Economy
PM welcomes discussions on subsidised public transport
Friday 22 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Economy, Local, National
Government assistance could be on the way for a struggling Cook Islands public service.
Cooks joins regional consumer protection, economic regulators
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has officially become a member of the Pacific Islands Network of Competition Consumer and Economic Regulators (PINCCER) - a ground breaking initiative aimed at fostering fair competition, pricing transparency, and robust consumer protection practices across the Pacific region.
PM Brown addresses consultation concerns around legislative change
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Amendment Bill 2023 and Land Facilitation of Dealings Amendment Bill 2023 is not a government bill, but a private members bill, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
We’re sick of waiting around: Returning Cook Islanders vent frustration over waiting times
Thursday 21 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
Returning Cook Islanders have voiced frustration with immigration processes as they arrive home to share Christmas with loved ones.
Long serving public service under strain as rising costs place pressure on sector
Wednesday 20 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
A long serving Cook Islands public service has been forced to hike its prices as it struggles without government subsidies.
Cook Islands celebrates stellar cruise year despite weather woes
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Features, National, Travel, Weekend
Cruise Cook Islands has wrapped up an exceptional season, welcoming numerous cruise ships to both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
Atiu resort shares success: $101k dividend boosts island community
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
A resort in the Pa Enua has paid out over $100,000 in dividends to the island residents, demonstrating a commitment to giving back to the local community.
Agriculture gears up for export
Tuesday 19 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, has developed a roadmap for exporting fresh produce from the Cook Islands to New Zealand.
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction. Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Lack of coordination between utility providers ‘putting pressure on our people’
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed by four major utility companies in the coming weeks, confirmed Albert Nicholas, Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC).
$300,000 in arrears : 47 businesses lag on Cook Islands Covid loan
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Local businesses are nearly $300,000 behind on payments of the $6.9 million loan issued by the Cook Islands Government to support them during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
Cook Islands’ international profile soars with COP28 and Forum leadership: Brown
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ profile on the international stage has never been higher than it is today, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Level playing field concerns raised over ‘temporary’ Starlink licence
Monday 18 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Technology
Government cannot restrict local Starlink users from accessing its services despite the provider yet to conclude consideration of a localised service product and corporate presence for the Cook Islands market.
Considering the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency : Recovery Bill Civil liberties, privacy and due process
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, Features, National, Weekend
This week the 2023 Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill was tabled in Parliament and referred to a select committee for consideration and report. Cook Islands crypto expert, Ano Tisam says the Bill, making its way through Parliament, raises some serious concerns about civil liberties, privacy and due process. Melina Etches reports.
New Aitutaki crane boosts cargo capacity
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National, Outer Islands
The Cook Islands Ports Authority’s new crane in Aitutaki will lift the current weight restriction of 20 tonne to 25 tonne, allowing importers and the people of the island to add more tonnage of goods to containers.
PAC chair Elikana demands transparency on public funds
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for stricter accountability and transparency in the use of public funds by government entities, state-owned enterprises, and Crown agencies.
MFAI offices to close for day as staff get time off following ‘heavy year’
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) offices will close on Monday as staff take the day off.
High growth, high prices: Economy bounces back, but inflation bites hard
Saturday 16 December 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Cook Islands’ resurgent economic growth post-Covid-19 has been overshadowed by an unprecedented surge in inflation, with prices rising by 13 per cent over the past year. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu reports.
Statistics attachment boosts Maritime’s data management
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Economy, National
The Maritime Safety Authority databases will now be managed and used more effectively, thanks to upskilling attachment training within government agencies.
Browne struggles to get answers over $640,000 vessel charter
Friday 15 December 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
Opposition leader and Rakahanga MP Tina Browne has made little progress over the course of two days, in trying to get answers from Pukapuka MP Tingika Elikana about a $640,000 charter vessel which left Rarotonga on Wednesday bound for Pukapuka.