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Tropical Cyclone Mal: ‘Likely to intensify’ into category 3 as Fiji prepares for ‘worst case scenario’

By
Kalino Latu
- 
By Kelvin Anthony of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

The Fiji Meteorological Service says Tropical Cyclone Mal is “likely to intensify” into a category 3 system as it approaches the Fiji Group on Tuesday night.

Tropical Cyclone Mal threat map at 12pm on Tuesday, 14 November. Photo: Fiji Meteorological Service

“The current analysis indicates that destructive Category 3 winds are likely to be confined close to the centre of the system over open waters,” the weather office said.

“However, if the system moves closer to the land areas in comparison to the current expected path, hurricane force winds could also be experienced over the land areas.

“Gale to storm force winds are expected over the land areas of Yasawa and Mamanuca Groups from later this afternoon or evening and spread over the rest of the country overnight, especially over western and southern Viti Levu, Vatulele, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands.”

A heavy rain and flash flood warning remains in force for the low-lying and flood prone areas across all of Viti Levu.

The Fiji Roads Authority is also reporting several roads and crossings affected from flooding.

Controlled movement

In a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) director Vasiti Soko said cyclone Mal would move closer to the western part of Fiji in the next few hours.

“As it moves closer to Fiji, there is high possibility that it will likely intensify as it approaches the Fiji Group tonight. As TC Mal approaches the western division rainfall will continue to increase. The system will pass through Fiji later tomorrow,” she said.

She said Fiji Met Service has also confirmed that although Category 2, members of the public should brace for windspeeds of 120km/h from Tuesday afternoon.

“High tidal waves measuring nine metres in open waters is anticipated and around four metres is expected in our coastal areas. Therefore, making coastal communities very vulnerable for coastal inundation. Most activities are expected overnight.”

Soko confirmed the Emergency Committee has decided that “there will be controlled movement in place from 6pm today (Tuesday) to 4am (Wednesday) for high risk areas”.

“In other words we will work closely with Fiji Police to limit the movement of people during this period to ensure safety of our people,” she said, adding that is not a curfew but “police coming coming in to control moving of people with regard to their safety”.

“We are preparing for the worst case scenario.

“If there’s is something that we want to achieve out of this – is no fatality. We are trying our best to have no loss of lives from this controlled movement.”

Soko said there are eight evacuation centres active with almost 300 evacuees residing across the central, western and eastern divisions.

“Each of these evacuation centres is manned by two police officers – one male and one female – are always on standby to ensure safety of our vulnerable groups.”

She said businesses in the capital had also confirmed that they would cease all operations.

Schools have been closed for Tuesday and Wednesday with external exams for Year 12 and 13 postponed to next week.

Public servants have been instructed to work from home and the Fijian government has confirmed that it has paid the salaries of all government workers in advance.

“Civil servants can now access their pay from midday [Tuesday], 14 November. This includes both established salary staff and government wage earners,” Finance Ministry permanent secretary Shiri Gounder said.

Nausori health centre down

The Health Ministry said the Nausori Health Centre outpatient department has been “temporarily suspended”.

“Patients seeking outpatient care should visit Wainibokasi Hospital, which is open 24 hours a day, or Nakasi Health Centre, which is open until 8pm at night,” it said in a statement.

“Emergency Cases and Maternity Cases only will continue to be seen at the Nausori Health Centre Maternity Unit foyer.

“Health facilities that are open at this time in the Nausori and Nasinu areas: Makoi Health Centre (open until 10pm daily) and Valelevu Health Centre (open 24hrs daily).

“For medical emergencies, members of the public in the Nausori and Nasinu areas are encouraged to go to their nearest health facility for immediate medical care.”

Evac centres on standby

FBC News reports over 450 evacuation centres are on standby.

Commissioner Western Apolosi Lewaqai told the state broadcaster that 70 percent of the centres “are established within schools, demonstrating a community-wide effort to provide safe havens for those who may be affected by the impending cyclone”.

“For our families, parents, we note that there will be no school for the next two days. We ask that you please monitor and supervise your children. And for the general public for those that are in the low-lying areas, we kindly request you to please start moving while it’s still daylight,” he said.Tropical Cyclone Mal strengthens to category 2 systemFiji has its first tropical cyclone for the season, a category-one systemBridges and crossings flooded – Fiji braces for cyclone

Tongatapu burglar caught red handed and beaten

By
Kaniva Staff
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Neighbours caught a man in the act of burgling at a house in Nuku‘alofa.

Two men had apparently broken in through the window and began gathering valuables when they became aware of approaching by neighbours.

One of the men fled the scene and escaped, report on Facebook alleged.

Photos posted to Facebook seen by Kaniva News showed a shirtless and shoeless man with blood on his face was being withheld by a woman while another man standing facing him.

The accused was reportedly beaten up before he was warned.

The post appeals to residents of Kolomotu’a and the whole of Tongatapu to watch out for anything suspicious.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested a burglar who was reported to have been responsible for several burglars and thefts at Tofoa.

Reports said Uepi Latu was currently in custody at Hu’atolitoli prison awaiting court appearance.

Tonga Rugby League employee jailed for stealing $34,000 from Australian funds

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A woman  who used her employer’s bank card to steal around $34,000 has been jailed.

Employee steals $34,000 from Tonga National Rugby League

Seinivunga Sanetify Ki Loto Tatau Lafo’ou, 30, was sentenced to 20-months imprisonment, partially suspended, for forgery and theft from National Rugby League Tonga (NRL).

The court was told the money was taken from a bank account in 46 systematic unauthorised withdrawals over 13-months.

The funds stolen were a grant from the Government of Australia for the development of NRL in Tonga

In 2021, NRL office created an account with the Bank of the South Pacific Limited Tonga in the name of Tavakesina Fangupo.

Mr Fangupo is the Country Manager of the NRL Tonga Community Outreach Program.

Miss Lafo’ou, who pleaded guilty to one count of theft, was employed at the NRL head office situated at Ma’ufanga.

The debit card for the relevant account was locked in Lafo’ou’s office. The pin number for the said debit card was known only to Fangupo and Lāfo’ou.

On l December 2022, when Fangupo went to pay the office rent, he discovered he could not make the payment due to insufficient funds in the account.

He enquired at the bank and received a bank statement revealing withdrawals from various ATM machines in the Nuku’alofa and Ma’ufanga area between the months of October, 2021 to November, 2022 amounting to $34,300.00.

Fangupo contacted Lāfo’ou and arranged a meeting to discuss the transactions.   

On 2 December 2022, Lāfo’ou gave Fangupo a letter from Ms ‘Amelia ‘Asi, her co-worker, admitting to withdrawing the money. She was attempting to frame ‘Asi for the theft.

Fangupo met with ‘Amelia who admitted responsibility for one withdrawal under the directions of Lāfo’ou. She confirmed to Fangupo that she did not give the defendant a confession letter for the withdrawals.

Fangupo lodged a complaint about the missing funds with the police on 15 December.

Justice Tupou  convicted Lāfo’ou for theft and is sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Two months from the sentence for the forgery is added to the headcount resulting in a final sentence of 20 months imprisonment.

The final 12 months of her sentence is suspended for a period of 2 years from the date of her release from prison on the condition that during that period she is to:

(a) not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment;

(b) be placed on probation;

(c) contact the probation office within 48 hours of her release and thereafter according to directions provided by the probation officer.

Failure to comply with those conditions may result in the suspension being rescinded and the Defendant being required to serve the balance of her prison term.

In the result, and subject to those conditions and any remissions available under the Prisons Act, the Defendant will be required to serve 8 months in prison.

The judge also said: “The Defendant is to be given credit for any time spent in custody on remand for the charges the subject of these proceedings”.

Large fire at Nuku‘alofa commercial building

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A blaze in commercial buildings in Nuku‘alofa reached third-alarm status overnight.

Emergency services were first called to the building at the corner of One Way and Uelingatoni roads in Kolofo’ou at around midnight, reports said.  

A streamer who livestreamed the incident on Facebook claimed the buildings included Teta Tours’ office and former Loni theatre, two of the Nuku’alofa long serving businesses in the capital.  

“Leave it to the government” says Deputy PM as MP Eke slams plight of families in tents

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government has no plans to build houses for the tsunami victims now living in tents at ‘Atatā Si’i.

Tents set up at ‘Atatā Si’i after government ordered tsunami victims to move from a hall they were staying in for about two years after the Hungas deadly eruption. Photo/Kaniva Tonga News

As Kaniva News reported recently, a group of people who survived the tsunami had been living in a church hall, even while other people from the original village of ‘Atatā had been moved into new houses.

They were recently ordered by the government to move to ‘Atatā Si’i and live in tents.

Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu told the Legislative Assembly the houses of the 19 families who were moved to ‘Atatā Si’i  had not been damaged by the tsunami. 

Hon. Vaipulu said the assessment report for the reconstruction projects was based on those whose houses had been damaged. He told the House the ‘Atatā Si’i estate holder had provided land for the tsunami victims and that the government was looking for funding.

“Leave it for the government to figure out what to do for these people.,” Hon. Vaipulu said.

He said the estate holder has given land for the people, but the government was looking for funding.

Former Finance Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke asked Vaipulu to confirm when the people living in tents would have houses built if they had been given land.

The Deputy Prime Minister said if money could be photocopied  the houses would have  already been built.

Responding, Hon. Eke told Vaipulu he had seen the budget and there was enough money to build the few houses needed. He said the people who had been told to live in tents did not know what the government panned for them.

He said he was baffled by the government’s plan to exclude these people from the government’s tsunami rebuilding plans as the island was in a “red zone”. Hon. Eke said these people should not be allowed to go back to ‘Atatā. He questioned why the government considered returning them to the island.

“They saw the deadly wave,” he said, referring to the devastating experience they faced on the day the tsunami struck the island.

“These people did not want to return” to ‘Atatā, Hon. Eke said.

The victims were described as living in a state of constant apprehension (“nofo ‘i lelenga”).  The House was told the people had faced problems while living in the hall,  including at one stage having the electricity disconnected. It is understood the power bills were paid by the government’s National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO).

The Deputy Prime Minister scolded NEMO in the House for failing to make sure the power bills were paid. The House was also told these Atatāans had often fallen out with the owner of the hall, which was the Siasi ‘O Tonga church.

Hon. Eke accused the government of failing to make sure these people were living harmoniously with the owners of the hall.

MP Tevita Puloka said one of the reasons these people were still living in Tongatapu was because there was no more school in the island.

The ‘Atatā people were first evacuated to ‘Isileli in Kolomotu’a and lived there temporarily before being moved to the Maliukuonga hall of the Siasi ‘o Tonga at Kapetā, Kolomotu’a.

Lulutai Airlines to receive new aircraft

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

Tonga’s Lulutai Airlines will soon be able to fly its new aircraft to service the country’s domestic route.

Lulutai Airlines de-Havilland Twin-Otter. Photo: Tonga High Commission Canberra

The Tonga High Commission Office in Canberra confirmed on Friday that the de-Havilland Twin-Otter was in Australia in the last week of October for final preparation before flying to Tonga to begin its service.

Tonga’s acting High Commissioner to Australia Curtis Tuihalangingie was able to inspect the aircraft on Thursday and confirmed the aircraft was leaving for Tonga on Friday.

The Australian government had provided the Tongan government with AU$1.25 million to help with transporting the aircraft, train pilots to fly it, purchase spare parts needed and ensure its smooth transition into servicing the people of Tonga.

Australia has been providing support to Lulutai Airlines since mid-2022 in critical areas, such as training for pilots and engineers, a wet-lease arrangement with Fiji Airways to operate regular flights while their fleet was grounded for maintenance, as well as regional cooperation and collaboration with other Pacific Island airlines.

They are also working with Lulutai Airlines to develop a long-term sustainable business plan to support fleet growth as well as good reservations and sales system enhancements.

Tongan Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni had stated last month that the aircraft would help Lulutai meet the demands of local travel.

“This new aircraft is a much-needed boost to our current fleet and will help us keep families, communities, tourism operators and businesses connected,” he had said in a statement.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga Rachael Moore said Australia is proud to partner with the Kingdom to support Lulutai Airlines achieve reliable, sustainable and safe domestic connectivity.

“The entry into service support will ensure Lulutai Airlines can start operating their new aircraft as soon as it arrives in Tonga,” she said in the statement.

“Reliable domestic air travel remains essential to Tonga’s economic recovery, development and tourism.”

She said Australia remains committed to helping build a stronger Pacific family and to navigate shared challenges together.

Lulutai has been under a lot of pressure from the Tongan public over the last 18 months, following technical problems to their aircrafts, affecting flights from Tongatapu to the outer islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u.

One of the company’s aircraft was grounded last year for three months for repairs and maintenance, with Fiji Airways stepping in to serve the domestic route.

Former Tongan MP fails legal bid to appeal corruption and fraud sentence

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

Akosita and her husband, Etuate were jailed in 2021 for corruption and fraud connected with a school they ran.

Tonga MP Akosita Havili Lavulavu in Wellington for a mentoring programme by the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Pacific Region. Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox

In 2022, the Court of Appeal overturned the original sentence rule the judge in the earlier trial had not been impartial.

The Court of Appeal then ordered that the duo be retried in the Supreme Court.

Ahead of that retrial ‘Akosita Lavulavu had asserted Justice Langi would show bias because she had been working at the Attorney General’s office when the charges were first laid against the Lavulavu’s nearly six years ago.

Lavulavu was seeking leave to appeal after Justice Langi had declined an earlier application to recuse herself from presiding over the re-trial.

The Matangi Tonga website reports Justice Tony Randerson stating he had no hesitation in concluding that this appeal had no merit.

He said there is nothing to suggest the judge will not deal with the case fairly, objectively and in accordance with her judicial oath.

The Lavulavu’s were chargely over allegedly fraudulent claims for $US250,000 in government funding given to their private school, “Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute, to cover student transition.

The school had claimed in 2013 to have 255 eligible students when there were only six; in 2014 the school claimed for 416 students when there were only nine; and in 2015 they claimed for 271 students when there was only four eligible.

Tongan born sprinter sets his sights on Olympic trials

By
Kaniva Staff
-

An ill-timed leg injury has done little to keep Bond University track sprinter Babe Antonio Vaitohi from his Olympic dream.

 Tongan track sprinter Babe Antonio Vaitohi. Photo/Supplied

Next month the 100m and 200m flyer will compete in the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, which serves as an Olympic qualifier. 


But the road to Honiara hasn’t been without drama.

Two months out from the biggest meet of his life, a small tear in his patella tendon disrupted his typically vigorous training schedule, preventing him from engaging in weight-bearing activities and, most crucially, running.

But Vaitohi and his Gold Coast-based coach Tony Fairweather remain confident in his ability to recover for the Pacific Games and keep intact his goal to represent Tonga at the world’s biggest sporting event in Paris in 2024.


“Regardless of this injury, I know that I’m going to do everything I can to get back to where I need to be,” he said defiantly.

And he’s had an intriguing sporting journey so far.

Vaitohi was born on the Pacific Island of Tonga and split his time between his home nation and New Zealand until the age of 12 when he moved to Australia and found his love for sprinting.

Bouncing between the two island nations as a child, Vaitohi’s path appeared to lie not in sprinting, but in the Pacific Island’s chief sporting passion of rugby, a sport that runs in his family’s blood. 

“Actually, it was through rugby that I identified my potential in sprinting,” he said.

“My dad saw how fast I would run on the field and out of interest he encouraged me to give sprinting a try.

“I still play rugby here and there, but track is my main sport and my primary goal now.” 

And so it was that at 13-years-old, just one year after taking up competitive sprinting, he claimed his first Australian championships in the junior 100m and 200m, besting competitors with years more experience. 

The now 20-year-old is completing his Bachelor of Sport Management at Bond University with hopes to continue working within his chosen discipline.

The Pacific Games represent Vaitohi’s best chance of securing a Team Tonga tracksuit and of booking a ticket to Paris for the 2024 Olympics, despite the urgency of his injury recovery and the vagaries of selection.

“Qualifications work differently for some of the Pacific countries,” he explained. 

“Due to the lack of funding and sports development in some of the Pacific nations it’s only the best athlete per country that gets sent.” 

Vaitohi’s current 100m times range from 10.7 to 10.8 seconds, but at the Pacific Games, he aims to lower that mark considerably.

“With my ultimate goal of making the Olympics, I hope to achieve a time of 10.2 or faster,” he said.

“In my opinion there’s no greater achievement than representing your country at the Olympics and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to make it happen.” 

Cook Islands does not feel snubbed by Luxon’s PIF absence

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A senior Cook Islands official says she understands incoming prime minister Christopher Luxon’s decision to prioritise forming a government over attending the Pacific Islands Forum this week.

Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro

Despite acknowledging the forum’s importance, Luxon has said he would stay in New Zealand “to make sure we get a strong, stable government” and has instead sent National foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee to represent the incoming government.

Cook Islands secretary for foreign affairs and immigration Tepearu Hermann told RNZ Pacific leaders would understand.

“Of course we’d love to have every foreign leader here, but these are very busy people, who have to prioritise domestic considerations.”

University of Waikato law professor Al Gillespie said he believed Luxon’s absence was a mistake, and he could have taken the time out to attend and show New Zealand was sincere in its relationship.

“That face-to-face contact in the Pacific is very important. We’ve spent the last three years saying how important it is to make greater effort in the Pacific. And right now, taking a day or a day-and-a-half over a very busy agenda would be time well spent.”

Because the government has not been formed in time for the forum, New Zealand will be represented by outgoing deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni on behalf of the caretaker government, with Brownlee accompanying her.

Brownlee said it would not have been appropriate for Luxon to go along as an observer, but there was no question of the incoming government’s commitment to PIF and the Pacific.

“I think Mr Luxon himself was very disappointed not to be going, and he’s made that pretty clear to me. He has, however, in the last few months, met a number of Pacific leaders and would want to make that one of his early priorities for getting out around the world, to make clear that New Zealand sees the Pacific as a very big priority for us.”

While at PIF, Brownlee will attend a plenary meeting as well as conduct several bilateral meetings with representatives from forum countries or some of the other countries observing.

Sepuloni, meanwhile, will represent New Zealand at the Leaders’ Retreat. She is expected to endorse the implementation plan for the Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, which addresses matters of climate, security, and prosperity.

She said both she and Brownlee had a shared agenda to ensure the relationship between New Zealand and the Pacific was strong.

“We’ll work together as much as possible. I’ll share as much information with him as I can. Certainly, we’re not making this a party, political thing. This is about New Zealand in the Pacific,” she said.

Sepuloni and Brownlee have attended PIF leaders’ meetings before, in the absence of a prime minister.

Brownlee represented New Zealand in 2017 during the election period, while Sepuloni attended a special retreat earlier this year while Chris Hipkins remained in New Zealand to focus on the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

New Zealand is not the only country with a prime ministerial no-show at this year’s forum.

The leaders of Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands are all sending delegations in their stead.

Victoria University of Wellington politics and international relations senior lecturer Dr Iati Iati said Pacific leaders would be reasonable and understand New Zealand’s predicament.

“I think both Brownlee and Sepuloni will be good representatives. One represents the outgoing government, the other the incoming government.”

He said it would have been good to get some face-time with other leaders, but it was not the most important thing.

“The real essence of our relationship with the Pacific is determined by the substance of our foreign policy settings, and that happens in between the forum meetings. These are good for face-to-face relationship building, but the substance of the relationship is going to depend on New Zealand’s foreign policies towards the Pacific.”

The parties working to form a government would have their eyes on another major foreign event just around the corner.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit gets under way in San Francisco this weekend.

Luxon has said he would love to go to APEC, but again, the priority was forming a government.

RNZ asked Gerry Brownlee whether he would be keeping his suitcase packed.

“I wouldn’t speculate about that, it’s very early in the week yet. You never know where that might end up,” he said.

Gov’t orders villagers left homeless by tsunami to live in tents just as cyclone season begins

By
Kalino Latu
-

People from ‘Atatā who were made homeless by the Hungas eruption and tsunami have  been ordered to move into tents at ‘Atatā Si’i just as the cyclone season has  begun.

One of about more than a dozen tents set up at ‘Atatā Si’i. Photo/ Supplied

Tonga is expected to face three cyclones in the 2023-24 cyclone season, one of them severe.

Some of them told Kaniva News they were really concerned because the area to which they had been moved was prone to flooding  and had recently  been inundated.

The group of people had been living in a church hall for nearly two years in Kolomotu’a. 

‘Atatā Si’i was the new village created for the ‘Atatā survivors. As we reported previously,  22 families from ‘Atatā moved into their new house in December 2022.

There had been no reports of Atatā people still living without new houses when the government opened and launched the new houses at ‘Atatā Si’i last year.

The people who had been living in the hall were told last week to move to ‘Atatā Si’i and live there in tents. They do not have bathrooms and toilets. They were told by the government to share  the ‘Atatā Si’i’s residents’ bathrooms and toilets.

We contacted the Ministry for Infrastructure’s CEO, Lopeti Heimuli, for comment. He was asked to explain why these people were not given new houses.

He was also asked when the government was planning to build houses for these people.

He was also asked how long the people were expected to live in tents and share bathrooms with the residents of ‘Atatā Si’i.

Kaniva News spoke with some residents of ‘Atatā Si’i who said the arrival of the remaining ‘Atatāans made it difficult for those who were already settled in the new village.

The PTOA (Democrats) frontliners in New Zealand have blasted the government for its handling of the ‘Atatā survivors’ housing needs.

One frontliner, Sione ‘Eniketi Tāufa, said there were a lot of issues with the contracts for the building of the houses at ‘Atatā.   These included the government’s failure to ensure the construction work ran smoothly.

Tevita Kātoa from the PTOA’s Aotearoa Chapter said he was concerned that millions of dollars had been donated to Tonga to assist the survivors of the eruption. This should have meant the new houses were all completed at the same time.

“The government should stop buying new aircraft and try to sort out these people’s housing needs first”, Kātoa said.

For more information

Victims of Tonga volcano moving into new homes
Severe rains flood homes relocated as tsunami victims in ‘Atatā complain about lack of drainage
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