Media Release - Karere Uira

This information sheet has been prepared to assist landowners and interested parties with enquiries relating to the MPPS Housing Project Expression of Interest (EOI). The information below is based on the project concept and EOI requirements. 1. Why is Government developing housing for MPPS employees instead of addressing housing issues for the private sector? Government recognises that limited, costly housing affects families, businesses, and employers across Rarotonga, incl

Energy Response Technical Working Group | Tama Akatereau TWG Joaquin Vespignani 8 Okotopa 2026 (CKT) Kia orana. E manganui ia kotou e kite nei i te kake anga moni o te inu titara. Te akamarama nei tēia atikara i te au mea e tupu nei i te pae moana i tai, te au mea e tupu nei ki te inu titara, e te tai au ravenga māmā ua tē ka rauka i te ngutuare tangata e te au pitiniti i te rave i teia tuatau. Te tuatua poto: te tae mai nei rai te inu titara ki te Kūki Airani nei mei tei aka

Energy Response Technical Working Group | By TWG Chair Joaquin Vespignani 8 October 2026 (CKT) Kia orana. Many of you will have noticed fuel prices creeping up. This article explains what is happening overseas, why diesel in particular is under pressure, and some simple steps families and businesses can take now. The short version: fuel is still arriving in the Cook Islands and shipments are scheduled. There is no need to stockpile. But global fuel prices are high and likely

The Major Projects and Procurement Support (MPPS) Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, invites Expressions of Interest from landowners interested in renting, leasing or selling land to Government for the development of affordable accommodation for Government shipping employees and their families. Land should preferably: Be at least ¼ acre (approximately 1,012m²); Be relatively flat and require minimal site preparation; Have good road access and reasonable ac

15 September 2026 (CKT) The Cook Islands Government is continuing the establishment of its domestic shipping fleet, with MV Tuitui Moana progressing through the final preparations required before scheduled services to the Pa Enua commence. Since the vessel arrived in the Cook Islands, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, through its Major Projects and Procurement Support Division, has advanced the regulatory, safety and operational arrangements needed to place the

MEDIA RELEASE 10 September 2026 (CKT) The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), through its Major Projects and Procurement Support Division (MPPS), advises that preparations are continuing for MV Tuitui Moana to enter inter-island service. The vessel is currently completing the necessary local clearances, inspections and operational checks required before services can commence. This process will provide the Government with important information on the vessel’s o

The Cook Islands’ new passenger and cargo vessel, MV Tuitui Moana, has arrived safely in Rarotonga following the successful completion of its delivery voyage from China. The vessel arrived at Avatiu Harbour on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, after travelling from Nansha, Guangzhou, through Cebu in the Philippines, Lae in Papua New Guinea, and Suva in Fiji. A welcome ceremony was held at Avatiu Harbour, attended by Prime Minister Hon. Mark Brown, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliam

The Cook Islands Government (CIG) has approved and released its Domestic Shipping Policy, a new framework to guide the planning, operation and oversight of Government-owned and operated shipping services connecting Rarotonga with the Pa Enua. The Policy was approved by Cabinet on 4 June 2026. The Policy applies to CIG-owned and operated vessels and services. It does not impose new obligations or requirements on private sector shipping operators, who will continue to operate u

The Command Team and delivery crew aboard Tuitui Moana completed a simulated emergency fire drill on 29 July 2026 while the vessel was underway approximately 50 nautical miles north of Western Papua. The planned exercise tested the crew’s ability to respond to a potential fire onboard while at sea. It included activating emergency procedures, communicating between different areas of the vessel, preparing the vessel’s firefighting systems and ensuring each crew member understo

Three men from Pukapuka have arrived in Rarotonga to begin preparations for their roles as deckhands aboard the Cook Islands’ new passenger and cargo vessel, Tuitui Moana. The new deckhands are: Mozela Teiho-Tua Tokoiva Ruarau Takuria Patakuria Their arrival is another important step in preparing the Cook Islands crew who will support the vessel once it arrives home and enters service. As part of their preparation, the three deckhands will travel to New Zealand to undertake S

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have formalised their partnership through the signing of a Service Agreement to support the implementation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Enhancing Direct Access (EDA) Project, “Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands”. The GCF EDA Project was established through the signing of the Green Climate Fund Funded Activity Agreement o

The Cook Islands new passenger and cargo vessel, Tuitui Moana, officially departed Nansha, Guangzhou, China yesterday, beginning her delivery voyage home to the Cook Islands. The voyage will take the vessel through Cebu in the Philippines, Lae in Papua New Guinea, and Suva in Fiji, before arriving in Rarotonga. The journey is expected to take approximately 46 days, depending on weather and operational conditions. The departure follows months of preparation by the Cook Islands

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, through its Major Projects and Procurement Support Division, is helping introduce 10 new electric motorbikes for Community Safety and Monitoring work in Rarotonga. The motorbikes are being provided with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, as part of its development cooperation with the Cook Islands. The purpose is simple: the bikes will help local Puna move around more easily, be more visible, and res

The Revenue Management Division would like to remind all taxpayers that 2025 tax returns are due by 02 March 2026. A compliance verification exercise will be carried out before this date. The purpose of this exercise is to confirm taxpayer registration and filing compliance, ensuring that all taxpayers are properly registered with RMD and have submitted all required tax returns under the relevant tax legislation. This exercise will pay particular attention to operators in the

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), through its Major Projects and Procurement Support (MPPS) Division, has released the 2025/26 Pa Enua Capital Distribution Fund (PECDF) Circular inviting application submissions from Island Governments. The annual PECDF provides capital funding support to Island Governments for the purchase, replacement or capital improvement of essential plant and equipment. As funding is limited, PECDF is allocated through a competitive

MFEM-MPPS recently signed a contract with CBS Power Solutions Ltd for the Northern Cook Islands Battery Systems Replacement (NCIBSR) Project works. Site visits to the Northern islands were originally scheduled for 8-13 December 2025 but due to technical issues with the chartered jet, this was rescheduled to the 19-24 January 2026. CBS Power Solutions took advantage of meeting with Government Agencies for registrations, local contractors, suppliers and logistic companies as t

The Cook Islands Customs Service advises the public, importers and all stakeholders that the HS2022 Tariff has been approved by the Executive Council and came into effect on 10 December 2025. The tariff aligns with international trade standards and includes updated duty rates and concessions. Key Update: Tobacco products – Excise duty rates have been amended to provide for an annual increase of $125.50 per 1,000 cigarettes or per kilogram of tobacco for the first three years,

The Cook Islands’ two inter-island vessels currently being procured will soon carry names chosen by our young people, following the conclusion of the national “Topa’anga o to tatou nga Pae o te Kuki Airani – Name Our Vessels” competition. From a total of 156 entries submitted by schools, youth groups, and communities across the country, the judging panel selected “Matakiva” and “Tuitui Moana” as the winning names. “Matakiva” was submitted by Atillar Lernato-te-ngari-o-te-me

The traditional rauti cutting, led by Teurukura Ariki and Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, symbolised the strong partnership between Government and the people of Aitutaki. Orometua Rev. Naporoaki Taia led the dedication, who shared a reminder that true purpose comes not just from the building itself, but from the values we carry into it. Integrity, service, humility, and faith. Financial Secretary Henderson acknowledged Inland Revenue and Customs as a cornerstone of our e

The Cook Islands Government is proud to announce the arrival of two new inter-island vessels, which will play an important role in strengthening our connection with the Pa Enua. These vessels will help us stay connected across our islands, ensuring communities remain linked, supported, and included in our shared future. To celebrate this milestone, we are inviting name suggestions from our Tamariki across the country. For now, the vessels are referred to as “Vessel 1” and “Ve

Introduction The Revenue Management Division (RMD) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) is initiating a public consultation process regarding the following changes to Part 2 of the Customs Tariff Act 2012. Amending Tariff Concession and Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption on Personal Importation (Concession Reference Number 80) New Tariff Concession and Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption on Returning Cook Islanders for the Purpose of Educational, Vocational Trai

Date: Wednesday, 07 May 2025 Please be advised that, effective immediately, all tax payments to Revenue Management Division (RMD) must be made to our new bank accounts. Please do not use the old account, as payments made there will not be credited to your tax records. For full bank details, including SWIFT codes for international transfers, please refer to the attached poster. If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us on Ph

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM), Major Projects and Procurement Support, Airport Authorities Cook Islands (AACI), Te Marae Ora (TMO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announce the successful contract signing for the construction of additional facilities for the Cook Islands International Airport. The contract for the project has been awarded to Cook Islands-based Landholdings Ltd, which will undertake the construction of two medical rooms, additional

Major Projects and Procurement Support (MPPS), Te Marae Ora (TMO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announce the successful contract signing for the procurement and installation of a Photovoltaic (PV) System for the Rarotonga Hospital. 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝, the contract works includes the design, supply and installation of an 80kW Photovoltaic (PV) System as well as solar inverters and mains connectio