More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Police shortage leads to drop in checkpoints
9 April 2024
Sarakura declared new Penrhyn MP
16 March 2024
Govt says $1.3m invested in Lady Samoa charter
22 February 2024
Mass milkfish die-off in Penrhyn raises concerns
3 April 2024
Regulator defends Starlink users
9 April 2024
Aitutaki’s heritage preserved in new anthology
4 January 2024
Avatiu Eels retain Nines title
8 January 2024
Beddoes crowned top athlete
8 January 2024
NRL player Dargan dies in Aitutaki motorcycle crash
24 December 2023
‘Please heed the signs’: resident makes plea to tourists
20 December 2023
Cook Islands set to play in new World Series
10 October 2023
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
Corruption in the Cook Islands?
21 January 2023
Moana target 2025 World Cup
11 November 2022
Articles by Al Williams
Young male motorists the main culprits of carnage on our roads
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
The vast majority of motorists causing trouble and consequently being convicted are aged under 30.
Rediscovering ancestral roots
Saturday 3 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Memory Lane
A Mangaia family has made new connections across thousands of kilometres of ocean through the magic of DNA, oral histories and historical records. On Rarotonga, Geoff Halston shares details of a reunion and emotional ties which now connect them.
Muso brings flavour to Raro dance parties
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Entertainment, Features
Dance music comes to Rarotonga this weekend with a music legend leading the way.
Guilty pleas entered ahead of high profile trial, PM Brown to be called as witness
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Former secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna has entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and theft charges ahead of a Judge alone trial in which more than 50 witnesses, including Prime Minister Mark Brown, will be called to give evidence.
All eyes on Japan
Tuesday 30 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Features, Pacific Islands, Regional, Weekend
There’s one thing glaringly obvious when I land in Tokyo - it’s big and it’s fast. Overwhelming at first, as the bus carrying me to my accommodation makes a two- hour journey through the massive metropolis. Al Williams was in Hiroshima, Japan to cover the G7 Summit and gives his account of a journey made possible by the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand.
Defendant facing raft of charges ‘out of control’
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing multiple contempt of court charges has again been described by his lawyer as “out of control”.
Reparation amount disputed in careless driving case
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A defence lawyer has challenged the amount of reparation her client has been asked to pay in a careless driving matter.
Rape accused told to seek ‘legal aid’ as additional charges added
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man with a long criminal history, charged with multiple offences including rape and indecent assault, has appeared in court on additional charges.
Tapaitau, Charlie Puna and Puna elect Judge alone trial
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The nation’s Deputy Prime Minister and two former senior government officials have appeared in court and have elected a Judge alone trial on theft, conspiracy and fraud charges.
Air NZ forced to do U-turn
Friday 26 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in BREAKING NEWS, Economy, National
An inbound international flight from Auckland to Rarotonga was forced to turn around on Thursday due to technical difficulties.
Air New Zealand Akld-Raro flight forced to turn around due to ‘air conditioning issue’
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in BREAKING NEWS, National
An inbound international flight from Auckland to Rarotonga has been forced to turn around due to technical difficulties.
‘Your EBA is quite possibly the highest I have ever seen’: JP
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A motorist who blew a record 1730 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath – nearly seven times the legal limit – has been disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined $1050.
Burglary matter adjourned for defence to prepare submissions
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with burglary sits on a “razor’s edge” of supervision or prison.
Hiroshima survivor shares harrowing story, calls for abolition of nuclear weapons
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features
Japan is sounding a loud and clear message ahead of the G7 Summit. It’s a no brainer really as I have seen journalists and interpreters alike, shed tears in recent days, as to the harrowing accounts of what happened in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
PM Brown arrives in Japan for G7 Summit
Friday 19 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has a busy weekend ahead of him with bilateral talks lined up with several nations.
Ukraine top agenda at G7 Summit
Thursday 18 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Pacific Islands, Regional
Cook Islands and the wider Pacific could benefit from the talks on Indo- Pacific, economic resilience and economic security, gender, food, health, climate, development and digitalisation at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan this weekend.
Japan dismisses ‘non compliant’ suggestions over Fukushima water release
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Senior Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have dismissed suggestions they are not being compliant as the waiting game continues for the Fukushima water release. By Al Williams in Hiroshima, Japan.
Theft accused retains name suppression
Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A woman charged with theft has continued name suppression after appearing in the Criminal Court on Thursday last week.
Cook Islands has eyes for Canada at G7 summit
Tuesday 16 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands has Canada in its sights as Prime Minister Mark Brown prepares for the G7 summit in Japan from May 19-21.
Police criticised in handling of fraud matter
Monday 15 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police have been criticised over their handling of a French national who had fraud charges against him thrown out.