16 Oct 2017

Economist critical of data used to determine Cooks 'developed'

From , 5:04 am on 16 October 2017

A New Zealand economist is critical of the data the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has used to declare the Cook Islands a developed nation.

Dr Geoff Bertram is an associate at the institute of governance and policy studies at Victoria University and has long had a focus on the economic development of Pacific island countries.

Last year the governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand invited him to write a report evaluating the pending graduation to high income status.

Dr Bertram spoke with Dominic Godfrey, and says the OECD declaring the Cooks a developed nation at the end of next year is likely premature and based on flawed data.

Cook Islands flag

Cook Islands flag Photo: RNZ/ Tim Glasgow