Articles by Emmanuel Samoglou

Liloa II brings much needed freight

Monday 12 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in

The arrival of a cargo vessel over the weekend is set to bring

Government recruiting auditors

Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Local, National

The government is on the lookout for two new auditors to play a part in ensuring public finances are managed according to laws and regulations.

Covid-19 tracing app ready by end of April, Chamber of Commerce says

Saturday 10 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, National

While Prime Minister Mark Brown’s government says the Cook Islands will be “open for business” by May 1, the Chamber of Commerce says the long awaited and required contact tracing app will be ready for download well before then.

Govt to amend travel advisory to accommodate Kiwi visitors

Tuesday 6 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy

The required changes to border restrictions that will enable Kiwi travelers to visit the Cook Islands will be made imminently the PM says, but it remains to be seen if a kick-start to the travel industry after a year of turmoil will require more than a little paperwork.

2020 unusual season for whale researchers

Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National

Despite challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cook Islands Whale Research is describing 2020 as an intriguing but ultimately successful year for furthering our understanding of earth’s largest mammals.

Dengue suspected in Aitutaki

Saturday 3 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Health, Outer Islands

Cases of the virus are now suspected in two outer islands while an outbreak continues to grow on Rarotonga.

Government aims for marine resources sustainability with modern approach

Thursday 1 April 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National

Government says it has no intention to legislate Ra’ui to manage the country’s reef and lagoons, opting instead to introduce contemporary approaches that aim to address perceived over-harvesting of resources.

Businesses look to government for extension of support

Wednesday 31 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National

The private sector is waiting to see if a recently announced cash boost for the Cook Islands will be accompanied with an announcement to extend the Covid-19 economic response plan.

Cooks open for business from May 1: PM tells NZ

Tuesday 30 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National

The month of May is the broad target Prime Minister Mark Brown and NZ counterpart Jacinda Ardern have agreed to set for welcoming Kiwi visitors, but the Cooks PM says the country will be ready to roll out the welcome mat precisely on the 1st of that month.

One year inside the Cook Islands Covid-free bubble

Sunday 28 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Features, Weekend

Curiosity, fear, uncertainty, hardship, perseverance, isolation, hope, strength of community – Cook Islands News looks back at 12 months of Covid-19.

Tourism industry furious over bubble delay

Friday 26 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National

Local tourism stakeholders were left frustrated with yesterday’s May bubble announcement by Prime Minister Mark Brown and NZ counterpart Jacinda Ardern.

BREAKING: Travel bubble with NZ pushed to May

Thursday 25 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National

Officials are now looking at a travel bubble to be established in May that would allow visitors from NZ to visit the Cook Islands without the need to quarantine.

Suspected dengue in Mauke, outbreak continues in Raro

Thursday 25 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Outer Islands

A suspected case in the Pa Enua and ongoing cases in Rarotonga indicate the dengue outbreak is showing no signs of abating.

Govt briefs tourism industry on Covid-19

Wednesday 24 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, National

Tourism industry stakeholders were given a rundown of government’s preparedness for two-way, quarantine-free travel with New Zealand yesterday, however officials didn’t provide the most coveted piece of information – a date for when they can expect to welcome visitors.

Fatal trap for eagle rays

Tuesday 23 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, National

Two eagle rays are believed to be the latest victims of the use of gill nets, which have been known to fatally trap marine life, including endangered turtles.

KATA: New Speaker of Parliament

Monday 22 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Kata, Opinion

Can customs ensure conservation?

Saturday 20 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Environment, Features, National, Weekend

A recent confrontation between a Government MP and a Rarotonga market stall operator over the harvesting of Avake (sea urchin) has revived calls to give traditional conservation practices greater authority by incorporating them into law.

Parliament to convene on Monday

Saturday 20 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in National, Politics

Parliament is expected to receive updates from several select committees and elect Mauke MP Tai Tura as Speaker during a brief sitting next week.

KATA: Whispers of a snap election

Friday 19 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Kata

PM welcomes Opposition’s stance on seabed mining

Thursday 18 March 2021 | Written by Emmanuel Samoglou | Published in Economy, Environment, National

As the debate continues over the pros and cons of deep sea mining, there is now unanimous support by both major political parties for exploration by companies interested in harvesting minerals from the ocean floor.