Crime
Court briefs
Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
Simiona Maihia facing drink driving and careless driving charges appeared before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham at the Criminal Court in Avarua on Thursday last week.
Defects detected in police patrol vessel Te Kukupa II
Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Matthew Littlewood | Published in Crime, Local, National
Cook Islands Police have confirmed that the Te Kukupa II patrol vessel that the Australian Government gifted to the Cook Islands last year has had defects detected.
High profile trial: Series of emails and meta data analysis presented in Court
Monday 19 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
The high-profile fraud 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, will enter its second week today.
High profile trial: Text messages between three accused read out in Court
Saturday 17 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Text messages between 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 have been read out in Court as details of a Police investigation emerge.
Alleged driver remanded
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National
The alleged motorbike driver involved in the weekend’s fatal crash has been remanded into custody until June 22.
PM gives evidence at high profile trial
Friday 16 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National, Politics
Prime Minister Mark Brown has given evidence on the fourth day of a Judge alone trial where he was questioned about his suspended deputy Robert Tapaitau and former director of the National Environment Service, Nga Puna.
Motorcycle crash survivor arrested
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police have arrested the survivor of a motorbike crash that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man on Saturday in Titikaveka.
Charlie-Puna accepted she had to pay money back, court told
Thursday 15 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Court, Crime, National
Several witnesses took the stand on day three of the Judge alone trial where they discussed details around the movements and travel of former director of the National Environment Service Nga Puna and his wife, former Secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands Diane Charlie-Puna.
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.
Road accidents, fatality
Tuesday 13 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Three roadside crashes were reported to police in the weekend, with one resulting in the death of a 24-year-old man in Titikaveka.
Kiwi tourist, 49, drowns ‘in shallow waters of the lagoon’
Tuesday 13 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Health, Local, National
Rarotonga recorded its second drowning incident after a 49-year-old New Zealand tourist died in the lagoon at The Edgewater Resort and Spa in Arorangi on Sunday.
Financial Intelligence Unit recover scammed funds
Saturday 10 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Economy, National
The Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (CIFIU) has managed to recover some of the funds taken from a recent scam victim.
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.
Young male motorists the main culprits of carnage on our roads
Thursday 8 June 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National
The vast majority of motorists causing trouble and consequently being convicted are aged under 30.
Long weekend ends with noise complaints and motorbike incidents
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Police say the long weekend ended with noise complaints, wilful damage and two motorbike incidents.
Official report required on missing Indonesian: Police
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National
Cook Islands Police will require an official report on the missing Indonesian crewman from the fishing company before proceeding with the standard requirements.
Turtle tour operators call on community to report suspicious activity
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Environment, Local, National
A turtle tour operator is urging the community to work together and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Operation Tui Moana - 20 vessels intercepted
Thursday 1 June 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Crime, National
Operation Tui Moana 2023 (15th - 26th May), a regional fisheries surveillance operation covering the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvalu as well as associated high seas, closed successfully last Friday.
Weekend crash report
Tuesday 30 May 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Crime, National
Police responded to three motor vehicle crashes over the weekend.