Economy
Prices soar on airfreight
Wednesday 1 July 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Household consumers are paying the prices for dramatically increased charges on airfreighted food and other goods.
Ships registry waives local fees in crisis
Tuesday 30 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Domestic ship owners will not to pay any registration fee for this year and 2021.
Cry for tourists' return: 'We need more oxygen'
Tuesday 30 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Calls to support growers with controls on imported fruit and veges, as Cook Islands Tourism funding is cut.
Economy to recover by 2023: Govt
Monday 29 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
It will take about three years for the Cook Islands economy to return to pre-Covid-19 levels, government economists predict.
Rarotonga guests keep Aitutaki tourism afloat
Friday 26 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Public servants are ‘spreading the love’ around the resort island’s restaurants and tours.
Turning on the taps
Thursday 25 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Authorities acknowledge they need to be as transparent as the water they plan to pipe into people’s homes in Rarotonga.
Cooks receive Covid-19 grant from Japan
Thursday 25 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
A grant of approximately $1.3m intended to assist the country for Covid-19 preparedness and the procurement of medical equipment for Rarotonga Hospital has been provided by the Embassy of Japan.
'There's no Plan B'
Monday 22 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Business leaders are concerned there’s no wage subsidy budgeted beyond September – all hopes are pinned on the return of Kiwi tourists.
Cook Islands and NZ leaders to talk travel
Monday 22 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
It’s crunch time for decisions on opening the border. Deputy prime ministers Mark Brown and Winston Peters are to meet online this week, as Cook Islands tries to win New Zealand’s assent to open the border.
Love, actually! Returning residents welcomed home at airport
Saturday 20 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy
The joyous return of 131 Cook Islanders and work permit holders yesterday was a far cry from the controlled distance of the three previous repatriation flights.
Cooks' economic hopes hang on tourists' return
Saturday 20 June 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
BUDGET 2020/21: The Government is to begin borrowing from the Asian Development Bank to pay for Covid-19 stimulus package.
Govt to borrow as cash runs out
Friday 19 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Finance Minister says Cook Islands needs Kiwi tourists back by September at latest to avoid further financial turmoil.
Resorts make staff redundant
Wednesday 17 June 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Muri-based resorts forced to make staff redundant after fallout from Covid-19 crisis continues with no end in sight.
Prime Minister Henry Puna to step down
Tuesday 16 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy
The Prime Minister has announced he will step down in September – an unprecedented resignation.
Covid-19 setback: Pop goes the bubble!
Tuesday 16 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
New Covid-19 cases in New Zealand are a setback to hopes Kiwi tourists could return next month.
Australia the real Covid threat
Monday 15 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Government concerns about Australians spreading Covid-19 through a Pacific bubble.
No need to rush' to reopen borders
Saturday 13 June 2020 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy
Amid loud calls for the Cook Islands-New Zealand border to be reopened to tourists, there are some who are urging greater caution.
Crisis Budget next week
Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Parliament will return on Monday to pass the Budget and other bills.
Helen Clark and Air NZ want Kiwis to spend July school holidays in Cooks
Friday 12 June 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Air New Zealand hopes to be flying tourists into Cook Islands "sooner rather than later" – and earlier than the August or September creation of a trans-Tasman bubble.
Jetstar up in the air
Thursday 11 June 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Budget airline Jetstar has started selling tickets to Rarotonga as early as next month.