Court
PM Brown takes over ‘suspended’ deputy’s ministerial portfolios
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, Economy, National
Prime Minister Mark Brown will take on all of suspended Deputy PM Robert Tapaitau’s portfolios for the foreseeable future while a high-profile trial is ongoing.
Prime Minister among high profile witnesses called to give evidence
Wednesday 14 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, Crime, National
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is set to be called tomorrow as a witness in a high-profile criminal trial involving suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau, former director of the National Environment Service Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna.
Claims of lies, leaks, theft and deception at high profile trial
Tuesday 13 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
There were tears in the High Court at Avarua on Monday as the Judge alone trial of suspended Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau and husband and wife duo, former director of the National Environment Service Nga Puna and former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna, got underway.
Man elects to defend himself against failure to stop and refusing breath test charges
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with failing to stop on demand and refusing to undergo a breath test will defend himself.
Shipping company and individual facing multiple dishonesty charges
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A shipping company and an individual have been landed with two charges of fishing in a foreign country, making a material omission in a document, and making a false statement in a document.
Drink-driving tourist told to pay up
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A drink-driving tourist who blew nearly four times the legal limit was told to pay his fines and costs on the same day he was due to fly back to New Zealand.
Man charged with careless driving following an early morning crash
Friday 9 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with careless driving following a crash opposite Tamarind House early on Thursday.
Drink-driving primary school teacher refused name suppression after blowing four times the legal limit
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
A drink-driving school teacher of 18 years who blew 1000 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath has failed in her bid for name suppression.
Community service for man who failed to pay reparations
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A man has been sentenced to community service after failing to pay his weekly reparations.
Teenager admits role in burglary
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
One of the teenagers who burglarised two prominent Rarotonga businesses will face sentencing in August.
Assault accused faces defended hearing, JP reserves decision
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A Justice of the Peace has reserved her decision over whether a woman who pulled another person’s hair in a domestic altercation was guilty of assault.
Guilty pleas entered ahead of high profile trial, PM Brown to be called as witness
Friday 2 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
Former secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna has entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and theft charges ahead of a Judge alone trial in which more than 50 witnesses, including Prime Minister Mark Brown, will be called to give evidence.
Assault accused faces defended hearing
Thursday 1 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Court, National
A Justice of the Peace has reserved her decision over whether a woman who pulled another person’s hair in a domestic altercation was guilty of assault.
JP gives defendant ‘benefit of the doubt’
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, National
Okirua Manuela has been given the benefit of the doubt by Justice of the Peace Tangi Taoro as he was sentenced to appear in court in six months if called upon, a week ago.
Defendant facing raft of charges ‘out of control’
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man facing multiple contempt of court charges has again been described by his lawyer as “out of control”.
Reparation amount disputed in careless driving case
Monday 29 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A defence lawyer has challenged the amount of reparation her client has been asked to pay in a careless driving matter.
Rape accused told to seek ‘legal aid’ as additional charges added
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man with a long criminal history, charged with multiple offences including rape and indecent assault, has appeared in court on additional charges.
Tapaitau, Charlie Puna and Puna elect Judge alone trial
Saturday 27 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
The nation’s Deputy Prime Minister and two former senior government officials have appeared in court and have elected a Judge alone trial on theft, conspiracy and fraud charges.
‘Your EBA is quite possibly the highest I have ever seen’: JP
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A motorist who blew a record 1730 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath – nearly seven times the legal limit – has been disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined $1050.
Burglary matter adjourned for defence to prepare submissions
Thursday 25 May 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, National
A man charged with burglary sits on a “razor’s edge” of supervision or prison.