Economy
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.
MFEM urges companies to be ‘transparent’ with surcharges
Thursday 15 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
As cost of living issues rise, the Ministry for Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) is urging companies to be transparent in their implementation of surcharges.
Electricity bills to rise
Wednesday 14 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Electricity bills are set to increase significantly in Aitutaki and Rarotonga next month as high fuel prices force power entities to pass the price onto consumers.
Metcalfe appointed director for economic planning
Monday 12 September 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) has appointed senior macroeconomist Tristan Metcalfe as the new director for economic planning.
Supply chain issues continue to hamper Rarotonga’s supermarkets
Thursday 8 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Foods managing director Daniel Forsyth said being at the end of the supply chain had proved a hinderance to the store.
Staff and supply shortages continue as tourism climbs
Thursday 1 September 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Tourist numbers are the highest they’ve been all year with August looking good too but one accommodation provider says he’s conscious of staff being burnt out because of staffing issues.
Cook Islands drums up business from the ultra-rich in Monaco
Thursday 1 September 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Finance and Maritime Cook Islands are off to the Monaco Yacht Show to drum up business from the world’s elite this month.
ADB expands Cook Islands presence
Tuesday 30 August 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined the Government of the Cook Islands in an inauguration ceremony to officially open ADB’s Cook Islands Pacific Country Office (PCO) in Rarotonga.
Air NZ ‘to open as many flights as possible’ to Cook Islands
Friday 26 August 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Air New Zealand’s website shows ‘no seats available’ for some dates around Christmas time but the airline says they are working to open ‘as many flights as possible’ to the Cook Islands during the festive season.
