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
Cooks drop the ball as Kiwis step up
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Handball, Sports
Cook Islands lost their pace on the court during the second day of competition in the International Handball Federation Oceania Trophy Tournament on Rarotonga.
‘I hope it is your last appearance for assault on a woman’: Domestic violence ‘not tolerated like it used to be’
Wednesday 7 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A Justice of the Peace has agreed with a defence lawyer in warning a man sentenced for assaulting his partner that he will go to jail if appears before the court again on domestic violence related charges.
Two and half years’ loss of licence for drink driving incident which ended in serious injuries
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drink driving woman crashed into a family of five tourists leaving two of them, a mother and daughter, with serious injuries.
Motorists not getting the drink drive message as silly season approaches
Tuesday 6 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Motorists are not getting the drink drive message following another weekend of chaos on Rarotonga roads.
18 months’ probation sentence for ‘repeated domestic violence’
Monday 5 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man charged with assaulting his wife and child was told he was on the threshold of going to jail before sentencing.
Retiring Judge keeps Cooks on the books
Saturday 3 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, In Depth, Local, National
Justice Colin Doherty has a professional relationship with the Cook Islands which stretches back more than ten years. He balances work here with numerous responsibilities in New Zealand, including chairing the Independent Police Conduct Authority. He plans to hang up his gown and spend more time fishing when he turns 70 early next year . . . but has no plans to give up his gig here. In fact, he’s just been married here.
Jail term for conspiring to sell cannabis
Friday 2 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A man caught up in a massive cannabis bust involving more than $100,000 in transactions and multiple people has been given nearly two years’ jail.
Conflicting evidence and startling revelations as fraud case drags on
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
There were eruptive scenes in court as a case stretching back two years, involving a French national who had fraud charges against him thrown out, drags on.
Netball in Paradise attracts 10 overseas teams
Thursday 1 December 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Netball, Sports
The biggest netball competition in the Cook Islands makes a comeback tomorrow. Netball in Paradise, held annually in December, will see a wide range of teams make it to the courts to battle it out.
Six nations to battle it out at international handball tournament on Rarotonga
Wednesday 30 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Sports
Hundreds of people from several nations across the Pacific will converge on Rarotonga this weekend for the International Handball Federation Oceania Trophy Tournament.
French national seeking costs as fraud case drags on over two years
Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A case stretching back two years involving a French national who had fraud charges against him thrown out is back before the courts.
Cooks economy teetering as New Zealand nosedives
Monday 28 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Inflation remains the largest source of pressure for most people in the Cook Islands, as growth in food and energy prices in particular have been high and hard to avoid.
Punanga Nui Market turns 30
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
It’s been 30 years since vendors gathered to sell their tasty homemade goods, produce, and locally-made wares at what is now popularly known as the Punanga Nui Market. Auntie Mii Upu, aka Mrs Q, was there in 1992 and can be still found at the Avarua site, five days a week, selling her own brand of crafted materials.
The location is just brilliant: Hospo veteran finds his tropical paradise
Saturday 26 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
Aro’a Beachside Inn and its beachside restaurant Shipwreck Hut are getting a makeover after a visiting Kiwi fell in love with the place.
Cops pull out breathalysers for first time on Aitutaki: More than a dozen drink drivers nabbed
Tuesday 22 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Local, National
Aitutaki cops have clamped down on drinking drivers with the assistance of new breathalyser and speed radar equipment – a first for the island.
‘There is a growing waste crisis in the Cook Islands’ - Abandoned vehicles adding to spiralling cost of waste management
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, Local, National
Cook Islands environment agency boss Halatoa Fua has labelled the nation’s abandoned vehicles as a ‘legacy’ waste issue.
In the Criminal Court at Avarua on Thursday, November 17
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A prison warden facing multiple assault charges has entered guilty pleas.
Domestic violence dominates weekend incidents on Rarotonga
Monday 21 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A spike in domestic violence in Rarotonga over the weekend has seen a man locked up.
Weighing up the alternatives in protecting the Cooks from coastal erosion: Where to next?
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Avana Harbour on the eastern side of Rarotonga has been in the spotlight this week as residents awoke on Monday to find a digger dredging in the narrow stretch of water. Al Williams investigates what this project is all about.
Cooks couple sharing wellbeing dream with Polynesians globally
Saturday 19 November 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, Local, National, Technology
A Cook Islands couple have set about getting their people on track to good health through an app.
