Media Release - Karere Uira

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 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 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

Extended Deadline to 7th February 2025 Through the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Programme, we cordially invite submissions of quotations from suitably qualified individuals with relevant experience to conduct a Capacity Needs Assessment for the GCF Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF). The purpose of this assessment is to support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) and its stakeholders in the formulation of a comprehensiv

We're looking for everyone's input to help shape our country's Sovereign Wealth Fund. Your thoughts are crucial in achieving shared goals. Join the conversation. Shape our future. Save the date and make a difference! For more info on SWF Policy: https://www.mfem.gov.ck/sovereign-wealth-fund

The Cook Islands Customs Service is seeking expressions of interest to participate in the Customs Declarant and Broker Course to be held over a 4 day period from Tuesday 11th to Friday 14th of June, 9am – 3pm (dependent on numbers). The course will be hosted by the Cook Islands Customs Service and is targeted at businesses that regularly import or export goods, or broker companies, who wish to register as a user of the Customs automated system (ASYCUDA World) in order to c

Introduction The Revenue Management Division (RMD) of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management has commenced a public consultation for a proposed amendment to the existing tariff concessions under Part 2 of the Customs Tariff Act 2012. The proposal is to introduce a tariff concession and VAT exemption for imported motor vehicles designed or adapted to transport disabled persons into the Cook Islands. This will make these motor vehicles “free” of import duty and VAT upo

As of the 1 May 2024, Mr. Garth Henderson, the Financial Secretary, will assume the role of Acting Director for the Revenue Management Division (RMD) and Customs Service until a permanent Director is appointed at the earliest opportunity. RMD is an essential part of MFEM and is responsible for administering customs and tax laws in a fair and equitable manner, protecting the country's borders, and collecting taxes on behalf of the government. The recruitment for a new Dire

MFEM has recently farewelled Mr Xavier Mitchell, who served as the Collector, Comptroller and Director of Revenue Management Division (RMD) for six years. Xavier, a proud Cook Islander, was born and raised in New Zealand, which gave him a unique perspective in his role as the Director. He joined MFEM in January 2018 on a three-year contract, which was later extended for another three years and two months, from February 2021. Garth Henderson, the Financial Secretary, stated th

The Annual Budget Breakfast will be held at The Islander Hotel on Wednesday 15th May 2024. Breakfast starts at 7:30am and the Budget Presentation starts at 8.30am. The Budget Breakfast is a public event open to anyone who may be interested in hearing about the details of the 2024-25 Appropriation Budget. The Budget Breakfast will also be streamed live on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Facebook page. The Prime Minister will present: An update of the Govern

We wish to remind all visitors that it is mandatory for ALL marine craft (including yachts) visiting the Cook Islands to arrive at and depart from a designated Customs port. Customs, Immigration, Bio-Security and Te Marae Ora (Health) formalities must be completed at these ports before any further travel is undertaken in the Cook Islands. Any failure to comply with these regulations, is an offence under the Customs Revenue and Border Protection Act 2012. DESIGNATED CUSTOMS

To all Customs Clients – Importers, declarants and brokers. Please be advised that fruit drinks consisting of a quantity of fruit juice, water and other ingredients are beverages of tariff heading 22.02, not fruit juices of tariff heading 2009. We base this advice on the World Customs Organisation Customs Tariff Explanatory Notes. The Customs Tariff Explanatory Notes for heading 2009 state: ‘the addition of water to a fruit juice, or the addition to a concentrated juice of

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) on behalf of Cook Islands Government recently conducted a sale by tender for eight (8) Electric Vehicles (EVs) recently used for the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting. The EVs for sale, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric 38.2kW Entry models, are well known for their eco-friendly design, energy-efficient performance, spaciousness and comfort, and excellent fast-charging capability. The EVs were being sold by MFEM on an “as

Inland Revenue is scheduled to be in Mangaia next week from Monday 26 February to Thursday 29 February, 2024 and will be delivering tax information sessions in collaboration with BTIB and Tourism for 3 days from 27 - 29 February 2024. While on the island, we will be available to assist any Individual taxpayers and/or businesses who need help with meeting their 2023 tax filing requirements. We will be based at the Tourism & Culture office during the following hours: Pleas

This is a reminder to all our CCA License Holders for the manufacture of excisable goods. As of 1 January 2024, all excise declarations are to be lodged into the ASYCUDA World (AW) system. Please note that January excise declarations and payments are due by the 20 February 2024. Payments will not be accepted without an ED4 excise declaration in the ASYCUDA system. This is a start of a new system for excise declarations and payments. These arrangements will be enforced

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) on behalf of Cook Islands Government, is offering for sale eight (8) used Electric Vehicles (EVs) by way of a competitive tender and on the basis set out in this Invitation to Tender (ITT) and related Attachments. These EVs were acquired for the 52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting and remain in immaculate, near new condition. All EVs for sale are Hyundai IONIQ Electric 38.2kW Entry models, well-known for their eco-

Link to E-Commerce Work Programme

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses were struggling to continue trading due to the losses they were facing from the border closure. The Cook Islands Government stepped into support these business with a range of supports, of which the Business Continuity Credit Facility (BCCF) is one. The BCCF is a collaborative loan facility between the Government and the Bank of Cook Islands (BCI). The Government approved and financed the loan facility, and BCI administered the pa

Grants Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)

Join the quest for innovative Blue Economy solutions that stimulate socio-economic growth while restoring and conserving the coastal and marine ecosystems for #SIDS Calling all local organizations (small and medium-sized Enterprises (SME), start-up companies, local non-governmental organizations (NGO) or community-based organizations (CBO), and academic institutions piloting innovations) from Small Island Developing States with innovative solutions that boost blue economy to