PremiumKelly MakihaMultimedia Journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·14 Jul, 2026 09:04 PM4 mins to read‌Rotorua politician and businessman Raj Kumar.Rotorua politician and businessman Raj Kumar.One of Rotorua’s most popular local politicians considered putting his hand up for New Zealand First candidacy, but says race-related comments from within the party about Indian culture put him off.

First-term Bay of Plenty regional councillor and Rotorua Trust member Raj Kumar said he initially eyed this year’s general