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
‘I hope it is your last appearance for assault on a woman’: Domestic violence ‘not tolerated like it used to be’
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A Justice of the Peace has agreed with a defence lawyer in warning a man sentenced for assaulting his partner that he will go to jail if appears before the court again on domestic violence related charges.
Court told drink driving and careless use increasing on Raro
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man who drove when nearly four times over the legal limit, and then crashed, has left the victim unable to continue playing contact sport.
Motorists not getting the drink drive message as silly season approaches
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Motorists are not getting the drink drive message following another weekend of chaos on Rarotonga roads.
Two and half years’ loss of licence for drink driving incident which ended in serious injuries
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drink driving woman crashed into a family of five tourists leaving two of them, a mother and daughter, with serious injuries.
18 months’ probation sentence for ‘repeated domestic violence’
Monday 5 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man charged with assaulting his wife and child was told he was on the threshold of going to jail before sentencing.
Retiring Judge keeps Cooks on the books
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, National
Justice Colin Doherty has a professional relationship with the Cook Islands which stretches back more than ten years. He balances work here with numerous responsibilities in New Zealand, including chairing the Independent Police Conduct Authority. He plans to hang up his gown and spend more time fishing when he turns 70 early next year . . . but has no plans to give up his gig here. In fact, he’s just been married here.
Jail term for conspiring to sell cannabis
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man caught up in a massive cannabis bust involving more than $100,000 in transactions and multiple people has been given nearly two years’ jail.
Conflicting evidence and startling revelations as fraud case drags on
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
There were eruptive scenes in court as a case stretching back two years, involving a French national who had fraud charges against him thrown out, drags on.
Netball in Paradise attracts 10 overseas teams
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Netball, Sports
The biggest netball competition in the Cook Islands makes a comeback tomorrow. Netball in Paradise, held annually in December, will see a wide range of teams make it to the courts to battle it out.
Six nations to battle it out at international handball tournament on Rarotonga
Wednesday 30 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Sports
Hundreds of people from several nations across the Pacific will converge on Rarotonga this weekend for the International Handball Federation Oceania Trophy Tournament.
French national seeking costs as fraud case drags on over two years
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A case stretching back two years involving a French national who had fraud charges against him thrown out is back before the courts.
Cooks economy teetering as New Zealand nosedives
Monday 28 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Inflation remains the largest source of pressure for most people in the Cook Islands, as growth in food and energy prices in particular have been high and hard to avoid.
Punanga Nui Market turns 30
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s been 30 years since vendors gathered to sell their tasty homemade goods, produce, and locally-made wares at what is now popularly known as the Punanga Nui Market. Auntie Mii Upu, aka Mrs Q, was there in 1992 and can be still found at the Avarua site, five days a week, selling her own brand of crafted materials.
The location is just brilliant: Hospo veteran finds his tropical paradise
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
Aro’a Beachside Inn and its beachside restaurant Shipwreck Hut are getting a makeover after a visiting Kiwi fell in love with the place.
Cops pull out breathalysers for first time on Aitutaki: More than a dozen drink drivers nabbed
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Local, National
Aitutaki cops have clamped down on drinking drivers with the assistance of new breathalyser and speed radar equipment – a first for the island.
In the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday, November 17
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A prison warden facing multiple assault charges has entered guilty pleas.
Domestic violence dominates weekend incidents on Rarotonga
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A spike in domestic violence in Rarotonga over the weekend has seen a man locked up.
‘There is a growing waste crisis in the Cook Islands’ - Abandoned vehicles adding to spiralling cost of waste management
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands environment agency boss Halatoa Fua has labelled the nation’s abandoned vehicles as a ‘legacy’ waste issue.
Cooks couple sharing wellbeing dream with Polynesians globally
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, Local, National, Technology
A Cook Islands couple have set about getting their people on track to good health through an app.
Weighing up the alternatives in protecting the Cooks from coastal erosion: Where to next?
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Avana Harbour on the eastern side of Rarotonga has been in the spotlight this week as residents awoke on Monday to find a digger dredging in the narrow stretch of water. Al Williams investigates what this project is all about.
