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 Old Post Office closed down: 50 government staff moved on
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Structural building integrity and asbestos issues at the Old Post Office have resulted in more than 50 staff members being relocated and the building being closed down.
Two months of professional services expenses come with a $190,000 bill
Monday 16 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Professional services expenses have cost the Cook Islands government nearly $200,000 in just two months.
New Zealand Election Day: Still time for eligible Cook Islands residents to vote
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
Anyone on Rarotonga, eligible, wanting to cast a vote in person for the 2023 New Zealand general election, has until 4pm today.
Brain damage reported following assault
Friday 13 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
‘The victim continues to require physical and cognitive assistance’
Medicinal cannabis legislation to go before Parliament in December
Thursday 12 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, Health, National
Legislation supporting availability of medicinal cannabis in the Cooks Islands will be tabled in Parliament.
Tourism welcomes Hawaii ticket specials but calls for more flights
Wednesday 11 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National, Travel
‘What will make the biggest difference is when frequency will be able to be increased’ Cooks tourism operators have welcomed sale airfares between Rarotonga and Honolulu but are still calling for an increase in flights.
Eligible Cook Islanders invited to vote in Aussie referendum to recognise First Peoples of Australia
Tuesday 10 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Australia, Economy, National, Regional
Cook Islanders holding Australian passport are being called on to vote today in a controversial referendum which seeks to recognise the First Peoples of Australia.
Cops struggle to get cost breakdown on two-year Aitutaki drug operation
Tuesday 10 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police are struggling to get a breakdown of the costs of large scale investigations such as Operation Tuvake.
Court briefs
Tuesday 10 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing a charge of threatening to kill will face a day in court despite not making an appearance, as it was assumed the charge against him would be dropped.
In brief: Court news
Monday 9 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Court briefs - October 9
Immigration still getting to grips with new systems as service users experience delays
Monday 9 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in National
Teething problems are persisting as Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration gets to grips with its new application processes.
Drink driving case involving NZ High Commission employee adjourned again
Saturday 7 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A reckless and drink driving case involving a New Zealand High Commission employee which has dragged on for nearly two years, took another dramatic turn in court on Friday.
‘No permanent fix’: Justice building still experiencing leaks as renovation works project continues
Saturday 7 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
Rarotonga’s Ministry of Justice building is still plagued with leaks, despite extensive renovations, including the installation of a passenger lift.
Guilty pleas indicated as woman faces multiple theft as a servant charges
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A woman facing eight charges of theft as a servant has indicated she will enter guilty pleas.
Tourism operator facing trespass charge free to leave Cook Islands
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A tourism operator facing a charge of wilful trespass, and undergoing ongoing assessment with Te Marae Ora in relation to the charge, has been given permission by the court to travel overseas.
Women appear in court on assault charges
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Two women have appeared in court before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham on assault charges connected to an alleged incident in Nikao.
‘It is just too messy’: JP calls off sentencing
Friday 6 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The prosecution of a teenager involved in three burglaries on Rarotonga has been described as “too messy” by a Justice of the Peace following half a day of deliberation.
Justice of the Peace threatens to dismiss charges if assault case adjourned again
Thursday 5 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A Justice of the Peace has threatened he will dismiss charges against a man, of common assault and assaulting a female, if the matter is adjourned again.
‘It’s unfair’: Retiree questions New Zealand Super entitlements
Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Local, National
A retired Cook Islands man believes there’s been a bureaucratic bungle as he is trying to access his New Zealand Superannuation and get it backdated to when he says he was first entitled to it.
New multi storey building proposed for PM and emergency operations staffers
Tuesday 3 October 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National
A multi-storied building, with a floor area of more than 1000 square metres to house an emergency operations centre and a number of core functions at the Office of the Prime Minister, has been proposed.