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
Widespread ICT outages raise more questions
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National, Technology
Ministry of Justice Secretary Tamatoa Jonassen has addressed ongoing information and communications technology (ICT) issues following a power cut on Rarotonga, but it appears the problem is widespread, with government still to respond to questions.
Assault accused discharged without conviction
Thursday 9 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 24-year-man has escaped conviction on a charge of common assault in light of his age and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Nurse discharged without conviction following assault involving paramedic
Wednesday 8 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A public health nurse with a glowing list of references has been cleared of a common assault charge.
Chief Justice says it is fraud, not theft in high profile trial
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
A question of theft and fraud has been answered in ongoing deliberations involving dishonesty charges against recently reinstated Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former National Environment Service (NES) director Nga Puna, and his wife and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Diane Charlie-Puna.
‘It’s quite an opportunity for the island’: Aitutaki gears up for Forum Leaders visit
Tuesday 7 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, National, Outer Islands
Aitutaki is gearing up to host Pacific Island leaders taking part in the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Rarotonga.
Public service fully cooperates to ensure hosting ‘second to none’
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, National
Cook Islands Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter says the nation has always been renowned for coming together as a people to successfully host major regional and international events.
Spick and span: Agencies partner to give Rarotonga a facelift for Forum
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Features, National, Weekend
It’s taken six months to get there as Rarotonga looks set to be spick and span for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
Last minute touches as leaders prepare to meet
Saturday 4 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, Art, Entertainment, Features, National
Thousands of people are anticipated to converge on the National Auditorium (Are Kariori Nui) over the coming week, with months of planning and preparation behind the scenes.
New Zealand to send Brownlee, Sepuloni to Pacific Islands Forum
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in 52nd Pacific Islands Forum 2023, National
New Zealand Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon will not attend the Pacific Islands Forum on Rarotonga, while his foreign affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee will be accompanied by outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni at the forum.
Justice ministry ‘cut off’ following power outage
Friday 3 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Ministry of Justice staff have had limited to no information and communications technology (ICT) following a power cut on Rarotonga in the early hours of Wednesday, in what is an ongoing problem.
Cannabis accused awaits his day in court
Wednesday 1 November 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Rarotonga businessman Christopher Denny is still awaiting evidence as he faces charges of possessing cannabis and a utensil.
Legal aid bid continues for assault accused
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing assault charges is struggling to get his case heard as he awaits legal aid.
Tapaitau reinstated a second time as charges still pending
Tuesday 31 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National, Politics
Robert Tapaitau has been reinstated as Deputy Prime Minister for the second time after suspension amid criminal charges, but a leader of an Opposition party says the reinstatement is ‘unfair’.
Cook Islands YWAM leader pays tribute to organisation founderal
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A Cook Islands Christian leader has given thanks following the passing of a founding member of an interdenominational training organisation.
Claim of cocaine in the Cooks
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A New Zealand DJ (disc jockey) facing multiple drug charges wants his bail conditions changed so he can work on Rarotonga.
Rarotonga bustling with weekend cruise ship visit
Monday 30 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga was bustling on Saturday with a visiting cruise ship and a Rugby World Cup final.
A jet-setting spree : MPs’ travel bill draws criticism from former politicians
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Members of Parliament (MPs) have incurred significant travel-related costs in recent months, but no one from the Government or Opposition has yet justified the spending.
Cook Islands News lodges complaint with Parliamentary Services
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Office of the Ombudsman has advised the Cook Islands News to lodge a complaint with Parliamentary Services, advising them of concerns in relation to the release of the MPs travel costs between July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Breakdown of MP travel spending: PM, Opposition leader at the top
Saturday 28 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
A breakdown of the spending figures shows the event attended, departure and arrival dates, airfare costs, accommodation costs, meals/incidentals, additional allowances and totals for each of the 14 MPs, for the period July 1 to September 30, 2023.
Lemon stealer gets a bitter taste of justice
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man has been convicted and sentenced in a long standing case involving the theft of lemons.
