Economy
Public sector 'to do more with less'
Thursday 30 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government is promising a bigger stimulus in the next stage of the Covid-19 economic recovery plan. Finance Minister Mark Brown said he would double that to about $76 million when Parliament meets in June.
No new government vehicles: 'If it works, we will keep using it'
Thursday 30 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
With the screech of a siren, the newest addition to Rarotonga’s ambulance fleet was welcomed into the family yesterday.
Praying for sunshine and tourists
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Growers are replanting their summer crops in the hope of drier weather – and the return of the tourists.
Covid-19 turns Budget plans 'on their head'
Tuesday 28 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Some government agencies will have to tighten their belts in order to pay for $76 million in Covid-19 economic stimulus and health responses.
Complaints of misuse of pay subsidy
Friday 24 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Complaints of resorts using workers as free labour prompts warning of enforcement action if anyone rips off wage subsidy.
Ports follow Covid-19 boundaries
Wednesday 22 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Local workers dealing with the incoming cargo vessels are in zero physical contact with the visiting crew, confirmed the Ministry of Transport.
Business survey spells economic disaster
Wednesday 22 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Cook Islands business owners are facing the reality that they may not survive the financial fallout caused by the Covid-19 crisis.
Customs sends home 55% of its officers
Tuesday 21 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Customs Service sends home 55 per cent of its officers despite government commitment to protecting public servants’ jobs.
Business sector pleads for austerity
Monday 20 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
The public sector must make the same cuts that are being forced on private companies, says tourism, transport and retail leaders.
Govt looks to bail out the airport
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government will consider additional support to the Airport Authority to ensure it survives and avert the threat of 50 per cent pay cuts.
Concrete plans for airport in Covid-19 crisis
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Rarotonga airport will come back to life with work to replace 58 cracked slabs on runway and negotiations to acquire land to extend the runway.
Bars ready to go back to business
Saturday 18 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
With government relaxing some restrictions due to zero coronavirus cases, local nightclub and bars hope to return to business soon.
Plans to halve pay at airport
Friday 17 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The government’s airport workers face a massive pay cut.
Economist: 'The earth breathes again'
Thursday 16 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Families are building blocks of recovery, but they’re ‘not how they used to be’.
$250m required in stimulus, says ANZ
Tuesday 14 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government has a maximum additional headroom of about $65 million of debt, prompting warning.
Glimmers of hope for tourism industry
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
As Covid-19 halts all international travel until further notice, a Tahitian passenger-cargo ship company is offering a positive future forecast for devastated global tourism industry.
Renters' market: Landlords forced to cut asking prices
Saturday 11 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
The notoriously expensive Cook Islands home rentals market has been turned on its head, as workers and tourists leave.
924 workers get wage subsidy
Thursday 9 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government has processed $1.7 million from its Covid-19 economic response package to businesses and workers.
Tourism hopes pinned on staying clear of Covid-19
Thursday 9 April 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Business community sees ‘glimmer of hope’ despite chilling bank forecast.
Air NZ is to continue one last weekly flight.
Tuesday 7 April 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Air New Zealand has now cut back its Auckland-Rarotonga flights to just one a week – but the governments of both countries expect the airline to maintain that last connection.
