Economy
Cook Islands eligible for ADB’s new ‘concessional funding’
Tuesday 21 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is one of the eight small island developing states (SIDS) eligible for the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) “highly concessional funding”.
Te Tau Papa o Avarua: A 20-year masterplan to revitalise Avarua township unveiled
Monday 20 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National
Dignitaries unveiled the Phase 1 Te Tau Papa o Avarua project signboards, marking the official start of the plan which includes infrastructure and landscaping activities to be carried out in Rarotonga’s main central business district.
Pacific financial intelligence units unite to combat financial crime
Monday 20 November 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) from the Pacific convened in Rarotonga last week to bolster regional partnerships in the fight against serious financial crimes.
It’s not as colourful: Cook Islanders working to make tourism regenerative
Thursday 16 November 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitors to the Cook Islands are being encouraged to look beyond the picture perfect post-card and give back to the environment when holidaying there. By Eleisha Foon of RNZ Pacific.
Lawyer warns against interference, Sheraton road relocation approval stands: Arnold
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Any attempts by the executive government or its agencies to undermine the ongoing Sheraton redevelopment project will be met with legal action in the High Court, warns the landowner's lawyer.
Airport Workshop focuses on sustainability, connectivity and collaboration
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Sustainability, connectivity, and collaboration are the key topics for representatives from various Pacific Islands airport authorities at the Airport Day workshop hosted by the Airport Authority of Cook Islands.
Hawaii flights off to slow start but momentum growing, says Tourism
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands tourism industry is hoping that the Hawaii flights, which are earmarked to bring in much-needed North American visitors, will improve on their loading as the country enters low season.
Cook Islands tourism booms as airline reaffirms commitment
Thursday 2 November 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday met with Air New Zealand’s chief executive officer, Greg Foran, engaging in high-level discussions about what lies ahead for the Cook Islands and its key commercial airline partner.
Cook Islands meet to agree on revised tuna measure
Wednesday 1 November 2023 | Written by RNZ | Published in Economy, National
There will be an agreement on the revised Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Tropical Tuna Measure when the Commission meets in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in December.
A jet-setting spree : MPs’ travel bill draws criticism from former politicians
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Members of Parliament (MPs) have incurred significant travel-related costs in recent months, but no one from the Government or Opposition has yet justified the spending.
Cook Islands News lodges complaint with Parliamentary Services
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Office of the Ombudsman has advised the Cook Islands News to lodge a complaint with Parliamentary Services, advising them of concerns in relation to the release of the MPs travel costs between July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Breakdown of MP travel spending: PM, Opposition leader at the top
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
A breakdown of the spending figures shows the event attended, departure and arrival dates, airfare costs, accommodation costs, meals/incidentals, additional allowances and totals for each of the 14 MPs, for the period July 1 to September 30, 2023.
MPs near annual travel budget in three months
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Members of Parliament have nearly spent their annual travel and allowances (local and overseas) budget of $250,000 just three months into the 2023/24 financial year, due to a series of overseas trips.
Water meters coming to a home near you
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga residents look set to contribute more tax dollars to support water infrastructure.
Cook Islands seeks US loan to develop seabed mineral sector
Monday 23 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
A Republican US senator has endorsed the Cook Islands’ eligibility for a loan from an American development bank to finance seabed mineral resource development.
Guns and roads in southwest Rarotonga
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Editorials, Environment, Features, Local, National, Opinion, Weekend
The old deserted and controversial Sheraton Hotel in Vaimaanga is getting a new lease of life after Rarotonga businessman Chris Vaile took on the challenge to redevelop the site into a high-end apartment property complete with other amenities.
Reflecting on the Sheraton development
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A published author and former Government minister has weighed in on the ongoing Sheraton debate, labelling its background “a nightmare”.
Complaint against top cop: Govt says it is doing ‘due diligence’
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Economy, National
Cook Islands Police Commissioner Turepu James Keenan is in hot water after a complaint was filed against him by a member of a Rarotonga-based diplomatic corp. Al Williams reports.
Cooks to host international conference as it steps up seabed minerals investigation
Thursday 19 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is stepping up its seabed minerals bid as it will host international agencies at the annual Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) on Rarotonga next year.
Opposition parties divided on Vaimaanga coastal road closure
Wednesday 18 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The Opposition parties are divided on the government’s ‘no issue’ statement regarding the closure of the coastal main road in Vaimaanga to make way for the Sheraton redevelopment.
