Al Williams is a journalist in the Open Justice team, based in Christchurch.
He has worked in daily and community titles in New Zealand and overseas for the last 16 years. Most recently he was editor of the HC Post, based in Whangamata. He was previously deputy editor of Cook Islands News

'It broke my heart': Mother's grief after man filmed himself abusing infant and toddler
Damian Nigal Archbold was caught after uploading material he made to social media.

Parole denied: Sex offender still not ready for release from prison
Paiea Waihirere abused a young girl for six years and took photos of the acts.

Security guard’s licence revoked due to alleged gang ties, firearm charges
Aaron Hina's security certificate was revoked due to gang ties.

Man jailed for 17 years for decade of abuse and rape
The man was jailed for 17 years for decades of abuse.

Family of 'wonderful poppa' killed in fatal crash face the unlicensed meth-driver responsible
He lost control of the vehicle and sent texts from behind the wheel before the crash.

‘You ruined my life’: Woman abused for nine years as a child confronts rapist
'I don’t know what it is like to live a life free of the damage you have caused.'

Cancer patient loses lung after surgeon botches tumour removal
Now he has cancer in his remaining lung which can't be operated on due to only having one.

Gang member guilty of robbery after jury rejects he was trying to stop a drug set-up
Two men had a gun pulled on them and were robbed of money, smokes, and an Xbox controller.

‘I don’t like drug dealers in my hood’: Gang member says visit was drug talk, not robbery
The Crown has accused Enzed Beazley and Khan Mcfarlane of robbing two men of $1200.

Police challenge allowing man who holidayed with patched gang members to work in security
Sultan Alfathly has kept his security licence despite police raising objections.

Summer Concert Tour shines through storms in Coromandel
Cold Chisel, Icehouse, Bic Runga, and Everclear played in Whitianga on the weekend.

Waihī Refuse Station targeted in ‘senseless vandalism attack’
Hauraki District Council reports act of 'senseless vandalism'.

'Devastated by the news': Well-known musician mourns relative killed in Thames
Well-known musician pays tribute to 'a guy we all liked'.

Whangamatā community marae draft concept designs released
Whangamatā is a step close to getting a community marae.

‘Distressing’ rescue of young girl after 13yo fell to his death at Hāhei Beach
Two young people scrambled up a cliff path before the boy plunged down the bank.

Foul language, threats heard before man’s death sparked homicide probe
The man was taken to hospital where he died overnight.

‘Tragic’ Hāhei cliff fall: Victim was boy, 13, on holiday with family
Two young people fell from a cliff in Hāhei; one died, the other was rescued uninjured.

'Frustrating and distressing': DoC appeals for information after seabirds killed
'Extremely frustrating and distressing to hear about this kind of wilful mistreatment.'

Majority of watercraft fatalities not wearing lifejackets
“That could have been 16 lives potentially saved had they been wearing one.”

Beachgoers with no swimming skills a frustration
Beachgoers at a popular Coromandel beach are proving frustrating for lifeguards.

Thames-Coromandel deputy mayor calls out ‘rich little s***s’ at troublesome holiday hotspot
Terry Walker says there is a regular pattern of vandalism at Pāuanui over New Year.

Danger, frustration and rubbish dumping lead to installation of barrier arm
Danger, frustration and rubbish dumping on Whitianga Wharf.

‘They were smashed everywhere’: Teen rescues kids swept into ‘violent’ surf
Keira Hayidakis, 18, fought off rough waves and strong currents to save two children.

Saying goodbye to the Hauraki-Coromandel Post
Al Williams is forced to bid the paper farewell after only 9 months on the job.

Traffic management in place at Tairua trouble spot over peak summer period
Tairua’s one-lane Pepe Stream bridge becomes a significant bottleneck every summer.

TCDC councillor puts hand up for mayoralty
First-term councillor believes he has the passion and skills the district needs.

Timber bridges could become 'new norm' for NZ
SH26 between Thames and Paeroa is to close for a month for a bridge build.

Popular freedom camping spot to be moved due to overcrowding
The local community board had raised concerns with the council.

The Grinch visits Waihī as festive flags fail
The town’s festive flags have been taken down.

Paeroa's big bottle gets put on ice
Paeroa's famous bottle is getting a temporary makeover for a frozen L&P promotion.

New $15m wharf underutilised but still off-limits to the public
It is not getting heavy commercial use but the council voted to keep the gates locked.

Scientists explore seabed in Hauraki Gulf to study human impacts
Scientists from around the world are looking to the Hauraki Gulf for answers.

Kiwi deaths in leg-hold traps 'doesn't need to happen' DoC says
Leg-hold traps should be installed off the ground to avoid catching birds like kiwis.

War memorial proposed for Hāhei
Ratepayers and residents preparing to build a war memorial in the Coromandel settlement.

Rainbow crossings are not pedestrian crossings, council says
Rainbow crossings not pedestrian crossings, council says.

Couple breathe new life into former Freemasons lodge
New owners to open a pop-up art gallery at former Freemasons lodge.

Going deeper and darker: Why 'noctourism' is tipped as next travel trend
Starbathing is a fast-growing travel trend, thanks to NZ's dark skies.

Road cone fills temporary spot for tekoteko
Ratepayers have been asked to help replace one of three tekoteko at Memorial Reserve.

Community pool reopened after delays and added expenses
Whangamatā swimming pool refurbishment project balloons to $430k.

More delays expected as Pauanui bridge works continue
Damage has been caused by high tides and heavy rain.

Whitianga waterfront project now up for discussion
New wharf, recreational and commercial fishing facilities form part of the proposal.

Humble jandal celebrated in Coromandel festival
The summer jandal is to be celebrated in Tairua.

Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board member Cath Wightman resigns
There are several options after Wightman's departure.

Odours among key concerns about new food scraps bins
Odours, broken handles and lids are among immediate concerns.

Only road in and out of Pāuanui to close overnight for repairs
The defect is common with bridges of its type right across the country.

Operator cautious as Thames welcomes new information centre
Thames has a new information centre but there are challenges ahead, its operator says.

Sinkhole threatens main artery road to Pāuanui
The tomo is being monitored 24/7, Thames-Coromandel District Council says.

Mystery crash: Car rolls off road, occupants disappear
Police are still investigating while Fenz confirmed they attended the scene two weeks ago.

His dog returned; he didn't: Missing man's family seek answers one year on
Family say there are two people who may have information but are yet to be located.

Cathedral Cove track repair work hampered by visitors bypassing signs and barriers
The Cathedral Cove access track is closed for repairs because of cyclone damage.

More than half of Hauraki ratepayers happy with council performance
The results of the council's annual satisfaction survey are out.

Tairua fisherman slams Hauraki Gulf marine legislation
The bill was supported by Coromandel MP Scott Simpson.

New council catamaran to expand team's maritime patrolling range
Waikato Regional Council’s new $230,00 vessel, Tūtaia, has been launched in Whitianga.

'The books are a bit grim': Council faces $17m deficit
The council was presented with a dire 2023/2024 annual report.

'It’s Jason Momoa, let me in': Aquaman star hits the Coromandel on Harley
Momoa rocked up to the Coroglen Tavern, banged on the window and said 'let me in'.

Slice of Whangamatā history set to hit the road... again
A house built in Hamilton in 1929 and moved to Whangamatā in 1930 is set to move again.

DoC staff 'stressed' by appalling visitor behaviour at tourism hot spots
Regional tourism organisations are running on 'the smell of an oily rag'.

Parking goes, visitors must use shuttle to access popular Cathedral Cove track
DoC says there will be no parking at Cathedral Cove when it reopens.

Coromandel bridge project wins consultancy award
'Reconnecting communities safely and quickly following natural disasters is critical.'

Community must splash the cash on swimming pontoon resource consent
Environmental assessment costs were overlooked in the original pontoon proposal.

Dad and daughter bring home the medals
The Kautai-King family brings their meaning to playing and staying together.

Tairua-Pāuanui Coastguard anticipating busy summer
Tairua-Pāuanui Coastguard looking to educate boaties.

Homeowners warned over potential flooding hot spots
More than $9 million has been budgeted for stormwater improvement in Whangamatā.

Council flags support for Pāuanui-Tairua scenic trail
The new trail includes a 120m suspension bridge across the Tairua River.

Tourists causing headaches for Cathedral Cove track repair workers
International tourists have been turning up to the must-see destination to find it closed.

The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes star shares young onset dementia experience
Lois Wolkers speaks candidly about her young onset dementia experience.

Emergency services exercise turns into dramatic real-life rescue
Real-life search and rescue mission called in during exercise.

Four fire brigades spend four hours tackling Coromandel blaze
“It is a very fragile eco-system; don’t leave a fire unattended.”

Adventurers hit Whangamatā for multisport race
Running, walking, mountain biking and orienteering featured in the multisport challenge.

Four Go Flatting star ‘Lil Henry’ embraces newfound fame, starts clothing label
Henry Stilwell talks life after television series Four Go Flatting.

Tough few years for Hauraki-Coromandel tourism
The Coromandel tourism sector is still shaking the effects of cyclones and Covid-19.

Tiny Thames train attraction at risk from sea level rise project
The track runs along a seawall that protects $1 billion in assets.

Boaties asked to stay clear of Hot Water Beach during search and rescue exercise
Emergency services to converge on Coromandel for training event.

Fishery lobbyists and Fisheries NZ tangle over Coromandel dredging survey
Fisheries New Zealand says they will only be dredging 0.01% of the scallop beds.

Whangamatā to host 'orienteering on steroids' multisport event
This weekend's challenge involves running, walking, mountain biking and orienteering.

Work to commence on Tairua to Pāuanui trail after consent granted
A long-awaited trail connecting the towns has gained resource consent.

Transfer station charity shop targeted in overnight raid
Thames store missing $7000 in electrical goods after unwanted visit.