Economy
Businesses brace as the nation adapts to Level 2
Wednesday 18 August 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, National
News of Alert Level 4 lockdown in New Zealand sent a ripple effect through Rarotonga businesses - who are just beginning to get back on their feet. Once again they have to adjust and make changes.
Recovery on ‘relatively firm ground’, ANZ economist says
Tuesday 17 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Strong visitor arrival numbers posted since May’s ‘bubble’ opening with New Zealand along with little choice in destinations for Kiwi travellers is putting the Cook Islands on a path towards economic recovery, ANZ bank economists say.
Economist optimistic for recovery from Covid-19
Monday 16 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Higher than expected visitor numbers since the opening of the border with New Zealand have a government economist optimistic for recovery from the Covid-19 economic downturn.
Government unveils $685 million infrastructure plan
Saturday 14 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
More than 100 infrastructure projects with a combined value of $685 million have been tabled in the nation’s updated National Infrastructure Investment Plan.
PM to launch infrastructure investments strategy
Thursday 12 August 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Government to provide details of its revised National Infrastructure Investment Plan (NIIP) – a guide to the country’s infrastructure investments over the next 10 to 15 years.
Ministry tracking taro and fresh food items at airport
Wednesday 11 August 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
For the first time, the Ministry of Agriculture has begun weighing fresh and cooked food items that are accompanying passengers flying to New Zealand.
Visitor projections surge for October
Wednesday 11 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Tourism figures have received an “unprecedented” boost with projected visitor numbers climbing for New Zealand school holidays.
Focus must remain on economic recovery, says Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday 11 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
A private sector leader says efforts towards diversifying the economy should take a back seat to helping the tourism-led economy recover from the downturn caused by Covid-19.
Survey to quantify labour shortage
Tuesday 10 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands labour shortages are an ongoing concern as authorities struggle to quantify how many workers are needed as the country experiences a boom in tourism .
Don’t divert focus on economic diversification, businessman says
Tuesday 10 August 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Tourism may have resumed its role in providing government the bulk of its revenues, but a local businessman says efforts to diversify the economy must not fall by the wayside.
Over $267,000 spent on unemployment benefit
Monday 9 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Government reveals spending just over a quarter of a million dollars on unemployment benefit as local businesses grapple with labour shortage following the opening of the travel bubble with New Zealand.
Trade Day provides platform for new businesses
Thursday 5 August 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, Local, National
The annual BCI Trade Days got off to a perfect start on Tuesday and will continue today, giving stallholders, market vendors, and entrepreneurs a platform to sell their products and grow their names.
New $3 note is ‘cleaner, greener and more durable’
Thursday 5 August 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
People wanting to get hold of the new Cook Islands $3 note could exchange money for it at the BTIB Trade Days.
Government spends $12.9m on debt repayment holiday
Thursday 5 August 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The interest repayment holiday cost the country $12.9 million, over $1 million less than the initial $14.2 million estimated cost of the initiative under Government’s Economic Response Package.
Jetstar delays Rarotonga service to March 2022
Tuesday 3 August 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Budget airline Jetstar has cancelled Rarotonga flights through to the end of March, 2022, but has provided customers a range of options including a credit voucher or a full refund.
Climate change affecting Cooks’ tuna population
Saturday 31 July 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, National, Weather
Recent studies say climate change is driving tuna further to the east, threatening the economic security of several small island states including the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands economy ‘looking good’
Saturday 31 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is in a strong economic position on the back of New Zealand’s continuing Covid-19 recovery, but there is still risk, a visiting senior economist says.
Kiwis eyed to fill labour gaps
Friday 30 July 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands businesses are looking to New Zealand to fill labour gaps but it’s not without challenges, reports Caleb Fotheringham.
Government sounds the alarm on employee poaching
Wednesday 28 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
A warning bell has sounded for Cook Islands businesses and employees amid changing immigration policies and labour shortages.
Seabed mining workshop focus on environmental management
Friday 23 July 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, Environment, National
An announcement on expected timeframes on the decision-making process on four exploration licence applications by companies that have expressed interest in the nation’s deep sea mineral resources will be made within the coming weeks.
