More Top Stories
Alleged rapist in remand
27 April 2024
Rarotonga residents push back on water tariff plan
12 April 2024
High hopes for chronic patients
4 May 2024
Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’
15 April 2024
Cook Islands poised for highest Pacific growth
29 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
Soaring costs of flights still rankles
Wednesday 19 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, Travel
The expected dip in tourism numbers did not quite arrive in September, but operators are still wary about the lack of flights.
Masters dominate the field at cycling champs
Tuesday 18 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Cycling, Sports
Masters cyclists dominated the field at the Cook Islands Games cycling time trial race and Cycling Federation national championships on the weekend.
Catholic Church and lobby groups silent on ‘sexual diversity’ document
Tuesday 18 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
The Catholic Church and LGBTQIA+ groups in the Cook Islands remain silent following the release of guidelines for Catholic schools on “sexual diversity” in New Zealand.
Plastic bans set to be imposed in 2023
Saturday 15 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands will tighten the reins on plastic use with a proposal to go before Cabinet this month.
BMX dream fast becoming a reality …
Saturday 15 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Features, Go Local
Grand plans are in place for the future of BMX in the Cook Islands and there is some heavyweight support in making it a reality.
Man plead guilty to $5000 theft from Aitutaki resort
Friday 14 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with the theft of $5000 from an Aitutaki resort has entered a guilty plea at the Criminal Court in Avarua.
Woman pleads guilty to multiple theft charges
Friday 14 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A woman facing multiple theft charges totalling nearly $60,000 has pleaded guilty.
Reported domestic violence, theft and stolen motorbikes falling
Thursday 13 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Annual figures of domestic violence, theft, and the unlawful taking of motorbikes are all trending low in comparison to previous years, according to latest Police data.
Jail ‘outdated, unfit for purpose and overcrowded’: Corrective Services head
Thursday 13 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National
Rarotonga’s jail has been labelled outdated and, in some respects, no longer fit for purpose.
Corrective Services Minister refutes prison abuse claims
Wednesday 12 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National
Minister of Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene has denied accusations of inhumane treatment at Arorangi Prison close to a week after former prisoner Teina Simiona Ataera Junior went public with claims he was mistreated by authorities.
Reported burglaries and crashes set to reach pre Covid numbers
Tuesday 11 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Burglaries and crashes have been labelled as areas of major concern on Rarotonga as law enforcement continues to battle climbing crime rates.
Mum’s the word: Authorities remain tight-lipped
Tuesday 11 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Authorities remain tight-lipped following claims of inhumane treatment at Arorangi Prison. Cook Islands News has again approached authorities, as Rarotonga lawyer Norman George has questioned the nation’s legal system and institutions, and called for a committee to be set up to review it.
Plastics on the way out as new legislation on the way in
Tuesday 11 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
Cook Islands will tighten the reins on plastic use but questions remain on when and how.
Cops busy with frontline staff facing rising number of incidents
Saturday 8 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Increasing cases of crashes, domestic violence, theft and burglary are adding pressure to frontline police officers who are already anticipating a busy end of year season ahead.
The ups and downs of coordinating 3500 athletes across 25 sports over a fortnight
Saturday 8 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Sports
The first week of the Cook Islands Games 2022 has seen a mixed bag of competition and feedback. Al Williams asks organisers how it’s going.
Cook Islands chef experiences intense week of Pacific cuisine
Saturday 8 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National
Cook Islands chef Rangi Mitaera-Johnson has described her experience at a celebration of food and community in Auckland as ‘incredibly full on with some of the finest chefs here in New Zealand’.
Drink driver ‘literally’ lands in court following crash
Friday 7 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
An alleged drink-driver didn’t have to travel far to land in hot water after crashing into the Ministry of Justice building in Avarua.
‘They put me in this situation’: Authorities mum on claims of inhumane treatment at prison
Friday 7 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, National
A former Arorangi Prison inmate referred to New Zealand early this year is in a serious medical condition and claims it is the result of his treatment at the hands of Cook Islands authorities.
Cook Islands chef spreads the word on culinary delights
Thursday 6 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National
Cook Islands chef Rangi Mitaera-Johnson is mixing it with the best in the region during a celebration of food and community in Auckland.
Demerits points system finally up and running
Thursday 6 October 2022 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National
More than 300 motorists are registered on the Cook Islands demerit points system following a ‘painstaking’ review by police.
