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
A plea for help: Senior Rarotonga couple keen to watch their favourite flicks in comfort
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Nikao couple Ian and Jackie Sanderson don’t have a lot, but what they do have, they care very much about.
Police throw bombshell at defence in burglary case
Friday 27 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man’s alibi in a case of burglary has been thrown into disarray due to late evidence presented at a defended hearing.
Author and historian seeks to trace the arrival of the Gospel
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
Coming of the Gospel is the latest publication from author and historian Howard Henry who has published it through his Sovereign Pacific Publishing Company.
Water meters coming to a home near you
Wednesday 25 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Rarotonga residents look set to contribute more tax dollars to support water infrastructure.
Cook Islands MP-elect Nicholas has her eye on Pacific peoples portfolio
Tuesday 24 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National, New Zealand, Politics, Regional
The only Pacific MP-elect in New Zealand’s National Party has her eye on the Pacific peoples portfolio.
Flooding issues ‘addressed’ as Muri road works near completion
Tuesday 24 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Environment, National
A sizeable culvert is being replaced at the southern end of Muri as a project to fix and resurface the stretch of road known at the “Golden Mile” nears completion.
Man released from custody on theft as servant charge
Monday 23 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man has been released from custody and appeared in court charged with theft as a servant.
Three men charged with breaching probation appear in court
Monday 23 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Three men have appeared in court, all charged with breaching probation.
Reflecting on the Sheraton development
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Features, Local, National, Weekend
A published author and former Government minister has weighed in on the ongoing Sheraton debate, labelling its background “a nightmare”.
Top job at Internal Affairs up for grabs
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Ministry for Internal Affairs secretary Anne Herman’s job is up for grabs, while she has not yet indicated if she is keen to stay on.
Theft or fraud offences?: Judge to rule on charges in high-profile corruption trial
Saturday 21 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Culture, National
A question of theft and fraud still remains among delays hampering the outcome of a high-profile corruption trial involving a suspended Deputy Prime Minister and two former senior public servants.
Indigenous Voice Referendum: ‘Constitutional change in Australia is challenging’
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Australia, Local, National, Regional
Australia has responded with a resounding no to a referendum seeking to change its Constitution and give indigenous people a voice. A Cook Islands voter says the result is deeply saddening.
Turua granted partial driver’s licence to work for Minister Angene
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Former Ministry of Cultural Development secretary Anthony Turua has appeared in court and been granted a partial driver’s licence.
Complaint against top cop: Govt says it is doing ‘due diligence’
Friday 20 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, Economy, National
Cook Islands Police Commissioner Turepu James Keenan is in hot water after a complaint was filed against him by a member of a Rarotonga-based diplomatic corp. Al Williams reports.
Medicinal cannabis campaigner calls for … ‘Common sense’ approach
Thursday 19 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Health, Local, National
Medicinal cannabis campaigner Steve Boggs is calling on Te Marae Ora to take a “common sense” approach and follow New Zealand in allowing over-the counter sales of cannabidiol (CBD) products.
Cooks to host international conference as it steps up seabed minerals investigation
Thursday 19 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Cook Islands is stepping up its seabed minerals bid as it will host international agencies at the annual Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) on Rarotonga next year.
PM Brown congratulates NZ PM designate Luxon following his election night success
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Politics
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has congratulated New Zealand Prime Minister-designate Christopher Luxon, the leader of the National Party, on winning the elections over the weekend.
Man accused of breaching police safety order released from custody on strict bail conditions
Tuesday 17 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 24-year-old man has been released from custody and has appeared in the Criminal Court on a charge of breaching a police safety order.
Questions raised over reparation quotes in careless driving matter
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with drink driving, and awaiting his day in court, went out and did it again.
Careless driving and failure to report accused discharged without conviction
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with careless driving and failing to comply and report an accident has been discharged without conviction in a case where his lawyer said “the defendant should have been the victim”.