More Top Stories
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
Drug study welcomed
Wednesday 25 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Health
Ministry of Health has welcomed the New Zealand government’s consideration of pleas to open access to its drug buying agency PHARMAC to five Pacific Island countries, including the Cook Islands.
Fitness a concern for clubs
Tuesday 24 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby Union
Once again lack of fitness had some players standing out like sore thumbs in round one of the Rarotonga club rugby competition over the weekend.
U15 badminton team off to New Zealand
Tuesday 24 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Other Sports
Four Cook Islands U15 badminton reps are heading to New Zealand to attend a week-long training camp in Auckland before competing in the TUI Medical U15 Waikato Open 2018 in Hamilton.
'We can afford TMV' - Brown
Tuesday 24 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Deputy prime minister Mark Brown says the country can afford to spend about $3.04 million on this year’s Te Maeva Nui celebrations.
CIRLA pleased with Residents training
Tuesday 24 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
The Cook Islands Rugby League Association (CIRLA) is pleased with the Residents team’s preparation for the upcoming Tri Series.
Ngari appointed coach of women's league
Tuesday 24 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Former national touch rep Tai Ngari has been appointed coach of the Cook Islands women’s rugby league side.
Panthers, Eels claim wins
Monday 23 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in League
Tupapa Panthers overcame a jittery start to get their 2018 rugby union season going on a high with a win against former champions Takuvaine Reds in round one of the competition over the weekend. In The Bond Store match of the week held on Saturday at the Happy Valley Field, Panthers put on an improved performance in the second spell to walk away with a 30-18 win in the Senior A battle, which was played under slippery conditions. In the other Senior A clash, defending champions Avatiu Nikao Eels overcame Arorangi Cowboys 15-0 at The Swamp. Panthers were left backpedalling as the determined-looking hosts made a strong start to head into a 3-0 lead from an early Viiga Ruepena penalty. But the visitors replied immediately from the boot of Othneil Joseph to level the score at three-all before a brilliant chip and chase from Ruepena gave the Reds a 10-3 lead. Panthers were continuously penalised for infringements in the ruck area and Ruepena cashed in on this after successfully kicking his second penalty to extend the lead to 13-3. A Sam Mataora-converted try and penalty from Joseph saw the Panthers fight their way back into the match to level terms 13-all at the break. Panthers were a much better side in the second half. They started playing with a bit of rhythm and made some superb breaks to score two tries against the run of play to put themselves in the driving seat. Midfielder Jovilisi Naqitawa scored from the kickoff and shortly after a desperate Panthers clearance kick from their own red-zone fell in their favour as a fumble by the Reds defence allowed busy flanker Filipo Schmidt to sneak in for the team’s third try. Lanky Thomas Toa sealed the Panthers’ win with the team’s fourth try in the final quarter of the match but the Reds ensured that they had the final say with winger Joshua Koroi crossing the line for a consolation try. Reds were unlucky to lose 18-30, as they created plenty of opportunities but lacked the execution to turn those chances into much-needed points. “They (Reds) showed plenty of heart and were unlucky not to score on several occasions, including being held up over the tryline and also a player dropping the ball on the tryline after hitting into the side of the goalposts when diving over,” Cook Islands Rugby Union development manager Ben Koteka said. Standout players for the Reds were skilful utility back Ruepena, hooker Murare John and loose forward Tautua Solomona. For the Panthers, prop John Vano, loose forward Thomas Toa and left winger Rangi Piri put on an impressive performance. More photos from Saturday’s game on p14. Results: Tupapa Panthers: 30 - Tries: Sam Mataora, Jovilisi Naqitawa, Filipo Schmidt, Thomas Toa; Conv: Othneil Joseph (2); Pen: Othneil Joseph (2). Takuvaine Reds: 18 - Tries: Viiga Ruepena, Joshua Koroi; Conv: Viiga Ruepena; Pen: Viiga Ruepena (2). Avatiu Eels 15 v Arorangi Cowboys 0. (Avatiu Eels led 12-nil at halftime.)
Golf club to host Sir Geoff memorial tournament
Saturday 21 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Other Sports
The Rarotonga Golf Club will today host the Sir Geoffrey Arama Henry Memorial tournament at the Nikao golf course.
Prospects for aquaculture reviewed
Saturday 21 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Environment
About 30 people attended the Ministry of Marine Resources’ three-day consultation on the Cook Islands Aquaculture Development Plan which ended on Thursday.
Five clubs in rugby union comp
Saturday 21 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby Union
Five teams will compete in the premier division of the Rarotonga club rugby competition, which kicks off with the opening round today.
Brown raises issue of land court charges
Saturday 21 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
New Justice minister Rose Brown raised the issue of complaints from the public regarding the high fees charged by the land division of the High Court at a special meeting with the Ministry of Justice staff yesterday.
Petition brings PM to court
Saturday 21 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Prime minister Henry Puna will take the stand in court on August 13 to give evidence regarding the Rakahanga petition filed by the leader of the Democratic Party Tina Browne.
Junior tennis off to Fiji
Friday 20 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Other Sports
The Cook Islands junior tennis team will leave the country for Fiji today to compete in the Pacific Oceania Junior Tennis Championships.
Quality justice aim of JP workshop
Friday 20 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
Delivery of quality justice has been one of the major focuses of a “Fundamentals of Judging - Decision Formulation” workshop run by two former judges.
Club rugby season kicks off
Thursday 19 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Rugby Union
The Rarotonga club rugby season starts this weekend with the opening round of competition.
Kukis go down in football friendlies
Thursday 19 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Football
The Cook Islands development women’s team lost both of their friendly matches played last week in Tahiti.
Raromart getting back in business
Thursday 19 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
Raromart will be opening a new shop in Avatiu after its store in Teotue, Tutakimoa, was razed to the ground in a fire more than a week ago.
Golfing feat of a lifetime
Wednesday 18 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Other Sports
William Howard brims with confidence as he recalls his historic feat that saw him set a new Rarotonga Golf Club record of 12 under par 70 (58 gross) recently.
Regional tourism head visits island
Wednesday 18 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Local
The head of the regional tourism body is in the Cook Islands as part of his visitation programme to the organisation’s 18 government members.
Petitioners allege bribery
Wednesday 18 July 2018 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Politics
Bribery, undue influence, treating and issues regarding voter qualification feature in allegations made by the four unsuccessful Democratic Party candidates in electoral petitions demanding an inquiry into the conduct of the election and the candidates or other persons.
