Kia Orana everyone our 2025/2026 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) officially begins today.

The HIES is a key national survey that collects detailed information on the financial situation of households in the Cook Islands. It covers all major aspects of household economic activity, including:

• Income (wages, salaries, business earnings, remittances, pensions, etc.)
• Expenditure (food, housing, education, transport, healthcare, and other spending)
• Consumption (both purchased and home-produced goods and services)

The survey serves several important purposes:

• To provide reliable data on household income and consumption for evidence-based decision-making.
• To update National Accounts including GDP estimates.
• To rebase the Consumer Price Index (CPI) so that inflation and cost of living measures reflect current household spending patterns.
• To produce indicators for national planning, regional comparisons, and international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The survey is conducted by the Cook Islands Statistics Office (CISO) through face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of randomly selected households. It is the only comprehensive survey that captures the economic well-being and living standards of Cook Islands households at the national level. Under the Statistics Act 2016, selected households are required to provide the requested information. Please be assured that all responses are strictly confidential and will only be used for statistical purposes. The results will never be linked to the selected household or to any individual member. By taking part, your household is contributing to an important national effort that will help improve the lives of all Cook Islanders. We understand this is a commitment of your time, and we deeply appreciate your cooperation.

Meitaki Maata.