Economy
Businesses respond to predicted GDP growth
Saturday 2 July 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Small businesses around Rarotonga are not surprised by a 17.1 per cent growth in GDP (gross domestic product) forecast for the 2022/23 financial year off the back of consecutive Covid-19 affected years.
Time to reconsider tourism
Saturday 2 July 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
As the Cook Islands looks to bounce back from Covid-19, a leading expert in tourism says now is a great opportunity for the island nation to rethink its approach.
Government’s pre-election economic update promises healthy GDP growth
Thursday 30 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The Government’s books have been opened, and strong growth is projected over the next three years as the country hopes to climb out of Covid-19-related woes.
PM questions Democratic Party’s ‘funding partners’
Thursday 30 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is skeptical about the Opposition Party’s proposal to source development partners to help pay for its promised policies.
Cruise ships return to Cook Islands
Wednesday 29 June 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Tourism organisations are hailing the arrival of the first cruise ship to the Cook Islands in more than two years as a “return to normality”.
Cook Islands ‘insulated’ as interest rates climb across the globe
Tuesday 28 June 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands home loan interest rates could become similar with Aotearoa as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand scrambles to ease the financial burden.
Rarotonga-bound cargo ship delayed, import costs affected
Tuesday 28 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A massive cargo ship carrying goods destined for the Cook Islands is delayed at the Ports of Auckland.
PM confident economic outlook will be ‘ahead of forecast’
Monday 27 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown expects the Government’s books to be better than expected, with the Pre-Election Fiscal and Economic Update due to be released today.
Kiwis celebrate Matariki in the Cooks
Monday 27 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
New Zealand High Commission staff have hosted an inaugural Matariki Ball in line with Māori New Year becoming a national holiday in Aotearoa.
Cannabis, the burning question in the Cooks
Saturday 25 June 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cannabis laws are relaxing globally, even Thailand a country with a history of strict drug legislation decriminalised marijuana cultivation and possession earlier this month.
Bank of the Cook Islands celebrates 21st anniversary in true island style
Friday 24 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI) has a vision, to become a “full” service bank provider to Cook Islanders, and since its establishment in 2001, the financial institution has come a long way, effectively offering more valued services to its clients.
New strategy aims to reduce corruption in Cook Islands
Thursday 23 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A report on how the Cook Islands Government should change its approach to tackling corruption is awaiting final sign-off.
Dealing with victims of child sexual abuse
Thursday 23 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
An expert on child sexual abuse is advising that victims often do not report the abuse shortly after they happen.
Cybersecurity review to help battle ‘technological threats’
Thursday 23 June 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Government has partnered with the Oceania Cyber Security Centre (OCSC) from Melbourne Australia, to undertake a Cyber Security Capacity Maturity Model for Nations (CMM) Review.
Democratic party accused of campaigning in disguise
Thursday 23 June 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The Opposition Democratic Party’s visits to primary schools this week for ‘career talks’ has been questioned by the Prime Minister who claimed the visits were campaigning in disguise and ‘smacks of desperation’.
Superannuation funds in decline as world markets tumble
Wednesday 22 June 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Global stock markets are tanking and it’s directly impacting the Cook Islands Superannuation Fund with all three fund options showing negative returns since the beginning of this year.
Shortage of car rentals, as tourist numbers climb
Wednesday 22 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
As tourists return in droves to the Cook Islands, travellers are being warned to book rental vehicles a month in advance of arrival.
Cannabis referendum decision expected this week
Tuesday 21 June 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The cannabis debate will continue as the much anticipated decision on whether Cook Islands voters will have their say in a referendum will be made this week.
Dog attack prompts committee to step up response
Tuesday 21 June 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Reports of a dog attack on a three-year-old on Rarotonga have prompted the dog control committee to step up their work against stray or violent dogs, while a resort owner has advocated tying dogs up overnight.
‘Ready to serve my community’
Monday 20 June 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
After spending decades working for the governing Cook Islands Party, Makiroa Mitchell-John is ready to serve her community of RAPPA (Ruatonga, Avatiu, Palmerston, Panama and Atupa) with the newly-formed Cook Islands United Party.
