Economy
$216m debt ‘modest’: PM
Friday 14 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is satisfied with the country’s ‘modest’ debt levels, but the Opposition are concerned about the fiscal future.
Cook Islands and Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has formalised diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the signing of the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations in Wellington this week.
Airlines required to file departure tax returns monthly under new Bill
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Technology, Tourism
A Bill requiring airlines to file Departure tax returns monthly has been passed with unanimous support in Parliament.
Budget to address inflationary pressures and cost of living issues: PM
Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says June’s Budget will go some way to addressing inflationary pressures and cost of living issues for the vulnerable.
Air NZ legal costs top $365k
Wednesday 12 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The decision to challenge Air New Zealand for tax has cost the Cook Islands taxpayer more than $93,000 in legal fees and $275,000 in costs orders.
Cooks-US diplomatic relations likely to be finalised ‘by the middle of this year’
Tuesday 11 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands are a step closer to forming formal diplomatic arrangements with the United States.
Easter weekend provides timely boost for Aitutaki
Thursday 6 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Tourism operators in Aitutaki are preparing for a busy Easter break, with locals taking advantage of the long weekend.
‘Positive’ economic outlook
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A leading regional economist is projecting a ‘positive’ 12 months for the Cook Islands economy.
‘Several more months’ of significant price increases
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A leading Pacific economist says the inflation rate in the Cook Islands skyrocketed to as high as 15 per cent in 2022, adding continued inflationary pressures remain.
PM Brown meets US Secretary of State in Washington, DC
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday met the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in a whistle-stop visit to Washington, DC.
Tourist visa to be extended
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitors to the Cook Islands will be able to extend their stay for up to a year under a new regulation being finalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI). The move has been welcomed by the country’s tourism industry.
Managing tourism ‘better’
Wednesday 29 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
A consortium will travel to Hawaii to learn about implementing the concept of regenerative tourism.
Ultra luxury cruise ship passengers visit Rarotonga, Aitutaki
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga hosted close to 200 guests from an ultra-luxury cruise ship that visited the island over the weekend.
Hotelier releases business proposal for year-round charter flight service
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The owner of the Rarotongan Resort and Lagoonarium is calling for a year-round charter flights service in Rarotonga.
Japan invites PM Brown to G7 summit
Tuesday 28 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands has been invited to attend the international Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan in May.
Tahiti route triples
Saturday 25 March 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Tourism’s bid to grow back business from the high spending Northern Hemisphere market received a major boost following the agreement to increase flights between Tahiti and Rarotonga.
Cook Islands gets a seat on climate change’s Adaptation Fund Board
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands are leading the way forward in building resilient communities with the nomination of Mani Mate to the Adaptation Fund (AF) Board by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
Petrol price drops further, LPG up
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The Price Tribunal yesterday announced a further drop in petrol prices which will come into effect from today. However the price of LPG (gas) has increased in Rarotonga and the rest of the Southern Group.
PM Brown defends $5.4m Air NZ tax decision
Friday 24 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown faced a grilling in Parliament on the $5.4 million the Government has had to pay back in tax to Air New Zealand.
College faces financial difficulties
Monday 20 March 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Education, National
Tereora College is asking the Ministry of Education to increase its funding after suffering ‘major’ financial pressures.
