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
Tapaitau denies using public funds for private travel
Tuesday 27 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in
Suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau has emphatically denied using public money to fund private travel.
‘I’m in the boxing space and I still love the sport’
Saturday 24 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Boxing, Sports
It’s 8am on Rarotonga and retired Kiwi boxer Shane Cameron is already sweating it out in the gymnasium. He continues his workout as he chats with deputy editor Al Williams about a life in professional boxing and his ongoing investment in being fighting fit.
Fuel groups expand partnership to remove waste oil from Cooks
Saturday 24 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Ed Herman is tackling waste motor oil a litre at a time through a business partnership and says it’s set to benefit the Cook Islands.
Police recall timeline of investigation and arrests
Friday 23 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Police have outlined raids on the offices of suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service director Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna.
NES management labelled ‘ineffective’ following audit
Thursday 22 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Cash controls, processes and management at the National Environment Service were ineffective.
High profile fraud trial: ‘Messenger is the safest mode of communication, not calls or texts’
Wednesday 21 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
More details of communications between former National Environment Service director Nga Puna and staff have been revealed in Court.
National Environment Service manager raised concerns about payment systems
Tuesday 20 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
A senior National Environment Service staff has spoken about his frustrations over payment systems and that he had addressed concerns with another manager multiple times.
Retiring Judge given honorary Permanent Residency
Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Local, National
A long-standing Judge and his wife have been bestowed honorary Cook Islands Permanent Residents.
High profile trial: Series of emails and meta data analysis presented in Court
Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
The high-profile fraud trial involving suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former director of the National Environment Service, Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna, will enter its second week today.
High profile trial: Text messages between three accused read out in Court
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Text messages between suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former director of the National Environment Service, Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna have been read out in Court as details of a Police investigation emerge.
PM gives evidence at high profile trial
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown has given evidence on the fourth day of a Judge alone trial where he was questioned about his suspended deputy Robert Tapaitau and former director of the National Environment Service, Nga Puna.
Charlie-Puna accepted she had to pay money back, court told
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Several witnesses took the stand on day three of the Judge alone trial where they discussed details around the movements and travel of former director of the National Environment Service Nga Puna and his wife, former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna.
Claims of lies, leaks, theft and deception at high profile trial
Tuesday 13 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
There were tears in the High Court at Avarua on Monday as the Judge alone trial of suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau and husband and wife duo, former director of the National Environment Service Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna, got underway.
A man with a vision
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Iconic Rarotonga eatery and watering hole Trader Jacks needs little introduction. But for those looking for some insight into the establishment’s colourful background, a new book, 40 Years Behind Bars: A Publican in Paradise by Jack Cooper, might be a good starting point.
Man elects to defend himself against failure to stop and refusing breath test charges
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with failing to stop on demand and refusing to undergo a breath test will defend himself.
Shipping company and individual facing multiple dishonesty charges
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A shipping company and an individual have been landed with two charges of fishing in a foreign country, making a material omission in a document, and making a false statement in a document.
Drink-driving tourist told to pay up
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A drink-driving tourist who blew nearly four times the legal limit was told to pay his fines and costs on the same day he was due to fly back to New Zealand.
Man charged with careless driving following an early morning crash
Friday 9 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with careless driving following a crash opposite Tamarind House early on Thursday.
Drink-driving primary school teacher refused name suppression after blowing four times the legal limit
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drink-driving school teacher of 18 years who blew 1000 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath has failed in her bid for name suppression.
Thriving gardens on Palmerston Island
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Education, National, Outer Islands
School students on Palmerston Islands are developing green fingers.
