Cost of living, water tariffs, mining on Cook Islanders' minds ahead of election

As the Cook Islands prepares for its general election, voters are focused on pressing issues like the rising cost of living and water utility charges. Prime Minister Mark Brown, leading the Cook Islands Party, asserts that his government's economic recovery efforts since the COVID-19 pandemic have enabled pay increases and boosted welfare payments, aiming to mitigate the impact of inflation.

“

Now, that strong economic growth has allowed us to catch up, if you like, with pay increases that were halted or paused during the COVID period. It's allowed us to increase our welfare payments, to old age pensions, child benefit, and these are all things that we're gearing up to try and meet the challenges of cost of living.

"Now, that strong economic growth has allowed us to catch up, if you like, with pay increases that were halted or paused during the COVID period," Brown said. "It's allowed us to increase our welfare payments, to old age pensions, child benefit, and these are all things that we're gearing up to try and meet the challenges of cost of living."

However, the opposition parties are campaigning on promises to alleviate these financial pressures. Tina Browne, leader of the Cook Islands Democratic Party, stated her party would review the water utility structure and remove tariffs for residential and agricultural users on Rarotonga. "I do not accept that another household bill should automatically be the first answer," she said, questioning how water infrastructure costs should be met.

“

I do not accept that another household bill should automatically be the first answer.

The United Party, led by Teariki Heather, has made "free water for all" a central campaign pledge, arguing that water is a basic human right and families should not face additional bills during a cost-of-living crisis. "On top of electricity, on top of this water tariff, the increase in cost in that, government should absorb that," Heather stated.

“

On top of electricity, on top of this water tariff, the increase in cost in that, government should absorb that.

Prime Minister Brown countered these proposals by highlighting the significant investment in water infrastructure, including upgrades to ten intakes on Rarotonga. He stressed that the cost of maintaining this essential service must be addressed. "The question is not whether water should be free. The question is actually who's going to pay for it, because we've upgraded all of our water intakes, 10 of them, around the island in the hills of Rarotonga, and they all need to be maintained," he explained. Currently, water charges apply only to commercial users, with households receiving a substantial free allowance.

“

The question is not whether water should be free. The question is actually who's going to pay for it, because we've upgraded all of our water intakes, 10 of them, around the island in the hills of Rarotonga, and they all need to be maintained.