More Top Stories
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
24 September 2024
Tapaitau and Charlie-Puna released to ‘family jobs’
21 September 2024
Police apprehend four juveniles in connection with motorcycle thefts
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
ICI explains road works delay in front of old Sheraton site
10 August 2024
Diaspora dismayed over lack of Te Maeva Nui livestream
8 August 2024
Everyone is a winner, says Culture
7 August 2024
Local women outshine global peers in business leadership
8 August 2024
Housing crisis hits tourism industry
27 July 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Al Williams
Lahaina fundraising event brings in $10k and more to come . .
Wednesday 13 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Rarotonga turned up in the wind and rain as part of a combined effort to support the fire destroyed town of Lahaina, in Maui, Hawaii.
Acting Prime Minister Albert Nicholas hospitalised following medical event
Monday 11 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Acting Prime Minister Albert Nicholas has been flown to New Zealand following a medical event, leaving Minister Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown to take the reins.
Lahaina fundraiser to feature food, fun and music
Friday 8 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
In support for the fire destroyed town of Lahaina, in Maui, Hawaii, a fundraising event will be held tomorrow on Rarotonga featuring dozens of musicians and a taste of the Pacific.
Lawyer intends to appeal reparation matter following $3000 claim for damaged power pole following crash
Thursday 7 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Matters heard in the Criminal Court on August 30
Juggling act at Ministry of Cultural Development as the waiting game on suspended boss drags on
Wednesday 6 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, Economy, National
There’s a juggling act going on at the Ministry of Cultural Development as the waiting game continues on what’s ahead for its suspended boss while a medical matter has put the acting boss out of action.
Drink driver more than seven times over the limit
Tuesday 5 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drink driver has been given 16 months of probation and disqualified from driving for a year in what has been described as an “extremely high” level of alcohol in his system at the time of the incident. This was heard at the Criminal Court on August 29.
Budding footballers get bonus ‘boots and all’
Monday 4 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Football, Sports
Aussie couple and soccer fanatics Sharon Pascoe and Wayne Parrott have spent the past 12 months collecting 581 pairs of football boots and 110 pairs of shin pads which were delivered to Rarotonga on the weekend.
4500 litres of waste cooking oil on Raro a week; where is it ending up?’
Monday 4 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
A long serving restauranteur remains persistent in his effort to tackle waste cooking oil in the Cooks - giving a rough estimate that more than 4,500 litres of it is being dumped in landfill on Rarotonga each week – and now he has the interest of our National Environment Service.
Pero points out benefits in tapping into North America tourism market
Saturday 2 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
New Zealand based Cook Islander, Mike Pero has advised that interest from both the tourism and accommodation sectors on both main islands - Rarotonga and Aitutaki - continues to gain momentum as he makes a bid for more connection to North America.
Cooks sports administrator puts hand up for a Commonwealth Games post
Friday 1 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Commonwealth Games, Sports
Long serving Cook Islands sports administrator Hugh Graham has put his hand up for a Commonwealth Games Federation vice-president's post.
Cooks food distributor cries foul over freight
Friday 1 September 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
A leading Cook Islands food distributor has joined the call for oversight in Pacific shipping lanes.
‘Close call’ for residence as rubbish burns out of control
Thursday 31 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
First responders to an out of control rubbish fire in Black Rock say it was a narrow escape for a residence while again ringing warning bells about responsible burning.
Man nearly five times over the limit following crash outside the cop shop
Tuesday 29 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man blew nearly five times the legal drink driving limit following an incident outside police headquarters on Rarotonga earlier this month.
Cooks artist calls out authorities over support for release of Japan wastewater
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Environment, National
Renowned artist and cultural icon Mike Tavioni has raised his voice in frustration over government support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Japan’s release of ‘treated’ nuclear wastewater into the Pacific.
Monopoly in Pacific shipping lanes, Cooks operator claims
Saturday 26 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Businessman Brett Porter has called out Matson South Pacific shipping for what he claims is anti- competitive use of its shipping licence in the Cook Islands.
Puna: Fukishima talks tabled for Cooks Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting
Thursday 24 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National, Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Forum, Regional
It appears the Pacific is still divided on the Fukishima wastewater issue and likely to be a hot topic of conversation at the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum on Rarotonga.
Teenager spared jail on raft of charges
Thursday 24 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A woman who consistently flouted the law over a period of months has been spared jail on a raft of charges including burglary and obtaining credit by fraud.
Pero leads charge on tapping into North America tourism
Wednesday 23 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Tourism
A gathering of more than 50 property and tourism industry leaders took place on Monday in Muri to discuss options for inbound tourism from North America.
Public Service Commissioner: Staff retention ongoing concern for Cooks
Wednesday 23 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter had the privilege of meeting Tonga Prime Minister, Hu’akavameiliku during the Polynesian Public Service Commissioners Sub-Regional Fono held last week in Tonga.
Who’s pulling the strings?
Wednesday 23 August 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The reins are tightening on government spending in the Cook Islands but it’s unclear who’s pulling the strings.
