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Lawyer warns Tongan community in NZ about bogus immigration consultants after Vehikite’s deportation

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan lawyer has issued a stern warning to the Tongan community in New Zealand to beware of unlicensed immigration consultants after a 48-year-old Tongan man, Paea Vehikite, was deported today following an unsuccessful visa bid.

Paea Vehikite and his wife Kilisitina say they will not give up the fight to allow him to stay in New Zealand lawfully. Photo / Supplied

Vehikite, who arrived in New Zealand in May 2009 but failed to secure a valid visa, appeared to have fallen victim to an immigration scam, according to reports.

The Rotorua District Court last month granted Immigration New Zealand (INZ) a warrant of commitment, allowing his detention ahead of deportation.

Judge John Bergseng noted that INZ had contacted Vehikite on March 17 this year, offering him a chance to apply for a visa under Section 61 of the Immigration Act—a discretionary provision for individuals unlawfully in New Zealand.

However, due to Vehikite’s inability to speak English, all communication was handled through his wife, Kilisitina.

Despite the opportunity, Vehikite’s application was declined on April 7, and he failed to leave the country within the required 14 days.

Kilisitina told the Rotorua Daily Post that the family had sought help from someone they believed was a licensed immigration agent in Auckland. After spending what she described as “a lot of money,” they discovered the agent was unqualified, and their application was rejected.

Lawyer Sounds Alarm on Immigration Scams

Auckland-based Tongan lawyer Nalesoni Tupou expressed serious concern over the re-emergence of immigration scams targeting the Tongan community.

“I would like to warn the community to be careful about using unlicensed agents,” Tupou said. “Not only will they lose their money, but they could also end up being deported to Tonga.”

Tupou urged those seeking immigration advice to verify consultants’ credentials through the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) before engaging their services.

Tupou said he had been “dealing with immigration scams that plagued the Tongan community for years, and while there were signs of improvement, he was surprised to encounter the Vehikite case.”

Tupou says he has identified the immigration consultant involved and is taking action, though Kaniva News cannot reveal their name for legal reasons.

INZ has reiterated that individuals without lawful status must comply with immigration processes or risk deportation.

The case has highlighted the vulnerability of migrant communities to fraudulent schemes, prompting calls for greater awareness and legal safeguards.

Anyone with concerns about immigration advice can check licensed advisers on the IAA website: www.iaa.govt.nz.

Tongan man among three facing death penalty in Bali shooting death of Australian father

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan national is among three men arrested in Indonesia over the fatal shooting of Melbourne father Zivan “Stipe” Radmanovic in Bali last month.

 Midolmore Tupou (pictured), was arrested in Cambodia after his tattoos led police to trace him and his co-accused

The 32-year-old victim was killed, and another man, 34-year-old Sanar Ghanim, was seriously injured when gunmen ambushed them at Villa Casa Santisya in Munggu, Badung Regency.

Indonesian authorities confirmed that 26-year-old Paea-I-Middlemore Tupou, a Tongan citizen who had been living in Australia, was arrested after being repatriated from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Two other suspects—27-year-old Australian Darcy Francesco Jenson and 22-year-old Mevlut Coskun—were also detained in connection with the attack.

Bali Police revealed that Jenson was caught attempting to flee to Singapore via Jakarta International Airport before being stopped by immigration authorities.

Police allege he helped plan the attack by supplying tools, including a hammer used to break into the villa, and arranging a getaway car.

Tupou and Coskun are accused of assisting in stealing a Suzuki XL7 used in the escape.

Tupou and Coskun managed to make it out of the country to Cambodia but were identified by Interpol who swooped to arrest them in Phnom Penh and returned them to Indonesia, the Daily Mail reported.

Bali Police revealed how the gang allegedly fled across Indonesia after the shooting, escaping the scene on motorbikes before switching cars twice on an 18-hour, 1200km getaway to Jakarta.

Now detectives have revealed they were first traced through Tupou’s distinctive tattoos which were first picked up on CCTV as he bought cigarettes near the villa where the attack unfolded.

Tupou has a combination of traditional Tongan artwork inked onto his skin as well as the 676-international telephone dialling code for Tonga tattooed in huge numbers down his shin.

Indonesian officials have warned that all three suspects could face the death penalty if convicted under the country’s strict firearms and murder laws.

Tongan Community in Auckland mourns beloved son killed in Ōtāhuhu stabbing

By
Kaniva Staff
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Auckland, NZ – The Tongan community in Auckland is in mourning following the tragic death of 31-year-old Ivan Jordan Fifita, a beloved member of the Catholic community in Ōtāhuhu.

His passing came after a violent incident in South Auckland over the weekend.

Police were called to Beatty St, Ōtāhuhu, at 8.30pm on Sunday 29 after reports of a seriously injured man.

Despite being rushed to the hospital, Fifita succumbed to his injuries overnight.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright of Counties Manukau CIB confirmed that a 31-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon and later charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The accused was set to appear in Manukau District Court this week, and police have not ruled out further charges as investigations continue.

The Tongan community has gathered to support Fifita’s family during this difficult time, with many paying tribute to his life and contributions to the Catholic parish in Ōtāhuhu.

A memorial service is expected to be held in the coming days.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our community,” said a close family friend. 

“Ivan was a kind soul, deeply involved in church and well-respected by all who knew him. We ask for prayers for his family as they navigate this painful time.”

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as they continue their inquiries.

Tongan sex offender arrested in US as Trump’s new immigration law expands ICE deportations

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan criminal alien with a conviction for sexual assault has been arrested by ICE Denver, just as President Trump’s new immigration law pumps massive funding into deporting dangerous offenders.

Tianikumi Finau, 40, a Tongan national with a sexual assault conviction, now in ICE custody awaiting deportation under strengthened immigration enforcement.

Tianikumi Finau, 40, a Tongan national, was taken into custody by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and now faces removal from the U.S. 

Finau has a violent criminal history, making him a top priority for deportation.

The arrest comes days after President Trump signed a “big, beautiful bill” into law, dramatically expanding ICE’s resources to track down, arrest, and deport illegal immigrants—especially those with criminal records.

The new funding allows ICE to intensify its crackdown, ensuring predators like Finau are taken off American streets.

“This isn’t someone who just “overstayed.” He’s got a conviction for sexual assault,” US Law Enforcement says on Facebook.

“Now he’s exactly where he belongs—off the street and in ICE custody waiting for removal.”

The news came after two months since the authority arrested Tongan national Tutulu Peatau Fale, an undocumented immigrant with multiple felony convictions. 

Tonga new dialysis centre takes shape as foundation is set

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s long-awaited dialysis centre has reached a key milestone with the completion of its foundation, signalling the official start of construction.

The foundation is set for the new dialysis center, three years after its groundbreaking in 2023. Delays had pushed the project past its original April 2023 deadline.

The project, first announced with a groundbreaking ceremony in 2023, was initially slated for completion by April 2023 but faced delays.

The recent progress follows Kaniva News’ earlier report about the arrival of 10 state-of-the-art dialysis machines, a critical step toward establishing Tonga’s first free dialysis clinic.

Photos and videos shared this week reveal workers actively preparing the site at Veitongo, reigniting hope for improved healthcare access for kidney patients.

 As we reported in August last year, Tonga has begun construction of the kingdom’s first dialysis centre, with a groundbreaking ceremony staged at the time to mark the occasion at Veitongo.

The former Minister of Health, Saia Piukala said during that ceremony that the centre is named after Siaosi Brown, a Tongan man who died while hiking Bell’s Canyon, US  in June 2017.

Siaosi was Rod Emam’s best friend. Emam’s father and uncle donated and funded the centre.

Tonga did not have a dialysis centre, which forced people who suffered from diabetes and renal failure to travel to overseas countries, including New Zealand, Australia and the US, for treatment.

Tonga court clears Anti-Corruption Commission to sue Central Bank in landmark case

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to proceed with its judicial review against the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) and its Board of Directors, marking a historic first for the fledgling agency.

This decision allows the corruption investigation to move forward, signaling that serious allegations of misconduct by public institutions must be properly examined in the interest of accountability.

The case, which alleges misfeasance in public office and breaches of fiduciary duty, has been hailed as a critical test of Tonga’s commitment to combating corruption.

The Supreme Court rejected the NRBT’s bid to remove parts of the ACC’s case against it. The NRBT argued that the accusations were either baseless, too vague, “or may otherwise prejudice or delay the fair trial of the action.”

In a resounding endorsement of the ACC’s mandate, the ruling upheld the Commissioner’s powers to investigate and initiate legal proceedings, emphasising the “paramount public interest” in holding officials accountable.

ACC Probe Advances

This decision allows the corruption investigation to move forward, noting that it was too early for the strike out request to be addressed “at this stage.”

In his ruling, Mr Bishop also emphasised the Commissioner’s role, which is noteworthy.

This includes saying that ACC must pay attention to “serious and systematic corrupt conduct” as mentioned in the NRBT application.

The court document said: “The Commissioner shall direct its attention to serious and systemic corrupt conduct and may take into account the responsibility and role of other public authorities and public officials in the prevention of corrupt conduct.”

Mr Bishop said that in his opinion, “serious and systemic” does not mean serious and repeated or serious and regular, but simply that the corruption found or suspected must be both serious and referable to the way in which the organization in question conducts its activities.”

The NRBT Board of Directors consists of Chairman Lord Sevele, CEO Tatafu Moeaki, John Paul Chapman, Siosi Mafi, Kilitina Tuaimei’api, Masasso Paunga, and Vika Kaufusi.

The defendants must pay the Commissioner’s legal costs, with the amount to be decided by the court if the matter remains unresolved.

A Long Road to Justice

The Anti-Corruption Commission Act was first enacted in Parliament in 2007.

However, Parliament only passed the Anti-Corruption Bill in February 2023, after former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku and his government pushed it through, which enabled the establishment of the anti-corruption watchdog.

The first Commissioner was appointed last year; however, it has been revealed this year that the previous government failed to allocate sufficient resources for its operations.

The current government, led by Prime Minister Aisake Eke, has pledged full support, vowing to provide the ACC with the budget necessary to fulfil its duties.

Monday’s ruling now sets the stage for what could be a defining battle against entrenched corruption in Tonga’s institutions.

Tongan community in Japan on high alert as Japan warns of potentially fatal ‘Megaquake’ – Fears of 300,000 deaths

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongans living in Japan are among millions bracing for a possible catastrophic ‘megaquake’ after the Japanese government issued a stark warning that current disaster preparations could fall short, leaving up to 300,000 people dead in the worst-case scenario.

Scientists now estimate a 75-82% chance of a massive earthquake striking the Nankai Trough—a 500-mile undersea faultline—within the next 30 years.

If it hits, the quake could trigger a devastating tsunami, causing up to $2 trillion in damage and nearly 300,000 fatalities, according to a March 2024 government report.

The government then released a new estimate in March saying that such a megaquake and subsequent tsunami could cause as many as 298,000 deaths and damage of up to $2 trillion, according to a Daily Mail report.

The government then released a new estimate in March saying that such a megaquake and subsequent tsunami could cause as many as 298,000 deaths and damage of up to $2 trillion.

In 2014, the Central Disaster Management Council issued a preparedness plan recommending a series of measures that, it was hoped, would reduce deaths by 80 per cent.

However, the government has stated that the steps taken so far will only reduce the toll by 20 per cent, according to the Kyodo News Agency, and an updated preparedness plan was issued on Tuesday.

This recommended accelerated efforts, including the construction of embankments and evacuation buildings, as well as more regular drills to enhance public readiness.

‘It is necessary for the nation, municipalities, companies and non-profits to come together and take measures in order to save as many lives as possible,’ Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a government meeting, local media reported.

The Nankai Trough is a 500-mile undersea gully running parallel to Japan’s Pacific coast where one tectonic plate is ‘subducting’ – slowly slipping – underneath another.

Tonga Community in Japan

While there is no official data on the exact number of Tongans living in Japan, it is widely acknowledged that a significant community exists.

Many initially arrived on rugby contracts and later chose to settle permanently.

The Tongan diaspora in Japan remains active, as demonstrated last year when they warmly welcomed Tonga’s former Prime Minister, Hon. Hu‘akavameiliku, and his delegation at a special reception.

Tongan Churches must heed warning; $82,000 fine for Samoan pastor highlights risks of unsafe buildings

By
Kalino Latu
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Commentary – The recent conviction of a Samoan pastor and his church trust for unsafe building practices should serve as a stark warning to Tongan church communities in New Zealand.

The church on 59 McKenzie Road, Māngere, was prohibited from being used in May 2023. Photo: Google Maps

The Samoan Congregational Christian Church of New Zealand Māngere Trust and its pastor, Sean Palala, were sentenced in the Auckland District Court this week after being found guilty of 15 charges under the Building Act and Resource Management Act.

The court imposed a total fine of $82,000 for unlawful construction and continued use of a church building despite multiple warnings.

The McKenzie Road church in Māngere had been issued a dangerous building notice, yet gatherings continued in defiance of court orders.

The trust was fined for breaching an abatement notice, failing to comply with a notice to fix, multiple violations of enforcement orders, and failing to comply with dangerous building notices.

Pastor Palala was personally convicted, sentenced to 400 hours of community service, and fined $7,000.

Auckland Council confirmed that the trust had repeatedly ignored an interim enforcement order issued in May 2023, which prohibited the use of the building due to safety risks.

Council’s licensing and compliance field operations manager, David Pawson, said the court’s verdict sent a strong message that ignoring enforcement orders and continuing to use unsafe buildings would not be tolerated, according to a report by RNZ.

“Compliance with building and resource consent laws is essential for the safety of our communities,” he said.

Tongan Church’s Warning

This case comes after a Tongan church in Auckland, the Siasi Uēsiliana Tau‘atāina ‘o Tonga New Zealand (SUTTNZ), faced council action last year over an unsafe makeshift structure.

A church steward, ‘Akuila Hafoka, claimed in a viral video that compliance officers had ordered the demolition of their tent-covered timber building, citing fire hazards and code violations.

Building safety experts warn that many Pacific churches—often operating in temporary or modified structures—may be at risk of similar legal action.

Auckland Council reiterated that no community is exempt from building safety laws.

Samoan ‘ie sina shines in Tonga’s Miss Heilala pageant – seven contestants vie for 2025 crown

By
Kalino Latu
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The journey to crown the next Miss Heilala has officially begun, with seven stunning contestants taking the stage at the Fā’onelua Convention Centre for the first judging event: the Pre-Pageant Interview.

Seven shining stars, one unforgettable journey! ✨👑 These inspiring young women light up the stage as they compete for the prestigious Miss Heilala 2025 crown. Each bringing their unique voice, passion, and beauty to celebrate Tonga’s culture and future. Who will take the throne?. Photo/Tonga Tourism, Facebook.

The festival is Tonga’s national beauty pageant, offering young women the opportunity to compete for the prestigious annual title.

The contestants, each representing different sponsors and causes, spoke passionately on topics ranging from technology and tourism to mental health and climate change.

Miss Tika Way, Malia Toatepi Tonga’uiha, from Houma, Tongatapu—now residing in Auckland, New Zealand—wore what has been widely described on social media as the Samoan an ‘ie sina.

Her photos, showcasing the artwork on Facebook, stunned the online community, especially those familiar with Samoan handicraft.

Many praised Miss Tika Way’s ‘ie sina as exceptionally beautiful.

The contestants:

  1. Miss Lady Maria Tonga Australia 
  2. Miss Pangaimotu Island 
  3. Miss Tongatapu 2 
  4. Miss Ha’apai Masani 
  5. Miss S & S USA
  6. Miss Current of Love Charity Vava’u 
  7. Miss Tika Way Creation 

The competition will continue with additional events, including the traditional wear showcase, talent performance, and evening gown presentation, culminating in the grand finale, where the new Miss Heilala 2025 will be crowned.

Air New Zealand rebooks passengers to Tonga after flight returns to Auckland due to engineering issue

By
Kaniva Staff
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Air New Zealand has rebooked passengers to Tonga for Thursday, July 3, after their flight NZ970 from Auckland was forced to return due to an engineering issue.

The affected passengers were initially scheduled to arrive in Tonga on Wednesday, July 2.

The incident comes amid allegations that the airline would cease services to Tonga starting July 1—a claim Air New Zealand has denied.

In an email to Kaniva News, Air New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Alex Marren clarified the situation, stating:

“NZ970 Auckland to Tonga returned to Auckland this morning due to an engineering issue, as per standard operating procedure. As a result, NZ971 Tonga to Auckland has been cancelled, and all customers have been rebooked to travel tomorrow. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank customers for their understanding.”

It is understood that the disruption was unrelated to any broader operational changes.

The Tongan government’s push to renationalise luggage handling has sparked debate, with critics questioning whether the transition could disrupt airline operations.

Air New Zealand’s denial clarified the situation and reassured passengers that today’s incident was an isolated technical issue, not a consequence of policy changes.

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