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
Thieves target second retailer in recent weeks
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A second-high profile retail store on Rarotonga has been targeted by thieves in recent weeks.
Pressing ahead with environment policy
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
It’s a document which received applause from environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate efforts to protect the environment’.
From Poland to Rarotonga
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s a labour of love for Jakub Postrzygacz who supplies Rarotonga with locally grown produce each week.
Students share their enviro concerns with authorities
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Education, National
There was robust debate as Tereora College students tackled the question of whether the environment is well protected for future generations.
Judge slams Cook Islands criminal justice system
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
The Cook Islands criminal justice system has been slammed by Justice Christopher Toogood in convicting and discharging a man following a lengthy period of frustration.
Breathing new life into an old facility
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Local, National, Tourism
Club Raro on Rarotonga has received a facelift in recent weeks as part of a combined effort to breathe new life into a facility constructed in the 1970s. Couple Tish and Owen Mete have been behind the two-month project.
‘Bad turn’ leads to crash outside Police Headquarters
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
An unlucky motorist was only a hop, skip and jump away from help in Avarua township when she took a bad turn.
‘Your abuse has stolen her life’ Man, 50, sentenced to eight years in prison for rape
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National, Outer Islands
(WARNING: This story contains graphic descriptions of the offences committed by the defendant). A Mangaia man who only stopped raping his teenage victim after she gave birth to their son has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Man guilty of injuring gets bail following night in custody
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man has been bailed after spending a night in custody following a three-day jury trial in which he was found not guilty of injuring a woman with intent but guilty of injuring her by an unlawful act.
Man guilty of injuring and remanded in custody following three-day jury trial
Thursday 16 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man has been remanded in custody following a three-day jury trial in which he was found not guilty of injuring a woman with intent but guilty of injuring her by an unlawful act.
Arorangi blaze being treated as suspicious
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A blaze in Arorangi late on Sunday night is being treated as suspicious. Emergency services were called to the Back Road property just after 11pm.
Court briefs 13.03.23
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Ponipate Draunimasi Naisulu entered a guilty plea to excess breath alcohol in the Criminal Court on Thursday last week. The court heard Naisulu drove on March 4 and recorded an alcohol breath reading of 690 micrograms per litre of breath. Justice of the Peace John Whitta advised Naisulu legal advice was available. Naisulu was fined […]
Jury trial for man charged with intent to injure starts
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A jury has heard the opening statements in a case against a man accused of assaulting a woman.
PM calls out CI News over negative online comments
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has called out Cook Islands News following widespread negative online comment about Chinese billionaire Jack Ma’s visit to Rarotonga.
Police and Customs ‘need to work together’: PM Brown
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Local, National
As confusion around the importation of medicinal cannabis continues at the border, Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed he is aware of the situation and says it is a case of ‘individuals interpreting their roles correctly’.
A dream to have people write their own history
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, Local, National
Artist Mike Tavioni set out to tell a story of five brave men and made some startling discoveries along the way.
Prime Minister cranks it up with nightclub celebration ahead of ‘golden years’
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has celebrated a milestone birthday in style and collected his pension at the same time.
Resistance to mega-tourism is rising in the South Pacific
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National, Tourism
With Covid-19 travel restrictions largely a thing of the past for Australian and New Zealand tourists, Pacific destinations are enjoying the return of visitors – albeit at a slower pace than in other parts of the world, writes Apisalome Movono and Regina Scheyvens.
Drink driver more than five times over the limit
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drunk driver on Rarotonga who recorded a breath alcohol reading nearly five times the legal limit – the highest police have seen in recent years – has appeared in court.
Lawyer points JP in right direction over suppression
Friday 10 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Justice of the Peace John Whitta entered into a debate over name suppression at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday.
