Last night, the visiting delegation, made up of members of the United States Congress and the United Nations Foundation (UNF), departed Nuku’alofa, Tonga, following in-depth discussions with representatives from Government and civil society, as well as visits to schools, UN-supported projects, and the Vaiola Hospital.
While in Tonga, delegation met with Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, Acting Prime Minister of Tonga, as well as other Ministers and members of Government – Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for Finance, Hon. Siale Ákauóla, Minister for Health, Mr. ‘Isikeli Oko – CEO for Education and Training Mrs. Kilisitina Tuaimei’api – CEO for Finance, Dr. ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola – Acting CEO, Ministry of Health, Mr. Vatulele Tuputupu – A/CEO, MEIDECC, Miss ‘Olita Tupou – Acting Chief Secretary & Acting Secretary to Cabinet, PMO, Miss Ilaisipa ‘Alipate- Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We are grateful to the Acting Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers for receiving us so warmly today. This meeting provides an important opportunity for the Congressional delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Small Island Developing States like Tonga, and to explore collaborative solutions that the US – through partners such as UN – can bring to help address these pressing issues,” said UN Resident Coordinator to Tonga, Mr Dirk Wagener, who was also part of the delegation.
Tonga faces many developmental challenges, all of which are exacerbated by the climate change emergency, COVID-19 and increasingly frequent and intense disasters.
The interconnectivity of economic, health, development, nutrition, and climate challenges in Tonga, combined with its remoteness, all contribute to its classification as the world’s second most at-risk country in the world in terms of its exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards and the unfolding effects of climate change.
The UN-Tonga Country Implementation Plan (CIP) 2023 – 2025, endorsed by the Government of Tonga in May 2023, defines UN assistance to Tonga to achieve its Strategic Development Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With an annual budget for 2023 of USD$17m, the CIP focuses on four pillars – Planet, People, Prosperity and Peace – to contribute to a Pacific region where all people are equal and free to exercise their fundamental rights, enjoying gender equality and peace, resilient to the existential threats and living in harmony with the blue continent.
In total, there are 23 UN agencies working in Tonga, including non-resident agencies.
As the sun rises on Anzac Day dawn services on Thursday, Tongans will remember the 94 young men from the islands who served in the First World War.
The young men who enlisted were mainly expatriate Europeans who had been born in or worked in the kingdom, but several Tongans also enlisted.
A roll call of the names of those who fought in the 1914-18 war contains familiar Tongan names: Fotu, Faletau, Tu’inukuafe, Taliaʻuli, Lomu and Mohenoa.
There are European names like Leger, Mahoney, Cowley, Sanft, Muller, Payne, Hurrel, Harper, Ramsay, Walter and Lynch which are still attached to large families on Tonga
Among those who went to war were people who rose to prominence later in life, such as Sateki Faletau, who served in the Maori Contingent and the New Zealand Medical Corps and later became Governor of Vava’u and Minister for Police.
But there are many more others with more ordinary backgrounds: Bakers, teachers, storekeepers and traders who came home after the war and went back to their trades and professions.
Only one Tongan died during the war. He was Sione Talia’uli, who died of pneumonia in 1918. He is buried in Palestine.
The names of the volunteers from Tonga or those with a connection to the kingdom have been gathered together in a new book by Christine Liava’a, Koe Kau To’a Na’anau Poletau. Valiant Volunteers: Soldiers from Tonga in the Great War.
On Monday some of the names from the book were read out on the Kaniva Tonga Radio Programme.
The broadcast prompted a call from Hehea Sina Faletau who told us that her grandfather, Sateki Faletau had gone to war.
His son, Maile Faletau, served during the Second World War as a medical officer.
There was pride in Hehea’s voice as she explained the connection with Sateki.
Here are the list of the Tongan soldiers taken from Christine Liava’a’s book.
Frederick Bruno Delamere, whose original name was Waldermar Bruno Sanft, was a maritime engineer who had trained with J.H. Adams of New Zealand for six years. When he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), he claimed to be of British nationality. In reality he was a German subject as his parents, Franz Carl Sanft and Martha Agnes Lehmann Sanft were both Germans, although living in Tonga.
Joseph Clarence Hughes was a musician, aged 30, born in Tonga. He enlisted in the AIF in the Australian Imperial Force in June 1916.
Edward Stewart James was a veterinary surgeon. He was the son of the Rev. C E James and was born in Tonga on November 29, 1889, when his father was working there.
Claude Napier King was born in Charters Towers, Queensland, but was living in Nuku’alofa in 1915. He was killed in action on August 8, 1918, by a sniper. His body was not recovered.
Walter Leyden was a son of John Henry Leyden or Lyden and Cecilia Elizabeth Leyden (nee Johnson) of Vava’u, Tonga.
Robert Hugh McGlew was an Englishman who was born in Sydney, New South Wales. He was an accountant working in Tonga and was 36 when he listed in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1917.
Harry Monk was an Englishman who was born in West Auckland and migrated to Australia and then Tonga. He was a surveyor and a member of the Nuku’aofa Club.
James Egan Moulton was the grandson of the Rev James Egan Moulton, founder of Tupou College.
Alfred Egbert Roberts was the son of John Hartley Roberts, Director of Education for Tonga and principal of Tonga College in the 1880s.
John Trotter was appointed as second assistant teacher at Tonga College in 1914, then became Government plantation manager.
Reverend J Laurent F Benezeth was a Marist brother in Tonga. Born in 1881, he is listed on the Tongan War Memorial
Reverend Camille Doizy was a Marist brother in Tonga, born 1884. He left Tonga for France during the war and is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
William Kanani Rudling was born in Hawai’i in 1896, the son of Thomas George Rudling and his Hawai’ian wife Eugenia Kahele. The family moved to Tonga where T.G. Rudling became the Assistant Collector of Customs and Postmaster in Vava’u
John William Alo.
Charles William Boyer travelled to Auckland from Tonga in early 1916 and joined the 4th Maori Contingent. He was a Lance Corporal in the No 1 Platoon.
Sateki Faletau of Vava’u was a medical student and hospital attendant in Tonga. He was born at Neiafu, Vava’u on October 24, 1894 and came to New Zealand in July 1916, aged 21. He enlisted and served as a Lance Corporal in the Maori Contingent. He embarked for England on October 11, 1916 from Wellington on the Tofua, but was discharged there as medically unfit. He returned to New Zealand then re-enlisted in 1919 in the New Zealand Medical Corps. He was finally discharged in 1920 and returned to Tonga, where he later married Celia Elizabeth Leyden, also of Vava’u. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
His full name was Sateki Veikune Faletau and he became the Hon. Siosateki Veikuna Faletau, 11th ‘Akau’ola, on December 8, 1932. He was Governor of Vava’u between 1936 – 1939, then Lieutenant-Colonel of the Tonga Defence Force during the Second World War and Minister for Police 1939-1952. The late Hon. Siaosi Filiapulotu Faletau, 12th ‘Akau’ola, the late Hon. ‘Inoke Fotu Faletau, 13th ‘Akau’ola, and the Rev Sione Faletau are his sons. His son Maile Faletau also served during the Second World War.
John Harper was a storekeeper for Burns Philp in Tonga. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Mrs Emele Harper of Nuku’alofa. His aunt was Mafikiholeva Percival. In 1916, after being escorted to Auckland because of his intemperate habits, he sailed on the troopship Navua.
Edwin Hughes was a baker and carpenter in Neiafu, Vava’u.
Guy Robert Jury was the son of Captain Jury, a part-Maori settler in Tongatapu with plantations at Fo’ui and Nukunuku
Baisley Leger was the son of James Paul Leger and Mereste Magila Tiumala, both born in Samoa but living in Nuku’alofa since 1897. He was a boat builder who enlisted in New Zealand in 1915, with the Rarotongans attached to B company, 3rd Maori Contingent. He served as a Sergeant and was wounded in a gas attack and evacuated to the 7th Field Ambulance, then to a Convalescent Hospital in France. He married Sela Vete in 1920 and they travelled to New Zealand in 1920. He later married Amelia Toli. He died in Auckland in 1973.
Francis Leger was a seaman, born in 1898, the brother of Baisley Leger. He served in France in the Pioneer Battalion. He returned to Tonga and married Meleane Fatafehi. He died in Vava’u in 1967 and listed on the Tongan War Memorial
David Loma or Lomu was an assistant Harbourmaster of Nuku’alofa, the son of Mafu. He enlisted in the 7th Maori Reinforcement as a Private and embarked from Wellington on August 16, 1916, for England. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Ernest Mitchell travelled to New Zealand from Vava’u in 1916.
Wiliam Robert Moore, aged 28, was a carpenter who arrived in Auckland from Ha’apai aboard Talune on June 19, 1916.
Adolph Muller was a farmer in Tonga, brother of Miki Muller of Nuku’alofa. They were of Swiss/Samoan descent, being sons of Phillip Muller and Philomena Laukiki. He served in Egypt and Palestine. He returned to Tonga and married Mel Tatafu Fotofili in 1920. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial. He died in 1960.
Francis Alfred Payne was a farmer who enlisted in Takapuna, Auckland on November 9, 1915. He was born in 1896 in Tonga, a descendent of Alfred Payn and Oli Leva. He embarked from Wellington on February 5, 1916. He returned to New Zealand and was discharged on October 24, 1916. He remained in New Zealand and married Elsie Sunckell from Akaroa in 1920. He served in the Second World War. He died in 1957 in Ashburton, New Zealand, while on holiday.
James Victor Silva, of Portuguese descent, was born in New Zealand in 1889, son of Emanuel and Ethel Elizabeth (Edwards) Silva, but was a carpenter in Nuku’alofa.
Parker Stout Skeen was a cousin of Reginald Skeen. He was a son of Robert Lowis Skeen from New Zealand, chief justice of Tonga and his wife Eliza Fruean.
Sione Taliauli of Nuku’alofa was a young medical student training with Dr Bennett of Blenheim, New Zealand, when war broke out in August 1914. In October 23, 1915 he enlisted in Blenheim and joined the 3rd Maori Contingent as a Private. They trained at Narrow Neck Camp in Auckland then left for Egypt from Wellington in February 1916 on the troopship Navua. On arrival at Suez, he was transferred to various camps within Egypt, appointed temporarily Corporal and then admitted to hospital in Cairo. He died of pneumonia in October 1918. He is buried in Ramallah in Palestine. Sione Taliauli had a child Bakelo or Pakola in Tonga. His medals, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, were sent to the child care of his aunt Alilua, of Kolofo’ou in 1923. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
George Tu’inukuafe was the son of john Tu’inukuafe (Sione Tuafusi) of Vava’u. He was born in Falepa. He arrived in Auckland in June 18, 1917 as a native clerk and worked as a gardener. He returned to New Zealand in December 1918 and was discharged there at his own request, in March 1919.
Willie John Vea was born on December 19, 1894, and was a medical student from Nuku’alofa. He travelled to New Zealand in 1918. He married Sisilia Fatafehi Tupou in August 1917. He was discharged on December 5, 1918, and returned to Tonga.
Robin Wilkinson Archer was born at Vuna Point, Taviuni, Fiji on April 21, 1874. He was a printer in Tonga.
Augustus Ofa Talauu Chamberlin was born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga in 1895.
Guy Waller Chamberlin, the brother of Ofa, was born in Tonga on August 9, 1898, and served as Private 76528
George Adrian Chester, an Englishman, a civil servant in Tonga Vava’u in 1915.
Henry William Cocker was the grandson of Joshua Cocker, the first British Consul in Tonga.
Joseph North Cocker was another grandson of Joshua Cocker, the first British Consul in Tonga.
Harold Eric Coleman lived in Tonga until early 1915.
Albert William Cook was a seaman born in 1894, the son of Albert William Cook.
Ralph Tugi Cowley was one of the Cowley family who are bakers in Nuku’alofa. He was the eldest son of Alfred and Mary Harriette Cowley originally from Derbyshire, England who arrived in Nuku’alofa in 1885. According to a death notice inserted in the New Zealand Herald by his sister Mrs Morre. He was aged 16 years and 10 months when he died. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Roy Leslie Donaldson was born in 1889 in Raglan and is listed on the Tonga War Memorial.
Otto Fiedler was the son of John Fiedler of Nuku’alofa.
Dan Flood was a Customs officer born in 1898, whose mother, Mrs J.H. Spurr, lived in Whakatane. He arrived in New Zealand from Tonga in February 1916.
William Flower was a New Zealand railways clerk born in Nuku’alofa in 1898.
Tevita or David Fotu was born on March 19, 1888, in Nuku’alofa, the son of Nai Fotu of Tonga. He was a school teacher employed by the Tongan Education Board. He became a forestry worker at Woodhill, north of Auckland. He died in 1952 aged 64 and was cremated at Purewa Cemeter, Auckland.
Alexander Charles Taufa Goedicke was born in Tonga in May 1896.
Henry Hammerell was born in Samoa and was of Swedish descent. He was married to Alice Rose Cocker. He was killed at the battle of Messines on June 7, 1917. His wife remarried to Taniela Tu’ipulotu Kama of Maofaga. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
George Hurrel was the son of James and Amelia Hurrell nee Lomu of Ha’apai. He was a boat builder born on April 1, 1898 although he gave the date as 1895 on his enlistment papers. He died of influenza while serving in France in July 1918. His father in Tonga received his medals- the British war medal and the Victory Medal in 1921 and 1922 respectively.
Arnold Woodford Izard was the Chief Medical Officer in Tonga in 1914.
Leo Reginald (Mick) Jury was a New Zealand Maori from Wairarapa who had settled at Fo’ui Tongatapu.
Francis Henry Leyden was born in Tonga, the son of John Henry and Cecilia Leyden of Vava’u. He had been in the 2nd reserves and was training at Featherson Camp in Wairarpa when he died of influenza on December 5, 1918 aged 38. His niece Celia or Silia Leyden, a daughter of his brother Robert Leyden, married Sateki Faletau Akau’ola in Vava’u in 1934
James Michael Lynch was the son of Martin and Clara Lynch (nee Parons) of Vava’u. The family moved to Auckland in the early 1900s. He returned to Tonga. James was a Private in the Auckland Infantry Battalion. He embarked for England on June 26, 1916. He returned to New Zealand, then moved to Tonga. He married Sela Tapuaka and later Mele Siale. He returned to New Zealand in the 1950s and died in 1961 aged 74. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Alfred Patrick Lynch was the brother of James Lynch.
Brian Gerald Mahoney was working in Vava’u, Tonga. He served as a Sergeant in the Auckland Regiment, was commissioned into the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1917 and then attached to the Royal Air Force. According to a report in the Otago Daily Times he was killed in a flying accident on September 3, 1918.
William Handcock Mackay was a trader working for M.Muller at Tabikofe, Tongatapu and living in Nukunuku.
Tevita Mohenoa (Divit Mohenor) was a ship’s steward, living in New Zealand. His father was Esefe (Esafe) Mohenoa of Nuku’alofa.
Llewellyn Martin Nicholas born on January 18, 1876 in New Zealand and was a trader in Vava’u.
John Oswald was a trader in Tonga and served as a storeman.
Edward Lesley Joseph Parker was born in Tonga on November 2, 1884, and educated there. His brother Francis Robert Parker was born in Eua, Tonga, in 1874
Jack Parsons was born in Tongatapu on 25 March 1896.
William Parsons was the brother of Jack Parsons and was born in Tonga on May 1, 1894.
Thomas William and Harry Parsons were cousins of Jack Parsons and William Parsons, who were part Tongan, and also served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Charles Stuart Ramsey was the brother of Robert Campbell Ramsey and Arthur Gordon Ramsay. Charles return to Tonga and lived in Niuafo’ou. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Robert Campbell Ramsay was the brother of Charles Stuart Ramsey, who was born in England in 1890. He won the Military Medal in October 1918 for his actions during an attack on German guns and tanks.
Owen Robert Ricks was born in Canada and was a storekeeper in Tonga.
William Douglas Robbins was an Englishman and a trader at Mu’a. He had been in Tonga since 1910.
Thomas Victor Roberts was the son of John Hartley Roberts, the director of Education and Principal of Tonga College in the 1880s. He was born in Australia in 1880. He worked for the Bank of Australasia and in 1899 he went to Tonga as Chief Clerk in the Customs Dept. He later became Treasurer of Tonga and Assistant Premier in 1907. He spoke Tongan fluently.
Reginald William Skeen was the nephew of Robert Lowis Skeen, the Chief Justice of Tonga. Reginald spent time in Tonga and is named in the Tongan War Memorial.
Robert Stout Skeen was a cousin of Reginald Skeen, son of Robert Lowis Skeen, Chief Justice of Tonga. Robert was a printer’s apprentice in Nuku’alofa.
George Joshua Skudder was a son of George Charles Skudder. George Joshua Skudder returned to Tonga and married Meletonga Prescott, with whom he had 11 chioldren.
Stanley Benjamin Skudder was another son of George Charles Skudder. He returned to Tonga and marry Mele Talia Tupou and had five children. He is also listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Victor Percy Stuart worked as a clerk for Burns Philp in Tonga. He died in Auckland and is listed on the Tongan War Memorial
William Karmer Walter was born in Maofaga in 1888, the son of Carlos Kramer-Walter from Brazil.
Afelei was possibly a Nuiean living in Tonga. He is mentioned in the Tongan War Memorial.
Fata, a volunteer aged 23, was born in Niue. He arrived in Auckland from Nuku’alofa, Tonga aboard the Talune on on December 6, 1915.
Lauho, a 22 years-old volunteer from Niue, arrived in Auckland from Nuku’alofa, Tonga aboard the Talune on December 6, 1915. His last residence was Tonga, Nuku’alofa.
Mata’afi, a 27 years-old Niuean volunteer, arrived in Auckland aboard the Talune from Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Sino Folitau was a seaman born in Niue in 1888 who arrived in Auckland from Tonga on March 28, 1916.
K Inoke Utonika Thomas, 20, was of partly Tongan descent. He enlisted as no.22 in the 3rd Fiji Contingent on 15 April 1918.
Joseph Ratabua Vave was 21 when he enlisted in the 3rd Fiji Contingent. He was of Fijian and Tongan descent. He was the son of the Methodist minister of Davuilevu, Fiji who in turn was the son of the Rev. Mataiasi Vave from Masilamea, Tongatapu, one of the original Tongan Missionaries to Fiji.
Eminioni Kadivuki was of mixed Tokelauan and Tongan decsent. He was age 20 when he joined the 3rd Fiji Contingent
Barlow is listed on the Tongan War Memorial
Brown from Ha’apai was born in Scotland. He was 29 when he arrived in Auckland on November 7, 1915 from Tonga. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
J. Chapman lived in Vava’u in 1915. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
B Ferguson is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Jack Harrison lived in Vava’u in 1915. He is listed on the Tongan War Memorial
Mr Folita (possibly Sino Folitau) was born in Tonga and arrived in Auckland aboard the Talune on March 28, 1916, from Nuku’alofa.
Johnstone is listed on the Tongan War Memorial
W.A. Lee is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
A.A Smith is listed on the Tongan War Memorial.
Mr Leiden (first name uncertain, but not Walter Leyden or Francis Leyden) was born in Tonga and served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was 24 when he arrived in arrived Auckland on March 28, 1916 from Tonga.
Mr Teliti (first name uncertain) served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was 27 when he arrived in Auckland from Tonga March 28, 1916.
William Duncan was a Scotsman born in 1875. He was an agent in Nuku’alofa
James Ferguson Scott.
Arthur F.L. Tindall had lived in Tonga for many years as a trader. He was living at Remuera, Auckland as an Island merchant when he enlisted in the 1st Reserves.
Editor’s note
I would like to thank Christine Liava’a for allowing Kaniva TongaNews to use the list of soldiers and their backgrounds from her book, Koe Kau To’a Na’anau Poletau. Valiant Volunteers: Soldiers from Tonga in the Great War.
You can contact the author at cliavaa@gmail.com if you would like to buy her book.
The book is published by Polygraphianz. The publisher’s website is www.polygraphianz.com
Telling the story of Tonga’s soldiers
Christine Liava’a has written a number of books bringing together the names and biographical details of soldiers from the Pacific islands who volunteered in the First World War.
She began her work on the Tongan book after completing a history of Fijian soldiers. She had also written about soldiers from Samoa and the central pacific islands.
She had earlier republished the index of Niuean solders from Margaret Pointer’s book Tagi Tote E Loto Haaku- My Heart is Crying, a history of the Niuean Contingent in the First World War.
Of those who volunteered from Tonga, she said most were foreigners living in the kingdom.
However, many had Tongan relatives.
“I actually expected that, because it was the same in Fiji,” she said.
“But I was surprised to find that a few actual Tongans did enlist, particularly since they did not need to, were not asked to, and were not British citizens.”
Liava’a said she was disappointed that she had received so little response to the book and hoped that more people would become interested in the soldiers.
The author will be giving a talk at the Auckland War Memorial Museum at the Te Kakano section at 12.30pm on Anzac Day.
She will also be appearing on Tangata Pasifika.
The main points
As the sun rises on Anzac Day dawn services this Saturday, Tongans will remember the 94 young men from the islands who served in the First World War.
The young men who enlisted were mainly expatriate Europeans who had been born in or worked in the kingdom, but several Tongans also enlisted.
The only Tongan to die in the war was Sione Talia’uli’, who was buried in Palestine in 1918.
The names of the volunteers from Tonga have been gathered together in a new book by Christine Liava’a, Koe Kau To’a Na’anau Poletau. Valiant Volunteers: Soldiers from Tonga in the Great War.
Melissa Lee has been booted from Cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle.
Melissa Lee. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in Cabinet.
Simmonds was a minister outside of Cabinet.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the changes in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
He said Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith – currently overseas – would take over the Media and Broadcasting role, while Social Development Minister Louise Upston would pick up Disability Issues.
Luxon said it had “become clear in recent months that there are significant challenges in the media sector. Similarly, we have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People”.
“I have come to the view it is important to have senior Cabinet Ministers considering these issues.”
Viliami Tonga, who up until now had name suppression, pleaded guilty this morning to common assault – one week after co-defendant Paula Lavemai was sentenced in the same courtroom to one month’s home detention for the same August 2023 incident.
Although common assault is usually dealt with in the district court, both men appeared in the High Court at Auckland as four other co-defendants have been charged with a murder alleged to have happened shortly after the road rage attack.
Authorities say Tonga and Lavemai were heading to a Pt England reserve in East Auckland to aid Rebels members in a planned confrontation with members of rival motorcycle gang the Head Hunters.
Tonga and Lavemai are both members of the FITUS street gang which aligns with the Crips and the Rebels.
Patched Head Hunter Charles Pongi was shot during the melee inside the reserve and died later that day after driving himself to hospital.
All co-defendants charged with murder have pleaded not guilty and await trial next year.
The road rage incident was at an Ōtāhuhu intersection shortly after Tonga, Lavemai and others left the Rebels gang pad, according to court documents.
“The group accosted [the driver], demanding he get out of his vehicle, kicking door panels and [another co-defendant] smashed the front passenger window with an elbow strike,” according to the police summary of the incident agreed to by Lavemai.
As that was occurring, another vehicle in the convoy pulled up and joined in, occupants kicking the vehicle.
“Get out of the car or I will shoot you”, one person is alleged to have said while brandishing a pistol.
The gang members jumped back into their vehicles as the light changed and drove off, authorities allege.
The attacked driver followed the convoy, trying to memorise number plates, until a passenger of another vehicle in the convoy produced a long, single-barrelled firearm, court documents state.
“F*** off,” the person is alleged to have said as he showed the weapon. The motorist decided to follow the advice, driving home before calling police.
Police arrested Lavemai after finding his fingerprint on the victim’s car. CCTV in the area also filmed the attack, and Tonga was identified by his “distinctive clothing”, authorities alleged.
Although the motorist did not suffer any physical injuries, the psychological effect of the incident has been long-lasting, Justice Graham Lang noted during Lavemai’s sentencing hearing, suggesting his actions were at “the upper end” of what could be considered common assault.
Justice Lang set a sentencing date for next month.
The judge did not immediately enter a conviction, at the defendant’s request, after Tonga’s lawyer indicated they will be seeking a discharge without conviction.
Common assault carries a maximum sentence on one year in prison.
Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand.
Tributes have poured in for former ‘Ikale Tahi, rugby league player and coach Heamani Lavaka, who has died at the age of 55 in Parkes, Australia.
New Forbes coach Heamani Lavaka in action for Parkes Boars in 2013. Photo/Forbes Advocate
Lavaka was first capped for Tonga during the match against Samoa in Apia, on 13 July 1996.
Former ‘Ikale Tahi captain ‘Inoke Afeaki who had also played together with Lavaka was among the first to pay tribute to Lavaka on social media.
“Heart wrenching loss, Rest In Peace Heamani Lavaka one of Tonga’s 2003 Rugby World Cup biggest unsung heroes who did some serious grind work to help catapult an amazing young batch that went on to wow the world in the following 2007 and 2011 RWCs”,
Lavaka also played four matches in the tournament, with the match against Canada in Wollongong on 29 October 2003.
At club level, Lavaka played the Australian Rugby Championship for Melbourne Rebels in the 2007–08 season.
Afeaki described Lavaka as “More than just a talented Rugby Player, he will be missed by his community as an influential Coach at the Forbes Rugby Union Club”.
“Condolences to his beautiful family, immediate and wider Rugby mates who share in the sadness in losing Heamani, we will miss your humour, honesty and your commitment to helping your community”.
Lavaka’s coaching career in rugby included clubs in Sydney.
Lavaka’s daughter ‘Emeline Lavaka posted a heartful message on Facebook.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our Dad’s large and wonderful life. Dad passed away yesterday (Monday 22).
“He fought right until the very end and he was surrounded by so much family, music and love when he took his last breaths. Dad was incredibly peaceful in his last moments.
“We will soon share details of Dad’s memorial. Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support during this time. Your love is very much appreciated”.
A man has been charged after a bus driver was assaulted in central Auckland on Monday.
Police said they responded to reports of the “violent and unprovoked” assault on a bus about 4.30pm in Ponsonby.
“It’s understood the man boarded the bus on Ponsonby Road without tagging on,” Inspector Dave Christoffersen said.
“The driver has then asked the man to get off the bus, and it is alleged he punched and kicked her in response, and when she pulled over he got off the bus and ran up Ponsonby Road.”
Christoffersen said it was a “completely unacceptable” attack on someone who was just doing their job.
A man found a short distance away was taken into custody, he said.
“Police are now providing support to the driver who is understandably very shaken by what has occurred.
“Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.”
Auckland Transport public transport relations group manager Rachel Cara said the agency was saddened by the incident.
“We are working with police and our bus operator to assist with investigations and ensure that the driver is receiving the support they need,” Cara said.
“Safety is our top priority on the network.”
The 39-year-old man has been charged and will appear in Auckland District Court on 26 April.
[2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I – Philippines] Chairman Man-hee Lee: “My mission is to testify to the events of Revelation as I have seen and heard them”
Shincheonji Chairman Man-hee Lee, who is past the age of ninety, delivered a powerful and confident lecture on the book of Revelation in the Philippines, explaining the logic and order of the ‘testimony of the fulfilled reality of Revelation’. Local attendees poured out applause, moved by the message.
“It is the mission of this person (Chairman Man-hee Lee) to convey what has been seen and heard (of the events of Revelation chapters 1 to 22). What I have seen and heard, what I have touched and what exists in reality, that is what I am here to share with you. Now is not the time to say anything and simply agree with ‘Amen’. You need to know the times. This is the era in which the promises have been fulfilled.”
In an indoor lecture hall in the Philippines, applause poured out into the space where thousands of people were seated. The strong voice and a confident lecture came from a man small in stature who is over 90 years old. He made expressions that were easy for even a child to understand. In an instant, the atmosphere heated up. The person who made this happen was none other than Man-hee Lee, the chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
The Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) presented ‘The evidence of the reality of Revelation’s fulfilment’ at the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ held in the Philippines on the 20th of April.
◆Chairman Lee introduces himself first, like the prophets
On the 20th of April, Chairman Lee visited the Philippines. This was his twelfth visit since when he first visited in 2013.
On this day, Chairman Lee kicked off the ‘‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ with a visit to the Philippine International Convention Center. The lecture series begins in Asia (I) and will continue throughout the year in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, and conclude again in Asia (II). The Shincheonji Church of Jesus organized this Word Seminar due to explosive responses and earnest requests from numerous pastors and believers worldwide following the ‘Shincheonji Revelation Word Seminar’.
In a lecture hall that was packed with 4,000 people, Chairman Lee took to the stage and first introduced himself and what led him to faith. It gave an impression similar to how biblical writers would introduce their lineage and era before the main content.
According to Chairman Lee’s introduction, he was born in Cheongdo County, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 1931. Due to the effects of World War II, Korea fell under Japanese colonial rule, and as the Korean War continued, he experienced the tragedy of fratricidal warfare as a combatant on the front lines. Grateful for surviving in a place where not even a single blade of grass could live due to relentless gunfire from both allies and enemies, he prayed to the God of heaven every evening.
Later, guided by a star (a great light), he made a covenant with God through blood and entered the path of faith. Following the star’s guidance, he practiced faith at a church with seven pastors but returned home after witnessing corruption there. He then participated in the Saemaul (New Village) Movement for seven years.
Afterward, he met a spiritual being from heaven again and began his faith journey anew. Initially worshipping in the mountains, he eventually drew followers with the revelation he received, leading to what is now the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
The Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) presented ‘The evidence of the reality of Revelation’s fulfilment’ at the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ held in the Philippines on the 20th of April.
◆ “Jesus Commands the Witness of Revelation to Testify”
Chairman Lee explained the direct reason why he came to testify about the words of Revelation. He stated, “The entire events from chapters 1 to 22 of Revelation were shown by Jesus and given to one person.” He continued, “This one person will speak of everything he has seen and heard up to chapter 22.” He emphasized again that it was “one person who saw everything from chapters 1 to 22 of Revelation,” explaining that when these prophecies are fulfilled, it is not Jesus who testifies, but Jesus commands the witness to testify to the churches, citing Revelation 22:16 and 8. Revelation 22:16 records that Jesus sends ‘my angel’ for the churches, and verse 8 refers to ‘I, John,’ indicating the one who has seen and heard the events of the entire book of Revelation.
Chairman Lee stated, “There is a time for prophecy to be made and a time when it will be fulfilled,” and “when it is fulfilled, we are to see and believe, which is why it was prophesied in advance.”
The Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) presented ‘The evidence of the reality of Revelation’s fulfilment’ at the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ held in the Philippines on the 20th of April.
◆ “To Enter Heaven, One Must Verify the Reality and be Sealed”
Furthermore, Chairman Lee asserted that this era is ‘the time when Revelation is being fulfilled.’
Chairman Lee declared, “The world is in a deep sleep, not knowing whether the book of Revelation from God is being fulfilled or not,” and asserted, “More than half of Revelation has already been fulfilled.”
Chairman Lee stated forcefully, “Now is not the time to say anything and simply agree with ‘Amen,'” and “You must understand the era of reality. It is the era when promises have been fulfilled.” He stressed, “Revelation includes a beast with seven heads and ten horns, and also seven stars. It’s about understanding what people actually appear,” and reiterated that “when God records the appearance of these people, it is so that today they may be seen, heard, and believed.”
Referring to Revelation 22:18-19, Chairman Lee repeatedly emphasized that one cannot enter heaven if they add to or take away from the Book of Revelation. In doing so, he awakened a sense of urgency in faith by saying, “One must know everything without leaving anything out. Even if you know everything, it is difficult to put it into practice, and if you do not know, you will lose hope.”
Chairman Lee also said that if one desires heaven and eternal life, they must go to the ends of the earth if necessary to find out whether it is a reality fulfilled according to the Bible. Chairman Lee stressed, “Faith is not something you do for the sake of making money,” and “It’s not the time to have faith with the old mentality. One must verify. After verifying, one must decide whether to believe or not.”
He also emphasized once again that one must master the book of Revelation and receive a seal as if being stamped. Chairman Lee asked, “Why do you think it is written in Revelation 22:18-19 that one will not enter the kingdom of heaven and will be cursed if they add or subtract from it?” He answered, “It is because these words are to be fulfilled as if stamped with a seal.”
Chairman Lee stressed the importance of engraving the words in one’s heart, becoming a ‘walking Bible’ and a ‘living word.’ He mentioned that those who do so become the sealed ones spoken of in Revelation 7, who are saved. Chairman Lee declared, “There is no talk of salvation except for the 144,000 who are sealed and the great multitude in white; anyone who is not sealed becomes like a clump of soil, having nothing to do with it. Only those who are sealed can enter the kingdom of heaven.” He also firmly stated, “Those who are sealed can live in heaven, have eternal life, and be part of God’s family, but those who are not, have no relation to God.”
To the local people, Chairman Lee frequently conveyed greetings such as “I have a deep connection with the Philippines,” “The Philippines was the first place I came to testify after receiving the word,” and “I hold affection for the Philippines.”
In fact, the Philippines has maintained a relationship with Chairman Lee for over a decade. Apart from his religious activities, as the representative of the non-governmental international organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), he visited the Philippines and mediated the first civilian peace agreement in Mindanao, which had been in conflict for over 40 years. Following this, peace was established in the region, and this news received global attention.
Meanwhile, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 when borders were closed, Shincheonji Church of Jesus held an online Word Seminar and shocked religious communities worldwide. After being exposed to the words of Shincheonji, numerous other denominations flooded them with requests for exchange, leading to MOUs for word exchange with 443 domestic churches and 9,462 churches in 77 countries overseas. In particular, after the exchange of words, 1,382 churches in 38 countries abroad changed their signs to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced, “Due to the explosive response and earnest requests from numerous pastors and believers worldwide, we will host the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent’ starting with Asia (I) on April 20th. The Word Seminars are scheduled to take place throughout the year in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, and Asia (II). The seminars will be live-streamed in multiple languages on YouTube for anyone around the world to watch.”
The Supreme Court has ordered that Paula Ma’u’s appointment as Acting Chief Executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be suspended.
Tonga Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet.
The court also ordered the Public Services Commission to not advertise for or recruit a Chief Executive Officer of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs lodged an application on February 19 for leave to commence judicial review proceedings and an interim injunction relating to the creation of position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recruiting a Chief Executive Officer to that role.
Clause 39 of the Constitution empowers the King to appoint his “representatives to other nations according to the custom of other nations.”
The court was told that the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was appointed by the King to a role that encompassed diplomatic functions. To appoint a CEO would impinge on the role of the secretary and therefore impede His Majesty’s prerogative under the constitution.
Appointing an Acting CEO would likewise duplicate tasks and functions already allocated to, and undertaken by the Secretary.
A claim was also made that appointing an acting CEO, who in turn had functions that included diplomatic duties, usurped His Majesty’s prerogative to appoint a diplomatic officer under the Constitution.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs also claimed that the appointment of an Acting CEO was unlawful.
In their defence, the Public services Commission, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and acting CEO Paula Ma’u argued that contract under which the Secretary was employed was unlawful.
This was because Lord Dalgety KC signed off on the contract and had no power to so do pursuant to Privy Council resolution 28 November 2011.
The defendants claimed that the appointment of the SECFO did not confer diplomatic functions upon him as Clause 39 of the Constitution was limited to appointments made in respect of “representatives to other nations according to the custom of nations”. They argued that this was a clear reference to diplomatic posting overseas.
In his ruling, Judge Cooper said the appointment of an Acting CEO may have the potential to undermine the years-long established arrangements for diplomatic engagement.
“In considering overarching considerations of societal and legal stability, I note the Plaintiff’s Action essentially is to revert to the arrangements that have been in place for some years,” the judge said.
“By its nature, that means following what has become an established practice in the Kingdom insofar as the role of SECFO.
“At this stage, allowing that to continue seems to me to maintain constancy by reverting to the established order.”
He therefore ruled that until further Order of the Court, the Public Services Commission was restrained from proceeding to advertise and recruit a Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and
Paula Mau’s appointment as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was suspended.
KANIVA COMMENT: The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Infrastructure has attacked Kaniva News’ reporting that concerned citizens have called on the Prime Minister and members of the Lulutai Airlines board to resign.
Civil Aviation Minister Sevenitiini Toumo’ua
We believe the ministry’s comments are misleading.
Kaniva News has at no time called on the Prime Minister to resign, nor have we attributed any blame to them. We reported on calls made by citizens concerned about the incident. It is quite normal for citizens in democracies to express strong views when state-owned assets are involved. This may also involve demanding that those at senior management and political level take responsibility for such issues. Equally, it is perfectly normal for the media in a democracy to report on robust debate about matters of public interest. This is part of the function of a free press in a democracy.
We have made it quite clear that our most recent reports were based on the preliminary report into the event which damaged Lulutai Airlines’ the Saab 340-B.
We also made it clear that the preliminary report does not make any findings as to the cause of the accident.
The Ministry has demanded that we apologise for the article. We decline to do so.
Here is the English version of the Ministry and the Civil Aviation Division’s complaint.
Ministry/CAD complaint 1. <<Claims that pilots deliberately act to disable the system (flight data recorder) with the intention of hiding information relating to the accident flight is untrue. I understand from Chief Investigators and his team and pilots (involved) in the accident flight were always willing to support or provide information/interview when required by the investigators during the course of the investigation.>>
Kaniva News response: This complaint is baseless. We made no such allegations. This is what we said, based on the preliminary report:
“The cockpit data recorder on the Lulutai airlines Saab340B which lost its brakes and hit a concrete wall after landing at Fua’amotu airport was not working properly.
“A preliminary report from the investigation into the crash organised by the Ministry for Infrastructure’s Civil Aviation Department said the flight data recorder did not contain any information about the aircraft’s progress before the crash.”
“It said the recorder indicated that it last worked properly on July 11, 2023.
“There were signs that the recorder may have been deliberately disabled.”
Part of the report about the flight data recorder (FDR) or black box by the Tonga Civil Aviation Chief Investigator page 9 /Screenshot
The preliminary report gives no opinion as to who might be responsible. Kaniva News certainly made no such claim. Insofar as the crew of the flight are concerned, the preliminary report concentrates on describing their actions during the flight and after landing. Otherwise we cited a number of sources describing the function of the recorder and its importance in investigations.
Ministry/CAD complaint 2. <<Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) was taken to Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) facilities in Canberra, Australia where the successful download of the accident flight was achieved. I understand from the Chief Investigator that he was able to listen to conversations of the flight crew during the accident flight.>>
Kaniva News response: Our report on the cockpit voice recorder were confined to a quote from the preliminary report which said: “The cockpit voice recorder was working, but the cockpit microphone appeared to have been operating at a very low level. The underwater locator beacon had not been fitted.” Otherwise our comments about the CVR were confined to a description of its function.
Ministry/CAD complaint 3. <<If the investigators were to find any critical safety issue that requires timely safety actions, it will be reported to relevant stakeholders (including the Director of Civil Aviation). To date, the Director of Civil Aviation has yet to receive any critical safety issue report from the investigators.>>
Kaniva News response: As already stated, we made it clear this was a preliminary report and that the investigation is continuing.
We urge our readers to read our two most recent stories and to read the preliminary report.
For more information
Concerned citizens call for resignations after release of preliminary report on Saab crash
The people found dead in a paddock in West Auckland have been identified as a pair of hobby farmers.
Police investigating after two bodies found on Anzac Valley Rd in rural Waitākere, west Auckland, on 18 April 2024. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police were called to a property on Anzac Valley Road about 7.30am on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the family, Dean Burrell, said the pair were in their 80s and lived alone. He said the death was not being treated as suspicious, and it involved an animal kept on their property.
“My auntie and her husband live at this property, they’ve lived here for about eight years. Unfortunately they’ve both lost their lives through a tragic accident.
“They’re nice people, they don’t deserve what happened. I guess it is what it is.
“The family are requesting privacy, please, and everyone’s in shock as to what’s happened. They’re very upset.”
A police officer took a bag back into a police car. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Burrell said the couple were hobby farmers and kept sheep, cattle and chickens.
“I feel like I was dreaming it. It was a bit of a shock being told what had happened and I just didn’t believe it, so I’ve come down here to support my cousins and the wider family.”
They were found by their son, and their deaths were not suspicious.
Burrell said the family had not heard from the pair in a couple of days.
He had been informed of the deaths this morning by his father, after his auntie’s son found the couple.
He said it had been a couple of days since family heard from them.
Police say the circumstances of the deaths are unexplained, Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Earlier, police said the circumstances of the sudden deaths were unexplained.
Officers were talking to the families of the victims.
