More Top Stories
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
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22 January 2025
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25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
Articles by Rashneel Kumar
Sea Eagles continue to soar
Tuesday 2 April 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
The Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles continue their unbeaten run in the Raro Cars Rugby League Competition 2019 after another win over the weekend. On Saturday at Nukupure Park, the side defeated Titikaveka Bulldogs 30-12 to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.
Minimum wage to rise
Tuesday 2 April 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National
A recommendation to increase the minimum wage rate by 35 cents from the current $7.25 per hour has been made to the Internal Affairs minister Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa.
Eels are back in the game
Tuesday 2 April 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
It seems the shackles are finally off their feet. The Avatiu Eels are running free, wild and with confidence in the domestic rugby league competition.
Warning to boil tap water
Monday 1 April 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National
Reports of high levels of Enterococci bacteria in some of Rarotonga’s streams and lagoons have sparked a renewed warning for people to boil water taken from their taps.
Warriors relegated to reserves
Saturday 30 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Takuvaine (TKV) Warriors have been relegated to premier reserves grade following a Cook Islands Rugby League Association (CIRLA) meeting on Thursday.
Man dies after seawall crash
Saturday 30 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
A 21-year-old man has died in a road crash at the seawall in Nikao in the early hours of yesterday morning. The deceased suffered severe head injuries and died on the spot of the accident.
Sevens straight into training in Auckland
Saturday 30 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Sports
The Cook Islands Sevens side wasted no time after arriving in Auckland on Wednesday, getting into training before flying out to Hong Kong today. The national side was joined by the four overseas-based players as coach Vase Samania went through some drills to gel the players ahead of the three-day tournament which kicks off on April 5. Samania said getting the combination with the overseas players in such a short time would be a challenge. However he is optimistic of finding the right combination and building a strong bond between the players ahead of the tournament. “The campaign has been great so far. The aim now is to use the two days we have in Auckland to gel the players and work on our games before we leave for Hong Kong,” Samania said before departing Rarotonga on Wednesday. “We have some quality players in the side and hopefully we can get the combination right and iron out the weak links before our opening match.” Cook Islands is grouped with Chile, Germany and Uganda in Pool G. The team will be competing in the World Rugby Sevens Series Qualifier alongside 11 other nations. In the other qualifiers pools, host Hong Kong is the top seed leading Pool E which has Tonga, Zimbabwe and Philippines while Pool F comprise Ireland, Russia, Uruguay and Jamaica. The main draw (Pools A to D) will feature the teams that are part of the World Rugby Sevens Series. Samania earlier said he was wary of the teams in Cook Islands’ pool but hoped the side would put on a better performance than their last year’s outing at the tournament. He said the aim was to advance through to the quarter-finals and better their rankings. For that, the side will need to finish in the top two in the pool competition. Cook Islands Sevens – Stephen Willis (Captain), Robert Heather Jr (VC), Josua Koroitukana, Teina Savage, Vaehoolu “Leki” Leka, Matamanea Matapakia, Colati “Tua” Ravula, Tokerau Raru (Australia), Christian Vainerere (Australia), Walter Koteka (Australia), Owen Karati (New Zealand), Gene Te Amo (New Zealand); Non travelling squad members – James Kora, Tanire Mokoroa, Jason Potoru, Junior Napara, Stormmel Ruatoe. Management: Head Coach – Vase Samania, Manager – Ashleigh Willis and Physio Jana Whitta.
Meeting on impact of tourism
Friday 29 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
The latest findings on tourism and its impact on the Cook Islands will be made public on Monday next week.
Court move against Atiu win
Friday 29 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National
The Democratic Party has filed a petition against Te-Hani Brown’s win in the recent Tengatangi-Areora-Ngatiarua by-election on Atiu.
Browning wins women's triathlon
Thursday 28 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Other Sports
Harriet Browning claimed the Cook Islands Triathlon Association’s 14th BSP Women’s Triathlon which was held at the Tikioki Tri site on Saturday last week.
Saying it with flowers
Thursday 28 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Culture
Visitors to Sylvia Marsters’ latest exhibition Tiare Taina are likely to be looking at the best artworks she has painted.
Port receives oil-spill gear
Wednesday 27 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
Oil-spill equipment worth about $60,000 was presented to the Ministry of Transport which yesterday received the kind donation on behalf of the Cook Islands Ports Authority.
Parliament expected to assemble in a fortnight
Tuesday 26 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The first Parliamentary sitting for the year is expected to begin on April 8.
Sea Eagles win nail-biter
Monday 25 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Ngatangiia-Matavera Sea Eagles finished round one of the domestic rugby league competition undefeated after a superb win over the weekend.
Black Pearls finish second
Monday 25 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Netball
The Cook Islands netball side collected a silver medal at the Pacific Nations Cup in New Zealand over the weekend.
Discussion on student welfare
Monday 25 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Education
Deliberating on the grievances of the students is the main agenda of the University of the South Pacific Student Association (USPSA) meeting in Rarotonga which starts today.
Govt surplus soars to $24m
Monday 25 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
The government has posted a surplus of $23.63 million, which is about 54 per cent higher than the estimated sum for the second quarter of the 2018/19 financial year ending December 31, 2018.
Undefeated versus giantkillers
Saturday 23 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Ngatangiia Matavera Sea Eagles is a match away from achieving a milestone – finishing the opening round of domestic rugby league competition unbeaten.
Getting to know NZ's new top diplomat in Cooks
Saturday 23 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Tessa Te Mata was appointed the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands last year. Te Mata took over the role last month. She is the second female high commissioner in the Cook Islands and woman of Pacific heritage to head a New Zealand diplomatic post in the Pacific. Te Mata, a qualified lawyer, is also of Cook Islands descent. CI News senior journalist Rashneel Kumar talked to Te Mata about her goals, challenges and anticipations in her new role.
Progressive over climate change
Friday 22 March 2019 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna says the country wants to be progressive rather than defensive on both the mitigation and adaptation fronts when it comes to climate change.