Economy
Govt urged to honour rights of LGBTQ+ people
Friday 28 January 2022 | Written by Sian Solomon | Published in Economy, National
Efforts led by the Cook Islands LGBTQ+ advocacy groups to decriminalise homosexuality has received support from a regional group.
Cozzies ‘quietly’ mark Australia Day celebrations
Friday 28 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Although the crowd was not as big as last year’s event, a decent number of locals and visitors turned up to celebrate Australia Day at the Vaiana’s Bar & Bistro in Nikao on Wednesday night.
Govt approves ‘pandemic leave’
Friday 28 January 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Public servants are in line for pandemic leave as the Omicron variant, when it arrives here, could force many out of the workplace.
Niki Rattle appointed new Ombudsman
Friday 28 January 2022 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
Former Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament Niki Rattle is the country’s new Ombudsman.
Runway repairs project reaches halfway mark
Thursday 27 January 2022 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Thirty-two concrete slabs were replaced on the Rarotonga International Airport runway at a cost of $6.5 million.
Govt spends $55m on wage subsidies
Thursday 27 January 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
More than 50 per cent of Economic Response Plan expenditure totalling $55 million was spent on wage subsidies prior to the last border closure.
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.