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
Was the haul of cocaine in Cook Islands waters?
Thursday 9 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Local, National
It’s likely more than three tonnes of cocaine found floating in the Pacific Ocean were recovered from Cook Islands waters – but authorities are tight lipped.
Woman more than three times the limit abused others
Wednesday 8 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A woman was more than three times over the legal drink driving limit when she stopped her vehicle and confronted the public with profanities.
Woman, 53, charged with drink driving following weekend crash
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, Local, National
A 53-year-old woman spent a night in custody following an early morning drink driving incident on Rarotonga.
Rarotonga warmer and dryer, reveals climate change report
Tuesday 7 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National, Regional
Rarotonga is getting warmer and dryer as surveys show increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall. - ‘Annual rainfall has decreased significantly in Rarotonga since 1951’
Air New Zealand legal cost details still up in the air
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Travel
New information is likely to emerge this week as the total cost to Cook Islands taxpayers in a multi-million-dollar tax case involving Air New Zealand is still to be revealed.
‘There is life after Parliament’: Former MP
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Politics
Former member of Parliament Norman George is calling on retired politicians, among others, to stay active and continue working, as he reckons most of them die three to five years after leaving the halls of power.
What’s in an investigation?: ‘I don’t want to see somebody wrongfully convicted’
Monday 6 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Doubts have been cast around the way Cook Islands Police handled investigations which led to the conviction of Secretary of Cultural Development Anthony Turua for drink-driving.
Cultural Development Secretary convicted of drink-driving and disqualified
Friday 3 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The Secretary of Cultural Development has been convicted of drink-driving and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Crown and defence haggle over details in assault case
Thursday 2 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer got into a heated argument in court as a man was due to appear on multiple assault charges against a female.
Comedy couple keep coming back for a taste of paradise
Wednesday 1 February 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Art, Features
Kiwi husband-and-wife comedians and writers Jeremy Elwood and Michele A'Court have lost count on the number of times they’ve been to the Cook Islands. They describe it as a destination where they can just “switch off”. The couple chat with deputy editor Al Williams.
PM: New High Commissioner to be announced ‘within the month’
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown won’t be drawn into who might be shortlisted for the Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand job.
More than $20 million to replace dying solar batteries: PM Brown
Monday 30 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
It will cost more than $20 million to replace degrading batteries used to store electricity across the Pa Enua and Prime Minister Mark Brown wants it done as soon as possible.
‘Believe … and go for it’ – Turning dreams into reality
Saturday 28 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
Matai Price is using his spirit of entrepreneurship to turn a dream into reality. From humble beginnings, he is building a range of quality products on Rarotonga and the market is responding. He chats with deputy editor Al Williams.
Courts briefs
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing assault with intent to injure charges has been declined name suppression.
Wilful damage charge admitted in ongoing dispute
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 22-year-old male, in connection to an ongoing dispute between youths of neighbouring villages in Rarotonga, pleaded guilty at the Criminal Court in Avarua yesterday.
Our food is fresh, not polluted and mostly organic: chef Nordt
Friday 27 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Food
Rarotonga chef Phillip Nordt cuts straight to the point as he sharpens his knife in preparation for a third season of his TV show Chef’s Table.
Air NZ also silent in tax case costs
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Air New Zealand won’t reveal costs – including legal costs to be borne by Cook Islands taxpayers – related to a case involving the Revenue Management Division and the airline.
Days of the ‘good read’ on the decline
Thursday 26 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Education, National
Thousands of items including books, compact discs and DVDs are up for grabs at bargain prices, as the Cook Islands Library and Museum Society struggles to keep up with a continuing influx of donations and declining membership.
Questions remain in Cooks Air NZ tax case
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
It is still not known what dollar figure taxpayers have been lumped with in a tax case involving the Revenue Management Division and Air New Zealand.
Defendant told to seek advice
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with assault with intent to injure has been advised to seek legal representation.
