Economy
Foreign banks' behaviour is 'unacceptable'
Thursday 26 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government threatens to legislate to force banks to give debt relief to those struggling to make repayments in economic downturn.
Cargo vessels 'remain on schedule'
Wednesday 25 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Freight shipping schedules for the Cook Islands in the coming month will not be affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Amnesty for illegal workers in crisis
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Foreigners who have been residing in the Cook Islands and are not on any legal work permit will be part of the registration process to benefit from the unemployment funding.
'Close the borders'
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Opposition Leader offers her support to build cross-party support in Covid-19 response.
Stores tighten coronavirus controls
Tuesday 24 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Leading food outlets on Rarotonga have started putting in measures to restrict the spread of the coronavirus.
Turama lays off up to 60
Monday 23 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Prime Minister Henry Puna imposes supervised quarantine and sends home Pa Enua school children, as one of Cook Island’s most respected international tourism companies announces it’s shutting down.
The last, momentous tourist weddings in Cook Islands
Monday 23 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
They may be the last tourist weddings in the Cook Islands for some time. Jonathan Milne meets three couples for whom love conquers all – even coronavirus and travel bans.
Authority is to hold big banks to account
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The Financial Supervisory Commission says they will ensure banks honour the commitment they have made to deliver government’s economic response package.
Famed resorts to close
Saturday 21 March 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
More than 200 jobs set to go as The Rarotongan, Sanctuary Rarotonga and Aitutaki Lagoon Private Resort shut down, the first big victims of the coronavirus.
Government solicits banks' agreement to loan holidays
Friday 20 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
ANZ holds out on government’s plea for three-month debt repayment holidays for struggling Cook Islanders.
The $61m prescription: Cook Islands govt answer to Covid-19
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
As New Zealand shuts downs its borders, Cook Islands government announces a rescue package to prop up struggling businesses and keep people in work.
Free power to the people
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Power company Te Aponga Uira is providing free electricity to domestic consumers as they face “difficult times ahead” in the Covid-19 pandemic.
First Virgin, now Jetstar abandons Cook Islands
Thursday 19 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Jetstar has cancelled all its flights to and from Rarotonga, effective from next Tuesday.
Tourism down, petrol up
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Petrol prices are to rise on Friday, angering customers already facing an economic downturn caused by Covid-19.
Vodafone: We are in this together
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Philip Henderson, Vodafone CEO advised the tourism industry that all businesses were in this together.
Go digital, say banks
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Banks say Cook Islanders and their companies will be forced to use electronic payments instead of face-to-face transactions, if Covid-19 arrives.
Tourism leader: 'We're almost in freefall'
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
A snapshot of 42 accommodation businesses shows they’ve had more than 170 cancellations between them – and that is expected to worsen now New Zealand is advising against non-essential travel.
'Coming out fitter, stronger, brighter'
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
One of Cook Islands’ leading resort owners says the country’s tourism is now closed for business. This is now the chance for bold ideas.
Government plan to 'protect livelihoods'
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Covid-19 is the greatest health and economic challenge of our times, government says. Today they announce the economic rescue package.
Tourism: We need government rescue package and we need it now
Wednesday 18 March 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Nearly 200 people attended a major tourism meeting this morning, where they pleaded for government to move more quickly on assistance for the business community in confronting a major visitor downturn.
