Economy
New Covid cases in NZ affecting travel plans
Monday 15 February 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Government will decide Monday on whether to allow passengers on tomorrow’s flight to Rarotonga following new Covid-19 community cases in Auckland.
New Pasifika airline planning for June take-off
Friday 12 February 2021 | Written by Caleb Fotheringham | Published in Economy, National
The proposed Pasifika Air will not be a low-cost airline but cost efficient, says its multi-millionaire owner.
Figures show Covid-19 hitting economy harder than expected
Friday 12 February 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
Border closures in place to keep Covid-19 out of the country are taking a worse toll on the economy than forecasted, according to government’s latest figures.
Million-dollar conversation
Wednesday 10 February 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islander Mike Pero will be the guest speaker at the Tourism Industry Council general meeting Thursday at Edgewater Resort and Spa.
Guardians of Cook Islands culture
Monday 1 February 2021 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Culture, Economy, National
Tauranga Vananga Ministry of Cultural Development will work with Cook Islands Tourism this year to offer Cook Islands Maori cultural training to local tour guides.
Supervised quarantine, no problem
Saturday 30 January 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy, National
Fifty-four passengers arrived back on Rarotonga from Auckland yesterday and were transported straight to supervised quarantine at the Edgewater Resort, including the new Secretary of Health.
Plans to export frozen goods
Friday 29 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The Agriculture ministry is in communication with the Ministry of Primary Industries in New Zealand to confirm the requirements for importing frozen foods to NZ.
Cook Islands criticised for seeking aid
Friday 29 January 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy, National
Two Kiwi journalists have taken a swipe at the Government’s Covid-19 Economic Response Plan in particular the wage subsidy, saying it is New Zealand taxpayers that are ‘forking out’.
Gutted businesses cautious over travel bubble
Thursday 28 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
With Covid-19 once again in the community in New Zealand, local business owners and workers are conflicted over whether the time is right to relax borders further and pursue two-way quarantine-free travel with New Zealand.
Local airline first in the Cook Islands to sign up for new initiative
Wednesday 27 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Helping other local businesses while also helping themselves, Air Rarotonga has become the first Cook Islands Business Advisory Service Provider (BASP) to be registered and approved on the Business Link Pacific (BLP) online portal.
Support for farmers priority for Agriculture Ministry
Monday 25 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Ministry of Agriculture says they are in a good position to continue to actively support farmers this year in a number of areas.
Passengers told to wear masks
Saturday 23 January 2021 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy, National
As 41 people arrived back on Rarotonga on Friday, another 125 Cook Islanders head back to New Zealand this afternoon.
Luxury cruise ship promotes Cooks trip
Friday 22 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
Paul Gauguin Cruises are advertising Cook Islands as one of the destinations in its 2021 itinerary, but there's no imminent change to the temporary ban on cruise ships, officials say.
Government grants provide ‘lifeline’ for businesses suffering from Covid-19
Thursday 21 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National
The latest government cash grants are seen as vital for long-suffering businesses waiting for a travel bubble to be formed with New Zealand in the first quarter of 2021, but any delay in two-way travel would likely force government to ask Parliament for more cash.
Opposition party seeks clarification on seabed minerals licensing issues
Tuesday 19 January 2021 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Opposition has raised concerns regarding the membership of the proposed seabed minerals licensing panel stating that it would be a clear conflict of interest to appoint anyone who is involved in or associated with any commercial deep-sea mining activities.
Prospects for seabed exploration move forward in Cooks
Saturday 16 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
As the government's exploration application process moves forward, a local environmental NGO is recommending only a “very small area” be given out at first for seabed mining exploration in order to determine potential impacts.
Quarantine-free travel for Cooks travellers "a move in the right direction"
Friday 15 January 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Local tourism industry stakeholders are hoping news of a two-way travel bubble is “not too far away” following Thursdays announcement of quarantine free travel into New Zealand for Cook Islanders and valid visa holders.
Feedback on seabed mineral regulations extended
Wednesday 13 January 2021 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
The opportunity to submit feedback on the draft seabed mineral mining regulations has been extended for another month.
Thirty-four businesses expected to re-enter wage subsidy scheme
Monday 11 January 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Government is expected to spend about $14 million in wage subsidy in 2021, following a number of rule changes that have resulted in 34 businesses becoming re-eligible to collect the benefit.
No extra subsidy for barge operator
Thursday 7 January 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, Local, National
Following protests by a rival shipping company, government will not be paying a contentious subsidy to Cook Islands General Transport to assist with its recent acquisition of a barge.
