Economy
Cook Islands News lodges complaint with Parliamentary Services
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Office of the Ombudsman has advised the Cook Islands News to lodge a complaint with Parliamentary Services, advising them of concerns in relation to the release of the MPs travel costs between July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Breakdown of MP travel spending: PM, Opposition leader at the top
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
A breakdown of the spending figures shows the event attended, departure and arrival dates, airfare costs, accommodation costs, meals/incidentals, additional allowances and totals for each of the 14 MPs, for the period July 1 to September 30, 2023.
MPs near annual travel budget in three months
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Members of Parliament have nearly spent their annual travel and allowances (local and overseas) budget of $250,000 just three months into the 2023/24 financial year, due to a series of overseas trips.
Water meters coming to a home near you
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga residents look set to contribute more tax dollars to support water infrastructure.
Cook Islands seeks US loan to develop seabed mineral sector
Monday 23 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
A Republican US senator has endorsed the Cook Islands’ eligibility for a loan from an American development bank to finance seabed mineral resource development.
Guns and roads in southwest Rarotonga
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Economy, Editorials, Environment, Features, Local, National, Opinion, Weekend
The old deserted and controversial Sheraton Hotel in Vaimaanga is getting a new lease of life after Rarotonga businessman Chris Vaile took on the challenge to redevelop the site into a high-end apartment property complete with other amenities.
Reflecting on the Sheraton development
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A published author and former Government minister has weighed in on the ongoing Sheraton debate, labelling its background “a nightmare”.
Complaint against top cop: Govt says it is doing ‘due diligence’
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Economy, National
Cook Islands Police Commissioner Turepu James Keenan is in hot water after a complaint was filed against him by a member of a Rarotonga-based diplomatic corp. Al Williams reports.
Cooks to host international conference as it steps up seabed minerals investigation
Thursday 19 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is stepping up its seabed minerals bid as it will host international agencies at the annual Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) on Rarotonga next year.
Opposition parties divided on Vaimaanga coastal road closure
Wednesday 18 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The Opposition parties are divided on the government’s ‘no issue’ statement regarding the closure of the coastal main road in Vaimaanga to make way for the Sheraton redevelopment.
PM Brown congratulates NZ PM designate Luxon following his election night success
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has congratulated New Zealand Prime Minister-designate Christopher Luxon, the leader of the National Party, on winning the elections over the weekend.
Cooks Old Post Office closed down: 50 government staff moved on
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Structural building integrity and asbestos issues at the Old Post Office have resulted in more than 50 staff members being relocated and the building being closed down.
Two months of professional services expenses come with a $190,000 bill
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Professional services expenses have cost the Cook Islands government nearly $200,000 in just two months.
New Zealand Election Day: Still time for eligible Cook Islands residents to vote
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Anyone on Rarotonga, eligible, wanting to cast a vote in person for the 2023 New Zealand general election, has until 4pm today.
TAU digital billing starts
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National
As of October 4, Rarotonga electricity company Te Aponga Uira (TAU) moved to full digital billing with a combination of actual and estimated metre readings.
$33 million boost : Jetstar to add fourth weekly flight from Sydney to Rarotonga
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National
The Cook Islands is set to earn an additional $33 million annually from the fourth weekly direct flight from Sydney to Rarotonga, which will commence from March next year.
Govt in talks with Australia to evacuate Cook Islanders, if situation deteriorates
Thursday 12 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National, Travel
The Cook Islands government is in talks with Australia to evacuate 28 Cook Islanders and residents sheltering in Jericho if the Israeli-Hamas conflict escalates further. Rashneel Kumar and Losirene Lacanivalu report.
‘No issues’: Government on Sheraton road closure
Thursday 12 October 2023 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, Local, National
Government says it has no issue with the closure of the coastal main road in Vaimaanga to make way for the Sheraton redevelopment. Rashneel Kumar and Al Williams report.
Medicinal cannabis legislation to go before Parliament in December
Thursday 12 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Health, National
Legislation supporting availability of medicinal cannabis in the Cooks Islands will be tabled in Parliament.
Tourism welcomes Hawaii ticket specials but calls for more flights
Wednesday 11 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Travel
‘What will make the biggest difference is when frequency will be able to be increased’ Cooks tourism operators have welcomed sale airfares between Rarotonga and Honolulu but are still calling for an increase in flights.
