The family and friends of Hon Viliami Manuopangai Hingano have sent him love and encouragement after the newly appointed Cabinet Minister apparently flew to Auckland for medical treatment.
A photo seen by Kaniva News appears to show the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests posing with a female cousin in Auckland last week.
The cousin’s father, who we chose not to identify at this stage because he has yet to respond to more queries from Kaniva News and for permission for us to use the photo, said his daughter visited the minister in Auckland and took the photo while she was with him.
He claimed Hon Hingano was sick, “puke”.
He posted the photo of her daughter and the Minister on Facebook.
The Minister appears to have left Tonga shortly after the Prime Minister appointed him on December 29.
Hon Hingano could not be reached for comment.
We have contacted the government for comment.
We have asked the Minister of Health Saia Piukala to confirm whether it was true Hon Hingano was in a hospital in Auckland for medical treatment.
We also asked Hon Piukala if he could provide an estimate of how long Hon Hingano would be in Auckland.
We asked the Minister of Finance Hon Tatafu Moeaki to tell us whether or not Hon Hingano’s medical treatment was paid by the government.
We have asked the Prime Minister to tell us who was filling Hon Hingano’s portfolios while he was away from the country.
We will update this story if the government responds to our request for comment.
Kaniva News understands Prime Minister Sovaleni has yet to choose someone to temporarily fill Hon Manuopangai’s portfolios, even though it was clear right before his appointment that he was seeking an opportunity to come to New Zealand due to his medical needs.
It is normal practice for the Tongan government and Parliament to pay for their members’ medical treatment overseas as part of their office entitlements.
“Happy New Year Manuopangai I was happy seeing him today he was cheerful while we were talking let’s pray for him and that God help him through the doctor”, a commenter wrote in Tongan under the photo on Facebook.
”We love you and pray that you will be successful in your endeavour”, one wrote.
”Sending love. Love you Manuopangai Hingano, wish there will be an opportunity and everything will be fine. Happy New Year”, another wrote.
“You are lucky to be here (in New Zealand)”.
The former Ha’apai governor was convicted and fined $12,500 in the Supreme court last year after he was charged with possession of unlawful huge amount of 198 kg turtle meat in August 2020.
