Economy
No security deal with China, assures PM Brown
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands’ agreement with China will not include any security aspects, Prime Minister Mark Brown assured yesterday.
EXCLUSIVE: Cook Islands ditches passport plan after New Zealand ‘ultimatum’
Thursday 6 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Economy, Editor's Pick, National
Cook Islands has dropped the controversial passport proposal, Prime Minister Mark Brown confirmed yesterday, after discussions to convince New Zealand that it would not affect their constitutional relationship fell flat. Rashneel Kumar reports.
Australia and Cook Islands to sign MoU, strengthen maritime security partnership
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Cook Islands and Australia are in the process of finalising an enhanced Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will strengthen Australia’s support for Te Kukupa II operations and bolster regional security efforts.
Australia commits to ongoing collaboration with Cooks on transnational crime threats
Wednesday 5 February 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Australia, Crime, Economy, National, Regional
Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Phoebe Smith is confident that through the Te Kukupa II maritime patrol vessel, Cook Islands with the support from Australia can tackle transnational crimes such as drug trafficking.
Cook Islands reaffirms climate leadership amidst US withdrawal from Paris Agreement
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Cook Islands has called for continued global cooperation to address climate crisis and for the global community to fill any funding gaps left by the United States after its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
PM to China on state visit
Tuesday 4 February 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will be accorded a state visit to China this month, highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries.
Chinese ambassador’s second visit in a month focuses on ‘cooperation’
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Cook Islands is visiting the country for the second time in just over a month.
Cook Islands, US deepen maritime cooperation
Friday 31 January 2025 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands and the United States have strengthened maritime cooperation through US Coast Guard engagement.
Debt servicing a concern
Thursday 30 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands faces rising debt servicing costs, projected to reach 16 per cent of revenue by 2029/30, prompting concerns about cash flow and the management of its $253.8 million public debt.
ADB dominates Cook Islands debt portfolio
Tuesday 28 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided the largest proportion of lending to the Cook Islands, accounting for 81 per cent of the debt portfolio in 2024/25.
Proposed passport to be discussed during NZ Foreign Affairs Secretary’s visit
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The proposed Cook Islands passport will be one of the issues that Government officials will be discussing with New Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bede Corry, in Rarotonga next week.
$541.7m tourism earnings
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals reached 170,315 last year, the second-highest number on record, just behind the 2019 peak of 171,550, contributing over half a billion dollars to the economy.
‘Experienced candidates’ apply for Cook Islands top cop role
Friday 24 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Economy, Local, National
A selection panel chaired by the Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter is expected to be finalised to look into the recruitment of the new Police Commissioner.
Bank to reissue debit cards following attempted fraudulent transactions
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Bank of South Pacific (BSP) will be reissuing new Visa debit cards to its customers following a recent attempt of fraudulent transactions.
Government seeks funding boost for ‘critical priorities’
Monday 20 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Government will be tabling a supplementary budget in Parliament next month, seeking a top up to the $328 million 2024/25 budget to fund ‘critical priorities’ in the remaining half of the financial year.
Visitor arrivals on track to rival record numbers
Thursday 16 January 2025 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals in 2024, with December figures yet to be released, have surpassed the total arrivals of 2023 and are on track to rival the record number set in 2019.
‘A blessing’: NZ passport climbs in world rankings
Friday 10 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
The New Zealand passport is the fifth best in the world, offering significant travel benefits to its holders, including Cook Islanders, who largely welcome this despite some advocating for a separate Cook Islands passport as a symbol of national identity.
Diaspora concerns addressed in NZ seabed mining talks, says PM
Friday 3 January 2025 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands Government’s recent consultation tour in New Zealand was a significant success, effectively addressing numerous concerns held by the diaspora regarding seabed mining, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
PM Brown calls for debt relief for climate-impacted small island states
Monday 30 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in climate change negotiations, particularly the failure of major emitting countries to meet their carbon emissions targets and financial commitments.
Government focuses on growth and cost of living in 2025
Friday 27 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown has outlined the Cook Islands Government’s key priorities for the upcoming year, focusing on continued economic growth, infrastructure development and addressing the cost of living.