Economy
New funding is sought for debt repayment holidays
Monday 18 May 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Government in talks with New Zealand about under-writing two-year loan repayment holidays for small tourism operators.
China woos Pacific nations
Saturday 16 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Cook Islands government treads careful line in supporting both New Zealand and China contributions to the Pacific.
No business voice on economic think tank
Friday 15 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The private sector is disappointed at being left out of government’s Virtual Think Tank developing a Covid-19 economic response plan.
Cautious hopes for return of NZ, Aussie tourists
Friday 15 May 2020 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy
Momentum is growing to include Cook Islands in a New Zealand-Australia travel bubble – but leaders are choosing their words carefully.
Petrol price to plummet
Friday 15 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Good news for consumers: there will be a sharp decline in fuel and gas prices from Monday.
Retirement fund on Covid-19 roller-coaster
Wednesday 13 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Finance Minister rules out borrowing money from super fund to pay for Covid-19 economic recovery package.
Same passport, same currency, but sunnier!
Tuesday 12 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
The resurgence of Cook Islands tourism is threatened by New Zealand’s own ‘go local’ tourism drive – but there’s a solution.
Lifting international borders govt's next priority, says PM
Monday 11 May 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
The possibility of opening the country’s international borders without compromising the people’s safety, may be the only way to kick start an economy that has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, Prime Minister Henry Puna said.
Revoking developed status on the cards
Monday 11 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Opposition supports government to revoke the developed status for access to donor funds.
Leaders' spending to be held to account
Saturday 9 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Reports on public expenditure will no longer go through a lengthy parliamentary process before being made public.
Survey for economic response
Wednesday 6 May 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Private Sector Taskforce chair Fletcher Melvin is encouraging the Cook Islands business community to have a say and complete a new survey.
Safe travel bubble talks 'encouraging'
Wednesday 6 May 2020 | Written by Katrina Lintonbon | Published in Economy
Cook Islands is looking forward to hosting Kiwis and Aussies in the not too distant future.
Industry given a greater say in the finance authority
Tuesday 5 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Government will now have less representation on the board of Financial Services Development Authority.
Union rep is 'busy in the taro patch'
Monday 4 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
There is growing unhappiness at the Workers Association’s failure to support people in crisis.
Olomana off route
Saturday 2 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
A significant downturn in freight volumes to the Pacific will not affect the shipment of goods to the Cook Islands, shipping agents say.
Business support: 'Don't look back'
Friday 1 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
There will be no punitive approach for companies belatedly seeking help, after previously failing to pay super contributions.
Employers 'on notice' for bad faith
Friday 1 May 2020 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy
Fresh warnings have been issued to employers and employees who continue to abuse the wage subsidy paid by the government.
Pacific bubble could 'help us get back to business'
Friday 1 May 2020 | Written by Jonathan Milne | Published in Economy
Voices across Pacific propose cross-border bubbles to enable resumption of tourism.
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.
