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Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance Tonga celebrates 20 years of services

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Sponsored:

Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance (Fedpac) operations in the Kingdom of Tonga celebrated 20 years of service at a cocktail event in the capital Nukualofa.

The celebration was held at Taufa’ahau Budling and attended by the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, members of Cabinet, government officials, private sector partners and Fedpac Customers.  

The Hon Prime Minister gave the key address of the evening touching on the company’s on-going operations and its support of sport, education and tourism initiatives in the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister congratulated the company for continuing to operate despite the many challenges of the last few years and encouraged the company to expand Tonga operations to other islands in the Group.

He issued a challenge to the company to keep growing and bringing a Pacific-grown company to look after the unique insurance and finance needs of the region.

Group Spokesperson and General Manager for Fedpac Insurance, Namulau’ulu Papalii Sami Leota told guests the event was an important milestone for Tonga Operations to celebrate.

“The Group had related companies operating in Tonga since 1994, however Finance and Insurance services began in 2004 with only four staff, but today we have over 25 team members which is a testament to the growth of the Company,” he said.

Country Manager – Fedpac Insurance, Mele Saini Latu said the company has had its share of challenges since establishment, some good and bad times, but the company had weathered them due to the strong partnership between the local team and Regional Support and strong Re-Insurance arrangements.

“We have learned many things in the past 20 years, and we can say that we gained experience and understanding of the communitys’ finance and insurance needs but most importantly, we have various types of risks both in Government and Private sector business.

Federal Pacific Finance is the largest private non-bank finance institution providing small to medium credit opportunities for Tongan people and Tongan businesses.

The Finance branch is run locally by Stanley Mafoa and his hard-working team.

Namulau’ulu said he was grateful that the companys’ claims ability was tested and completed within this period, including four cyclones, a tsunami, volcanic eruption, floods and a riot, as well as the normal claims.

“These claims were put through our usual process and were settled quickly, thanks to the support of our Reinsurance and Regional Underwriting team”.

“Fedpac prides itself in the Pacific as a Company who handled, assessed and paid out all genuine claims promptly”, he said.

One of the biggest challenges Fedpac Insurance faces is to be able to secure good re-insurance treaties. Re-Insurance underwriters see the Pacific as high-risk zone, consequently many who had been writing business in the Pacific region had pulled out, or made terms very costly.

Namulau’ulu said the company has been able to maintain the support of reinsurance underwriters (e.g. Lloyds of London, PWS East Asia) that the company has dealt with from the start and maintains a strong partnership.

“We are grateful to the Government of Tonga for their support of our operations in this beautiful country, when we proposed our business all those years ago, we pledged that we came to stay with the goal of offering alternative and competitive Insurance and Finance products and we are happy to report that is exactly what we continue to do,” said Namulau’ulu.

Namulau’ulu also acknowledged the hard work of the Country Managers, Mele Saini Latu and Stanley Mafoa (Finance) and the dedicated team of local staff.

He was joined at the celebrations by Fedpac General Manager, Fuimaono Malcolm Johnston and Country Manager, Ford Hyundai Samoa, Simon Fruean.

Fedpac Insurance and Finance began trading in Apia in 1999 and have since set up offices in Tonga, Cook Islands, Timor Leste, Fiji and Vanuatu with support provided by Regional HO in New Zealand and London. The company continues to look for more opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Namulau’ulu acknowledged the FPG Board of Directors for support given and in particular, Chairman Papalii Alan Hutchison in continuing to pursue the vision of his late father, and Group Founder Alistair Hutchison.

Hon Prime Minister Remarks.

Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I’m pleased to be here at this evening’s event and to add my congratulations to Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance for reaching this milestone of your operations in Tonga.

Doing business in any country is always a challenge, in Tonga we also have our own unique challenges in doing business, so reaching 20 years of service is no small feat.

Over the past 20 years, Tonga has faced many daunting challenges and as a consequence, we have changed in many ways.

The pressures on our economy brought on by the COVID pandemic and natural disasters such as the tsunami and volcanic eruption were some of the major ones. We have been obliged to change, to become more adaptable to fast changing circumstances for good and bad and to become more resilient in every area of our society.

No one was left untouched by the 2006 riots, the COVID pandemic or the natural disasters that followed. In continuing to operate, businesses such as Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance gave the public some peace of mind in difficult times.

I’m sure the insured public (both business and domestic) would have benefitted from your policies, risk cover and subsequent claims payouts.

I am also mindful of the evolving global challenges, especially those posed by climate change, which will affect insurance premiums.

From the Governments’ perspective, we encourage companies to establish themselves in Tonga for the numerous benefits it has for our people. In particular job creation and economic growth.

At the same time we also make sure that we encourage the private sector growth by creating a friendly environment to operate in, as there is no doubt the private sector is the Governments’ biggest partner and is often referred to as the “engine of growth”.

I was told that you started with four (4) staff members but you now have well over 25 staff and operate not only in Tongatapu  but also in Vavau. Its good that you have expanded your service to Vavau but I hope that you will also reach out to the residents of the other islands.

I note you have also been supporting the Tonga Community through sponsorship in Rugby, Education and Tourism. I encourage your company to continue doing that as that is where your blessings are from.

The test of any insurance company is the payment of claims, so if you are still here after 20 years it means that the insured public is benefitting from your service.

Federal Pacific Finance is the largest private non-bank finance institution providing small to medium credit opportunities for Tongan people and Tongan businesses.

Many members of our community have used this facility over the past 20 years. Thank you Federal Pacific Finance.

I understand that you have offices around the Pacific with an office recently opened in Vanuatu. My challenge to your company is to keep growing because we are in a unique part of the world and we take great pride that we have a Pacific-grown company looking after our insurance and finance needs.

To end I would like again to Congratulate your Chairman, Papaliitele Alan Hutchison and Management, and especially your Tonga staff for reaching 20 years of Service and may the Good Lord continue to bless your Company.

Malo aupito and Faafetai tele Lava..

NZ Army leads building work on remote Tongan island group post eruption

By
Kaniva Staff
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The New Zealand Army has led five weeks’ worth of building work on a remote island group in Tonga which will help the kingdom better respond to natural disasters, and offered dental services to the locals.

NZ Army soldiers have led five weeks’ worth of building work and dental treatment in the Ha’apai island group to help the Tongan islands build resilience. (Photo-Supplied)

The annual Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded Exercise Tropic Twilight was held in Tonga for the second year in a row to support the recovery from the 2022 Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai eruption.

The NZ Army was joined by soldiers from Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan. Over five weeks the 74-strong multinational contingent tackled several projects in the Ha’apai island group.

The work covered four main sites; the Ha’ateiho Community Centre, the Meteorological Centre, Pangai Government Primary School and Koulo Government Primary School.

From new toilets, showers, a kitchenette and playgrounds to upgraded plumbing and electrical work, the projects focused on creating accessible and secure places for people to gather in natural disasters, with durable infrastructure to provide power and clean water.

Senior National Officer on the ground, Major James Brosnan, said the work would support communities for years to come.

“I am immensely proud of the contingent and all they have achieved,” he said.

“From solving the complex problem of getting our people and equipment to the remote location, through to the construction, medical and dental capabilities that have left a tangible impact on the communities in Ha’apai.”

Corporal Maitlin Kakau worked at the troop’s largest site, the Ha’ateiho Community Centre, and said it was different to any job he had run in New Zealand.

“Working with electricians, carpenters and plumbers from different countries was stressful at times – there was a bit of a language barrier to begin with, but we were able to work through it, helped by our similarity in training.

“What we achieved in a short time was amazing. It’s special to know it is going to such a good use.”

A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) dental team saw almost 200 patients, performing fillings, extractions, root canal treatments and hygiene appointments.

Working with field kits out of the old hospital on Lifuka, Captain Amanda Rowe said she was proud of how her team got the job done, especially as they were a lot busier than anticipated.

“We were seeing on average 12 people a day. In the humid conditions with limited supplies, everyone worked together, under the pump, to problem-solve and get the work done.”

Captain Rowe said she joined the NZDF to make a difference in communities that need help.

“When people come in who are in real pain and you can help them, it’s a rewarding feeling,” she said.

Major Brosnan said working on a remote island presented a few challenges; supplies were limited and material sometimes took weeks to arrive.

“However our military training, collaborative approach and can-do attitude allowed us to resolve them to ensure our tasks were achieved to a high standard,” he said.

Tropic Twilight was also a chance for personnel to learn more about the Tongan culture, food, nature and lifestyle.

“Working alongside Tonga’s His Majesty’s Armed Forces meant our units were fully integrated with the local culture. The hospitality and gratitude shown by the community was second to none,” said Major Brosnan.

“It was pleasing to see how quickly the NZDF and our international partners integrated.

“I am confident that if we were required to deploy at short notice in support of disaster relief we could seamlessly integrate with our Pacific partners,” he said.

Warning after fake Tongan banknote used in shipping cargo payment

By
Kaniva Staff
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A private ferry operator in Tonga has warned the public to be vigilant after it discovered what appeared to be counterfeit banknote in its payment services.

Tōfā Ramsay Shipping operator spotted the fake pa’anga note in its payment services this morning. Photo/Supplied

Tofā Ramsay Shipping which operated Tonga’s domestic shipping services made the warning this morning.

Copies of the apparent $50 pa’anga bill were shared on the company’s Facebook account with an accompanied warning in Tongan saying the counterfeit currency appeared to be printed copies of original pa’anga bills.

The counterfeit pa’anga was spotted during the company’s services this morning, a staff has confirmed to Kaniva News.

Tōfā Ramsay Shipping operates the inter-islands service.

It included a barge that can transfer vehicles, cargo and passengers to beaches and islands that do not have wharves.

Tōfā Ramsay Shipping operator spotted the fake pa’anga note in its payment services this morning. Photo/Supplied

In 2022, two men were arrested in the seizure of counterfeit Tongan currency from a home at Popua.

At the time Tonga Police asked the public to report any fake currency in circulation.

Tongan authorities could not be reached for comment.

How to spot fake pa’anga notes?

In 2017, the Tonga National Reserve Bank found $50 notes, prompting a public warning.

It that incident, the bank said it received $50 paánga notes of the new design currency (King Tupou VI series) confirmed to be counterfeit notes.

It also said, these counterfeit notes lack the following security features present in every genuine $50 pa’anga note:

1. the watermark of the King’s effigy which can be clearly seen when it is held up to the light;

2. a shiny silver thread shows as a window on the front of the note but as a more solid silver on the back of the note, showing images of the national medal.

The bank then said: “The public is hereby advised to check all notes particularly the $50 new design note before accepting them. Counterfeit notes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the banks or the Reserve Bank”.

US says it was ‘unable’ to provide Iran assistance after helicopter crash

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Reuters

The United States on Monday (May 20) said it had been unable, due largely to logistical reasons, to accept an Iranian request for assistance following a helicopter crash over the weekend that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, as Washington offered its condolences.

The rare request from Iran, which views the United States and Israel as its main adversaries, was disclosed by the State Department at a news briefing.

“We were asked for assistance by the Iranian government. We did make clear to them that we would offer assistance, as we would do in response to any request by a foreign government in this sort of situation,” spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

“Ultimately, largely for logistical reasons, we were unable to provide that assistance,” Miller said, without elaborating.

The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew, was found early on Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

Iran has still not provided any official word on the cause of the crash of the US-made Bell 212 helicopter in mountains near the Azerbaijan border.

Asked whether he was concerned that Tehran might blame Washington, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “The United States had no part to play in that crash.”

“I can’t speculate on what may have been the cause,” he added.

The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran’s clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Nuku’alofa man convicted for receiving stolen goods

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Pili man has been convicted for receiving stolen goods.

Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū

Manase Tongia has admitted to receiving stolen goods worth of TOP$6,610.20 from Sione Tu’ifua at Nuku’alofa Magistrates Court.  

The court was told that the goods were unloaded from a delivery vehicle before they were loaded into a car last year at Pili.

Tongia was charged after his mother asked him to go in his car to Tu’ifua’s place and pick up a pram.

His mother was selling goods at a roadside market in Fanga.

Upon arrival, Tu’ifua told Tongia to take the stolen items first to another place to be sent to Ha’apai in which Tongia agreed. They also agreed for Tongia to return and pick up the pram.

Tongia dropped off the stolen goods which included packs of pairs of slippers and batteries before he left. He didn’t return to pick up the pram.

However, police arrived at the place where the stolen goods were dropped off and picked them up.

A brother of Tongia called to let him know what had happened to the stolen goods and that the police wanted to speak with him.

The Police later arrested Tongia and remanded him in custody.

He admitted to receiving the stolen goods.

Magistrate Loupua Kulī convicted Tongia of receiving and handling stolen goods.

Check before you tap: Consumer warning over PayWave surcharges

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Leonard Powell of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

PayWave – the ability to make a purchase with the tap of a credit or debit card – has taken off in recent years, but with convenience, there is always a cost.

Consumer NZ says any surcharge should be clearly displayed. Photo: RNZ / Leonard Powell

Now, most payment machines display a sign warning of a surcharge – and that surcharge is not the same everywhere.

The standard PayWave surcharge in New Zealand is 2.5 percent of the price of a purchase. At Remedy Coffee in Auckland city centre, the surcharge is 1.8 percent.

Owner Richard O’Hanlon said most customers still used the service.

He told First Up he saw PayWave emerging in the two years before 2020.

“And then after Covid when everything became contactless, that’s when it really hit in.”

His business pays a flat fee to the Eftpos company to use its system, but it is actually the merchant service fees charged by the banks that cover credit card and PayWave transactions that cost them the most money.

“On a quiet month, that can be $2000, $3000, and on a busy month that can be $3000 to $4000 that we have to pay as a business.

“And as a small independent coffee shop where rates are going up, wages are going up – which they should do – everything’s going up. Milk, coffee. We have to then find a way of finding that amount of money.”

Consumer warning over PayWave surcharges

Remedy Coffee owner Richard O’Hanlon. Photo: RNZ / Leonard Powell

O’Hanlon said big businesses like supermarkets and fast food chains did not bother with the surcharges because of their high volume of sales.

However, smaller outfits like his had to consider their costs carefully.

The amount retailers tack on for their surcharge is at their discretion – but Consumer NZ’s Jessica Walker said the surcharge should never be more than 2.5 percent.

“We’ve done some maths and after conversations with the Commerce Commission where we’ve landed is 2.5 percent,” she told First Up.

“So anything above 2.5 percent we would say is within the realms of excessive, but we wouldn’t expect many people who are paying by credit card to be paying 2.5 percent.

“I think that most people should be seeing like 1.5 percent, 2 percent, seems to be about the norm, but we have had complaints from people who are paying well above that 2, 2.5 percent surcharge.”

Consumer NZ said any surcharge should be clearly displayed, and asked people to get in touch if they were charged more than 2.5 percent when they used PayWave.

Consumer warning over PayWave surcharges

Tina and Tom at Tem Vietnamese. Photo: RNZ / Leonard Powell

Unlike Remedy Coffee, the popular Vietnamese restaurant Tem, also in central Auckland, does not have a surcharge for PayWave.

Co-owner Tina told First Up she was happy to cover the cost herself.

“I try and make the customer happy,” she said. “Because now there’s lots of competition, a lot of food around.

“Although you cook good, you look good, your food is healthy, your food is good, but people will look at the money.”

Apps like Apple Pay on cell phones have made PayWave even easier. Several people who spoke to First Up did not even use a wallet.

“I just don’t carry my credit card. I just have my phone all the time,” one person said.

“I’d rather leave my credit card at home… I never lose my credit card then.”

However, another said they inserted their card and entered their pin unless they were “basically on the town drinking”.

“It’s like, how much do I value my time? It’s 30 cents for an average transaction and it takes six seconds. So if you multiply that out to the hour, that’s a lot of money… much less discipline when I’m drinking.”

Judge says plaintiff’s claims in land dispute case were ‘questionable and unsatisfactory’

By
Philip Cass
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The Land Court has dismissed an action to overturn the validity of a lease on a tax allotment.

Sosefo Penitani challenged the validity of Lease No. 9810 registered in the name of Pohiva Uele.

The lease consists of three acres from the hereditary tax allotment he inherited after his father, Soane Penitani, who died on 13 February, 2021. The lease was registered on 26 January, 2021.

There had originally been a proposal to open a quarry on the site. One estimate put the value of the rocks in the proposed quarry at TP$2.5 million.

He claimed that the signature on the lease application was a forgery and that the lease was therefore was unlawful and of no effect.

He wanted the lease cancelled, Pohiva  removed from the allotment and ordered to pay TP$1000 a year from the date of the lease.

Sosefo Penitani claimed that Pohiva’s brother, Sione, helped his brother in unlawfully obtaining and registering Lease No.9810.  He said he filled out the lease form and witnessed Soane’s signature. 

The defence denied the signature was forged and said Sione was helping his brother in the course of his employment and his actions were not unlawful. 

Acting Lord Chief Justice Tupou told the court there was a presumption that registration was final unless it had been proven to have come about as a result of an error of law, or as a result of fraud, mistake, breach of principles of natural justice or of a promise made by the Minister or Tofi’a holder. 

Judge Tupou said he did not find Sosefo Penitani a reliable witness.

“His shifting accounts were questionable and unsatisfactory,” the judge said.

The judge said Sosefo Penitani had failed to satisfy the court to a high degree of probability required that Soane’s signature on the L9 form was forged, 

“I find there was insufficient evidence to prove that Sione Penitani ‘s conduct in filling out the lease form and witnessing Pohiva’s signature was unlawful and the case against him must also be dismissed,” Judge Tupou said. 

Simon Bridges’ speeding offence considered before appointment as NZTA chairman: ‘I learned a valuable lesson’

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story by Azaria Howell of NZ Herald appeared on rnz.co.nz

Simon Bridges received a 120km/h-plus speeding ticket days before becoming the National Party leader in 2018 which he had to disclose to the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) before being appointed as its new chair.

The former National Party leader says he learned a valuable lesson. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Under an Official Information Act response relating to Bridges’ confirmation in March as chairman of the agency, released by the Ministry of Transport on publicly available website FYI, the 200-page document includes several emails between the ministry and the transport minister’s office.

The documents show a routine background check of the former minister and National Party leader, revealing he exceeded a 100km/h speed limit and copped 35 demerit points in 2018.

That demerit level is received when a person exceeds the limit by more than 20km/h, but less than 30km/h.

“Not progressing an individual for appointment on the basis of their driving record is ultimately a judgment call for a minister,” internal emails under the OIA reveal.

Bridges received a speeding ticket for his actions on 21 February, six days before becoming leader of the National Party.

Bridges acknowledged committing the “speeding offence” to the Herald, saying it was “some time ago”.

“I learned a valuable lesson,” he said.

Bridges told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking he paid a “very significant fine” and had not received a ticket since then.

He could not recall the exact question NZTA asked when considering him for the role, but said it was based around whether the applicant had any “convictions and so on”.

“They may have asked me something about speeding and I would have disclosed, look, some time ago you know I did get pulled over.”

Demerit points remain active on an individual’s licence record for a period of two years from the date of the offence, and an individual needs to accumulate 100 or more active demerit points for their licence to be suspended.

Bridges did not have any active demerit points at the time of becoming chairman. However, he did while he was the party leader.

The documents released under the OIA also state four candidates, including Bridges, were shortlisted for the role of NZTA chairperson. The other three names, and information about them, was redacted. Bridges was recommended because of his experience as a senior Cabinet minister and political leader, the documents state.

Some red flags were initially raised around Bridges being appointed while being the chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber.

“Mr Bridges has already made declarations about other conflicts which the ministry is comfortable with, but the chamber role remains of interest,” it was said, during the hiring process.

Further information revealed in the Ministry of Transport’s OIA release shows there were conflict-of-interest declarations around Bridges.

“Mr Bridges’ current roles as chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber, chair of the National Road Carriers Association and chair of the Northern Infrastructure Forum are all conflicts of interest,” the documents said, confirming Bridges would resign from two of the three roles mentioned if he became the transport association’s chairman.

“Further discussions will need to take place concerning his conflict on the Auckland Business Chamber to determine if an effective mitigation strategy is possible.”

Potential conflicts of interest were discussed with Ministry of Transport officials, and it was later deemed there was no direct conflict of interest, as the chamber “has a strong delivery focus rather than a policy focus”.

The Chamber of Commerce does not have an active work programme on transport.

Bridges committed to refrain from making any public statement on transport in his role as the Auckland chamber’s chief executive.

A letter from Transport Minister Simeon Brown to Bridges at the time of his appointment as NZTA’s chairman states he does not have “any unmanageable conflicts of interest”.

Following an interview with Bridges, Ministry of Transport principal adviser Jono Reid, in an email released under the OIA, said, ” think we may still need to do a bit of work to be fully comfortable. The challenge we did not discuss is the potential for the chamber board’s strategic direction to change and how it could conflict with NZTA’s role.”

“That may never fully absolve [Bridges] for a conflict, and even if the role is okay now, could provide challenges at a later date,” Reid said during the hiring process.

A Ministry of Transport spokesperson confirmed Bridges had disclosed the driving offence during the appointment process of becoming the chairman of NZTA.

Brown confirmed Simon Bridges disclosed his February 2018 speeding ticket as part of the NZTA appointment process in March 2024.

“Mr Bridges received the February 2018 speeding ticket for one offence in which he exceeded the 100km/h limit,” Brown said in a statement to NZME.

– This story was first published by NZ Herald.

All Blacks wing re-signs with NZ rugby and Chiefs

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

All Blacks winger Emoni Narawa has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs until the end of 2026.

Emoni Narawa of the Chiefs scores a try during the Super Rugby Pacific round 7 match between the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday April 06, 2024. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

Narawa has had another strong Super Rugby Pacific season, scoring eight tries in just seven appearances this year to sit in the top three for tries scored in the 2024 competition.

“It is fantastic that Emoni has recommitted to the Chiefs for the next few years. He has always had massive potential, and it has been a real pleasure seeing that talent realised over the last few seasons, exemplified by his selection as an All Black in 2023,” said Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan.

Narawa joins fellow outside backs Shaun Stevenson and Etene Nanai-Seturo in re-committing to the Chiefs.

“Emoni has an unbelievable ability to see space and create opportunities for himself and others. He is a valued team member and a real character who contributes significantly both on and off the field,” McMillan said.

“Many people have contributed to Emoni’s journey, but none more so than his young family. They have given him stability and a real purpose in life and we are grateful they too will continue to be a part of the Chiefs whānau.”

Narawa, who was named in last year’s All Blacks World Cup squad before being ruled out of the tournament with injury, was excited to be continuing his career in Aotearoa.

“I’m really blessed and grateful for the opportunity to extend my time with the Chiefs until 2026. This club is our family and has definitely helped me become the player that I am today. God is good, excited for what’s to come.”

Iranians asked to pray for president as rescuers search for helicopter crash site

By
Kaniva Staff
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Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency publishes footage purporting to show rescue crews speeding through a misty, rural forest to reach the site where a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is believed to have crashed.

Bad weather – with heavy fog and rain – is hampering the efforts of rescue teams to get to the accident site in the mountains in the north west of Iran.

The condition of those on board the helicopter remains unknown for now, with reports that no contact has yet been made.

President Raisi was travelling with the Iranian foreign minister in a convoy of three helicopters over the area – two of the helicopters are reported to have landed safely.

Raisi was elected president on his second attempt in 2021.

He is seen as a hardliner and regarded as a potential successor one day to Ayatollah Khamenei as Supreme Leader.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi is considered a hardline cleric with ultra-conservative political views.

Raisi, 63, became the deputy prosecutor in Tehran when he was only 25. He went on to serve as Tehran’s prosecutor, then head of the State Inspectorate Organisation and first deputy head of the judiciary, before being appointed prosecutor general of Iran in 2014.

Raisi surprised observers by standing for the presidency for the first time in 2017 and came second. In 2019, Ayatollah Khamenei named him to the powerful position of head of the judiciary.

He was elected Iran’s president in June 2021.

What we know so far

A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi has had to make a “hard landing” after it got in difficulties, state media reports.

The details of what happened remain unclear, but here’s a look at what we know so far:

  • According to local media, Raisi was heading to the city of Tabriz, in the north west of Iran, after returning from the border with Azerbaijan, where he opened the Qiz Qalasi and Khodaafarin dams
  • The helicopter was one of three travelling in a convoy
  • Iran’s interior minister says rescuers are still trying to reach the site, but their efforts are being hampered by poor weather conditions
  • A reporter with Fars news agency says visibility in the mountainous and wooded area was down to only about five meters. The area is about 50km to the north of Tabriz
  • Ahmad Alirezabeigi, an Iranian MP for the city of Tabriz, says that emergency rescue workers have yet to find the location of the helicopter carrying the president
  • He says two other two helicopters in the convoy landed safely

Stay with us for more.

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