Economy
Cafes cautiously prepare for visitors
Wednesday 5 May 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga and its many cafes scattered over the island have been catering to only their local market for over a year now. They are now preparing to serve Kiwi visitors who will be arriving here in little less than two weeks.
Bookings explode with bubble date
Tuesday 4 May 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Thousands of flight bookings have followed Sunday’s announcement of a Cooks-NZ travel bubble start date. Tourism industry stakeholders say they are ready to accommodate the incoming tide of sun-hungry kiwis.
Warm welcome awaits visitors, resort owner says
Tuesday 4 May 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
A leading resort group welcomes the re-opening of the New Zealand – Cook Islands borders for safe, two-way, quarantine free travel from May 16.
Air NZ announces Raro flights, Jetstar on hold
Monday 3 May 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Local tourism industry is expecting a gradual growth in visitor numbers when two-way quarantine free travel between the Cook Islands and New Zealand commences on May 16.
Cultural workshop for tour guides hailed a success
Monday 3 May 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Tauranga Vananga - the Ministry of Cultural Development, and the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation joined forces last week to run their first cultural tour guide workshop.
Tax law change impacts offshore sector
Friday 30 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
A law that is beginning to take effect aims to preserve the country’s reputation in the offshore financial services sector, however it remains to be seen if it will stall efforts to grow the industry.
Raro-Auckland-Perth trip breaches bubble
Friday 30 April 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
A traveller from the Cook Islands has breached the trans-Tasman travel bubble by flying to Perth from Auckland on Thursday without spending two weeks in New Zealand as required.
Taro heads to a hungry NZ market
Tuesday 27 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Following a successful first run, Aitutaki growers are preparing a second shipment of taro for export to New Zealand.
PM ‘assures’ New Zealand bubble date is joint decision
Wednesday 21 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Prime Minister Mark Brown’s expedited plan to welcome Kiwi visitors into the country from May 1 looks unlikely.
Foreign interest for local properties
Tuesday 20 April 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy
The future of real estate in the Cook Islands is looking to be more promising than ever, with overseas investors showing a high interest especially in the light of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Lack of details on $20m in financial aid ‘unacceptable’
Saturday 17 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy
As the wait for a travel bubble continues, the Democratic Party has voiced its frustration with PM Mark Brown’s Government for withholding information on vital NZ financial assistance that’s targeted to plug a widening budget gap.
MOU seeks to define roles between government agencies
Thursday 15 April 2021 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The misunderstanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB), instigated the process towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies.
Changes to flight schedule made to facilitate runway repairs
Thursday 15 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Air New Zealand’s new flight schedule to Rarotonga has come into effect this week, allowing runway repair work at Rarotonga International Airport to pick up after earlier delays.
Mike Pero parks Pasifika Air. For now
Wednesday 14 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Continued uncertainty over quarantine-free travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands has forced businessman Mike Pero to halt plans for his airline, Pasifika Air.
Covid economic package extended
Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Government has extended the wage subsidy and other grants until the end of June, bringing some relief to businesses and workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minimum wage unchanged after review
Friday 9 April 2021 | Written by Alana Musselle | Published in Economy, National
The minimum wage in the Cook Islands will remain at $8 per hour for the year 2021-2022.
Trans-Tasman bubble brings hope to local tourism industry
Wednesday 7 April 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
New Zealand has announced a two-way, quarantine free travel with Australia ahead of the Cook Islands in a bid to revive their tourism sector, giving some hope to the struggling local industry.
Govt to amend travel advisory to accommodate Kiwi visitors
Tuesday 6 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy
The required changes to border restrictions that will enable Kiwi travelers to visit the Cook Islands will be made imminently the PM says, but it remains to be seen if a kick-start to the travel industry after a year of turmoil will require more than a little paperwork.
Muri market plans reopening
Tuesday 6 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy
Tourism’s collapse last year led to the inevitable closure of the once thriving Muri Night Market, and now its owners are looking to reopen this month for one night a week, or fortnight.
United effort must continue towards travel bubble, says PM
Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy
“There’s no sitting back for anyone. We are focused and united in our determination to ensure the safe and full resumption of quarantine-free travel and we look forward to being ready to welcome New Zealand visitors from 1 May,” says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
