Ports Authority chief executive officer Okesene Moananu says tariff reviews are part of an annual process to ensure charges align with price movements while keeping cost-of-living pressures in mind.

A special meeting of the Ports Authority Board was held on June 27, 2025, to adopt the proposed Ports Authority (Rarotonga) Price Schedule By-laws 2025 and the proposed Ports Authority (Aitutaki) Price Schedule By-laws 2025.

Another meeting was held this year on May 29 to adopt the 2026 price schedule by-laws for both Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

Moananu said the main changes resulting from the 2025 and 2026 price schedule by-laws are incremental increases in port charges and dues, amounting to a two per cent increase on fees for 2026.

He noted that Ports implemented a five per cent increase in 2025 followed by a two per cent increase in 2026.

“The changes are always implemented on July 1 every year, the beginning of the financial year,” Moananu told Cook Islands News.

“Tariff reviews are part of an annual process for ports to ensure our charges are aligned to the movements of prices while also being very aware of cost of living pressures.”

He clarified that tariffs must be enacted through bylaws, identical to the process used in previous years.

When asked if there was any public objection during the consultation process, he said, “There was the odd push back on tariff increases given the high costs across the Board but all accepted that we have to review tariffs to be in line with prices.”

Moananu confirmed that all stakeholders were consulted during the drafting of the new price schedules, which are public information.

Asked if the changes would affect the cost of goods on the islands, he replied, “At the end of it all, all increases end up being borne by the consumers”.

He added that while the new schedules offer no exemptions or concessions for specific cargo types or community groups, “there are always considerations for providing support to communities where it is required”.

Moananu also confirmed that tariff reviews are conducted annually.