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
This is unsatisfactory: Chief Justice Keane
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The case against a woman of obtaining by false pretense which stretches back nearly five years, has been described as unsatisfactory by her lawyer.
Guilty plea in $118,000 deception case
Wednesday 25 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A woman has entered a guilty plea to obtaining by deception in a $118,000 case involving the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development.
New sentencing date to be set for alleged rapist
Tuesday 24 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A Mangaia man charged with multiple offences including rape, cruelty to a child and assault on a child has entered guilty pleas in the High Court.
PM silent on legal costs in $5.4m Air NZ case
Monday 23 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will not reveal the total cost in a tax case involving the Revenue Management Division and Air New Zealand.
High-profile case drags on in ‘cluttered’ callover
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau’s name, alongside former civil servants, husband and wife Nga Puna and Diane Charlie-Puna, have been called in court again.
‘He’s a good bloke’: PM Brown commends incoming New Zealand PM
Saturday 21 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown has described incoming New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins as a “good bloke”.
Three Justices of the Peace indicate conflict in prison warden assault case
Friday 20 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A prison warden facing multiple assault charges will have to postpone his travel to New Zealand following conflict of interest signals from two Justices of the Peace.
Government remains mum on Air New Zealand ‘legal’ bill
Thursday 19 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Legal fees are understood to be in excess of $250,000 as government continues to sit on a report outlining where the Revenue Management Division went wrong in the tax matter involving Air New Zealand.
Beach handball proves a hit at games
Wednesday 18 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Other Sports, Sports
Beach handball has again taken centre stage at the 2023 Cook Islands Beach Games.
A tumultuous week in tax
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Claims have come to light the Revenue Management Division is dysfunctional following revelations its top man is on sabbatical leave. It now looks like the government department is desperately short on resources.
Convicted drink drivers all register blood levels more than three times the legal limit
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Three women, all involved in injury crashes, all caught drink driving with blood alcohol levels more than three times over the legal limit, have been fined and disqualified.
$5.4 million returned in overpaid tax
Saturday 14 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The Revenue Management Division will be making a submission to Cabinet, outlining the costs incurred and to be borne by Cook Islands taxpayers, in the legal action taken by Air New Zealand over ‘overpaid tax’.
Financial Secretary claims ‘slow news day’ over sabbatical leave saga
Friday 13 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, in a bizarre turn of events, has turned to social media with a response to questions surrounding his top taxman’s “sabbatical leave”.
Questions surrounding top taxman’s ‘sabbatical leave’
Thursday 12 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The head of the Cook Islands tax department has been given six months’ sabbatical leave by his boss, Financial Secretary Garth Henderson, in a decision that has reportedly irked top government officials.
Spending big to make the bucks
Saturday 7 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
The wheels of commerce keep turning for the Cook Islands tourism industry as the nation moves into what has been traditionally known as a quiet period over our summer months. Resorts are pouring millions of dollars into maintenance and redevelopment as they forecast continued growth in the coming year.
Resorts undergoing multimillion dollar redevelopment
Friday 6 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Travel
Edgewater Resort and Spa and its sister resort Club Raro are undergoing a multi-million dollar redevelopment.
String of burglaries: Police seeking ‘young, tall, skinny’ male suspect
Thursday 5 January 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Police seeking ‘young, tall, skinny’ male suspect.
High hopes for 2023
Saturday 31 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Local, National
Small business operators on Rarotonga have given 2022 a thumbs up following a challenging couple of years. They are positive going forward to 2023 despite ongoing uncertainty, Al Williams reports
Cops call for calm as New Year looms
Saturday 31 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Police are extending firm reminders to all liquor licenced premises and outlets to stick to the rules and ensure their respective responsibilities are maintained during New Year celebrations.
Drink-driving women warned it’s jail next
Saturday 31 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Two women convicted of drink driving have been told they could face jail time if they appear before the courts again.
