Economy
Crown Law mum on review of Crimes Bill
Friday 3 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Economy, National, Politics
Moves to remove homosexuality from the Crimes Act are still awaiting sign off from Crown Law.
Tax changes confuse
Wednesday 1 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Businesses which have received Covid-19 business grants may now have to pay tax on them.
Debate over Pa Enua tax policy begins
Wednesday 1 February 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
Pa Enua MPs stand to earn an extra $200 per week thanks to a new Bill that alters the tax-free threshold for those living in the outer islands.
Tourists stranded as Backlog of flights continues
Tuesday 31 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
A backlog of flights is likely to remain for at least another week in Rarotonga, as the Auckland floods disrupt travel plans for thousands of visitors, with some people having to rebook for the end of the week.
More than $20 million to replace dying solar batteries: PM Brown
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
It will cost more than $20 million to replace degrading batteries used to store electricity across the Pa Enua and Prime Minister Mark Brown wants it done as soon as possible.
Pa Enua tax relief first order of business: PM
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
One of the first businesses of the new Government in Parliament will be to introduce tax relief for those living in the Pa Enua, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
From Houston to Rarotonga: Tourists stranded in Cook Islands
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Tourists from as far as Houston are stranded in Rarotonga due to the massive flooding in Auckland.
‘Regenerative tourism’ focus for new tourism manager
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation’s new destination and development manager is looking forward to a new approach to tourism.
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.
