Economy
Accommodators to provide water safety advice
Wednesday 19 December 2012 | Published in Economy
The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council encourages accommodation providers to display swimming safety messages and dispense advice to guests to help prevent visitors from drowning in Cook Islands’ deceptively safe waters.
Brown first to answer questions
Tuesday 18 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Finance minister Mark Brown has provided responses to the five written questions he was asked by Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George when parliament began sitting on November 8.
Runner up thrilled
Tuesday 18 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Miss South Pacific runner up Kate Ngatokorua says placing in the top two of the pageant surpassed her own expectations.
Showcase invitation
Tuesday 18 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Companies stocking products and produce with a Pacific flavour are being encouraged to sell them at a Pacific-focused trade event launching on February 2, 2013.
World Bank membership windfall
Saturday 15 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Mitiaro MP Tangata Vavia asked agriculture Minister Nandi Glassie why the Cooks haven’t got a large agricultural grant from the World Bank like Samoa.
Withholding tax nets $3.3m
Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Finance minister Mark Brown was asked in parliament on Monday whether he would keep his promise to abolish withholding tax after it had been in place for two years – but how much does the controversial tax actually bring into government coffers?
Withholding tax to go
Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Minister of Finance Mark Brown said he would keep his promise to abolish the withholding tax in October next year.
Amnesty for tax suggested
Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen asked finance minister Mark Brown in parliament yesterday whether he would consider an amnesty period for those struggling to pay their tax.
Lawyer bids for legal aid
Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen asked finance minister Mark Brown whether the government is making any provision to help out with legal aid “because there are some struggling lawyers who are working without payment”.
No such thing as a free lunch
Saturday 8 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Back in time I remember bartering hard to swap my humble bread and butter sandwich with the school kids across the fence at Nikao Maori for their milk biscuit handouts. Sad to say my lunch never appealed to them – they swapped with other delicious lunches at the time.
Free cash for Aussie visitors
Friday 7 December 2012 | Published in Economy
All Australians flying to the Cook Islands over the next six months will be given $100 cash – no strings attached.
Travel agents ask if Cooks' fishing is sustainable
Friday 7 December 2012 | Published in Economy
The island’s fishing charters were well represented at the annual Kia Orana Cook Islands trade days.
Trade days build Cooks' contacts
Friday 7 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Local tourism operators this week met with international buyers to showcase the Cooks at the Kia Orana Cook Islands trade days.
Coinsave's application denied by BTIB
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Economy
The Samoan-based, Chinese-owned business which illegally set up shop in Arorangi has been denied a licence to operate.
Leaders Forum came under budget
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
The government managed to come in under budget for their allocated Pacific Leaders Forum spend.
Invite them to the party!
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Business Trade and Investment Board Minister Mark Brown told parliament yesterday that he wouldn’t bother donating money towards the BTIB Christmas party unless he was invited.
Young achievers thrive at MFEM
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Three young accounting and economic trainees are proving their value to the finance ministry as part of its young achievers programme.
Businesswomen lack mentors
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Women in businesses throughout the Pacific islands are not being given enough mentoring, according to a conference held in Fiji last month.
No deadline for fishing vaka
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Master carver Mike Tavioni is disappointed but satisfied with the vaka building workshop he ran for 11 students over the last two weeks.
Capturing the spirit of tourism
Wednesday 5 December 2012 | Published in Economy
Newly-appointed tourism chief executive Halatoa Fua gave a very real example of how tourism impacts the Cooks at the opening of the third Kia Orana Cook Islands tourism forum yesterday.