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Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
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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
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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
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Housing crisis hits tourism industry
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MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
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Challenging ‘rape culture’
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Articles by Al Williams
Cook’s buses get smart
Saturday 5 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
The wheels keep turning for the Cook family who have been providing public transport on Rarotonga for more than 30 years. Al Williams caught up with them at their Nikao operation.
Aggressive marketing to entice tourists back
Saturday 5 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
There’s an aggressive marketing campaign to get tourists back to the Cook Islands. It will be measured but it’s a matter of time, authorities say.
Thieves target cash, mobile
Friday 4 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Two men, both in their 20s, were arrested and charged with breaking and entering last month, with one appearing in court on Thursday.
Jetstar up in the air
Friday 4 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cheaper flights are on offer between Rarotonga and Auckland from October as another airline looks set to re-enter the market.
14 road crashes on Rarotonga roads in May
Thursday 3 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A dozen people were injured including one fatally in motor vehicle crashes last month.
Early figures show tourism on rebound
Wednesday 2 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Tourism authorities are projecting visitor numbers to the Cook Islands to be between 50 and 60 per cent of pre Covid-19 figures in the coming months.
Local brewery dries up due to high demand and delays
Tuesday 1 June 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
The taps at the home of Cooks Islands Lager have run dry with no beer available for another week.
Diving back into business
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
It’s been a tough 12 months for local tour operators who are now welcoming back guests. Al Williams reports.
A ‘happy virus’ goes out to the world
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A Cook Islands podcaster has celebrated a milestone in connecting the nation to more than 60 countries.
Sentencing put on hold for man convicted on cannabis charges
Saturday 29 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A judge has expressed concern about the well-being of a man facing imprisonment on cannabis charges and has delayed his sentencing.
Keeping a tab on patrons
Friday 28 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Bar and restaurant owners are confident they have systems in place to deal with customer safety amid police concerns.
Police say alcohol was factor in fatal crash
Thursday 27 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Alcohol was a contributing factor in a crash that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist in the early hours of Thursday last week.
Alleged theft leads to automated system
Wednesday 26 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A resort owner in the middle of a case involving the alleged theft of $17,000 from her business automated her cash systems in an effort to “close the loophole that had been exploited”.
Jury returns ‘not guilty’ verdict in theft case
Tuesday 25 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A woman has been found not guilty of falsifying records and stealing more than $17,000 from her former employer, following a three-day jury trial in the High Court at Avarua.
Bubble gives Kiwi journalists a week in paradise
Saturday 22 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Weekend
Kiwi journalists flooded into Rarotonga this week as the Cook Islands travel bubble with New Zealand inflated. They shared their Cook Islands experiences with senior journalist Al Williams.
Support for accused allows bail
Friday 21 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A 20-year-old man facing burglary and theft charges has been told he is lucky by a Justice of the Peace following an appearance in the Criminal Court at Avarua.
Restaurant missing $17k in court
Thursday 20 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A woman accused of falsifying records and stealing more than $17,000 from her former employer has denied the charges.
Eight months jail for cannabis cultivation, utensil possession
Wednesday 19 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
There were emotional scenes as a father of three was sentenced on Tuesday to eight months jail on cannabis charges in the High Court at Avarua.
30 receive Covid-19 jabs
Tuesday 18 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, National
Secretary of Health Bob Williams became the first Cook Islands resident in Rarotonga to receive the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine after the first batch arrived in the country Monday afternoon.
Air Rarotonga sees busy winter for Aitutaki
Saturday 15 May 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Outer Islands
Air Rarotonga managing director Ewan Smith says they will be “gradually” ramping up flight frequency to Aitutaki as flights from Auckland increase.