Economy
PM calls for more climate funding
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown says funding for smaller nations affected by climate change must be accelerated.
‘Better than expected’: Govt economist paints optimistic picture
Friday 18 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands economic forecast for the coming months is not as dire as some expected, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management.
Industry considers reducing work hours in ‘quiet’ period
Thursday 17 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Local, National
Tourism operators are prepared for an uncertain outlook over the coming months, with more flights unlikely to be in the pipeline for some time.
Tourism organisations to be updated on economic outlook
Wednesday 16 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands Tourism Corporation is hosting a state of tourism update this morning with speakers from across the industry contributing.
Flights down by 30 per cent from peak as tourist operators prepare for ‘graveyard month’
Friday 11 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National, Tourism
Rarotonga-bound flights and seat numbers could be down by more than 30 per cent on pre-Covid-19 times during the December to March period.
‘Communities will decide how tourism is run’
Friday 11 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Business, Economy, National
Communities are going to decide how tourism is run, just look at Hawaii, says New Zealand Māori Tourism chief executive Pania Tyson-Nathan.
Uncertainty around Cook Islands home loan rates as inflation bites
Friday 11 November 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
A leading Cook Islands banker has avoided question on whether interest rates here will drop further as skyrocketing inflation hits foreign markets.
Cook Islands PM calls out other nations at climate conference
Wednesday 9 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Regional
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has called on the larger countries to fulfill their climate obligations, and reiterated his support for sustainable deep-sea mining as the 27th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) gets underway in Egypt.
Sustainability versus economic recovery: It’s a balancing act
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local
It’s been a massive week for tourism in the Cook Islands as industry representatives from multiple nations have descended on Rarotonga to focus on sustainability. However, there is still uncertainty in the region as it’s a battle in an ever changing market.
Fifteen officials representing Cooks at COP27 in Egypt
Saturday 5 November 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, Environment, National
The Cook Islands has taken a delegation of 15 people to a major Climate Change Conference in Egypt, but is still remaining schtum on how much it is costing.
Superfund promises higher returns with balanced option
Tuesday 25 October 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy
Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund is changing its existing default members from the ‘low risk’ conservative option to the balanced fund which should bring bigger returns in the long run.
Inflation rate ‘ambiguous’: Change in overall prices from June 2021 to June 2022 was 7.5 per cent
Friday 21 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) is likely to revise the rate of inflation for the Cook Islands, but prices have already increased markedly over the past year. Matthew Littlewood reports.
Mike Pero in airline talks with MFEM
Wednesday 19 October 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Business, Economy, National
Ministry of Finance and Economic Management has confirmed it has been in discussions with businessman Mike Pero about a renewed interest in developing an airline.
Southern Group gets food freight subsidy
Friday 23 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The Southern Group will get a freight subsidy on food items until at least Christmas in a bid to ease cost of living for those living in the Pa Enua.
Ministry holds meeting to discuss pricing of essential household goods
Thursday 22 September 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Consumer Services Unit hosted its first Consumer Stakeholder meeting with key suppliers to discuss the pricing of essential household goods.
Cruise tourism faces challenges despite removal of travel restrictions
Thursday 22 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
The removal of travel restrictions won’t have an immediate impact for the cruise ship tourism in the Cook Islands.
New bread prices here to stay, Raro bakers say
Tuesday 20 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The new bread prices following an increase over the weekend is likely to stay despite the price being reviewed in six months’ time.
Rarotonga electricity prices to increase by $0.15 per unit
Tuesday 20 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Te Aponga Uira (TAU) is introducing a flat surcharge of $0.15 per unit of electricity next month, blaming the rising costs of fuel due to the Russia-Ukraine war, and other supply chain issues.
Bread prices up
Saturday 17 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The cost of living continues to soar with bread prices increasing by an average of a dollar and the price of fuel also set for another increase.
Business training goes to Pa Enua
Thursday 15 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
Cook Islands Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB) have finished training local entrepreneurs in Aitutaki and will continue in Atiu next month.
