Economy
Economist hopeful for Cook Islands growth
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s top economist says the Cook Islands is ‘on the comeback trail – but with some caveats’.
Solid but unspectacular growth in numbers expected
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s boss is expecting steady growth in visitor numbers this year, as the country looks to bounce back from Covid-19.
Air NZ also silent in tax case costs
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Air New Zealand won’t reveal costs – including legal costs to be borne by Cook Islands taxpayers – related to a case involving the Revenue Management Division and the airline.
Questions remain in Cooks Air NZ tax case
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
It is still not known what dollar figure taxpayers have been lumped with in a tax case involving the Revenue Management Division and Air New Zealand.
Cook Islands records 121k visitors in 2022
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Tourism operators are being advised to use the down time to prepare for the pickup ahead of the busy season, which starts in April.
PM silent on legal costs in $5.4m Air NZ case
Monday 23 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will not reveal the total cost in a tax case involving the Revenue Management Division and Air New Zealand.
Corruption in the Cook Islands?
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A major report into perceptions of corruption in the Cook Islands and other Pacific Island nations has caused a ripple among agencies. Cook Islands News journalist Matthew Littlewood looks into what is being done to address the issues here.
Petrol suppliers clash over depot safety, call for audit
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The boss of Toa petrol is calling on its rival Triad to be audited for safety, and for a complete overhaul of the fuel pricing system.
Medicinal cannabis committee established
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has established a committee to look into the availability and possible production of medicinal cannabis in the Cook Islands.
Petrol prices drop further
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Price Tribunal has announced another drop in petrol prices.
Cooks ready to assume Forum chair
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Kiribati, National, Regional
Cook Islands Government is working closely with the outgoing Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat chair and Fiji’s prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, and other Pacific Islands Forum Leaders to bring back Kiribati into the Forum.
Government remains mum on Air New Zealand ‘legal’ bill
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Legal fees are understood to be in excess of $250,000 as government continues to sit on a report outlining where the Revenue Management Division went wrong in the tax matter involving Air New Zealand.
Govt reveals CCECC deal: Geopolitical issues among reasons for dropped legal action
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Financial Secretary Garth Henderson says it is unlikely that the Government would again use the Chinese state-owned company responsible for installing faulty pipes in a major water infrastructure project.
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
Tuesday 17 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islanders are concerned about the current prevalence of corruption, and the need for people to do favours to get ahead on the islands, according to an international anti-corruption agency’s wide-ranging report.
Nothing but poor excuses : Calls for MFEM to come clean on water deal
Monday 16 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Several months after the Cook Islands Government said it reached an agreement with the Chinese state-owned company over the replacement of faulty pipes in a major water infrastructure project, there has yet to be an official response.
A tumultuous week in tax
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Claims have come to light the Revenue Management Division is dysfunctional following revelations its top man is on sabbatical leave. It now looks like the government department is desperately short on resources.
$5.4 million returned in overpaid tax
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The Revenue Management Division will be making a submission to Cabinet, outlining the costs incurred and to be borne by Cook Islands taxpayers, in the legal action taken by Air New Zealand over ‘overpaid tax’.
Financial Secretary claims ‘slow news day’ over sabbatical leave saga
Friday 13 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, in a bizarre turn of events, has turned to social media with a response to questions surrounding his top taxman’s “sabbatical leave”.
Questions surrounding top taxman’s ‘sabbatical leave’
Thursday 12 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The head of the Cook Islands tax department has been given six months’ sabbatical leave by his boss, Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, in a decision that has reportedly irked top government officials.
Population policy endorsed
Tuesday 10 January 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The very first Cook Islands ‘Population Policy’ to address the country’s depopulation issue has been finalised and will be launched this year.
