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
Young male motorists the main culprits of carnage on our roads
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
The vast majority of motorists causing trouble and consequently being convicted are aged under 30.
Rediscovering ancestral roots
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Memory Lane
A Mangaia family has made new connections across thousands of kilometres of ocean through the magic of DNA, oral histories and historical records. On Rarotonga, Geoff Halston shares details of a reunion and emotional ties which now connect them.
Muso brings flavour to Raro dance parties
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Entertainment, Features
Dance music comes to Rarotonga this weekend with a music legend leading the way.
Guilty pleas entered ahead of high profile trial, PM Brown to be called as witness
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Former secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna has entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and theft charges ahead of a Judge alone trial in which more than 50 witnesses, including Prime Minister Mark Brown, will be called to give evidence.
All eyes on Japan
Tuesday 30 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Features, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
There’s one thing glaringly obvious when I land in Tokyo - it’s big and it’s fast. Overwhelming at first, as the bus carrying me to my accommodation makes a two- hour journey through the massive metropolis. Al Williams was in Hiroshima, Japan to cover the G7 Summit and gives his account of a journey made possible by the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand.
Defendant facing raft of charges ‘out of control’
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing multiple contempt of court charges has again been described by his lawyer as “out of control”.
Reparation amount disputed in careless driving case
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A defence lawyer has challenged the amount of reparation her client has been asked to pay in a careless driving matter.
Rape accused told to seek ‘legal aid’ as additional charges added
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man with a long criminal history, charged with multiple offences including rape and indecent assault, has appeared in court on additional charges.
Tapaitau, Charlie Puna and Puna elect Judge alone trial
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The nation’s Deputy Prime Minister and two former senior government officials have appeared in court and have elected a Judge alone trial on theft, conspiracy and fraud charges.
Air NZ forced to do U-turn
Friday 26 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Economy, National
An inbound international flight from Auckland to Rarotonga was forced to turn around on Thursday due to technical difficulties.
Air New Zealand Akld-Raro flight forced to turn around due to ‘air conditioning issue’
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in BREAKING NEWS, National
An inbound international flight from Auckland to Rarotonga has been forced to turn around due to technical difficulties.
‘Your EBA is quite possibly the highest I have ever seen’: JP
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A motorist who blew a record 1730 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath – nearly seven times the legal limit – has been disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined $1050.
Burglary matter adjourned for defence to prepare submissions
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with burglary sits on a “razor’s edge” of supervision or prison.
Hiroshima survivor shares harrowing story, calls for abolition of nuclear weapons
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features
Japan is sounding a loud and clear message ahead of the G7 Summit. It’s a no brainer really as I have seen journalists and interpreters alike, shed tears in recent days, as to the harrowing accounts of what happened in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
PM Brown arrives in Japan for G7 Summit
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has a busy weekend ahead of him with bilateral talks lined up with several nations.
Ukraine top agenda at G7 Summit
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands and the wider Pacific could benefit from the talks on Indo- Pacific, economic resilience and economic security, gender, food, health, climate, development and digitalisation at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan this weekend.
Japan dismisses ‘non compliant’ suggestions over Fukushima water release
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Senior Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have dismissed suggestions they are not being compliant as the waiting game continues for the Fukushima water release. By Al Williams in Hiroshima, Japan.
Theft accused retains name suppression
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A woman charged with theft has continued name suppression after appearing in the Criminal Court on Thursday last week.
Cook Islands has eyes for Canada at G7 summit
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has Canada in its sights as Prime Minister Mark Brown prepares for the G7 summit in Japan from May 19-21.
Police criticised in handling of fraud matter
Monday 15 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police have been criticised over their handling of a French national who had fraud charges against him thrown out.