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Australian employee bailed after alleged gruesome kidnap plot involving Tongan rapper

By
Kaniva Staff
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By  Miklos Bolza, AAP, edited by Kaniva Tonga News

A Sydney woman who allegedly supplied information used in the gruesome kidnapping which involved six Tongan suspects has been granted bail.

Sira Elkheir was granted bail at Burwood Local Court on Thursday. (Nine)

Sira Elkheir, 21, appeared at Burwood Local Court on Thursday, one day after the NSW government agency employee was arrested for aiding the alleged kidnappers.

Police claim that Peter Vuong was snatched from his home in Smithfield on March 9, forced into a vehicle and held for nearly a week and tortured as ransom demands were made, Sydney’s 9News reported.

The 26-year-old was rescued from a home in Belmore by tactical police officers on March 14.

Elkheir was arrested on Wednesday in Greenacre after an investigation by detectives and police officers under Strike Force Kkuoa.

The Yagoona woman has been accused of illegally accessing Traffic for New South Wales data and then passing these details onto the alleged kidnappers prior to Vuong being abducted.

She has been charged with kidnapping for the intent of ransom, causing an unauthorised computer function to commit a serious indictable offence, accessing restricted computer data, and participating in a criminal group.

Her bail conditions include the surrender of her passport, the imposition of a nightly curfew, and the payment of a $300,000 surety which will be forfeited if she skips court.

Police in March described the kidnapping as a “very serious crime” involving an “extreme” level of violence.

During the ordeal Vuong, who was not known to police, was bound and had his teeth forcibly removed.

Six other Tongan men – Sunia Tu’ineau Junior Siasau, John Totau Fahamokioa, Viliami Siasau, high profile Tongan rapper Valeli Tonga, Lolo Liavaa and Kiteau Tatafu – were arrested in March over the alleged plot and are currently before the courts.

Elkheir will next appear at Parramatta Local Court on June 8.

Infrastructure Minister alleges roading contractors falsified records to obtain TP$1m

By
Kalino Latu
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Minister for Infrastructure, Sevenitiini Toumo’ua, has accused contractors who supply rocks for government road maintenance of forging records to obtain millions of pa’anga a month.

Minister of Infrastructure and Civil Aviation Seventeen Toumo’ua

The Minister did not name the companies allegedly involved.

The Minister’s claims come just before the latest court hearing over the years-long saga of the kingdom’s ill-fated roading project, which was started by the previous government of the late Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa.

The claim has sparked a huge public reaction on social media.

The Tu’i’onetoa government contracted three quarry companies to provide rocks at $70 per truck load.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said at the time the contracts were offered to these companies because they bid the lowest prices which were affordable for the government.

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The announcement of the successful bidders at the time sparked public outrage after it was revealed the contractors were close friends and families of some of the then Cabinet ministers.  

The contractors were the Island Dredging Ltd quarry a company operated by former Minister of Police Lord Nuku’s children, another contractor was City Engineering and Constructions Ltd which belonged to a member of the former Prime Minister’s political Party, Saia Moehau. The other contractor, Inter-Pacific Limited belonged to convicted former Minister and fraudster ‘Etuate Lavulavu.

The Minister for Infrastructure claimed yesterday that records of loads carried under the roading contract were falsified to obtain TP$1 million in one month.

He alleged that trucks transporting rocks for the roading site used two different registration plate numbers.

He said TP$18 million of taxpayers’ had already been paid. He described this as “imprudent.”

Companies with strong government, family, connections awarded road building contracts. (L-R) Saia Moehau, Lord Nuku and ‘Etuate Lavulavu

Kaniva News contacted Hon. Toumo’ua to clarify his comments.

Hon. Toumo’ua was asked to identify the company or companies that allegedly falsified recording of the number of rocks transported to the roading site.  

He was also asked to clarify whether claims, which were made on Facebook, referred to the  three contractors appointed by the former government to supply rocks.

We asked him to explain what he meant by saying the TP$18 million that had been paid was “imprudent” and to whom it was paid.

The Minister was also asked to clarify what he meant when he said trucks used to transport rocks used two different registration plates. 

Hon Toumo’ua’s claims follow a recent statement by City Engineering and Constructions Ltd boss Saia Moehau to a local news outlet that the Minister did not tell the whole truth in a recent interview when he claimed that a contractor – understood to be Moehau, – submitted an invoice of $1.9 million, but the Ministry’s auditors decided to pay only TP$900,000.

Moehau took the Ministry to court, which ruled in the Ministry’s favour and said it only had to pay TP$860,000.

Moehau also reportedly said the government paid his lawyer TP$15,000 and he was expecting to seek compensation of about TP$14 million from the government through the courts.

PTOA Democratic supporters said the TP$18 million paid to the contractors had been a waste of money as all roads which had been filled and constructed under the project had been completely damaged shortly after their maintenance or construction.

Former Opposition Leader Semisi Sika said at the time the project should be stopped as Tonga could not afford that TP$400 million allocated for the construction and maintenance of all roads in the country within three years.

The former government also facilitated and guaranteed the contractors’ loans from the Tonga Development bank to buy new equipment for the job.  

Covid isolation rules easing ‘not a clear-cut decision’ – PM

By
Kaniva Staff
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‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

The Government’s decision on whether to relax one of New Zealand’s last Covid-19 rules is not “clear cut”, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the new measures are in response to a growing number of cases worldwide. Source: 1 NEWS

Later today, ministers are reviewing whether to keep or modify the country’s last remaining public health restrictions on Covid-19 — including the mandatory seven-day isolation for people who test positive. A decision will be announced soon after.

Speaking to Breakfast, Hipkins also confirmed that a minor Cabinet reshuffle would happen today, with the fate of Stuart Nash’s portfolios to be announced.

On health, he said the Government’s decisions around Covid-19 would continue to be “finely balanced” as the virus receded into the background for many Kiwis.

When asked, Hipkins did not rule out dropping mandatory isolation and instead replacing them with health recommendations.

“It’s a finely balanced issue,” he said.

“One of the pressures we had last year was that a number of kids went to school with Covid-19 and gave it to their teachers.

“We ended up short of teachers, which means kids ended up being at home for longer, which means parents couldn’t go to work.

“All of these things are the sorts of things that we have to work our way through. It’s not a clear-cut decision.”

He said Cabinet would consider case numbers, impacts on the health system, and the disruption to people’s ability to participate in the economy when making its decision.

The Ministry of Health is also expected to release its latest week-to-week report of Covid-19 case numbers today

Daily figures up until yesterday showed a relatively stable trend of new cases being reported to authorities in the past week.

Otago University epidemiologist and public health expert Michael Baker told Breakfast that there were “big gains” for New Zealand if Kiwis stayed home when they were sick.

Benefits included reducing the strain on the health system and killing fewer people prematurely from preventable infections like Covid-19, but also the flu.

“When you have those symptoms, you should stay at home and I think that’s one of the big lessons from the pandemic.”

Baker said New Zealand had already had a “very vigorous response” to Covid-19, but that he is reluctant to support an easing of isolation rules.

“The core of that is vaccines and boosters being freely available. And hopefully, all eligible New Zealanders will take advantage of that.

“But we have to think about the other measures as well. One of the big things we’ve learned from Covid-19 is that if you have a respiratory illness, you shouldn’t go to work, go to school, go to social events, and spread that infection around.

He said the legal requirement to self-isolate added “considerable weight” to people’s judgment calls about whether to stay at home.

“It does add considerable weight to know that this is an expectation. In many ways, it’s just how we treat the roads. To make roads safe, we have laws and regulations and that way, we can share roads in relative safety.”

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Ko e tu’utu’uni ‘a e pule’anga pe ‘e fakangaloku ‘a e taha e ngaahi tu’utu’uni fakamuimui ‘a Nu’u Sila ‘oku kei toe mai ma’a e Koviti 19 ‘oku teeki ke mahino ‘aupito.

Pehe ‘e he Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins ko e ngaahi fakangatangata fo’ou ko e tali ia ki he kei fakalalahi fakamamani lahi ‘a e ngaahi keisi’.

Anenai ange he ‘aho ni na’e liviu ‘e he kau minisitaa pe ‘e tauhi ai pe pe ko hano liliu ‘a e toenga fakangatangata ‘a Nuu Sila ki he Koviti 19 – kau ai ‘a e ‘aho ‘e fitu pau ki he fakamavahe ma’a e kakai tesi positivi’.

‘E toki fakamahino ‘a e tu’utu’uni ko ia taimi si’i mei heni.

‘I ha’ane lea ki he Breakfast ne fakapapau’i  ‘e Hipkins  ‘e ‘i ai ha ki’i liliu si’i he ngaahi lakanga kapineti’ kau ai ‘a e iku’anga ‘o e ngaahi potungaue ‘a Nash.

I he mo’ui, na’a ne pehe ko e tu’utu’uni ‘a e pule’anga ki he Koviti ‘e hoko atu pe ke fakapalanisi he kuo holo ‘a e vailasi ki he tokolahi ‘o e ka Kiwi.

Na’a ne pehe ‘e ‘ikai pehe ke to’o ‘ a e fakataputapui ki he fakamavahe’i kae fetongi’aki ha fale’i ki he mo’ui.

Na’a ne pehe ‘e fakakaukau’i ‘e he Kapineti ‘a e fika ‘o e ngaahi keisi, ene uesia ‘a e sistemi ‘a e potungaue mo’ui, mo ‘ene hoha’asia ‘a e ivi malava ‘o e kakai ke kau ki he ki he ngaahi me’a ekonomika he taimi ‘oku fai ai ‘a ene ngaahi tu’utu’uni ki ai.

Oku ‘amanaki foki ke tuku ange mai ‘e he Potungaue Mo’ui ‘ene lipooti  fakamuimui taha fakauike ki he lahi ‘o e keisi Koviti ‘i he ‘aho ni.

Ko e ngaahi fika faka’aho ne tuku ange mai he uike ni ne ha ai ‘oku ki’i tu’uma’u ‘a e hu mai ‘a e ngaahi keisi fo’ou.

Pehe ‘e Michael Baker ko ha ‘epitemolosisi mei he ‘univesiti o Otago ko e ikuna eni ki Nu’u Sila kapau ‘e nofo ‘i api ‘a e kakai he taimi ‘oku nau puke ai.

Ko e lelei ‘e ma’u ai ko e si’i ange fakakavenga ki he potungaue mo’ui pea si’i ange mate kei iiki ‘a’ e kakai mei he mahaki ko eni oku lava pe malu’i kau ai mo e fuluu’.

Pehe ‘e Baker ka kuo ‘i ai ha fak’ailonga sai ange ke ke nofo ‘i api.

Covid skyrockets to third leading cause of death in Australia

By
Kalino Latu
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‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

Covid-19 has skyrocketed to become the third leading cause of death among Australians in 2022, raising a dire warning from experts who insist the pandemic is not over despite widespread messaging to the contrary.

Over 20,000 more people died last year than would have if there was no pandemic, according to figures released by the Actuaries Institute on Thursday.

The number of people dying from Covid-19 is much higher now than at any other point during the pandemic, following the scrapping of most prevention measures at the end of 2021.

Raina MacIntyre, head of the biosecurity research program at the University of NSW’s Kirby Institute, said a key issue now is the relaxed approach most people are taking towards getting booster vaccinations.

“Covid is worse than ever, and we’re doing less than ever about it,” Professor MacIntyre said. “So-called experts, media and government have disseminated the message since early 2022 that Covid’s over, ‘it’s just a cold, it’s nothing’.

“When you say that to people why on earth would they go out and get a vaccine?”

She said everyone should be getting the ATAGI-recommended bivalent vaccine, which protects against new strains of the virus.

“The original vaccines only covered one strain of the virus and that was the one that caused the outbreak in Wuhan,” MacIntyre said.

“Bivalent vaccine has an Omicron strain in it and the original strain so it gives you much better protection.”

Australia recorded 10,300 deaths directly attributed to Covid-19 in 2022, compared to 1400 deaths in 2021, when it was listed as the 34th leading cause of death, according to the Actuaries Institute.

On top of those directly attributable to the virus, 2900 deaths were considered to be Covid-19 related with the virus contributing along with other factors, and 7000 deaths where Covid-19 was not officially listed as a factor but could have played a role in mortality risk.

It makes the virus third only to ischaemic heart disease and dementia as causes of death in Australia, outstripping stroke, lung and colon cancer, lower respiratory disease and diabetes.

MacIntyre is part of the expert group OzSage, which released its own findings about Covid-19 becoming the third leading cause of death earlier this year.

The group is calling for measures including vaccinating children under the age of five, increasing testing rates and mask use, and better ventilation in buildings and shared spaces.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Kuo fana he ‘ataa’ ‘a e Koviti 19 ‘o hoko ko e tupu’anga fika tolu lahi taha ia ‘o e mate ‘i ‘Aositelelia ‘i he 2022, tupu ai ha fakatokanga lahi mei he kau mataotao ‘a ia ‘oku nau taukave ‘oku te’eki mahili ‘a e panatemiki neongo ‘a e lahi hono talaki ‘oku pehee’.

Laka ‘i he kakai ‘e toko 20,000 nae ikai tonu ke nau  mate ‘i he ta’u kuo osi kapau na’e ‘ikai ha panatemiki fakatatau ki he ngaahi fika mei he  Actuaries Institute he Tu’apulelulu.

Oku lahi ange ‘a e fika ‘o e kau mate mei he Koviti he taimi ni ‘i ha toe taimi lolotonga ‘a e panatemiki’, hili ‘a hono ta’ofi ‘o e ngaahi fakangatangata malu’i lahi ‘i he faka’osinga ‘o e 2021.

Na’e pehe ‘e Raina MacIntyre, ko e ‘ulu ‘o ha polokalama biosecurity research mei he  University o e NSW’s Kirby Institute, ko e ‘isiu kovi taha he taimi ni ko hono fakangaloku ‘a e founga ke ma’u ai ‘e he kakai tokolahi ‘a e huhu malu’i pusitaa’.

Kuo kovi ange ‘a e Koviti ‘i ha toe taimi pea ‘oku si’i ange ‘etau me’a ‘oku fai ki ai ha toe taimi ko e lau ia ‘a Professor MacIntyre.

Ne hanga ‘e he mitia mo e pule’anga ‘o tufaki ha fekau hili ‘a e konga ki mu’a 2022 o pehe kuo ‘osi ‘a e Koviti pea ko e momoko pe.

Ko ho’o lea pehe pe ki he kakai ko e ha ha toe ‘uhinga ke nau o ai ‘o huhu malu’i.

Na’a ne pehe ‘oku totonu ke ma’u ‘e he taha kotoa ‘a e huhu malu’i ATAGI-recommended bivalent ‘a ia ‘oku ne malu’i ‘a e fotunga fo’ou ‘o e vailasi’.

Oku malu’i pe ‘e he vekisini ‘olisinolo ‘a e situleini ‘o e vailasi pea ko ia naa ne fakatupu ‘a e tō ‘a e Koviti ‘i Wuhan, Siaina, ko MacIntyre ia.

Kuo lekooti ha toko 10,300 ‘i ‘Aositelelia kuo mate he Koviti ‘i he 2022, fakahoa ia ki he kau mate ‘e toko 1400 he 2021, taimi ‘eni ne lisi ai ko e mate’anga lahi taha fika 34 e Koviti fakatatau ki he Actuaries Institute.

‘I ‘olunga ‘ia kinautolu mate mei he vailasi, ko e toko 2900 ‘o e mate na’e fakakaukau’i ko e tupu mei hano fakatupunga ‘e he Koviti ‘a ia ne kau ki ai mo ha ngaahi fakatupunga kehe, pea ko e mate ‘e 7000 ne ‘ikai faka’ofisiale hano pehe ko e Koviti 19 ne tupu mei ai ka ne ‘i ai ‘ene kaunga ki he mate’.

Oku hoko ai ‘a e vailasi ko e fika tolu ia ki he mahaki mafu ischaemic heart disease mo e taimenitia ‘a e tupu’anga ‘o e mate lahi taha ‘i ‘Aositelelia laka ia ‘i he pa kalava, kanisa ‘o e koloni mo e ma’ama’a, mahaki’ia ‘a e ma’ama’a mo e suka.

Pehe ‘e ha kulupu ‘a  MacIntyre mo ha kau mataotao kuo taimi ke ‘i ai ha tu’utu’uni ki he huhu malu’i ‘a e fanau ‘i lalo he ta’u nima mo hono ngaue’aki’o e masaki.

Oku nau toe ui foki ki he fakalahi ‘a e tu’utu’uni ki he tesi, venitileisini ‘oku sai ange ‘i he ngaahi fale pea mo e ngaahi shared spaces.

Girl,15, boy,17, get suspended sentence after Nuku‘alofa store robbery, assault  

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two teenagers have avoided ending up in jail after their 12-month sentence was fully suspended.

Miss June Folau, 15, and Sione Tu’ifua, 17, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery contrary to section 154 (1 ) Criminal Offences Act the maximum sentence for which is 10 years imprisonment.

Court heard Folau and Sione Tu’ifua used to work at a Chinese owned shop in Nuku’alofa’s Pahu town. On the day in question the till was manned by Mr. Konyan Lin.

They had started their work there on September 12, 2022 and on the 14 Tu’ifua turned up late for his shift and was dismissed. He stayed in the area of the shop and mid-morning, he went back into the shop where Mr. Lin was sitting on the shop counter.

He punched Lin to the head and held him around the throat to overpower him while shouting to Miss Folau to grab the money before they took off with TOP$2,000.

They both went to an aunt’s home in Ngele’ia before the police later found Folau. Tu’ifua handed himself in the following day.

The pre-sentence report showed Tu’ifua, who is 18 this year, was of hitherto good character.

“This is described as being totally out of character. He felt wronged by his summary dismissal for lateness and feelings of regret and resentment spun out of control within him. He is genuinely remorseful”.

Folau, who is 16 this year and at the time of her sentencing acted spontaneously. She was remorseful and noted to be a good person in general. She tried to have the money restored to the victim by Mr. Tu’ifua.

“Both are of low risk of re-offending”, a court document said.

In sentencing the duo, Judge Cooper said: ‘For their early guilty pleas, I take off 30%. That gives 12-month sentence.

‘This I fully suspend for 12 months on conditions that:

“Neither commit an offence punishable by imprisonment during that time, and . Abide by the directions of their probation officer.

I must impose a community punishment order to mark a punitive element to this sentence so set each to complete 40 hours’ community punishment order”.

Siutaisa To‘ia sentenced after stealing $35,000 from father’s bank account to feed drug habit

By
Kaniva Staff
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The woman who systematically stole $35,000 from her father’s bank account to feed her and her husband’s drug addiction habit, has avoided going to jail.

The offending was only discovered when the father contacted Tonga Development Bank in February 2022.

Appearing before Judge Petunia Tupou in Nuku’alofa Supreme Court recently, Siutaisa Tutoe To’ia, 27, pleaded guilty to six counts of forgery, six counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents and one count of obtaining money by false presences.

She was charged for making a false document on 14 December, 2021 by signing a withdrawal slip for $3,500 with the intention to deceive the Tonga Development Bank (“the Bank”) into acting on it as if it were genuine;

for making a false document on 28 December, 202 l by preparing an authorization letter in the name of Pelenato Tutoe authorizing herself to withdraw $2,500 from Mr. Tutoe’s account with the intention to deceive the Bank into acting on it as if it were genuine;  

for making a false document on 4 January 2022 by preparing an authorization letter in the name of Pelenato Tutoe authorizing herself to withdraw $9,000 from Mr. Tutoe ‘s account with the intention to deceive the Bank into acting on it as if it were genuine;

for making a false document on 17 January 2022 by preparing an authorization letter in the name of Pelenato Tutoe authorizing herself to withdraw $8,000 from Mr. Tutoe’s account with the intention to deceive the Bank into acting on it as if it were genuine;  

for making a false document on 24 January 2022 by preparing an authorization letter in the name of Pelenato Tutoe authorizing herself to withdraw $7,000 from Mr. Tutoe ‘s account with the intention to deceive the Bank into acting on it as if it were genuine;

for making a false document on 31 January 2022 by preparing an authorization letter in the name of Pelenato Tutoe authorizing herself to withdraw $5,000 from Mr. Tutoe ‘s account with the intention to deceive the Bank into acting on it as if it were genuine;

for submitting the withdrawal slip prepared on 14 December, 2021 to the Bank with the intention that it acted on it, knowing it was forged;

for submitting the authorization letter prepared on 28 December, 2021 to the Bank with the intention that it acted on it, knowing it was forged;

for submitting the authorization letter prepared on 4 January 2022 to the Bank with the intention that it acted on it, knowing it was forged;

for submitting the authorization letter prepared on 18 January 2022 to the Bank with the intention that it acted on it, knowing it was forged;

for submitting the authorization letter prepared on 25 Janua1y 2022 to the Bank with the intention that it acted on it, knowing it was forged;

for submitting the authorization letter prepared on 31 January 2022 to the Bank with the intention that it acted on it, knowing it was forged;  

for obtaining a sum of $35,000 from the Bank by submitting false documents to the Bank that purported to authorize her to withdraw monies from Mr. Tutoe, knowing the said documents to be false and causing the Bank to give her a total of $35,000 from the said account from December 2021 to January 2022.

To’ia is the only daughter of the victim, Mr. Pelenato Tutoe of Tonga’s Tungua, Ha’apai island.

In July, 2020, Mr. Tutoe left his bank account with To’ia and authorised her to withdraw $2,500 from his account.

In February, 2022 Mr. Tutoe found out from his daughter that she had used up all of the money held in his account. Mr. Tutoe called the bank to confirm and discovered it was true .

Tūtoe told the court “he was very hurt”.

He said “his daughter had apologized to him and he has since forgiven her and asks on her behalf for mercy and a lenient sentence”.

“He confirmed that his daughter’s husband had a serious illicit drug problem and his money was used to fuel their illegal drug use. She has separated from him and he is now providing for her and her children”.

The bank summoned a special internal audit which uncovered the forged withdrawal slips, letters of authorization and withdrawals totalling $35,000 between the periods of December, 2021 to 31 January, 2022.

The auditor recommended the Bank to repay the entire $35,000 to Mr.Tutoe because the bank was partially responsible for not following bank policies on withdrawals. In sentencing the accused the court heard the bank has yet to pay Mr Tūtoe’s money.

Judge Tupou said To’ia’s pre-sentence report showed she was separated from her husband since June 2022 and that “Alcohol and drug abuse is the cause of her problems”.

“At one point she was prepared to stop but her husband objected which eventually led to domestic abuse.

“She currently has a protection order against him”.

The court was told To’ia has quit drinking alcohol and taking drug .

“She accepts her bad behavior and intends to make amends. She has showed real remorse and although slow in taking her Priest’s advice, his support is available to her”.

Judge Tupou convicted To’ia and sentenced her to four years and eight months.

“‘The full sentence is to be suspended for a period of two years on the following conditions, namely, that during the said period of suspension, the Defendant is to:

a) not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment;

b) be placed on probation;

 c) enroll in a drug rehabilitation and counseling course as directed by her Probation Officer.

Failure to comply with any of those conditions may result in the suspension being rescinded, in which case, the Defendant may be required to serve the balance of her sentence”.

Tornado hits East Auckland as storm strikes country

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz

There are reports of a tornado in East Auckland tonight as severe thunderstorm watches have been issued for much of the central and upper North Island.

Damage to Erne Cres in East Tamaki after a tornado struck tonight. Photo / Alanna Santoso

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said they were responding to multiple calls for assistance after a tornado was reported in Auckland.

The calls include roofs lifted off houses and fallen trees, mostly in an area from Flatbush to Tamaki.

Fire crews are responding to calls and Urban Search and Rescue crews are being mobilised.

As of 9.30pm Fire and Emergency had received about 15 calls.

Severe thunderstorm watch

Metservice has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua between 10pm tonight and 5am Monday.

Meanwhile, Auckland and Northland could possibly see squally thunderstorms in the coming hours, with hail possible in Northland.

A full list of current MetService warnings can be found on their website.

Forecaster Aidan Pyselman said there could be small localised tornadoes.

“(There is) that band of heavy rain, so there may be embedded thunderstorms which could have your squally wind and downpours, so I guess people need to be aware of driving conditions and potential of flash flooding and things like that.”

An orange rain warning is also in place for Taranaki and Tasman, north of Motueka.

Metservice said the band of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms is expected to move south-eastwards over the northern and central North Island overnight.

It says there is a risk that that some could be severe in the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua from about 10pm tonight until 5am tomorrow.

Rainfall could reach up to 40 millimetres an hour, causing flooding and slips.

There could also be hail, wind gusts reaching 100 kilometres an hour and tornadoes mainly near the coast.

Satellite images showed the front over the Tasman Sea, approaching the country.

MetService earlier said there was a moderate risk of thunderstorms affecting Northland and Auckland from mid or late afternoon.

Northern parts of the South Island could also be affected, but the risk of thunderstorms could be close to moderate near Golden Bay.

An orange heavy rain warning is in place on Sunday from 4pm to Monday 4am for Mount Taranaki, with 80 to 100mm of rain expected to accumulate.

A warning was also in force for Tasman District northwest of Motueka from 5pm until Tuesday noon, with 80 to 120mm of rain expected.

Heavy rain watches will also be in place on Sunday night and Monday for Bay of Plenty ranges east of Ōpōtiki, Tararua Range, the Richmond Range including the Rai Valley, and Westland from around Otira southwards.

MetService said the thunderstorms were expected to be quite squally, with localised heavy rain of 10-25mm/h, hail, and wind gusts of 90-100km/h.

Warnings have been lifted for Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay where heavy rain battered the regions on Saturday.

Wairoa’s mayor said the region dodged a bullet as the Easter weather hasn’t turned out to be as bad as forecast.

The Hawke’s Bay town is still recovering from the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Craig Little said it is painful as the wet weather keeps everything damp. He said repairs are ongoing but not fast enough.

People are frustrated that it is taking so long to get builders or insurance problems sorted out, he said.

Little said the priorities in Wairoa include clearing damaged houses and fixing roads.

Former Tonga Power staff accused of embezzling $47,000 says she has ‘moved on with my new job’

By
Kaniva Staff
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A woman who previously worked at Tonga Power company is expected to face a criminal trial following her arrest over embezzlement allegations, local media reports said.

Pou BJames Tahilanu

Tupou Seluini Tahilanu, 29, from Sopu ‘o Tāufa dishonestly made off with TOP$47,521.00, the reports allegedly said.

The accused was working at Tonga’s sole electricity supplier’s office in Tofoa from February to April 2022 when the allegations emerged.

A person by the Facebook name Pou BJames Tahilanu told Kaniva News the source who leaked the news was investigated.

She described the source’s actions in English as ‘illegal’ and it is allegedly misleading the public.

 “It’s almost a year now I have moved on with my new job”, Tahilanu, the messenger, said.

She denied the news and asked to pull down the story as it affected her family.

In Tongan she said: “kole fakamolemole atu pe e lava nai ke tukuhifo post koia kataki pee ,he oku uesia hoku ki famili pea moe tokotaha’ ni he feaveaki holo ikai ke mooni”.

The news came amid electricity consumers’ ongoing complaints on social media about the electricity costs which they deemed it as ‘extremely expensive’.

There were also questions over what appears to be customers being asked to pay for the government’s electricity subsidy. As we previously reported extra reversal charges appeared on power bill invoices for consumers to pay had been made after the government apparently failed to pay its promised subsidy to Tonga Power.

This followed with the Ministry of Finance saying last month the government continued paying the subsidy to Tonga Power.

High profile rapper Valeli Tonga  accused of kidnapping during botched $5million ransom

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Tita Smith for Daily Mail Australia

A high-profile rapper is among six men accused of kidnapping a man and ripping his teeth out with pliers over a $5million ransom bid.

Valeli Tonga, 20, aka ‘Leli SK’, was arrested on March 14 after Peter Vuong, 26, was  rescued by dozens of heavily-armed tactical police from a derelict property in Belmore, in Sydney‘s southwest.

Valeli Tonga, who performs under 'Leli SK', (pictured) is one of six men charged over a high-profile alleged kidnapping

Police will allege Vuong was kidnapped from his influencer girlfriend’s Smithfield home six days earlier, and allegedly bound and tortured as his accused captors tried to extort her wealthy crypto trader relative for his safe return.

The group formed in late 2019 and are managed by independent label BHQ Records. Leli SK joined Sydney Yungins the following year, replacing a previous member of the group.

According to their social media bio, the trio – who hail from the Pacific Islands but were raised in western parts of Sydney – racked up around 500,000 views in two months after releasing their debut track ‘Who You With’. 

‘These boys are fresh on the scene with songs that fall under a variety of musical genres. From UK drill style, hip hop party to laid back wavey flows,’ their YouTube page reads. 

‘Their journey has taken them to perform at shows including the under 18 Sticky Cheeks Block Party, For the Culture Show at the Gold Coast and Darwin City at the Opium Club.’ 

Rico Tonga and Titoez have not been charged in relation to the alleged kidnapping and Daily Mail Australia does not suggest they are involved. 

Photos posted on social media over the past two years show Leli SK performing on stage at bustling events and posing for photos in front of hundreds of fans.

In December, Tonga shared a picture of himself sitting on the ground in front of a white Mercedes admiringly gazing at one of his group’s records as it sat in his lap, writing: ‘plenty more where they came from’.

The post was inundated with comments from friends and loved ones offering their congratulations and saying they were ‘proud’. 

Police will allege Tonga and five associates burst into Vuong’s girlfriend Angel Bowyer’s sprawling two-storey family home around 5.20am on March 9, armed with sledgehammers and guns.

Peter Vuong, 26 , and his glamorous influencer girlfriend Angel Bowyer (above, together) were sleeping in her family's Smithfield home when he was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint and taken to a squalid house 20km and tortured

They are then accused of spiriting him away to the squalid property 20km away where they allegedly held him for days while sending Ms Bowyer’s relative Tran Dinh messages demanding $5million or they would ‘cut Mr Vuong into pieces’.

A huge police operation kicked off shortly after the alleged abduction – eventually leading to tactical officers armed with flash grenades storming the Belmore home and rescuing Mr Vuong.

Four men were arrested at the Canterbury Road property, and a further two were nabbed by officers a few streets away. 

Alongside Tonga,  Viliami Siasau, 19, Sunia Siasau, 20, John Totau Fahamokioa, 20,  Lolo Liavaa, 19 and Kitueau Tatafu, 21, have been charged over the alleged abduction and torture.

Appearing in Bankstown Court on March 15, Tonga did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until his next hearing. 

Of the six, Fahamokioa was the only one who was granted bail under strict conditions.

Despite Tonga’s arrest, BHQ Records have continued to promote the group’s upcoming releases on social media.

Just three days ago, Sydney Yungins announced via Instagram that their new track ‘Meet me at the bottom’ was now out across their platforms.

Tonga is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on May 10. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted BHQ Records for comment.

Prime Minister gets flu and Covid vaccinations at community event

By
Kaniva Staff
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

The Prime Minister has had his flu and Covid-19 vaccinations and is encouraging others to do the same.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins getting his flu vaccine and Covid booster shot at Queen Street Medical Centre in Upper Hutt. Photo: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati

From today, more people are eligible for the Covid-19 bivalent vaccine, which protects against two strains of coronavirus.

Chris Hipkins got his injections at a community vaccination event in Upper Hutt on Saturday morning, alongside Health Minister Ayesha Verrall.

He said it was important eligible people got the jabs before winter arrived.

“It will actually leave them better prepared for the winter season, help to ease pressure on the health system as well.

“So there’ll be more events like this happening around the country where our local community health providers will be encouraging people to get their flu jabs and their Covid boosters and I’d really encourage people to take up that opportunity.”

Health Minister Ayesha Verrall also received both injections this morning and she said many people would be able to get their flu and Covid booster shots at the same time.

There were currently more than 700,000 Covid vaccines and 800,000 flu jabs in the country, with more due to arrive, she said.

The government had ordered more flu vaccines than last year, she said.

“We have 1.7 million Covid bivalent vaccines and Pharmac has 1.8 million flu vaccines, last year we needed 1.2 million flu so we’ve got a margin there that we’re able to do more cause we hope we will be able to reach more people this year.”

A combination of Covid-19 and flu added to the strain on New Zealand’s hospitals last year and people should get the flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster to try and help avoid that this year, she said.

Doctor Andrew Narayan from Queen Street Medical said it was a privilege to administer the vaccines.

“But again you know, at the end of the day another human being protected against the virus, hopefully we all can take lessons from it and you know if he [Chris Hipkins] can do it then there should be no reason why anybody else can’t do it.”

The medical centre is one of many across New Zealand holding community vaccination events to mark the beginning of the rollout.

Dr Narayan said the aim was to administer at least 800 jabs by the end of the day.

Dr Verrall said all New Zealanders aged over 30 could now access the Covid booster, so long as it had been at least six months since their last Covid-19 booster or positive Covid test.

People at higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19 would also be able to receive an additional booster, regardless of how many doses they had had previously, she said.

The Covid-19 booster is free of charge.

The flu vaccine is free for people aged 65 years and over, Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and over, pregnant people, and people who have long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart conditions, children aged six months to 12 years old, and people with mental health and addiction issues.

Many New Zealand workplaces also fund a free flu vaccine for their employees.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Kuo huhu malu’i Koviti mo Fulū ‘a e Palemia pea ‘oku ne fakalotolahi’i ‘a e kakai ke nau fai ‘a e me’a tatau.

Mei he ‘aho ni ‘o fai atu e lahi ange ‘a e kakai ‘oku nau ‘atā ke nau huhu malu’i i he Covid 19 bivalent, ‘a ia’ oku ne malu’i ‘e ia ‘a e fotunga ‘e ua ‘o e kolonavailasi.

Ne huhu malu’i ‘a Chris Hipkins ‘i ha ‘iveni ‘i  Upper Hutt he pongipongi Tokonaki fakataha mo e Minisita Mo’ui Ayesha Verrall.

Na’a ne pehe ‘oku mahuinga ki he kakai ke nau huhu ki mu’a he a’u mai ‘a e fa’ahita’u momoko’.

Pehe ‘e Verrall e lava ‘a e kakai ke ma’u ‘enau huhu malu’i Koviti fakataha pe mo e huhu malu’i pusita Koviti he taimi ni.

Oku lolotonga ‘i he fonua ni ‘a e huhu malu’i Koviti ‘e 700,000 Covid mo e huhu malu’i ‘e  800,000 ki he fuluu’ pea ‘e toe a’utaki maim o ha toe huhu lahi ange.

Kuo ‘ota mai ‘e he pule’anga ha huhu malu’i fulū lahi ange ia he ta’u kuo ‘osi’.

Kuo ‘i ai ‘a e foi huhu malu’i pivaleni ‘e 1.7 miliona pea kuo ‘i ai ‘a e 1.8 miliona ko e huhu malu’i fulū ‘i he Pharmac, ta’u kuo ‘osi’ ne fiema’u ‘a e 1.2 miliona ki he fuluu’ aia oku ‘i ai ‘a e masini ai faka’amu ke lahi ange kakai e ala a’u ki ai he ta’u ni.

Na’e uesia lahi ‘a e ngaahi falemahaki Nu’u Sila he ta’u kuo ‘osi he ha’aki fakataha atu ‘a e Koviti mo e fuluu’ pea ‘oku totonu ki he kakai ke nau huhu malu’i fulū pea mo pusita koviti kae lava ke fakamama’o ha’ane toe hoko he ta’u ni.

Pehē ‘e Dr Andrew Narayan mei he  Queen Street Medical ko  e langilangi ia ke fakahoko ‘a e huhu.

Na’a pehe kuo huhu malu’i ‘a e palemia Chris Hipskins pea ko e ha ai ke kei tatali ‘a e toenga kae fai mo huhu malu’i leva.

Ko e taha foki ‘eni ‘a e ngaahi  senita oku  lahi taha ‘a e huhu malu’i ai ma’a e komiunitii ke faka’ilonga ‘a hono kamata e huhu malu’i’.

Pehe ‘e Dr Narayan ko e taumu’a ke lava ha fo’i huhu malui e 800 he ‘aho kotoa.

Na’a ne pehe kuo lava ke huhu malu’i ‘a e kakai ‘o Nu’u Sila laka hake ‘i he ta’u 30 koloa pe kuo ‘osi ha mahina ‘e ono mei he ‘uluaki huhu koviti’ pe tesi positivi’.

‘E lava foki ke toe tanaki atu ha huhu malu’i pusita makehe ki he  kakai lahi ange ‘enau tu’u ‘i ha tu’unga fakatu’utamaki ki he puke lahi mei he Koviti tatau ai pe pe ko e ha ‘a e lahi ‘enau huhu malu’i ki mu’a.

‘Oku ‘ikai ke totongi ‘a e huhu malu’i pusitaa’.

Oku ta’etotongi ki he kakai ta’u 65 pe lahi ange , Mauli mo e Pasifiki ta’u 55 pe lahi ange, kakai feitama, mo e kakai kuo ‘i ai honau mahaki tauhi hange koe suka, hela pe mahaki mafu , fanau iiki mahina ono ki he 12 mo e kakai ‘oku puke faka’atamai mo ‘atikisini.

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