Economy
New tariffs cause a splash: Free water allocation for residents, businesses face higher costs
Thursday 19 September 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
Residential users will receive 50,000 litres of water per month free under the final water tariff structure announced by To Tatou Vai and commencing October 1, 2024.
Counterfeit $50 notes circulating in Rarotonga, warns local banks
Thursday 19 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Businesses and the public are being warned to remain vigilant after counterfeit notes have been found circulating in Rarotonga.
Aitutaki’s ‘winds of change’ blow for gender equality: Browne
Saturday 14 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Education, Local, National, Outer Islands, Parliament, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne has hailed Aitutaki’s Island Council election a success, noting a significant increase in the number of women elected as council members.
Pacific drug highway threatens Cook Islands, cops on high alert
Monday 9 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Crime, Economy, Local, National
Police say they are actively combating the growing drug trafficking threat in the region, following new reports of drug cartels trafficking crystal meth through the ‘Pacific drug highway’, including Cook Islands waters.
DPM seeks regional support for water, wastewater issues
Wednesday 4 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands’ growing water crisis during dry spells, alongside other countries’ needs, are being addressed at the Pacific Water and Wastewater Conference, held this week Rarotonga.
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
Monday 2 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Cook Islands’ topography and remoteness make it highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, states the latest Pacific Economic Monitor – August 2024: Building Resilience the Pacific Way report.
Carr elected new president of Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council has elected Tere Carr, owner of Lagoon Breeze Villas, as its new president for 2024-2025 financial year.
Inflation eases but concerns remain
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
The inflation rate in the Cook Islands has begun to ease, currently at 2.8 per cent annually, but concerns persist over the ongoing increase in prices, albeit at a slower pace.
Living off the land and sea
Saturday 31 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
A 69-year-old father, Nato Temu Junior, and his 80-year-old sister, Fever Teira Tana, who live alone at their family home in Tupapa, are living happily and unbothered by the ongoing rise in inflation, which has increased by 2.8 per cent this year.
PM Brown pushes for more funding for Pacific Resilience Facility
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) which was initiated under Prime Minister Mark Brown’s leadership as the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is currently sitting at approximately US$200 million (NZ$317.84m), only 13 per cent of the initial US$1.5 billion target.
Cook Islands named the world’s fastest-shrinking nation by CIA
Thursday 29 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has been named as the fastest-shrinking nation among 40 countries globally with a 2.24 per cent annual population decline, according to the data collected by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Cook Islands discusses statehood with New Caledonia
Wednesday 28 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National, New Caledonia, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown met with President of New Caledonia, Louis Mapou, this week to strengthen support and discuss future collaborations.
CI Immigration set to launch online visa and permit system
Wednesday 28 August 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Immigration is set to launch an online visa and permit application system, much to the relief of local businesses and visa applicants.
Cook Islands participate in regional conference on anti-corruption
Wednesday 28 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Public Service Commissioner, Carl Hunter, joined over 400 delegates from across the region at the Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference (APSACC) held in Darwin, Australia, late last month.
Patient referrals on the rise
Wednesday 28 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Health, National, New Zealand, Regional
There has been a steady increase in patient referrals, primarily due to rising healthcare needs and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, according to a Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health report.
INTAFF holds consultations to update disability, aging plans
Monday 26 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National
There are concerns for older persons who do not have family members to care for them and the lack of support for caregivers who are looking after family members in their homes.
Cook Islands MPs claim $200,000 in allowances during overseas trips
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands Members of Parliament claimed over $200,000 in allowances while representing the country at international meetings and events during the 2023/24 financial year.
Cook Islands ‘not invited’ to CHOGM
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands will not be attending the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa because the country has not been invited, and efforts to gain membership are ongoing.
Brown set to hand over Forum chair, focuses on local economy
Friday 23 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown, the outgoing chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is delighted to officially hand over the chairmanship of the region’s political decision-making body to his successor, the Prime Minister of Tonga, at the 53rd Leaders Meeting next week.
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
Friday 23 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has defended the over $650,000 spent on MPs travel and allowance and responded to Opposition leader Tina Browne’s criticism by accusing her of preferring to ‘hog all the trips for herself’.