Economy
CookSafe tag-ins increase
Thursday 27 January 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
CookSafe averaged more than 19,000 “unique” tag-ins a week for the month of December, says the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Praise for Cooks’ Covid strategy
Wednesday 26 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
Germany’s ambassador to the Cook Islands Stefan Krawielicki has praised the government for keeping Covid-19 out of the country while enjoying his first unofficial visit this week.
Unvaxed and unwelcomed
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Since the reopening of the borders on January 13 and implementation of new rules and regulations, some Rarotonga businesses and workplaces have come down hard on those who are unvaccinated against Covid-19.
Maritime police upskill with officers obtaining Boat Masters certification
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Three Cook Islands police officers have made the grade in achieving their Boat Masters certification.
Fundraiser to help tsunami-hit Tonga
Friday 21 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
A radiothon will be held today in Rarotonga to support tsunami-hit Tonga amid water and food shortage.
Australian High Commissioner returns to Raro
Thursday 20 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
Australian High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Dr Christopher Watkins and his partner Dr Penelope Witt have returned to Rarotonga after three months.
‘Leave my mangoes alone’
Wednesday 19 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
Some local residents have taken exception to random strangers picking their fruit and flowers, saying it doesn’t hurt to ask before helping yourself to other people’s property.
Second overseas bank reduces interest rates
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Two of the three main home mortgage lenders have taken steps to ease financial burden, but questions remain as to when the third - a government owned institution - will take advice from the Economic Recovery Roadmap (ERR) and also lower interest rates.
New Chinese ambassador promotes ‘mutual affinity and understanding’
Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
China’s new ambassador to the Cook Islands arrived in Wellington, New Zealand this month.
Chins up as locals and visitors mix again
Saturday 15 January 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga was quietly optimistic and cautious on its first full day of the border reopening on Thursday.
German ambassador visits the Cook Islands
Friday 14 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
Germany’s Ambassador to the Cook Islands Stefan Krawielicki will visit Rarotonga for the first time this week following yesterday’s border reopening.
Cautious pineapple sellers take break following border reopening
Friday 14 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Expressing caution with the reopening of the borders yesterday, John and Anne Maoate – Rarotonga’s well-known pineapple farmers – will be taking a break from selling their popular pineapples and fresh produce from the road side in Avatiu.
Rarotonga ‘masking up’ for border reopening
Thursday 13 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
After five months of a quiet and deserted arrival terminal at the Rarotonga international airport, this afternoon the borders will reopen and the first plane full of passengers will troop in from Auckland, New Zealand – since August 16, 2021.
Airport boss to stay on as replacement arrives for ‘transition period’
Wednesday 12 January 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Long-serving Rarotonga International Airport Authority chief executive Joseph Ngamata has had his contract extended until March to allow a newly appointed CEO time to transition.
‘We are ready, prepared and protected’
Tuesday 11 January 2022 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
There is a lot of information being pushed out right now in the lead-up to our border opening this week on Thursday, January 13, so I thought I would take this opportunity to give you all another update, writes Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Church agrees to allow unvaxed members to attend Sunday services
Tuesday 11 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Unvaccinated members of the Avarua CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church) are overjoyed at the decision of its committee to allow them to continue to attend church services when the country’s border reopens this Thursday.
No immediate fix for local labour shortage
Monday 10 January 2022 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, National
A growing number of expat workers taking up jobs in New Zealand is deepening the local labour shortage crisis, forcing at least one business to close up shop days before the Cook Islands border reopens to Kiwi holidaymakers.
2021 – between gloom and a sliver of hope
Saturday 8 January 2022 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
2021 picked up from where 2020 left – Covid-19 was once again the story of the year but a promising one with vaccines and booster shots providing some hope that “normal” may not be too far away.
Mandatory testing could derail tourist holidays
Friday 7 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Island government’s requirement for mandatory Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for tourists when it fully opens the borders to the outer islands will turn holidaymakers away from the Pa Enua and possibly the Cook Islands, according to industry groups.
Locals living overseas share Covid concerns
Thursday 6 January 2022 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islanders residing overseas are continuing to face frustrating and unsettling times as Covid-19 continues to progress, with the number of the highly transmissible Omicron variant continuing to climb.
