Economy
MPs amend rules to allow for increase in sitting days
Monday 30 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Parliament has passed new Standing Orders that allow Members of Parliament to appear virtually and could result in 45 more sitting days a year.
Ombudsman Bill removes age restriction
Monday 30 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
A Bill removing the compulsory resignation of the nation’s Ombudsman at the age of 72 – to enable the current Ombudsman to keep her role – passed its third reading in Parliament on Friday without the Opposition’s support.
Bridges and roads top capital expenditure
Saturday 28 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Infrastructure Cook Islands has been allocated funds to work on roads and bridges in Rarotonga and marine and air infrastructure in the Pa Enua in the 2022/23 Budget.
Election date to be announced following dissolution of Parliament
Saturday 28 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Government has ‘quite a lot’ of international business to attend to before advising the Queen’s Representative to dissolve Parliament and call an election.
Immigration processes 312 Expressions of Interest
Friday 27 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) is currently reviewing the Expressions of interest (EOI) for Cook Islands Permanent Residence (PR) which closed on Thursday last week.
Bank reopens main branch after significant refurbishment
Friday 27 May 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Bank of South Pacific Cook Islands held the reopening of their Rarotonga branch on Wednesday.
Budget 2022/23 Passed
Friday 27 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The Members of the Parliament and staff worked overtime on Thursday to pass the 2022 Appropriation Bill (Budget) through its third reading at 7.30pm.
Browne backs cannabis referendum
Friday 27 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The support for a proposed referendum on cannabis laws is gaining momentum with the leader of the Opposition Democratic Party backing the idea.
Man gets a month prison sentence for multiple theft
Thursday 26 May 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
A 21-year-old facing various charges has been sentenced to one month’s prison and 12 months’ probation and told he needs to stay on the straight and narrow if he’s to avoid stricter sentences in the future.
There’s no drive for farmers to plant and export, says Heather
Thursday 26 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Agriculture – one of the biggest economic drivers of yesteryear – has failed the people of Cook Islands, says Opposition deputy leader William Heather.
PR rights raised in Parliament
Thursday 26 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Leader of the Opposition Tina Browne says the Government should re-look at the country’s permanent residency (PR) rules that according to the Friends of Fiji president are discriminatory.
Opposition proposes $12 minimum wage
Thursday 26 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The Opposition has vowed to increase minimum wage to $12 an hour and the Old Age Pension by $300 a month if elected into government this year, says leader.
China foreign minister scheduled to talk with PM during eight nations Pacific tour
Wednesday 25 May 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will talk with China foreign minister Wang Yi this week but has not given specific details of what they will discuss.
More for the Pa Enua : Budget
Wednesday 25 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The Opposition’s deputy leader wants to see more money invested into the Pa Enua, which he says will result in a financial return.
Covid-19 still the biggest financial risk
Wednesday 25 May 2022 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Covid-19 remains the Cook Island’s biggest financial risk as the Government continues pouring money into the nation’s health response.
Economic heart ‘starting to beat stronger and faster’
Tuesday 24 May 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has used his Budget speech to champion the country’s Covid-19 response.
2022/23 Budget initiatives ‘a joke’: Opposition MP
Tuesday 24 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Member of the Opposition party Selina Napa says the 2022/2023 budget initiatives addressing the cost of living are ‘a joke’ because of the size of the increases.
PM mulls referendum on cannabis laws
Tuesday 24 May 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has not ruled out a referendum on the country’s cannabis laws at this year’s election, which has encouraged some drug law advocates.
Budget of faith
Tuesday 24 May 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The third national budget to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic named ‘Keeping the faith’ has a total appropriation of just over $320 million and includes money set aside towards easing the cost of living and additional health staff.
Tourist numbers double in April
Monday 23 May 2022 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Economy, National
The number of tourists arriving here more than doubled in April compared to March and people in the tourism industry say they’ve noticed the difference.
