Articles by Rashneel Kumar

Cook Islanders set for Heartland debut in NZ

Tuesday 3 August 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby Union, Sports

Two Cook Islands rugby players have been named in defending champion North Otago’s squad for the 2021 Heartland Championship.

Health ministry is considering vaccinating children aged 12 to 15 with Pfizer

Monday 2 August 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National

After vaccinating more than 90 per cent of Cook Islands’ eligible population, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health is exploring ways to get approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to be given to 12 to 15-year-olds.

KATA July 16

Friday 16 July 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in

Clubs anticipating ‘rusty’ rugby union start

Friday 2 July 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby Union, Sports

Local rugby union clubs are struggling to put together teams for the opening round of the Rarotonga Club 15s competition today.

‘Better safe than sorry’

Monday 28 June 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National

Passengers on the Air New Zealand aircraft that aborted its landing on Friday due to high winds remain upbeat about their Cook Islands holiday.

222 no shows for second Covid-19 jab

Monday 21 June 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National

More than 200 Rarotonga residents who received their first dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine three weeks ago, did not return for their second jab.

PM announces Cabinet reshuffle

Thursday 3 June 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National

All Government MPs including the new Manihiki member have been given ministerial responsibilities in the new look Cabinet that saw Prime Minister Mark Brown offload nearly half of the 17 portfolios previously held.

Parliament begins today with financial budget on the agenda

Monday 31 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Politics

Parliament will convene at 1pm today to begin their May-June sitting, with recently reinstated Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere confirming several bills are expected to be tabled for discussion this week.

Year 10IK claims Tereora College Sevens title

Friday 28 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby Union, Sports

Year 10IK claimed the Tereora College Year 10 Rugby Sevens Competition at Nikao field this week.

Clean sweep dream ends

Friday 28 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Netball, Sports

Avatiu’s dream of a clean sweep in the Rarotonga Netball Club Competition was shattered after their Open 2 team lost in the semi-final this week.

4000-plus vaccinated

Monday 24 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National

More than 4300 Rarotonga residents have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Vaccine supply low, new shipment expected to arrive today

Friday 21 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health, National

Te Marae Ora health ministry is running out of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine doses following an overwhelming response from the public.

Welcome back to paradise

Monday 17 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Economy, National

Five staff to one guest is likely the ratio that is going to welcome tourists who arrive into Rarotonga on the first travel bubble flight from Auckland this afternoon.

Tupapa Panthers through to league final

Monday 10 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League, Sports

Feleti Iona goes over for a try to help Tupapa Panthers defeat Avatiu Nikao Eels 18-12 in the Raro Cars Rugby League Competition playoff on Saturday at the National Stadium in Nikao.

Infrastructure boss suspended, joins husband under police investigation

Thursday 6 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National

The Public Service Commissioner has suspended another head of a government ministry on full pay, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Akaiti Puna wins Manihiki by-election, CIP majority intact

Thursday 6 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Outer Islands

Akaiti Puna, the wife of former prime minister Henry Puna, claimed back her husband’s Manihiki seat in yesterday’s by-election.

"Today we start our journey of recovery", PM says

Monday 3 May 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local, National

The Cook Islands will open its border to Kiwi tourists in a fortnight after the announcement of the two-way quarantine-free travel between the two countries starting on May 16 (Cook Islands time).

Rarotonga water treatment waste ‘no gift to growers’

Monday 26 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment, National

The proposal to reuse sludge from the new Rarotonga water treatment system for horticulture has been met with criticism from the local organic growers’ association.

Close battles in opening round two matches

Wednesday 21 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Netball, Sports

Avatiu premier side has maintained their unbeaten run in the Rarotonga Netball Competition.

New rugby league champions beckons

Wednesday 21 April 2021 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby league, Sports

Defending champions Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles’ reign is all but over after another heavy loss in the weekly competition.