Economy
Trans-tasman bubble suspension a blessing in disguise for the Cooks
Friday 23 July 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
New Zealand's decision to suspend quarantine-free travel with Australia will not only provide Cook Islands protection from the highly contagious Covid-19 variant but could also result in an influx of Kiwi tourists travelling into the country.
Public assets worth $403 million
Tuesday 20 July 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Government’s building portfolio and state-owned enterprises are expected to grow in value to $650 million over the next four years from the current worth of $403 million.
Fish shortage ‘worst it’s ever been’
Tuesday 20 July 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Fishing boats are coming back mostly empty, some of the people affected say it’s normal while others say it’s the worst it’s ever been.
Quarantine and Covid-19 free attract Kiwi tourists
Monday 19 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Kiwi tourists are embracing quarantine and Covid-19 free travel with the Cook Islands, early indicators show.
Visitor numbers exceed initial predictions
Friday 16 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Tourism figures have received another boost as the industry regains momentum with the arrival of Kiwi holidaymakers in growing numbers. Al Williams reports.
$13m boost from June arrivals
Friday 16 July 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Tourism recovery gained momentum last month with a further uptick in arrival numbers as Kiwi holidaymakers land in Rarotonga to escape the New Zealand winter.
$50m airport master plan in the works
Thursday 15 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
A long-awaited master plan for Rarotonga International Airport is gradually being rolled out as tourists return to the island.
Immigration approves revised policies to ease labour shortage
Tuesday 13 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration rolled out changes to its immigration policies on Monday and backdated them to July 1, in a bid to ease labour skills shortages in the Cook Islands.
Increased demand for Rarotonga sees more flights added
Friday 9 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Air New Zealand has added additional capacity to its Rarotonga flights which has been welcomed by the tourism sector.
Calls to loosen barriers on expat workers
Friday 9 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The country has lost about 2000 workers as a result of the pandemic and chief government economist estimates it would take two to three years to regrow the workforce to pre Covid-19 levels.
Businesses face mounting challenges
Wednesday 7 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Local businesses continue to face a cash crunch and an increase in national superannuation contribution rates this month is expected to add further cash-flow pressure.
Tourism operators record ‘excellent’ bookings at expo
Tuesday 6 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
More than 3500 people have attended a trade expo in Auckland aimed at promoting Cook Islands tourism.
Cooks tourism authorities still confident with arrival estimates
Thursday 1 July 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Visitor number estimates to the Cook Islands remain in line with projections made a month ago, tourism authorities say.
Aitutaki eggs cracking the Cook Islands market
Wednesday 30 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
Atai farms in Aitutaki has reignited its free range egg farm and is selling to Rarotonga cafes.
No waiver or discounts on landing fee, says PM
Monday 28 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands does not offer waivers or discounts on landing fee for travel out of New Zealand, says Prime Minister Mark Brown, after businessman Mike Pero pulled the plug on Pasifika Air due to ‘lack of government support’.
$300m ‘Budget of Revival’ approved by Parliament
Saturday 26 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The Appropriation Bill (Budget) is now waiting to become law after passing its third reading in Parliament on Thursday night.
Economic recovery receives ADB support
Friday 25 June 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
A two-week in-country Asian Development Bank mission to strengthen the economic recover from Covid-19 concluded this month.
Bubble brings nearly 1500 tourists in first two weeks
Tuesday 22 June 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Tourism, the nation’s leading economic contributor, got off to a humble start last month with 1486 visitors, which on a daily basis breaks down to just under a quarter of arrival figures seen during May 2019 – the last non-pandemic year.
Government on quest to reduce interest rates
Saturday 19 June 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
A pillar of the Government’s Covid-19 economic recovery plan is to reduce interest rates that have long been a burden to households and businesses. Will the banks be willing to be part of the solution?
Opposition reacts to $150m ‘crash’ as Pero cancels airline
Saturday 19 June 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
Businessman Mike Pero said his airline could have contributed millions to the economy, but in the end a lack of support from the government contributed to his decision to cancel the project.
