Economy
January arrivals best on record
Thursday 29 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
A record total of 10,368 international visitors were welcomed to the Cook Islands last month according to newly released statistics for January 2024.
Nobody is interested: Opposition leader says no one wants $1.7m electric vehicles
Thursday 29 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
No one is interested in purchasing the $1.7 million fleet of electric vehicles bought by the Government last year, the Opposition Leader told Parliament yesterday.
Absentee landowners major issue
Wednesday 28 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands is reforming its land laws and have started public meetings on Rarotonga to gather suggestions and feedback from Cook Islanders.
Cook Islands and Saudi Arabia prioritise economic resilience and renewable energy
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Environment, National
The Cook Islands and Saudi Arabia have prioritised economic resilience, culture, technology and renewable energy as areas for possible future cooperation following a series of bilateral discussions in Rarotonga.
Rarotonga welcomes cruise passengers for sightseeing and shopping
Tuesday 27 February 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Majority of the passengers onboard Crystal Serenity came ashore during the cruise ship’s visit to Rarotonga on Saturday.
New builds springing back after pandemic slowdown
Saturday 24 February 2024 | Written by Joanne Holden | Published in Economy, National
The number of new builds in the Cook Islands are approaching pre-pandemic levels after dropping nearly 70 per cent in two years to hit a 10-year low in 2021.
Japan boosts Rarotonga agriculture with machinery donation
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Over 1000 hours of tractor services, including slashing and ploughing of farmland in Rarotonga, were provided by the Ministry of Agriculture in the past year.
$400k asbestos removal operation gets underway at Old Post Office
Friday 23 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Economy, Local, National
A $400,000 operation to rid the Old Post Office of asbestos in Avarua is about to get underway following the building’s closure in recent months.
Economy positive, strong signs of recovery: PM Brown
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown says the country’s latest financial year report to June 2023 shows the country’s economy is very positive and showing signs of strong recovery.
Tyre issue forces Air NZ Cooks flight to divert
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
A busy Air New Zealand service to the Cook Islands was forced to turn back for Auckland two hours into its journey.
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
Thursday 22 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands, Parliament
The Lady Samoa IV vessel chartered by the Cook Islands government prior to Christmas cost $1.3million.
‘Pearl of the Pacific’ - Cook Islands tourism needs promotional boost
Wednesday 21 February 2024 | Written by Candice Luke | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Having returned from an Australian Entire Travel Group Roadshow, Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott says competition is fierce in the marketplace, and promotions need to start now.
Inflation is a reality: PM encourages homegrown food to combat rising prices
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Prime Minister acknowledges inflation’s impact on imported goods and suggests growing local food to combat it, while emphasising economic growth and Pa Enua development as long-term solutions.
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.
