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
Widespread ICT outages raise more questions
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National, Technology
Ministry of Justice Secretary Tamatoa Jonassen has addressed ongoing information and communications technology (ICT) issues following a power cut on Rarotonga, but it appears the problem is widespread, with government still to respond to questions.
Assault accused discharged without conviction
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 24-year-man has escaped conviction on a charge of common assault in light of his age and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Nurse discharged without conviction following assault involving paramedic
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A public health nurse with a glowing list of references has been cleared of a common assault charge.
Chief Justice says it is fraud, not theft in high profile trial
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A question of theft and fraud has been answered in ongoing deliberations involving dishonesty charges against recently reinstated Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service (NES) director Nga Puna, and his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Diane Charlie-Puna.
‘It’s quite an opportunity for the island’: Aitutaki gears up for Forum Leaders visit
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Outer Islands, Pacific Islands Forum
Aitutaki is gearing up to host Pacific Island leaders taking part in the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga.
Public service fully cooperates to ensure hosting ‘second to none’
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
Cook Islands Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter says the nation has always been renowned for coming together as a people to successfully host major regional and international events.
Spick and span: Agencies partner to give Rarotonga a facelift for Forum
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, National, Pacific Islands Forum, Weekend
It’s taken six months to get there as Rarotonga looks set to be spick and span for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Last minute touches as leaders prepare to meet
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features, National, Pacific Islands Forum
Thousands of people are anticipated to converge on the National Auditorium (Are Kariori Nui) over the coming week, with months of planning and preparation behind the scenes.
New Zealand to send Brownlee, Sepuloni to Pacific Islands Forum
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Pacific Islands Forum
New Zealand Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon will not attend the Pacific Islands Forum on Rarotonga, while his foreign affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee will be accompanied by outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni at the forum.
Justice ministry ‘cut off’ following power outage
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Ministry of Justice staff have had limited to no information and communications technology (ICT) following a power cut on Rarotonga in the early hours of Wednesday, in what is an ongoing problem.
Cannabis accused awaits his day in court
Wednesday 1 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Rarotonga businessman Christopher Denny is still awaiting evidence as he faces charges of possessing cannabis and a utensil.
Legal aid bid continues for assault accused
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing assault charges is struggling to get his case heard as he awaits legal aid.
Tapaitau reinstated a second time as charges still pending
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National, Politics
Robert Tapaitau has been reinstated as Deputy Prime Minister for the second time after suspension amid criminal charges, but a leader of an Opposition party says the reinstatement is ‘unfair’.
Cook Islands YWAM leader pays tribute to organisation founderal
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A Cook Islands Christian leader has given thanks following the passing of a founding member of an interdenominational training organisation.
Claim of cocaine in the Cooks
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A New Zealand DJ (disc jockey) facing multiple drug charges wants his bail conditions changed so he can work on Rarotonga.
Rarotonga bustling with weekend cruise ship visit
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga was bustling on Saturday with a visiting cruise ship and a Rugby World Cup final.
A jet-setting spree : MPs’ travel bill draws criticism from former politicians
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Members of Parliament (MPs) have incurred significant travel-related costs in recent months, but no one from the Government or Opposition has yet justified the spending.
Cook Islands News lodges complaint with Parliamentary Services
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Office of the Ombudsman has advised the Cook Islands News to lodge a complaint with Parliamentary Services, advising them of concerns in relation to the release of the MPs travel costs between July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Breakdown of MP travel spending: PM, Opposition leader at the top
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
A breakdown of the spending figures shows the event attended, departure and arrival dates, airfare costs, accommodation costs, meals/incidentals, additional allowances and totals for each of the 14 MPs, for the period July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Lemon stealer gets a bitter taste of justice
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man has been convicted and sentenced in a long standing case involving the theft of lemons.
