Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen says the joint announcement by the Sir Terepai Maoate faction

Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Extra visitors to our shores during a six month marketing campaign injected an extra $8 million into the local economy this year according to latest estimates.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands Government has now forecast that its spending will outstrip its revenue from the current financial year onwards with debt levels dangerously close to reaching ‘unsustainable levels’.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands: A $3.5 million Cook Islands Government project will attempt to revitalise the declining agriculture industry in the outer islands from this year.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands:  The Cook Islands' former Deputy Prime Minister, Doctor Terepai Maoate, says he may stage a comeback in 2010 after being dumped by the Prime Minister just before Christmas.

Wellington, New Zealand: Air New Zealand is trialling a new direct service between Sydney and Rarotonga in the high season next year

Wellington, New Zealand: Air New Zealand is to begin direct flights between Sydney, Australia and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands next year.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce is pleased that telecommunications will - at last - be open to competition

Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Te Rongotoa (Tia) Barrett, has died at Auckland’ Middlemore Hospital after a short illness.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Forum Secretariat economic infrastructure advisor John Budden says he stands by the advice he provided to government in his 2007 report on the telecommunications industry.