Economy
PM Brown hails ‘exceptional’ 2023
Saturday 30 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands Forum
Reflecting on 2023, Prime Minister Mark Brown said it was an exceptional year for the Cook Islands and its ministers.
Tourism seeks ‘smaller’ cruise liners to beat weather and infrastructure hurdle
Thursday 28 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Tourism, Weather
The overreliance on favourable weather conditions significantly hinders Cook Islands Tourism’s ability to further develop the cruise market, says the corporation’s director of destination development Brad Kirner.
Keep calm and carry on: Air NZ and Cook Islands Tourism urge festive respect
Sunday 24 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Tourism has echoed Air New Zealand’s message for travellers to ‘keep calm and carry on’ this coming holiday season.
Immigration explains status situation
Friday 22 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands Foreign Affairs and Immigration has issued a statement in light of returning Cook Islanders voicing frustration with immigration processes as they arrive home to share Christmas with loved ones.
Jetstar flights to Rarotonga sell out for festive season
Friday 22 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Most Jetstar flights to and from Rarotonga, through the Sydney and Auckland routes, have been sold out this festive season.
Rarotonga Airport gears up for 50th anniversary with water fountain blessing
Friday 22 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National
In preparation for the Rarotonga International Airport’s 50th anniversary celebration on January 29, 2024, a small ceremony was held yesterday to bless the new and refreshing water fountain garden feature.
PM welcomes discussions on subsidised public transport
Friday 22 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Economy, Local, National
Government assistance could be on the way for a struggling Cook Islands public service.
Cooks joins regional consumer protection, economic regulators
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has officially become a member of the Pacific Islands Network of Competition Consumer and Economic Regulators (PINCCER) - a ground breaking initiative aimed at fostering fair competition, pricing transparency, and robust consumer protection practices across the Pacific region.
PM Brown addresses consultation concerns around legislative change
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Amendment Bill 2023 and Land Facilitation of Dealings Amendment Bill 2023 is not a government bill, but a private members bill, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
We’re sick of waiting around: Returning Cook Islanders vent frustration over waiting times
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
Returning Cook Islanders have voiced frustration with immigration processes as they arrive home to share Christmas with loved ones.
Long serving public service under strain as rising costs place pressure on sector
Wednesday 20 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
A long serving Cook Islands public service has been forced to hike its prices as it struggles without government subsidies.
Cook Islands celebrates stellar cruise year despite weather woes
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Features, National, Tourism, Weekend
Cruise Cook Islands has wrapped up an exceptional season, welcoming numerous cruise ships to both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Atiu resort shares success: $101k dividend boosts island community
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
A resort in the Pa Enua has paid out over $100,000 in dividends to the island residents, demonstrating a commitment to giving back to the local community.
Agriculture gears up for export
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, has developed a roadmap for exporting fresh produce from the Cook Islands to New Zealand.
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Lack of coordination between utility providers ‘putting pressure on our people’
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed by four major utility companies in the coming weeks, confirmed Albert Nicholas, Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
$300,000 in arrears : 47 businesses lag on Cook Islands Covid loan
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Local businesses are nearly $300,000 behind on payments of the $6.9 million loan issued by the Cook Islands Government to support them during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
Cook Islands’ international profile soars with COP28 and Forum leadership: Brown
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ profile on the international stage has never been higher than it is today, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Level playing field concerns raised over ‘temporary’ Starlink licence
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Technology
Government cannot restrict local Starlink users from accessing its services despite the provider yet to conclude consideration of a localised service product and corporate presence for the Cook Islands market.
Considering the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency : Recovery Bill Civil liberties, privacy and due process
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Features, National, Weekend
This week the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill was tabled in Parliament and referred to a select committee for consideration and report. Cook Islands crypto expert, Ano Tisam says the Bill, making its way through Parliament, raises some serious concerns about civil liberties, privacy and due process. Melina Etches reports.
