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

Music festival security guard sentenced for upskirt recordings of 40 women
He filmed up women's skirts in shops and while he worked at Electric Avenue.

‘Girls do stupid stuff’: Accused cites jealousy in rape trial
Man initially claimed he could not recall meeting his accuser when probed by police.

‘I wasn’t able to consent’: Abduction, rape complainant grilled on consenting during blackout
The man admits following her, picking her up and taking her to his home but denies rape.

Stranger accused of following drunk woman's Uber, abducting and raping her
The woman says her last clear memory was hitting her head outside a bar.

How a gang leader’s life of business-class trips, six-figure vehicles came to an end
Ricky Poa led a multimillion-dollar meth and cocaine operation out of Christchurch.

'I do not have to listen to you:' Council worker dismissed bosses' requests as 'trivial'
Simon Mutonhori then challenged his dismissal by Wairoa District Council.

US money launderer claims innocence ahead of $10m forfeiture hearing in NZ
David Rae admitted to money laundering in connection with the Medicare fraud schemes.

‘High risk’: Nappy-wearing man created fake accounts to talk to young mums
Zeb Laing made disturbing comments and posted images of himself in a nappy.

'Wounds that won’t heal': Grieving partner confronts driver who killed loving dad
Marty Wood was killed by a truck driver who drove through a stop sign.

'I want him held accountable:' Sexually violated teen’s plea as offender avoids jail time
The teen says she needs medication to sleep due to nightmares and anxiety.

Workplace banter or sexual harassment? Firefighter reinstated after wrongful dismissal
Fire and Emergency NZ aren't happy and are considering appealing the ERA decision.

Woman's jealous rage leads to car chase, violent attack with rock
She saw her partner spending time with another woman and launched a campaign of terror.

'Living in fear': Woman calls for rapist to be deported after he's served his time
Businessman Byron Le Roux was jailed on 19 charges, including rape and drug possession.

Psychologically abusive man killed lamb with rock, tried to poison ex's horses
A judge said it was nasty offending and sent him to prison.

Registered sex offender thought he was sending explicit messages to teen ... but he was wrong
It was actually a detective posing as a 14-year-old on Snapchat.

'Blindsided:' Farm worker wins $30k after being fired a week before Christmas
The man said he had to beg and borrow from family to support his partner and children.

‘Should I do it’: Teen’s chilling threat as he held knife over cot during call to baby's mum
The 19-year-old's actions scared the mother who called police.

‘Like a wild animal’: Lawyers in heated spat over a sandwich and a courthouse meeting room
Both sides have been reminded to treat colleagues with respect and courtesy.

'Plainly predatory': Man sexually exploited woman with dementia he met at the dairy
'You took advantage of a vulnerable person, our mum who could not defend herself'.

Constable who admits making 'disgusting comment' about colleague takes police to ERA
The officer only found out he was being investigated after being declined a new job.

'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.