More Top Stories
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
29 April 2024
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
Ex-DPM appeals ‘excessive sentence’, hearing date set
26 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
Thieves target second retailer in recent weeks
Tuesday 4 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A second-high profile retail store on Rarotonga has been targeted by thieves in recent weeks.
Pressing ahead with environment policy
Monday 3 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
It’s a document which received applause from environmentalists and school students alike when it was launched last week. The Cook Islands National Environment Policy 2022-32 is an attempt to ‘escalate efforts to protect the environment’.
From Poland to Rarotonga
Saturday 1 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s a labour of love for Jakub Postrzygacz who supplies Rarotonga with locally grown produce each week.
Students share their enviro concerns with authorities
Friday 31 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Education, National
There was robust debate as Tereora College students tackled the question of whether the environment is well protected for future generations.
Judge slams Cook Islands criminal justice system
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
The Cook Islands criminal justice system has been slammed by Justice Christopher Toogood in convicting and discharging a man following a lengthy period of frustration.
Breathing new life into an old facility
Saturday 18 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Local, National, Travel
Club Raro on Rarotonga has received a facelift in recent weeks as part of a combined effort to breathe new life into a facility constructed in the 1970s. Couple Tish and Owen Mete have been behind the two-month project.
‘Your abuse has stolen her life’ Man, 50, sentenced to eight years in prison for rape
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National, Outer Islands
(WARNING: This story contains graphic descriptions of the offences committed by the defendant). A Mangaia man who only stopped raping his teenage victim after she gave birth to their son has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Man guilty of injuring gets bail following night in custody
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man has been bailed after spending a night in custody following a three-day jury trial in which he was found not guilty of injuring a woman with intent but guilty of injuring her by an unlawful act.
‘Bad turn’ leads to crash outside Police Headquarters
Friday 17 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
An unlucky motorist was only a hop, skip and jump away from help in Avarua township when she took a bad turn.
Man guilty of injuring and remanded in custody following three-day jury trial
Thursday 16 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man has been remanded in custody following a three-day jury trial in which he was found not guilty of injuring a woman with intent but guilty of injuring her by an unlawful act.
Court briefs 13.03.23
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Ponipate Draunimasi Naisulu entered a guilty plea to excess breath alcohol in the Criminal Court on Thursday last week. The court heard Naisulu drove on March 4 and recorded an alcohol breath reading of 690 micrograms per litre of breath. Justice of the Peace John Whitta advised Naisulu legal advice was available. Naisulu was fined […]
Arorangi blaze being treated as suspicious
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A blaze in Arorangi late on Sunday night is being treated as suspicious. Emergency services were called to the Back Road property just after 11pm.
Jury trial for man charged with intent to injure starts
Tuesday 14 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A jury has heard the opening statements in a case against a man accused of assaulting a woman.
Police and Customs ‘need to work together’: PM Brown
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Business, Local, National
As confusion around the importation of medicinal cannabis continues at the border, Prime Minister Mark Brown has confirmed he is aware of the situation and says it is a case of ‘individuals interpreting their roles correctly’.
PM calls out CI News over negative online comments
Monday 13 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has called out Cook Islands News following widespread negative online comment about Chinese billionaire Jack Ma’s visit to Rarotonga.
Drink driver more than five times over the limit
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drunk driver on Rarotonga who recorded a breath alcohol reading nearly five times the legal limit – the highest police have seen in recent years – has appeared in court.
Resistance to mega-tourism is rising in the South Pacific
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National, Travel
With Covid-19 travel restrictions largely a thing of the past for Australian and New Zealand tourists, Pacific destinations are enjoying the return of visitors – albeit at a slower pace than in other parts of the world, writes Apisalome Movono and Regina Scheyvens.
Prime Minister cranks it up with nightclub celebration ahead of ‘golden years’
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown has celebrated a milestone birthday in style and collected his pension at the same time.
A dream to have people write their own history
Saturday 11 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, Local, National
Artist Mike Tavioni set out to tell a story of five brave men and made some startling discoveries along the way.
Lawyer points JP in right direction over suppression
Friday 10 March 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Justice of the Peace John Whitta entered into a debate over name suppression at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday.
