More Top Stories
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
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 Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
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
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
Court briefs
Monday 31 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape.
‘Sleepless nights, difficult days over lack of legal aid’
Saturday 29 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Local, National
Legal aid - or the apparent lack of it in the Cook Islands - has been raised as a bone of contention in the High Court.
Senior driver escapes conviction after ‘staunch effort to make situation right’
Friday 28 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
An 80-year-old motorist has escaped conviction and disqualification on a charge of careless driving causing injury.
Man convicted on two counts of assaulting ex-partner
Friday 28 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Man convicted on two counts of assaulting ex-partner.
Accused denies assaulting his ex-partner
Thursday 27 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing multiple charges of assaulting his former partner has emphatically denied them.
Defendant told cops he loved his partner, wanted to seek counselling
Wednesday 26 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Witnesses including a police officer who arrested and charged a man with assaulting his partner have given evidence at jury trial.
Blaze tears through Avana home as two people escape
Wednesday 26 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Two people have escaped a blaze which quickly engulfed the first floor of a two-storey home in Ngatangiia on Monday night.
Pregnant mum speaks of being assaulted while holding infant daughter in her arms
Tuesday 25 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A mother had told a court of being assaulted by her partner while pregnant and holding their eight-month-old daughter in her arms
‘Cherished memories’: NZ-born CI artist celebrates 20 years exhibiting in Rarotonga
Saturday 22 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Features
The latest exhibition of New Zealand-born Cook Islands artist Sylvia Marsters will serve as a retrospective on the 20 years she has been visiting and exhibiting her paintings in her ‘ancestral home’.
RMD awaiting test results, reports on closed offices
Saturday 22 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy
Revenue Management Division and Customs staff in Rarotonga remain redeployed to other office space as investigations into asbestos at their Avarua offices continue.
Restaurateur says ‘save’ the cooking oil
Wednesday 19 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Food, Go Local
A long serving restaurateur is suggesting there is a market for tackling waste cooking oil in the Cooks.
More carnage on Rarotonga roads as Police left to clean up the wreckage
Monday 10 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
The stockpile of car wrecks on Rarotonga has just been added to following more weekend incidents on the island.
‘There really is no accounting for stupidly’ Warning signs are still being ignored
Saturday 8 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Another rescue at the Avaavaroa Passage has come as a swift reminder that people are ignoring the warning signs.
High profile trial wraps up as Nga Puna faces his third day of questioning
Thursday 6 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
The trial of former National Environment Service director Nga Puna, his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, Diane Charlie-Puna, along with suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau has wrapped up after close to four weeks.
Nga Puna defends bonus payment
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Former National Environment Service director Nga Puna faced his third day on the stand in Court where he was grilled by the Crown.
Revenue and Customs staff moved amid asbestos concerns
Tuesday 4 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Asbestos has presented an “unacceptable risk” to Revenue Management Division and Customs staff in Rarotonga, forcing Ministry of Finance and Economic Management to close the Avarua office.
Trial hears of Nga Puna’s concerns for Diane Charlie-Puna
Tuesday 4 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Former National Environment Service director Nga Puna has faced his second day on the stand in Court as he faces multiple dishonesty charges.
Nga Puna takes the stand
Monday 3 July 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Former National Environment Service director Nga Puna has taken the stand in Court as he faces multiple dishonesty charges.
Charlie-Puna offers apology in Court
Friday 30 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna has apologised for her role in conspiracy and theft.
Tapaitau continues with denials on second day of questioning
Wednesday 28 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau has been grilled for a second day by the Crown and continued denying conspiring or stealing from the public purse.
