Economy
Rarotonga International Airport achieves Carbon Accreditation
Wednesday 12 June 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Rarotonga International Airport was recognised for achieving Airport Carbon Accreditation (Level 1) at the Airport Council International Asia Pacific and Middle East Conference which was held from May 21– 23 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cook Islands pushes for climate-resistant crops research
Monday 10 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Secretary for Agriculture Temarama Anguna-Kamana presented a regional research agenda at the recent 9th Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services (PHOAFS) meeting focusing on identifying and promoting crops that are climate resistant.
Cook Islands and Honolulu sign sister city agreement, eyeing tourism boost
Saturday 8 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional, Tourism
Prime Minister Mark Brown yesterday signed an agreement to establish a ‘sister-city relationship’ between Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and Honolulu, Hawaii, in the hope of building a stronger partnership and growth in inbound visitor numbers from Honolulu and the United States.
Flying high on public funds: Audit report recommends economy class for CIIC travel
Thursday 6 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Editor's Pick, National
All travel by Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) employees and board members should be economy class, an audit report has recommended after finding past overseas trips involved business class and premier economy travels.
Direct flights from Honolulu show ‘steady improvements’
Thursday 30 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
Cook Islands celebrated the first anniversary of their direct flights from Honolulu, hoping to attract more North American tourists despite a slow start.
Voltage ‘increase’ sparks concerns, residents report appliance damage
Wednesday 29 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National
The Rarotonga electricity provider is under fire for allegedly supplying higher voltage after a power station upgrade, with some residents and businesses reporting damaged appliances.
Cook Islands hosts successful PASAI Congress, adopts 10-year strategy
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands Audit believes the new Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) Strategy for 2024 -2034 that was adopted in Rarotonga last week is aligned well with their strategic intent.
PM Brown champions Cook Islands concerns
Tuesday 28 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is standing firm with its family of over 35 Small Islands Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda at the Fourth International Conference on SIDS, charting a course towards resilient prosperity.
NZ commits $20m to Cook Islands budget, $10.5m for public service
Monday 27 May 2024 | Written by CI News Staff | Published in Economy, National, New Zealand, Regional
Cook Islands has secured $20 million in Core Sector Budget Support and an additional $10.5 million for continued public sector strengthening during the 8th Cook Islands-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Forum last week.
Atiu girl’s dreams take flight with educational support from TAKA
Saturday 25 May 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands
Recognising the pivotal role of technology in shaping the modern-day learning landscape, the Tamariki Api’i Kūki ʻĀirani – TAKA Educational Trust – has stepped in offering an Atiu student access to a wealth of educational resources.
‘Talanoa’ key to Forum’s seabed mining approach
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
A talanoa session expected to be held later this year would see Pacific Island Forum leaders coming together in a collective position on seabed mining.
Cook Islands establishes diplomatic ties with Ecuador
Friday 24 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands and Republic of Ecuador formalised diplomatic relations this week, marking the South American country as the 66th diplomatic partner of the Cook Islands.
Cook Islands Tourism defends emergency procedures after tourist death
Thursday 23 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Appropriate emergency procedures were followed during a medical event which resulted in the death of a New Zealand tourist on Tuesday afternoon, says Cook Islands Tourism.
Audit report reveals CIIC overspent budget by $2.7m
Wednesday 22 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) overspent their budgeted appropriation from Parliament by more than $2.7 million over the past five years.
Cook Islands showcases wealth management expertise at US investment summit
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands financial services industry recently featured at the prestigious America Outbound Investment Summit, held on May 7 in Los Angeles and May 9 in San Francisco.
Quality audits crucial for public trust, says former NZ PM Clark
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
The 25th Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) Congress highlighted the importance of independent audit reports for public trust and good governance in the Pacific.
Cook Islands tourism booms, early arrivals smash record
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Tourism
Visitor arrivals are trending towards a record this year, with the highest total in the first four months of 2024. However, Cook Islands Tourism says they will still fall short of the 2019 record.
PM Brown acknowledges shortcomings in government accountability
Tuesday 21 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National
As a small island developing state, Cook Islands’ aspirations fall short of its capacity to make government agencies fully accountable for their expenditures, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Cook Islands open to airlines, eyes North American expansion
Monday 20 May 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Economy, National, Parliament, Tourism
Cook Islands welcomes any airline interested in flying to the country, especially those that can expand the country’s reach to North America and Europe, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Doubling GDP needed for NZ-level minimum wage: PM Brown
Thursday 16 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands can only afford a minimum wage similar to New Zealand’s if it more than doubles its gross domestic product to $1.2-$1.5 billion, according to Prime Minister Mark Brown.
