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Fly Niu ‘expression of interest’ in running domestic airlines revealed; Lulutai CEO desperate for planes to meet demand

By
Kalino Latu
-

A letter showing that an airline operator was interested in taking over local flight services, despite the Prime Minister claiming no operator was interested, can now be revealed.  

Fly Niu owner ‘Atu Finau. Photo/Kalino Lātū

The Fly Niu airlines expression of interest letter dated January 18, 2023 was adressed to the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. It provided the government with a three-part offer.

The  revelation came after Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku appeared to be responding to the king’s concerns the previous day questioning the Government’s managing the airline in “secrecy” and failing to recruit experts in civil aviation to assist with the controversial national airlines.  

The revelation comes after Lulutai CEO Poasi Tei confirmed to Kaniva News earlier this week he has been in contact with the former domestic airline operator Air Chathams in an attempt to lease an aircraft from its fleet.

We understand Lulutai airlines is in desperate needs of more aeroplanes after its largest aircraft, the Saab 340B, crashed in December. Air Chathams has two of the Swedish-built airliners in its fleet.

Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Finau told Kaniva News he made contact with Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku after sending him the letter last year and he was still awaiting a response.

The expression of interest said  Fly Niu would firstly provide a six to 12 month Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) back up aircraft lease.

“The minimum utilisation capacity for this lease aircraft [would be] three daily TBU/VAV/TBU (Fua’amotu International airport/Vava’u/Fua’amatu) trips”, the letter said.

It would follow with a 12- month management contract for Fly Niu to restructure and operate the airline to ensure Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) compliance, scheduled aircraft maintennce programme and the airlines long-term vialbility.

The third part of the offer was to have an agreed price to purchase an agreed percentage of the airline’s shares within 12 months from the commencment of the management contract.

The Prime Minister has been contacted for comment.

Fly Niu airline was forced out of Tonga 20 years ago when the government passed a one airline policy that gave the sole right to operate domestic flights to Peau Vava’u, an airline co-owned by the Late King George Tupou V and his business partners, the Ramanlal brothers. It replaced the bankrupt Royal Tongan Airlines.

Peau Vava’u flew from mid-2004 to the end of 2006 when its offices were destroyed in a fire.

Chatham negotiations

The Tongan government’s recent attemtping to restore its bitter relationship with Air Chathams appears to show Lulutai’s desperation for planes to meet its services demands.

Lulutai CEO Poasi Tei told Kaniva News he was trying to get planes leased from Chathams because of the upcoming peak season for the flight services.

We understand Tei has also been in contact with other avaition experts, including Finau, in his attempt to get more planes for Lulutai. The airlines is now operating with two small aircraft, its new 18 seater Twin Otter and the Y12 plane, which, as reported by Kaniva News, has experienced a number of mechanical issues.

Air Chathams operated Tonga’s sole domestic airline under the name Chathams Pacific, but pulled out in 2011 after the Tongan government decided to set up its own airline in partnership with Real Tonga airlines.

Air Chathams was not happy with the decision and announced that it was closing its doors.

Chatham’s owner, Craig Emeny expressed his disappointment following an announcement by Samiu Vaipulu, who was then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Aviation, that  a new Chinese MA 60 aircraft would arrive in Tonga as part of the government’s plan to set up a new airline to compete with Air Chatham.

Emeny said at the time he was concerned that “Tonga simply is not large enough to support two airlines”.

He also said Hon. Vaipulu, who is now one of the directors of Lulutai airlines, “did not include or consider my airline in anyway”.

“I am not able to maintain financially viability in the Tonga market with the introduction of another airline operating a 50 seat (MA-60) and a 17 seat (Y12) aircraft in competition to me,” he said.

Air Vanuatu

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific, another national carrier, Air Vanuatu, has cancelled all its international flights. It is understood the airline has been trying to service all of its international flights with one aircraft – a Boeing 737 – which is reported to have had mechanical problems..

According to RNZ, the Vanuatu government is considering putting the airline into administration. Hundreds of passengers, many from New Zealand and Australia, have been stranded. Earlier reports suggested the airline was facing bankruptcy.

Former Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama jailed

By
Kaniva Staff
-

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

Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison, Fiji media are reporting.

Bainimarama, alongside suspended Fiji Police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the High Court in Suva for their sentencing hearing for a case involving their roles in blocking a police investigation at the University of the South Pacific in 2021.

Qiliho has been sentenced to two years jail.

Bainimarama, the 69-year-old former military commander and 2006 coup leader, had been found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Qiliho had been found guilty of abuse of office by the High Court Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who upheld the State’s appeal.

Bainimarama and Qiliho walked out of the High Court in Suva in handcuffs, and were escorted straight into a police vehicle.

“The former PM and the suspended COMPOL were found not guilty and acquitted accordingly by Resident Magistrate Seini Puamau at the Suva Magistrates Court on 12 October 2023,” the Office of the Direcotr of Public Prosecutions said.

“The State had filed an appeal against their acquittal where the Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo then overturned the Magistrate’s decision and found the two guilty as charged. The matter was then sent back to the Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.

“In sentencing the duo, Magistrate Puamau announced that both their convictions would not be registered. The former PM was granted an absolute discharge while the suspended COMPOL received a conditional discharge with a fine of $1500 on 28 March 2024 by the Suva Magistrates Court following which the State had filed an appeal and challenged the discharge

for a custodial sentence.

“The Acting Chief Justice quashed the Magistrate Court’s sentence and pronounced the custodial sentences respectively.”

Qiliho walks out of the Suva High Court and escorted by police officers to the be taken to jail. 9 May 2024

Qiliho walks out of the Suva High Court and escorted by police officers to the be taken to jail. 9 May 2024 Photo: Screengrab / Facebook/Fiji One News

Earlier on Thursday morning, local media reported an increased police presence outside the Suva court complex.

“There is more pronounced police presence than usual with vehicles being checked upon entry. A section has been cordoned off in front of the High Court facing Holiday Inn,” broadcaster fijivillage.com reported.

State broadcaster FBC reported that police only allowed close relatives and Bainimarama and Qiliho’s associates, along with the media, to sit in the courtroom.

MPs from the main opposition FijiFirst party in Parliament, including opposition leader Inia Seruiratu, Faiyaz Koya were present in court.

Brief timeline:

  • The duo were sentenced by the Magistrates Court on 28 March.
  • Magistrate Seini Puamau gave Bainimarama an absolute discharge – the lowest level sentence an offender can get and no conviction was registered.
  • Qiliho was fined FJ$1,500 and without a conviction as well.
  • The 69-year-old former military commander and 2006 coup leader was found guilty of perverting the course of justice in a case related to the University of the South Pacific; and suspended police chief Qiliho was found guilty of abuse of office by the High Court Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
  • Magistrate Puamau’s judgement had left many in the legal circles and commentators in the country perplexed.
  • The State – through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution – had appealed the sentencing straightaway to the High Court.
  • They were back in court 7 days later – during the court appearance at the High Court, the Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, gave time until the 24 April for the respondents to file their submissions and for the State to reply by the 29th.
  • The sentencing hearing was last Thursday, 2 May.
  • Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo sentences Bainimarama to one year in jail and Qiliho for two years.

Bainimarama’s attempt to pervert the course of justice charge had a maximum tariff of five years while Qiliho’s charge of abuse of office carried a maximum tariff of 10 years.

Lavulavu couple ordered to vacate government house as new trial expected to start soon

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Ministry of Infrastructure says the former convicted Cabinet Ministers ‘Etuate and ‘Akosita Lavulavu have been served with eviction notice to end their tenancy at the government property at Sopu.

‘Etuate and AKosita Lavulavu

In a statement this morning the Ministry said the couple was vacating the property at Halavuna road which had been allotted to them as MPs.

The government needed the property for further development, it said.

The Lavulavu were jailed in 2021 for corruption and fraud connected with a school they ran.

‘Etuate and others founded a private education institute in Tonga in 2003. Etuate was its president and his wife ‘Akosita was its director.

In 2022, the Court of Appeal overturned the original sentence, ruling that the judge in the earlier trial had not been impartial. The Court of Appeal ordered that the duo be re-tried in the Supreme Court.

Before the re-trial ‘Akosita claimed that Justice Langi would be biased because she had been working at the Attorney General’s office when the charges were first laid.

A court decision said the appeal had no merit.

On  October 10, 2022 the Court of Appeal quashed their convictions and ordered a retrial.

The government’s property previously occupied by the Lavulavu marked in blue. Image/ Ministry of Infrastructure

The Court of Appeal said there was ample evidence to support findings of apparent bias on the part of the Judge, that the trial was unfair and that the verdicts could not stand.

However, the Court was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to support convictions on a correct application of relevant legal principles.

As Kaniva News reported recently, the latest stage in the legal saga surrounding the Lavulavus was adjourned until last month, April 2.

The Supreme Court was conducting voir dire hearings.

According to Attorney General Linda Simiki Folaumoetu’i, voir dire hearings are a means of investigating whether police and people involved in collecting evidence for a trial had done so legally and lawfully.

The Attorney General said after the voir dire hearing on April 2, the new trial would begin.

Tongan diaspora blasts PM Hu‘akavameiliku over leaked document supporting China against Australia, NZ over involvement in Solomon Islands

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Prime Minister has been heavily criticised after documents from his government criticising Australia and New Zealand against China were leaked to media.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku

The leaked document from Tonga’s Foreign Affairs Ministry shows that kingdom’s officials sharply criticised Australia and New Zealand’s response to the security pact signed by China and Solomon Islands, while declaring that Pacific diplomacy from Western nations was “failing”.

“The views expressed by ANZ [Australia and New Zealand] on the situation in the Solomon Islands are that only they (or the Pacific) can decide which countries Pacific states should align themselves with,” the document says.

“This clearly shows they remain far removed from Pacific realities and only echoes the condescending rhetoric that we, unfortunately, see too often from ANZ leadership.”

The document acknowledges China’s “growing clout” in the region and says many Pacific island states are facing “threats to strategic independence as a result of growing indebtedness to Beijing”.

But it says that in the end, Solomon Islands is a “sovereign nation and has the right to make decisions about its own security”.

“Tonga should continue to promote that fact including the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states,” it reads.

Last month’s leak came after the Morrison and Ardern governments tried in 2022 to rally Pacific nations to press Solomon Islands not to sign the vaguely worded and deeply contentious agreement with Beijing, in part because they feared it would allow Beijing to establish a military presence in the country.

The pact was signed by Solomon Islands’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who promoted his pro-China stance as a key pillar in his bid for re-election. Sogavare lost the election, but was replaced by Jeremiah Manele, who has an equally strong Stand in favour of China.

The strongly worded assessment of the strategic situation was first published by the ABC last month and was republished by Kaniva News.

According to ABC, “The five-page document calls New Zealand’s response to the Solomon Islands-China security agreement “nothing short of frantic” and flags that its then-Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta had requested a phone call to her Tongan counterpart to express Wellington’s “grave” concerns about the pact”.

A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the ABC that it was “for Tongan officials to determine how they brief their ministers”.

“New Zealand’s objections to Solomon Islands and China’s secretive security pact have not diminished. We see that agreement as unnecessary and unwelcome,” they said.

Tongan diaspora reactions

The leaked letter baffled many Tongans living in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, with many saying the Prime Minister, who was then Minister of Foreign Affairs, was out of touch with reality.

Many have taken to Facebook and criticised PM Hu’akavameiliku and his government in the comments section under Kaniva News’ story on the leak.

“What is the purpose?”, a commenter asked the Prime Minister in Tongan.

Another asked the Prime Minister to tell them the countries where most members of the Tongan diaspora lived, comparing Australia, New Zealand, the USA and China.

“The Prime Minister should step down now”, one commenter wrote, describing China’s involvement in Tonga as an enemy “fili”. They also described the leaked letter as playing with fire (“va’inga’aki ‘a e afi”) referring to the Communist Party’s stance against Christianity.

“Where is our Tuku Fonua ki Langi”, a commenter wrote, referring to an 1893 prayer in  which King George Tupou I committed Tonga to God’s protection.

Some liked a comment which asked where the church leaders were to speak up on this issue.

However, some commentators took sides with the Prime Minister and asked whether Tonga had received enough benefits from Australia and New Zealand over the years and referred to restrictions on resident visas and the deportation of the overstayers.

China has free visa entry agreements with Tonga.

Foreign remittances

According to a report from the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre, personal remittances received in Tonga in 2021 were estimated to be US$220 million, or equivalent to around 44% of Tongan gross domestic product (GDP).

The ANU report said the majority of Tongan households received remittances. The mean remittances sent home in the second half of 2021 was TP$5,892, equal to Aus$3,684 or NZS4,065.

As Kaniva News reported previously,  a World Bank report said remittances made up more than a third of the kingdom’s GDP in 2015. The bank report said remittances mostly came from Tongans living in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. It said Tonga depended more on money sent home by migrant workers than any other country in the Pacific.

There are about 100,000 more Tongan people living overseas than in Tonga.

This includes 33,000 Tongans living in Australia according to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades, 82,389 living in New Zealand according to Statistics New Zealand, 2018, and 67,221 living in the USA recorded by Wikipedia. There are only 100,179 people living in Tonga, according to Tonga Statistics, 2021.

There are also many Tongans in Asia and Europe.

Ponsonby Road shooting: Hone Kay-Selwyn found dead in or near Taupō

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

A man wanted over a central Auckland fatal shooting, and revealed to be a gang member, has been found dead near Taupō.

Police were searching for Hone Kay-Selwyn, 31, who they believed shot one person dead on Ponsonby Road on Sunday night.

The victim, named as Robert Sidney Horne, had been with a group of people at the time, and was found dead by police when they arrived at the scene, outside a bar. Police said multiple shots had been fired.

On Wednesday morning, a source confirmed the discovery of Kay-Selwyn’s body to RNZ. Police later confirmed the death.

Detective Inspector Chris Barry said homicide investigators were travelling to the Taupō region on Tuesday afternoon.

“On the way, police were notified of a man located deceased at a rural address in the Broadlands area.”

Kay-Selwyn’s death was being treated as unexplained, he said.

He said the deceased man was found by an associate on Tuesday. Police also confirmed Kay-Selwyn was a member of the Killer Beez gang.

“While a post-mortem examination is yet to be completed, it is believed the deceased is the man sought by police in relation to the homicide investigation.”

Police did not believe there was any relationship between the Ponsonby shooting victim and the suspect, nor did they believe the victim and his associates on the night have any criminal group links.

Auckland City CIB would be working with Bay of Plenty CIB counterparts as part of the investigation.

Barry said the homicide investigation remained ongoing, but they were not seeking anyone else in relation to it.

“Our investigation team will continue to piece together the information received to date and we will continue to make enquiries on behalf of the Coroner.

“Police have notified the victim’s family of these developments, and we have been in touch with the family of the man sought.”

Police thanked the public for the information received regarding the identity of the man sought.

A woman, who said she was the partner of Kay-Selwyn, had expressed remorse for his actions.

In a now deleted Facebook post earlier this week, she said her inbox had been “overflowing” with messages about her partner’s actions on Sunday night in Ponsonby.

“I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. I’m deeply sorry and feel a great sense of shame about the situation.”

She said she was “grappling” with the fact he had taken someone’s life.

When contacted by RNZ the woman did not want to comment further.

Police would not comment directly on the social media post or confirm if they had spoken to the woman.

What happened?

About 10.15pm on Sunday, police were called to Ponsonby Road after reports of a possible shooting.

When officers arrived, a man was lying dead on the pavement, outside Glengarry Wines. Police immediately cordoned off the area and launched a homicide investigation.

Detective Inspector Barry said it was believed the alleged gunman had been denied access to a bar on the road as staff were preparing to close for the night.

He lingered on the street.

Barry said it was believed the man had a gun concealed in a bag he was carrying, and when a group of four men got out of a car nearby, he fired multiple shots at them, killing one.

By the time police arrived, the shooter had left the scene.

Tongan ambulance dispatcher killed after crash with suspected drunk driver in US  

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A woman was killed after a suspected DUI (driving under the influence) driver crashed into her car Sunday night, the San Leandro Police Department (SLPD) said.

Emergency Services Dispatcher Antoinette Finau was killed after a suspected DUI driver crashed into her vehicle Sunday night. She was on her way to work, police said (Photo: Alameda County Sheriff’s Office).

The crash happened around 11.14pm at the intersection of E. 14th Street and 150th Avenue in San Leandro.

The suspected DUI driver crashed into the victim’s car, which was broadsided, and caused it to roll over, according to SLPD. She was taken to the hospital where she later died.

The US-based Tongan victim was identified as Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Dispatcher Antoinette Finau. Finau was on her way to work when the crash happened, SLPD said.

“She died a senseless and tragic death at the hands of a drunk driver,” the sheriff’s office wrote in part in a Facebook post.

“We will remember Antoinette as someone who lived her life to the fullest and touched the hearts of those around her,” the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) said in a Facebook post. “Though her time with us was short (almost three years), Antoinette impacted our agency with her sweet nature, kind heart, warm smile, and pride in being the voice on the other end of a call for help. She was a loving mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to many. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends. Rest well, Antoinette. We will miss you.”

The driver of the suspect vehicle was not injured. She was arrested for driving under the influence and was taken to jail, SLPD said.

“The San Leandro Police Department offers our condolences to the family of the victim as well as the men and women of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office,” said SLPD Lt. Jeffrey Walton, “This is a tragic loss of life and a painful reminder of the dangers of driving while impaired”.

On Monday, law enforcement agencies across the East Bay and members of Finau’s family escorted her body to Oakland in a long procession, ACSO said.

First Master in Professional Supervision graduate is ‘proud Papakura boy’ 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Social Worker Feleti Lotulelei, Tainui, ‘Eua – Tonga is Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s first graduate from the Master’s in Professional Supervision programme. 

The proudly Papakura born and raised 31-year-old currently works for Oranga Tamariki. He said completing postgraduate studies had reshaped his approach to supervision within social work. 

“It was like a gateway to another world… I always thought supervision was a dumping ground to vent your frustrations and then get on with the mahi again.” 

Instead Lotulelei discovered the science that sits behind supervision practice, championing critical reflective practice and reshaping his approach to supervision. 

“It provides the foundation of my supervisory practice. Going from a hierarchical approach in which I was familiar with, to professional supervision theory advocating for creating the vā (the sacred space between) for myself and the supervisees.”

Emphasising that in taking the journey together towards a new understanding of practice was a far better fit when it came to best practice and relating to those he works with.

As the social work field moves toward a new era of professionalism, Lotulelei says bringing about effective change required a paradigm shift and that for many the process of reflection was unfamiliar territory. 

“I’ve had similar experiences with others having the opinion that the way to do things is the way that it has always been done.” 

However, he says this practice was outdated, and professional supervision provides the platform to bring about effective change. 

“By encouraging quality professional supervision, we are able to shift that mentality of responding with process driven practice versus ‘informed’ safe practice.” 

Dr Matt Rankine, Senior Lecturer from the University’s faculty of Education and Social Work says Lotulelei is the first graduate of the Masters in Professional Supervision.  

“Feleti works for Oranga Tamariki as a statutory social worker, so this is a great example of the many students who come into the programme who are already engaged in full time professional work and successfully complete post graduate study.” 

  

Pursuing university studies was never on the social work supervisor’s agenda but he says faith led him toward the ‘helping profession.’  First volunteering as a youth worker after graduating from Papakura High School almost 14 years ago, he took the next step of completing a Bachelor of Social Work degree thanks to a scholarship from the Bongard family.  

“I sort of fell into the field, but I knew this is the path that God had created for me. I’ve been blessed each step I’ve taken, always trying to be faithful and obedient along the way.” 

He overcame the challenge of having to work and study fulltime with the help of colleagues providing flexibility to attend classes and a supportive family. 

“Everyone knows the struggles of paying off a student loan and trying to get by.  The struggle was real, Mie goreng became my new go to!” he laughs. 

Grateful for the village of people that have carried him through the journey, Lotulelei says everyone who has supported him should have their names added on his Master’s degree.

“I feel like all Pasifika people, we have an obligation to those who have paved the way for us to be where we are today.  My family from Tonga (and Aotearoa New Zealand) did not come from a rich background,” he says of honouring the sacrifices and challenges his family faced to realise his aspirations. 

“I told my Dad I wanted to wear a ta’ovala (fine mat worn around the waist) to graduation.  He asked me what ta’ovala I had to wear to graduation?

My sister and I joked with him, saying ‘you’re the Tongan, you should know?

He replied ‘I never had a graduation.’ This broke me. This is why we do it. We’re all graduating on that day.” 

‘Extremely dangerous’: Police hunting for man after fatal Ponsonby Road shooting

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Police are searching for an “extremely dangerous” man believed to be behind a fatal shooting on Auckland’s Ponsonby Road.

Detective Inspector Chris Barry holds an image of a man he says police are seeking in connection with the fatal shooting in Ponsonby. Photo: RNZ / Screenshot

Detective Inspector Chris Barry said emergency services responded to reports of a gun being fired outside an address on Ponsonby Road about 10.20pm on Sunday.

“Around 10.15pm, a group of four people, including the victim, exited a parked car on Ponsonby Road and walked in the man’s direction,” Barry said.

He said multiple shots had been fired and police later found the victim dead at the scene.

The group of people who were with the victim at the time of the shooting were co-operating with investigators and were “very upset”, he said.

Barry said it was difficult to say whether the multiple shots fired were targeting one person or various people, as the scene examination was still under way.

Police are now hunting a person who they say is extremely dangerous and that members of the public should not approach him.

“If you see him or know who he is, please phone 111 immediately.”

Anyone concealing his identity or whereabouts could find themselves facing prosecution, Barry said.

D.I Chris Barry holds up a photograph of an alleged offender during an appeal to media for information regarding a homicide investigation in Ponsonby

Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

The man is described as being of large build, with dark hair and facial hair, and has a large tattoo on his left forearm.

“Earlier on Sunday evening, this man tried to enter a bar on Ponsonby Road, however was denied entry as it was closing.”

The time between the suspect being denied entry and the shooting was a matter of minutes, he said.

After the shooting, he was seen walking south on Ponsonby Road, in direction of Richmond Road.

The motivation behind the shooting was not yet clear, Barry said.

“You can be certain we will piece together why this shocking incident occurred last night.”

Police examiners at a section of Ponsonby Road, where they have cordoned off the area due to a homicide investigation, on 6 May, 2024.

Police examiners at a section of Ponsonby Road amid a homicide investigation, on 6 May, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Maia Ingoe

It was difficult to say yet if the shooting was gang related, Barry said.

Police were aware of the concerns in the community due to the incident.

“We know unease in the community, particularly as police have not yet made an arrest. However, we would like to reassure Ponsonby residents and the wider community that a dedicated police team are working diligently to hold this person to account,” Barry said.

Auckland Transport said a section of Ponsonby Road, between Richmond Road and Franklin Road, was closed due to an incident.

“Avoid this area or expect delays with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services.”

Police detectives on Ponsonby Road after reports of a death there on Sunday 5 May 2024.

Police detectives on Ponsonby Road after reports of a death there. Photo: Finn Blackwell

A post-mortem and formal identification of the man found dead will be carried out over the coming days.

Police scene guards are expected to be stood down later on Monday afternoon, but a police presence will remain in the area.

Police at the scene of a cordon after a reported death on Ponsonby Rd, on Sunday 5 May 2024.

Police at the scene of a cordon after a reported death on Ponsonby Rd. Photo: Finn Blackwell

Girl thought to be missing in Nuku’alofa found safe

By
Kaniva Staff
-

UPDATED: The primary school girl reported missing in Nuku’alofa has been found safe and well, her mother says on Facebook.

Christy. Photo/Supplied

Christy was earlier reported missing by her family after leaving Saione Church in Nuku’alofa yesterday Sunday 5.

The family believed she left the church and returned to her aunt’s house at Fasimoeafi.

Because of her age, her family and police were concerned, her mother told Kaniva News.

The family thanked those who got in touch with information.

Lulutai desperate for planes approaches Air Chathams for aircrafts lease

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Chathams airline, which previously ran the kingdom’s airline service, has been approached by the Tonga government for aircraft lease, Kaniva News can reveal.

Lulutai twin otter aircraft. Photo: Facebook.com/PM Press

This has been confirmed to us this morning by Lulutai Airlines’ CEO Poasi Tei.

He said a statement was expected to be released to the public when the negotiation was finalised.

It is understood Air Chathams officers had been in Tonga recently to negotiate with the government as part of the deal.

The Prime Minister did not mention Air Chathams airlines on Friday when he was asked about the future of Lulutai.

READ MORE:

The Prime Minister has been reticent to speak openly about the airline, which is run by the government. For instance, Parliament only found out about the purchase of Lulutai’s new Twin Otter after we published the news.

Air Chathams ran Tonga’s domestic airline from 2007 to 2011.

The airline’s CEO, Craig Emeny, said he believed Chatham’s was the 11th airline to operate in Tonga. He blamed his airline’s departure on the then government’s decision to establish a rival airline using donated Chinese aircraft.

Emeny told media at the time that Chathams was financially secure and sustainable.

“I would continue to operate the domestic air service in Tonga in a normal operating environment. It is the government’s decision to sponsor competition with donated aircraft from China and that will make Chathams Pacific untenable in the future,” he said.

Chatham airlines currently operates 10 aircraft, including two ATR72s and three Saab 340s, the same type operated by Lulutai airlines. It serves destinations in New Zealand’s main islands and the Chathams, as well as Norfolk Island in Australia.

Lulutai airlins has kept functioning with technical and financial help from Australia.

In February last year Australia’s High Commissioner Rachael Moore told media in Nuku’alofa that Australia would help develop a business plan with Lulutai.

However, little detail of this has emerged.

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