Economy
Cook Islands ‘not invited’ to CHOGM
Saturday 24 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands will not be attending the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa because the country has not been invited, and efforts to gain membership are ongoing.
Brown set to hand over Forum chair, focuses on local economy
Friday 23 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Prime Minister Mark Brown, the outgoing chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, is delighted to officially hand over the chairmanship of the region’s political decision-making body to his successor, the Prime Minister of Tonga, at the 53rd Leaders Meeting next week.
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
Friday 23 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has defended the over $650,000 spent on MPs travel and allowance and responded to Opposition leader Tina Browne’s criticism by accusing her of preferring to ‘hog all the trips for herself’.
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
Thursday 22 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The annual travel and allowances for Cook Islands Members of Parliament exceeded $650,000 in the last financial year, a significant increase of approximately 51 per cent from the previous year. Losirene Lacanivalu and Rashneel Kumar reports.
Tariffs and accountability needed to address water crisis, says TTV
Wednesday 21 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
Accountability for water usage and the implementation of tariffs are the only solutions to the ongoing water shortage in Rarotonga, says To Tatou Vai.
Cook Islands Public Service enhances job-sizing capabilities
Monday 19 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Local, National
The Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) held a three-day Job Evaluation Workshop last month to enhance the job-sizing capabilities of public sector employees.
Govt takes steps to protect public from online threats
Monday 19 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
In a bid to better protect Cook Islanders from online scams and threats, the Government, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), is drafting a Cyber Security Strategy that will inform the development of future cybersecurity legislation.
Cook Islands, NZ hold critical talks
Thursday 15 August 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier this week in Auckland where the two discussed a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues ahead of the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting to convene in Tonga at the end of August.
Cook Islands tops global travel charts as visitor numbers soar
Wednesday 14 August 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Cook Islands has been named one of the top travel destinations in the world as visitor arrivals continue to skyrocket towards a record year, climbing 4 per cent compared with the previous record-breaking year of 2019.
Record number of women to contest Island Govt Election
Tuesday 13 August 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
A record number of candidates, including at least 15 women, will contest for the mayoral and council seats across the Pa Enua at the upcoming Island Government Election on Thursday, August 15.
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
Saturday 10 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Unresolved matters related to the potential diversion of the road around the old Sheraton hotel in Vaimaanga are among the reasons no road work has started on the main road in front of the site.
‘Understaffed’ Police to receive timely training from NZ experts
Friday 9 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has met with the acting Police Commissioner Aka Matapo to discuss preparations on the new training initiatives in partnership with New Zealand Police.
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
Thursday 8 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
Cook Islands women have significantly outperformed global averages in business leadership roles, according to a new report, but gender parity remains elusive in higher political positions.
Superfund seeks feedback on pension benefits, contributions
Wednesday 7 August 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, Local, National
The Cook Islands National Superannuation Fund (CINSF) is consulting with the public to review its Act following two independent reviews that highlighted significant risks due to an imbalance of decision-making power, prompting the need for improved checks and balances.
Wheel woes ground Air New Zealand’s Rarotonga-Auckland flight
Tuesday 6 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
Air New Zealand’s flight from Rarotonga to Auckland was cancelled Tuesday afternoon due to a wheel defect.
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
Saturday 3 August 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Maritime Cook Islands (MCI) has denied allegations of being a haven for Russian-linked tankers, stating that the registry complies with international sanctions and that many of the vessels in question were previously registered with other major flag states.
Water petition faces Parliament test
Friday 2 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
The ‘Keep Our Water Free’ petition will be the first test under Parliament’s new Standing Orders, as previous petitions failed to progress beyond the tabling stage.
PM defends water tariffs as petition with 3407 signatures delivered to Parliament
Thursday 1 August 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
As a “Keep Our Water Free” petition with 3407 signatures was handed to the Clerk of Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Brown reiterated that “there is no way you can have water delivered to your house without some sort of cost involved”.
Thousands sign petition against incoming Rarotonga water tariffs
Wednesday 31 July 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Environment, Health, Local, National
The petition opposing the planned water tariffs in Rarotonga, which has garnered one of the highest numbers of signatures, will be handed to Parliament this morning.
Air NZ rebooks majority of affected customers
Wednesday 31 July 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
The “majority” of Air New Zealand customers affected by the failed landings at Rarotonga International Airport due to crosswinds earlier this week have been rebooked, the airline said yesterday.
