarotonga company currently carrying out a multimillion dollar project in the northern group island of Penrhyn has been ongoing for 12 months and continues with no end in sight.
Private sector renews push for long-term visitor stays
Tuesday 31 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
The current border closure has business leaders once again calling on Government to consider longer term visitor stays to cushion the industry during downturns and reduce the stress on Rarotonga’s infrastructure.
As assistance rolls in, business community ponders what it will take to get by
Saturday 28 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, Features
After the travel bubble commenced in May, Kiwi visitors began visiting in numbers that exceeded estimates. That has come to an end with NZ’s Covid-19 outbreak, and once again the industry is facing uncertainty even as government support kicks in.
Banks pledge to work with clients affected by border closure
Friday 27 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
At least two of the major banks operating in the Cook Islands have pledged to continue working with customers facing financial difficulties from the recent border closure with New Zealand.
Support on the way as businesses plan for months without visitors
Wednesday 25 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government is preparing to deploy millions in financial assistance as private sector leaders are predicting months of zero visitors.
Alert level 2, inwards travel halt extended
Tuesday 24 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
Government has extended the suspension on inbound passenger flights and health officials continue to carry out testing of recent arrivals as New Zealand’s Covid-19 outbreak enters its second week.
Government working with Reserve Bank to explore closer ties
Monday 23 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government is deepening its ties with NZ’s Reserve Bank to explore how the banking sector can be brought under the jurisdiction of New Zealand.
Outbound flights continue as officials deal with NZ outbreak
Friday 20 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
As the number of Covid-19 cases in New Zealand continue to climb, outbound travel for visitors and residents wishing to depart Rarotonga continues, despite the halt on inbound passenger flights.
Travel bubble pause extended to early next week
Thursday 19 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National
Government has decided to extend the current Alert Level 2 as well as the temporary suspension on inbound passenger air travel from New Zealand as cases of Covid-19 continue to climb. By Emmanuel Samoglou.
