AGP Executive Report
Last update: 10 hours agoCook Islands finance boom: A new government report says US demand for asset protection is driving record growth in Cook Islands trusts, with international trust registrations up 42% in a year to 433 and nearly 90% higher than two years ago; the sector is now worth over NZ$48m (2024/25) and about 8.5% of real GDP, with roughly 85% of trustee revenue tied to US clients—fueling opportunities for NZ and Pacific fintech, regtech and cybersecurity. Transport rules in focus: Rarotonga’s new app-based ride-hailing service, Smartie Rides, is launching amid calls to modernise the 1967 Transport Licensing Act, which currently lacks a framework for vehicle-sharing platforms. US port talks: The US says a future military presence linked to a Penrhyn Island port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” even as the NZ$101m project is jointly funded by the US and New Zealand. Netball push: Cook Islands netballers opened their Oceania World Cup Qualifiers with a 55–81 loss to Tonga, then face Papua New Guinea and Samoa aiming for a top-three finish. Whale season education: Te Ipukarea Society and Cook Islands Whale Research are running school programmes as humpback whales return to local waters. Deep-sea training: 23 Cook Islanders completed a China-backed programme on deep-sea resource management with SBMA.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.
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