Economy
Tourism seeks additional $3.5m to protect Cook Islands’ ‘golden goose’
Monday 19 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism is requesting $3.5 million in additional funding to invest in optimising the new flight routes, develop outer island tourism, and create a path for diversification in the tourism sector.
Superfund booms with $30m growth
Thursday 15 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) ended 2023 on a high with their assets under management at NZD$236 million, up almost $30 million on 31 December 2022.
Don’t miss the plane: Time to diversify and future proof tourism, says Eggelton
Wednesday 14 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
At Tuesday’s global business update at The Edgewater Resort, Cook Islands Tourism chief executive officer Karla Eggelton told an audience of about 60 people that 2024 is “shaping up to be a positive year” and now is the time to diversify and future-proof the industry.
Cook Islands, New Zealand renew immigration partnership for another five years
Tuesday 13 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) last week renewed for another five years their Partnership Arrangement with Immigration New Zealand (INZ), an agency of the New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
PACER Plus implementation work intensifies
Friday 9 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Local, National
Trade work in the Cook Islands intensified through the visit to Rarotonga by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) this week.
Elikana sworn in as new Cabinet Minister
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Pukapuka-Nassau MP Tingika Elikana is the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marine Resources and Parliamentary Services.
$16.5 million grant boosts Cook Islands’ climate resilience efforts
Thursday 8 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
A grant of $16.5 million is on its way to help the Cook Islands respond to climate change, announced New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters who visited Rarotonga yesterday.
New Zealand Ministers touch down in Rarotonga for 24-hour visit
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrived in the Cook Islands last night after a day in Tonga.
Who paid for what?
Wednesday 7 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Questions remain as to the total cost of a Samoan passenger ferry chartered by the Cook Islands government prior to Christmas and how much revenue was generated from passenger seat sales and cargo to offset taxpayer contributions.
New Zealand Ministers reaffirm Cook Islands connection
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
New Zealands Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Health Minister and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti are reaffirming the importance of New Zealand’s connections to the Pacific.
Tapping into more tourism plans for the Pa Enua
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands, Tourism
Through destination development, Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is looking at opportunities, stating that “an opportunity exists to expand the tourism offering and amplify community-led tourism in the Pa Enua”.
PM confirms additional $400k to ‘maintain the pace of roadworks’
Tuesday 6 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga’s long-awaited road improvement projects will receive an additional $400,000 with Prime Minister Mark Brown confirming government is appropriating it in the supplementary budget to “main the pace of roadworks to the end of the financial year”.
No person is above the law: Brown
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, Local, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed Tongareva seat is vacant after former deputy prime minister Robert Tapaitau’s conviction, triggering a by-election within 60 days.
Filipino community welcomes changes to immigration policy
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The Rarotonga Filipino community has welcomed the recent change in immigration policy allowing foreign workers to have a secondary job.
Tapaitau remains in office, awaiting removal process
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister remains in office despite conviction while awaiting formal removal process and potential appeal.
PM calls for defence and security arrangement with Australia and NZ
Friday 2 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Australia, Economy, Local, National, New Zealand, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown has proposed a trilateral defence and security co-operation arrangement between the Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Australia.
Tourism rebound strong, despite challenges
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation had highlighted some of its key challenges and mitigation strategies in its annual report for the year ending June 30, 2023, submitted to Parliament last December.
Construction of new multi-million dollar five star resort is underway
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Construction of a $20 million resort is underway in what is understood to be Rarotonga’s first five- star operation. Al Williams reports.
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism welcome immigration policy changes
Thursday 1 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
The Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce welcomes the recent immigration policy changes, though some of their proposed revisions were not adopted.
Cruise season kicks off with 500+ visitors on Europa 2, Star Breeze
Wednesday 31 January 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
More than 500 cruise ship passengers arrived in Rarotonga, with the Europa 2 inaugurating the year’s cruise season on Saturday, followed by the Star Breeze on Monday.
