Economy
Additional business support announced
Tuesday 14 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government has announced additional financial support for businesses affected by the ongoing border closure.
Cook Islands will only accept vaccinated tourists when travel bubble resumes
Monday 13 September 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
All future tourists to the Cook Islands aged 12 years and older need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, says Cook Islands government.
Superfund decreases rates again
Friday 10 September 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
The national superfund has decreased contribution rates, putting more money in the pockets of employees and employers during the ongoing economic downturn caused by New Zealand’s Covid-19 outbreak.
CIIC shares their outer islands plan
Thursday 9 September 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
A lunch event put on for the Pa Enua mayors and executive officers by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) last week was a resounding success.
Taskforce to provide travel bubble update on Monday
Thursday 9 September 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, Local, National
An update on quarantine free travel will likely come Monday, says Border Easement Taskforce.
Noni growers positive despite setbacks
Tuesday 7 September 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Noni growers remain positive despite Covid-19 and disrupted shipping routes placing pressure on their market.
Alert level drop in NZ reignites travel bubble hope
Tuesday 7 September 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands should consider reopening its border to Kiwi tourists when New Zealand’s alert level drops to two, says a leading Pacific health expert.
Private sector renews push for long-term visitor stays
Tuesday 31 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
The current border closure has business leaders once again calling on Government to consider longer term visitor stays to cushion the industry during downturns and reduce the stress on Rarotonga’s infrastructure.
Tourism council braces for challenging months ahead
Monday 30 August 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
After retaining the presidency of the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council, Liana Scott is ready for another challenging year as the industry hits the speed bump to its ‘Road to Recovery’.
As assistance rolls in, business community ponders what it will take to get by
Saturday 28 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, Features
After the travel bubble commenced in May, Kiwi visitors began visiting in numbers that exceeded estimates. That has come to an end with NZ’s Covid-19 outbreak, and once again the industry is facing uncertainty even as government support kicks in.
‘There’s always something else you can do’
Saturday 28 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Father of three Corey Fisher is facing struggles head on as he’s thinking outside the box to beat the pandemic.
Wage subsidy, sole trader grants reinstated
Saturday 28 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Government will be spending an estimated $6 million over the coming month to prop up wages and support sole traders following the pause to the economic recovery due to the Delta community outbreak in New Zealand.
Banks pledge to work with clients affected by border closure
Friday 27 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
At least two of the major banks operating in the Cook Islands have pledged to continue working with customers facing financial difficulties from the recent border closure with New Zealand.
New Zealand provides $2m funding for private sector
Thursday 26 August 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
New Zealand is providing a further $2 million in funding to support the recovery of the private sector in the Cook Islands, in partnership with Business Link Pacific (BLP) and the Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Tourism ‘adapting’ to border closure
Thursday 26 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Tourism operators are ‘adapting’ to a developing Covid-19 situation in New Zealand which has contributed to the postponement of the widely anticipated Cook Islands Consumer and Trade Expo in Christchurch.
Support on the way as businesses plan for months without visitors
Wednesday 25 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government is preparing to deploy millions in financial assistance as private sector leaders are predicting months of zero visitors.
Government working with Reserve Bank to explore closer ties
Monday 23 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Government is deepening its ties with NZ’s Reserve Bank to explore how the banking sector can be brought under the jurisdiction of New Zealand.
‘We are ready’
Friday 20 August 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health reassures people they are ready to handle a Covid-19 outbreak after a New Zealand-based medical expert said the country would not be able to handle the virus.
Millions available for business Covid-19 support on standby
Thursday 19 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Island businesses will need financial support in ‘three to four weeks’ given the developing Covid-19 situation in New Zealand.
Tourism industry preparing for ‘massive impact’
Wednesday 18 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Suspension of incoming flights from New Zealand will have a “massive impact” on tourism, authorities say.
