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
Was the haul of cocaine in Cook Islands waters?
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Local, National
It’s likely more than three tonnes of cocaine found floating in the Pacific Ocean were recovered from Cook Islands waters – but authorities are tight lipped.
Woman more than three times the limit abused others
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A woman was more than three times over the legal drink driving limit when she stopped her vehicle and confronted the public with profanities.
Woman, 53, charged with drink driving following weekend crash
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, Local, National
A 53-year-old woman spent a night in custody following an early morning drink driving incident on Rarotonga.
Rarotonga warmer and dryer, reveals climate change report
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National, Regional
Rarotonga is getting warmer and dryer as surveys show increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall. - ‘Annual rainfall has decreased significantly in Rarotonga since 1951’
Air New Zealand legal cost details still up in the air
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Tourism
New information is likely to emerge this week as the total cost to Cook Islands taxpayers in a multi-million-dollar tax case involving Air New Zealand is still to be revealed.
‘There is life after Parliament’: Former MP
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Politics
Former member of Parliament Norman George is calling on retired politicians, among others, to stay active and continue working, as he reckons most of them die three to five years after leaving the halls of power.
What’s in an investigation?: ‘I don’t want to see somebody wrongfully convicted’
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Doubts have been cast around the way Cook Islands Police handled investigations which led to the conviction of Secretary of Cultural Development Anthony Turua for drink-driving.
Cultural Development Secretary convicted of drink-driving and disqualified
Friday 3 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The Secretary of Cultural Development has been convicted of drink-driving and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Crown and defence haggle over details in assault case
Thursday 2 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer got into a heated argument in court as a man was due to appear on multiple assault charges against a female.
Comedy couple keep coming back for a taste of paradise
Wednesday 1 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Features
Kiwi husband-and-wife comedians and writers Jeremy Elwood and Michele A'Court have lost count on the number of times they’ve been to the Cook Islands. They describe it as a destination where they can just “switch off”. The couple chat with deputy editor Al Williams.
PM: New High Commissioner to be announced ‘within the month’
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown won’t be drawn into who might be shortlisted for the Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand job.
More than $20 million to replace dying solar batteries: PM Brown
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
It will cost more than $20 million to replace degrading batteries used to store electricity across the Pa Enua and Prime Minister Mark Brown wants it done as soon as possible.
‘Believe … and go for it’ – Turning dreams into reality
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
Matai Price is using his spirit of entrepreneurship to turn a dream into reality. From humble beginnings, he is building a range of quality products on Rarotonga and the market is responding. He chats with deputy editor Al Williams.
Courts briefs
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing assault with intent to injure charges has been declined name suppression.
Wilful damage charge admitted in ongoing dispute
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 22-year-old male, in connection to an ongoing dispute between youths of neighbouring villages in Rarotonga, pleaded guilty at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday.
Our food is fresh, not polluted and mostly organic: chef Nordt
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Food
Rarotonga chef Phillip Nordt cuts straight to the point as he sharpens his knife in preparation for a third season of his TV show Chef’s Table.
Air NZ also silent in tax case costs
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Air New Zealand won’t reveal costs – including legal costs to be borne by Cook Islands taxpayers – related to a case involving the Revenue Management Division and the airline.
Days of the ‘good read’ on the decline
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Education, National
Thousands of items including books, compact discs and DVDs are up for grabs at bargain prices, as the Cook Islands Library and Museum Society struggles to keep up with a continuing influx of donations and declining membership.
Questions remain in Cooks Air NZ tax case
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
It is still not known what dollar figure taxpayers have been lumped with in a tax case involving the Revenue Management Division and Air New Zealand.
Defendant told to seek advice
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with assault with intent to injure has been advised to seek legal representation.
