## TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT COOK ISLANDS Mission on National Accounts Statistics AUGUST 2025 ## Source details **Canonical URL:** [TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT COOK ISLANDS Mission on National Accounts Statistics AUGUST 2025](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/tar/2025/english/tarea2025089-source-pdf.pdf) ## Other formats - [Markdown version](/-/media/files/publications/tar/2025/english/tarea2025089-source-pdf.pdf.md) - [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/publications/tar/2025/english/tarea2025089-source-pdf.pdf.json) --- ### Summary of mission outcomes and priority recommendations - Mission dates: August 11 – 22, 2025. - Mission aim: assess current GDP compilation system, identify gaps, review rebasing plans, and update status of latest year GDP(P) and GDP(E) estimates. - Key outcomes: - Assisted CISO in compiling quarterly GDP(P) from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025 and the 2024 annual GDP(P). - VAT data delivery to CISO ceased after a management change in RMD in the second half of 2024 due to confidentiality concerns; after meetings an agreement was reached to provide VAT data without business names and only the RMD number. - CISO will publish VAT-based results and annual GDP estimates from 2020 that had not been published. - GDP(E) progress stalled due to vacancy of national accounts compiler and lack of finalized GDP(P); expected to resume when position is filled and via coordination with a Macro-Fiscal mission. - Rebase planning: HIES fieldwork to commence September 2025; Population Census in December 2026; consideration recommended for Supply and Use Tables (SUTs) requiring additional data and resources. - Priority recommended timelines (selected from Table 1): - CISO to obtain outstanding government data used as input for GDP compilation — August 2025. - CISO to finalize quarterly GDP(P) estimates from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025 and publish on their website — September 2025. - CISO and RMD to develop an MOU — December 2025. - CISO to publish annual GDP(P) estimates for 2020 to 2024 — October 2025. - CISO to work with the Macro-Fiscal mission to produce 2024 GDP(E) estimates — September 2025. - CISO consider producing SUTs when undertaking the rebase — August 2026. - CISO develop a rebase strategy document and discuss with key stakeholders — August 2026. - CISO to conduct the HIES over the full 12 months and implement COICOP 2018 in the questionnaire — September 2026. - CISO to establish a technical working group to oversee the rebase exercise — June 2026. - CISO to update the data sources and methods document at the conclusion of the rebase exercise as well as include a revisions policy — August 2028. - CISO to secure additional resources in order to compile the national accounts and undertake the rebasing exercise — June 2026. ### Quarterly GDP(P) - Compilation assisted for Q3 2024 to Q2 2025. - Data and methods: - VAT is the main data source for private sector value added in current prices. - Current price estimates are deflated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). - Data access issues and resolution: - VAT data delivery ceased in late 2024 after RMD management change over confidentiality concerns. - Agreement reached to provide data without business names and only the RMD number, enabling unit-record analysis and query resolution. - VAT data was received immediately after agreement and loaded into the national accounts workbook. - Processing issues observed: - Loading and linking to the business register to obtain industry codes is time-consuming and typically done overnight; recommended review during rebase to improve timeliness. - Q3 and Q4 2024 initially produced large negative value-added due to incorrect reference period entries; corrected by fixing input and repopulating source data. - Corruption of summary sheets required re-entering source data; mission emphasized checking formulas and headings. - Outstanding items: - Some government data remain outstanding and must be included before finalizing quarterly GDP(P). - Recommended actions: - CISO to obtain outstanding government data and input into the worksheet. - CISO to finalize quarterly GDP(P) estimates from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025 and publish them on their website. - CISO and RMD to develop an MOU. ### Annual GDP(P) - Annual GDP(P) is the sum of the four quarters. - The delay in producing 2024 annual GDP(P) was due to the VAT data interruption; with quarterly estimates completed, the 2024 annual GDP(P) has been compiled. - Publication: - Annual GDP(P) publication on the CISO website was paused in 2020 over methodological concerns; CISO is now comfortable publishing annual estimates and will do so. - Recommended action: - CISO to publish annual GDP(P) estimates for 2020 to 2024. ### GDP(E) - Demand: Government requires GDP(E) for macro-economic modeling and revenue forecasting; MFEM requested CISO compile and disseminate annual GDP(E). - Status: - July 2024 mission produced annual GDP(E) from 2010 to 2023. - No further GDP(E) estimates produced due to national accounts compiler vacancy and GDP(P) compilation issues. - A Macro-Fiscal mission by PFTAC is scheduled for September 2025; CISO will work with them to produce 2024 GDP(E). - GDP(E) estimates remain under development and will not be published until finalized; recent Government Finance Statistics and National Accounts missions identified classificatory issues in government expenditures being addressed. - Recommended action: - CISO to work with the Macro-Fiscal mission to produce 2024 GDP(E) estimates. ### Rebasing GDP - Current base year: 2016. - Recommended rebasing interval: five years. - Required data for rebase: - Population Census — scheduled for December 2026. - HIES — to be conducted from September 2025 to September 2026 (mission recommended full 12 months coverage). - Ideally an economic survey (CISO does not conduct annual economic surveys; additional resources needed). - Labour Force Survey (conducted 2023/24) and an ongoing Agriculture Survey will contribute to rebase. - SUTs: - Mission recommends considering Supply and Use Tables to confront and balance components and provide ratios for ongoing GDP(P). - Constructing SUTs requires product-level data, an economic survey, additional people, and IT resources. - HIES methodology recommendations: - Conduct HIES over full 12 months to capture seasonality — mission strongly recommended this to preserve quality and enable CPI updates. - Update HIES questionnaire to implement COICOP 2018 (differences from 1999 COICOP will improve CPI and national accounts deflators). - Documentation and governance: - Update data sources and methods document at conclusion of rebase and publish a revisions policy. - Keep detailed notes during rebase to assist final documentation. - Establish a technical working group to oversee and communicate rebase progress with stakeholders. - Recommended actions (summary): - CISO consider producing Supply and Use Tables when undertaking the rebase. - CISO develop a rebase strategy document and discuss with key stakeholders. - CISO to conduct the HIES over the full 12 months and implement COICOP 2018 in the questionnaire. - CISO to update the data sources and methods document at the conclusion of the rebase exercise as well as include a revisions policy. - CISO to establish a technical working group to oversee the rebase exercise. ### Resources - Staffing: - There is currently no National Accounts compiler in CISO; previous compiler moved to New Zealand for study. - CISO expects recruitment of a replacement will take time and has approached Statistics New Zealand for short-term consultancy support. - Workload and capacity: - Rebasing and ongoing GDP compilation require additional resources; without increased resources, the mission is concerned CISO cannot complete the rebase within a reasonable timeframe. - Recommended action: - CISO to secure additional resources in order to compile the national accounts and undertake the rebasing exercise. ### Officials Met During the Mission - Taggy Tangimetua — Government Statistician & Chief Electoral Officer, CISO - Tanga Morris — Senior Statistician, BoP Compiler, CISO - Enua Pakitoa — Senior Statistician, International Trade, CISO - Tearoa Iorangi — HIES Manager, CISO - Laurids Rasmussen — Trainee GFS Compiler, CISO - Tristan Metcalfe — Director, Economic Planning Division MFEM - Ioana Turia — Microeconomist, Economic Planning Division MFEM - Rachel Goodwin — Collector and Comptroller, Revenue Management Division, MFEM - Aisake Mafua — Crown Accountant, Treasury Division MFEM - Peter Graham — Secretary of Justice, Ministry of Justice *International Monetary Fund. Technical Assistance Report — Cook Islands: Mission on National Accounts Statistics, AUGUST 2025.* ### Section 1 ### TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT COOK ISLANDS Mission on National Accounts Statistics AUGUST 2025 ### Summary of mission outcomes and priority recommendations - Mission dates: August 11 – 22, 2025. - Mission aim: assess current GDP compilation system, identify gaps, review rebasing plans, and update status of latest year GDP(P) and GDP(E) estimates. - Key outcomes: - Assisted CISO in compiling quarterly GDP(P) from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025 and the 2024 annual GDP(P). - VAT data delivery to CISO ceased after a management change in RMD in the second half of 2024 due to confidentiality concerns; after meetings an agreement was reached to provide VAT data without business names and only the RMD number. - CISO will publish VAT-based results and annual GDP estimates from 2020 that had not been published. - GDP(E) progress stalled due to vacancy of national accounts compiler and lack of finalized GDP(P); expected to resume when position is filled and via coordination with a Macro-Fiscal mission. - Rebase planning: HIES fieldwork to commence September 2025; Population Census in December 2026; consideration recommended for Supply and Use Tables (SUTs) requiring additional data and resources. - Priority recommended timelines (selected from Table 1): - CISO to obtain outstanding government data used as input for GDP compilation — August 2025. - CISO to finalize quarterly GDP(P) estimates from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025 and publish on their website — September 2025. - CISO and RMD to develop an MOU — December 2025. - CISO to publish annual GDP(P) estimates for 2020 to 2024 — October 2025. - CISO to work with the Macro-Fiscal mission to produce 2024 GDP(E) estimates — September 2025. - CISO consider producing SUTs when undertaking the rebase — August 2026. - CISO develop a rebase strategy document and discuss with key stakeholders — August 2026. - CISO to conduct the HIES over the full 12 months and implement COICOP 2018 in the questionnaire — September 2026. - CISO to establish a technical working group to oversee the rebase exercise — June 2026. - CISO to update the data sources and methods document at the conclusion of the rebase exercise as well as include a revisions policy — August 2028. - CISO to secure additional resources in order to compile the national accounts and undertake the rebasing exercise — June 2026. ### Quarterly GDP(P) - Compilation assisted for Q3 2024 to Q2 2025. - Data and methods: - VAT is the main data source for private sector value added in current prices. - Current price estimates are deflated using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). - Data access issues and resolution: - VAT data delivery ceased in late 2024 after RMD management change over confidentiality concerns. - Agreement reached to provide data without business names and only the RMD number, enabling unit-record analysis and query resolution. - VAT data was received immediately after agreement and loaded into the national accounts workbook. - Processing issues observed: - Loading and linking to the business register to obtain industry codes is time-consuming and typically done overnight; recommended review during rebase to improve timeliness. - Q3 and Q4 2024 initially produced large negative value-added due to incorrect reference period entries; corrected by fixing input and repopulating source data. - Corruption of summary sheets required re-entering source data; mission emphasized checking formulas and headings. - Outstanding items: - Some government data remain outstanding and must be included before finalizing quarterly GDP(P). - Recommended actions: - CISO to obtain outstanding government data and input into the worksheet. - CISO to finalize quarterly GDP(P) estimates from Q3 2024 to Q2 2025 and publish them on their website. - CISO and RMD to develop an MOU. ### Annual GDP(P) - Annual GDP(P) is the sum of the four quarters. - The delay in producing 2024 annual GDP(P) was due to the VAT data interruption; with quarterly estimates completed, the 2024 annual GDP(P) has been compiled. - Publication: - Annual GDP(P) publication on the CISO website was paused in 2020 over methodological concerns; CISO is now comfortable publishing annual estimates and will do so. - Recommended action: - CISO to publish annual GDP(P) estimates for 2020 to 2024. ### GDP(E) - Demand: Government requires GDP(E) for macro-economic modeling and revenue forecasting; MFEM requested CISO compile and disseminate annual GDP(E). - Status: - July 2024 mission produced annual GDP(E) from 2010 to 2023. - No further GDP(E) estimates produced due to national accounts compiler vacancy and GDP(P) compilation issues. - A Macro-Fiscal mission by PFTAC is scheduled for September 2025; CISO will work with them to produce 2024 GDP(E). - GDP(E) estimates remain under development and will not be published until finalized; recent Government Finance Statistics and National Accounts missions identified classificatory issues in government expenditures being addressed. - Recommended action: - CISO to work with the Macro-Fiscal mission to produce 2024 GDP(E) estimates. ### Rebasing GDP - Current base year: 2016. - Recommended rebasing interval: five years. - Required data for rebase: - Population Census — scheduled for December 2026. - HIES — to be conducted from September 2025 to September 2026 (mission recommended full 12 months coverage). - Ideally an economic survey (CISO does not conduct annual economic surveys; additional resources needed). - Labour Force Survey (conducted 2023/24) and an ongoing Agriculture Survey will contribute to rebase. - SUTs: - Mission recommends considering Supply and Use Tables to confront and balance components and provide ratios for ongoing GDP(P). - Constructing SUTs requires product-level data, an economic survey, additional people, and IT resources. - HIES methodology recommendations: - Conduct HIES over full 12 months to capture seasonality — mission strongly recommended this to preserve quality and enable CPI updates. - Update HIES questionnaire to implement COICOP 2018 (differences from 1999 COICOP will improve CPI and national accounts deflators). - Documentation and governance: - Update data sources and methods document at conclusion of rebase and publish a revisions policy. - Keep detailed notes during rebase to assist final documentation. - Establish a technical working group to oversee and communicate rebase progress with stakeholders. - Recommended actions (summary): - CISO consider producing Supply and Use Tables when undertaking the rebase. - CISO develop a rebase strategy document and discuss with key stakeholders. - CISO to conduct the HIES over the full 12 months and implement COICOP 2018 in the questionnaire. - CISO to update the data sources and methods document at the conclusion of the rebase exercise as well as include a revisions policy. - CISO to establish a technical working group to oversee the rebase exercise. ### Resources - Staffing: - There is currently no National Accounts compiler in CISO; previous compiler moved to New Zealand for study. - CISO expects recruitment of a replacement will take time and has approached Statistics New Zealand for short-term consultancy support. - Workload and capacity: - Rebasing and ongoing GDP compilation require additional resources; without increased resources, the mission is concerned CISO cannot complete the rebase within a reasonable timeframe. - Recommended action: - CISO to secure additional resources in order to compile the national accounts and undertake the rebasing exercise. *International Monetary Fund. Technical Assistance Report — Cook Islands: Mission on National Accounts Statistics, AUGUST 2025.* ### Section 2 ### tarea2025089-source-pdf - Section 2 ### Officials Met During the Mission - Taggy Tangimetua — Government Statistician & Chief Electoral Officer, CISO - Tanga Morris — Senior Statistician, BoP Compiler, CISO - Enua Pakitoa — Senior Statistician, International Trade, CISO - Tearoa Iorangi — HIES Manager, CISO - Laurids Rasmussen — Trainee GFS Compiler, CISO - Tristan Metcalfe — Director, Economic Planning Division MFEM - Ioana Turia — Microeconomist, Economic Planning Division MFEM - Rachel Goodwin — Collector and Comptroller, Revenue Management Division, MFEM - Aisake Mafua — Crown Accountant, Treasury Division MFEM - Peter Graham — Secretary of Justice, Ministry of Justice *Source: tarea2025089-source-pdf - Section 2* --- _Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/tar/2025/english/tarea2025089-source-pdf.pdf_