Stranded passengers offered free stay on Vava‘u; Fijian airline steps in to replace Lulutai

By

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30/01/2023

A prominent Tongan businesswoman has allowed passengers stranded in Vava’u by the collapse of Lulutai’s services to remain in her guest house for free.

She pleaded with Lulutai to publicly apologise for the unexpected cancellation of the airline’s service.

Yvette Guttenbeil said some of her guests whose flights had been cancelled had run out of money.

She said the guests had asked one of her employees to allow them to stay before they returned to Tongatapu and paid their bills then.

Guttenbeil told the employee to let them stay on.

When her employee asked whether she thought the guests would pay, she told the employee that was a different issue.

“If they pay, thanks. If not, that’s alright. We won’t become a millionaire if we have that four-day rent payment,” she said in Tongan.

She said the airlines should compensate passengers for the financial distress some of them were facing. Guttenbeil said she understood the airlines could not afford it. An apology from the airlines would be enough to console them.

One online commenter said Lulutai should make a firm decision either to terminate its services and sell the airlines to a new operator or bring in Fiji Airways to do it. The commenter said Lulutai was acting as if it could do things it knew it could not.

“It is a pity for the country,” the commentator said.

Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways is stepping in to help Tonga’s national airline, Lulutai, maintain services to Vava’u from today, January 30, to Wednesday, February 1.

The service will be provided by Fiji Airways’ domestic subsidiary, Fiji Link, which also flies to Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Fiji Link flies ATR 72 and 42s and DeHavilland Canada Twin Otters.

Lulutai’s 34 seat Saab 340 has been withdrawn for urgent repairs and maintenance.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said the Saab would be out of action for at least three or four months.

Pacific Link will provide three flights on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between Vava’u and Tongatapu.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said the Government was considering partnering with a private company to manage the operations of Lulutai.

Wayne Brown on flood reaction: ‘There may have been some incorrect decisions’

By

Kalino Latu

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29/01/2023

By RNZ.co.nz

Auckland’s mayor says lessons have been learned following the region’s highest ever rainfall over 24 hours, which left four people dead and forced hundreds of people out of their homes.

Wayne Brown had been criticised for not calling a State of Emergency earlier on Friday night.

In a press conference yesterday, he went on the defence, saying the response to Friday’s storm took a lot of concentration, happened quickly and the response was much quicker than people believed.

He said yesterday that he followed the advice of the professionals when deciding whether to declare an emergency.

But during a visit to a community hall in Māngere today, Brown said emergency managers may have made some incorrect decisions.

“This is a great example of a community getting together and showing some leadership and they overcame what may have been some incorrect decisions from the emergency management group.

“Today’s role for me is to make sure the lessons of yesterday are learnt.”

Follow all the latest news with RNZ’s live blog here.

Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina also admitted council did not act early enough to the flooding crisis.

“The most important lessons for us is to make sure we act early, let us as council act early.

“I don’t think we acted early enough, in all honesty. It’s important to learn from these mistakes and raise the issue in council,” Filipaina said.

“People affected by the floods were left asking what to do and where to go.”

Māngere was the worst hit in the south, with many residents having lost everything and Filipaina said they would be feeling the effects for many months to come.

“We would never do enough, but the more we do will benefit our community and that’s what we’re trying to do now.

“I have no doubt in the coming months they will still be feeling effects of this flood,” he said.

Photo: RNZ/Angus Dreaver

Auckland woman Sita Lee said everything she owned had been destroyed when the flooding reached her home.

“I called Watercare in hopes that someone will come and help us but they took forever to answer. At that time I noticed the water was getting higher and higher.

“My car was in the drive, we forgot to move it so it got written off.

“My mum was in the room praying, she’s an 80-year-old lady who can’t swim – she had to be carried out by some younger men” said Lee.

Former heavyweight boxing champion David Tua was among those who came to the Māngere emergency centre today.

He said as a South Auckland community man, he had to do what he could to help.

“Our people may need help, for me, I’m excited to be here and do everything i can to help.

“It might be food, it might be clothes or a place to stay – but there’s never enough we can do to help these people,” Tua said.

Roads in many regions ‘impassable’ and damaged

By

Kalino Latu

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29/01/2023

By RNZ.co.nz

Damage to roads throughout the North Island has caused many to be closed, a train has derailed, a bridge swept away and the Coromandel Peninsula is cut off.

Authorities in many areas today reiterated yesterday’s warnings to stay home if you are safe, and not to go out on the roads unless it was essential.

A sinkhole has opened up on Great North Road in Auckland Photo: RNZ/Richard Sutherland

Hazards include trees down, slips, electrical risks, damaged roads and sewage and wastewater contamination. Floodwaters were particularly dangerous to drive in as there could be unseen hidden dangers such as holes or logs.

If you do have to travel, check your route carefully for updates and travel with care, Waka Kotahi said. The agency was posting regular updates on highway conditions and closures, including detours where they were available. While councils provide updates about the states of local roads.

Considerable damage to Auckland roads across many parts of the region

More heavy rain was expected in Auckland today, and Auckland Council called for everyone to stay off the roads.

Many vehicles had been left abandoned across Auckland city Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell

“Flood water can rise quickly so avoid unnecessary travel, put your safety first and stay out of flood water,” they said.

Super City Towing manager Tania Aho said said there was a massive backlog of about 400 abandoned cars in the city, because of the flooding.

Vehicles had been abandoned after being caught in the deluge on Friday night, causing high demand for tow services, and it would be days before they could be cleared.

Many Bay of Plenty roads “undriveable”

Bay of Plenty police said the roads had been heavily affected. They asked those in areas where the weather was severe “to stay put and not attempt to travel on the roads, many of which are currently undriveable.”

A slip had crushed a house in Tauranga, while near Te Puke a train had derailed.

An orchardist on No. 4 Road, south of Te Puke, said he had to swim his cattle to safety as floodwaters rose, and then a bridge collapsed – isolating many families.

Craig Jeffries Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae

Craig Jeffries said he had a call from authorities this morning: “[The bridge] decided to give way and we’ve just been left with a bloody great big cavity where the bridge is supposed to be.

“So not the most pleasant phone call from Civil Defence this morning to go and have a look, see what’s going on, and go down there – and [it’s] just an unbelievable sight.”

Jeffries said the rain was still falling and he expected the army would be brought in to help locals and to install a temporary bridge.

SunLive news said a number of residents were affected by the loss of the bridge and authorities were looking into a potential emergency access track that could provide vehicle access to Te Puke Highway via Manoeka Road.

Coromandel Peninsula now cut off

The Coromandel Peninsula has been completely cut off by flooding and slips from the heavy rain, authorities said.

Civil Defence urged people to stay off the roads and avoid travelling at all costs.

Part of State Highway 25A across the Coromandel Peninsula has collapsed Photo: Waka Kotahi

Among the closures was State Highway 25A, between Kopu and Hikuai where there had been a significant slip, and State Highway 25, between Whangamata and Waihi, and at Manaia, where there was flooding.

Mayor Len Salt said the situation was very dynamic and fast-moving.

Waikato police say ‘stay home’

Police in Waikato also called on people to stay home if they were in areas that were badly hit.

They were at work on traffic management and road closures throughout the Waitomo District after “numerous slips, flooding, and damage to roads” from the rain.

A local emergency was declared in Te Kuiti on Saturday night.

Early this morning one person died after a crash between a horse and vehicle on State Highway 2 at Maramarua, police said.

Two other people were injured in the collision, and were taken to hospital. Police said the horse was euthanised.

By midday Sunday, major road closures and alerts included:

SH1, Northland, south of Marsden Point: The road was closed between SH15 and Marsden Point Road.
SH1, Northland, Brynderwyn to Waipu: The road was closed from the SH12 intersection at Brynderwyn due to large slips
SH16, Auckland, Helensville to Waimauku: The road was closed due to flooding near Bradley Road
SH16, Auckland: The westbound off-ramp to Great North Road was closed due to a large slip
SH31, Kawhia to Tihiroa, Waikato: The road was closed between Lake Road and Aotea Road because of a slip.
SH3 to SH37, Waikato near Waitomo Caves: The road is closed on SH37 from the SH3 intersection at Hangatiki to Waitomo Caves, due to a slip
SH3, Waikato, north of Te Kuiti: The road was closed due to flooding between SH4 and Te Kumi Station Road.
SH25A Coromandel Peninsula: One of the major routes across the peninsula, from Kopu to Hikuai, had closed due to more damage at a large washout
SH25 Coromandel Peninsula: Slips and fallen trees were causing hazards on the road between Coromandel town, Te Rerenga and Whangapoua. The road remained open with warnings to take care
SH25, Coromandel Peninsula: Flooding had blocked the road from Whangamatā to Waihi between Wentworth Valley Rd and Parakiwai Quarry Road. Travellers were asked to avoid the area and take extra car
SH29, Kaimai Ranges: The road was closed between Te Poi and Tauriko because of slips
SH33, south of Te Puke: A slip and fallen trees had created hazards on the road between Tikitere to Paengaroa. The road remained open, but care was advised and there were delays.
SH30, north of Rotorua: The road was closed between Lake Okataina and Rotomā (between SH33 and SH34) due to slips
SH41, Lake Taupō near Tokaanu: the road was closed between SH47 and SH32 because of a slip and fallen trees
SH43, Taranaki and Ruapehu District: the Stratford to Taumarunui road was closed because of flooding and debris
SH2, Napier: Surface flooding and speed restrictions near the intersection with Prebensen Drive
SH2, Mohaka, East Coast: Severe weather damage meant stop go lights were operating at Raupunga

More information about the floods, heavy rain, roads and the response can be found here:

MetService is providing updated weather reports here.

Auckland Emergency Management is providing regular updates on their website here.

Auckland Council is providing updates and information on their website here.

RNZ will keep updating news and information from authorities throughout the day on air and online, including in our live blog.

Police confirm fourth person found dead after being swept away by floodwaters

By

Kaniva Staff

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29/01/2023

By RNZ.co.nz

A fourth person has been found dead as a result of Auckland’s catastrophic floods on Friday.

In a statement, police said search and rescue who had been looking for a person swept away by floodwaters in Waikato’s Onewhero had found a man’s body.

Formal idenitification is yet to take place, but police believe it is the missing man.

The body was found by a drone operator, about one kilometre from where he went missing.

“Police have been overwhelmed by the way the community has rallied around and gone above and beyond to assist with the search,” the statement said.

“Locals have offered their time and effort, food, and support to others around them at this extremely difficult time.”

At a media conference this afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said the death of four people was “horrific”.

“I think it’s been a traumatic experience … That’s the most horrific part of it that we’ve lost lives.

“Clearly alongside every Aucklander and New Zealander we share in our condolences and sadness with that person’s family.”

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins had also passed on their condolences to the family’s of those who died in previous media conferences.

Earlier today, police named 34-year-old Daniel Mark Miller as another victim of the floods.

Miller was found dead in a culvert on Target Road in Wairau Valley on Friday.

“Police extend their sympathies to his family and friends.”

Another person was found dead after a landslide brought down a house on Remuera’s Shore Rd.

RNZ understands that the man was a beloved volunteer at MOTAT museum, Dave Lennard.

Friends are paying tribute to him on social media.

Stuff reports that Lennard, in his 80s, was much loved at MOTAT.

“He was one of those guys who could make anything and teach himself how to use new equipment with ease,” friend Evan James told Stuff.

A fourth person was also found dead in a flooded carpark on Link Drive, Wairau Valley at 12.30am on Saturday morning.

All deaths will be referred to the coroner, police said.

Prisons Dep’t punishes Deputy Commissioner over affair; probe into alleged thefts by officers underway

By

Kalino Latu

-

29/01/2023

UPDATED: A Tongan Deputy Prisons Commissioner has been stripped of his role as Officer-In-Charge.

He was punished by a prison tribunal after he was found to have had a sexual affair with a female prison officer, the Prisons Department said in a recent statement.

He pleaded guilty and resigned from his role as a steward.

It is understood the Department has three Deputy Prisons Commissioners.

The Department is inquiring into another case in which a female and a male prison officer are alleged to have been having an affair, the statement said.

The Prisons said inquiries like this must be based on concrete evidence.

“Hearsay is not accepted,” it said.

The Department also said there were allegations that some prison officers had been involved in the theft of building materials. It did not say from where the material had been stolen.

It appears that those involved in the alleged robbery are still working full time. The Prisons Department said this was because it needed to have concrete evidence before it could make a final decision on the matter.

Spotlight on prisons

The Prisons Department has come under the spotlight several times in recent years.

In 2013 Kaniva News reported that an inmate at Hu’atolitoli Prison, Paula ‘Ulu’ave had to be dragged to a shower to be cleaned after he allegedly defecated in his pants as a result of a beating he received from prison guards. The revelation was made after an MP and a Minister of Prisons visited ‘Ulu’ave after a complaint from the inmate’s mother.

At the time the authorities vehemently denied the allegation.

More recently, Prisons Commissioner Semisi Tapueluelu was accused of lying over his denial that prisoner ‘Etuate Lavulavu had attended a meeting to seek financial assistance for his legal expenses.

Lavulavu was serving a term for fraud, a conviction that was overturned by the Court of Appeal in October last year. He and his wife ‘Akosita will be re-tried on May 8.

In that case, Tapueluelu’s office released a statement saying that it “wishes to correct the media misinformation suggesting that Prisoner ‘Etuate Lavulavu’s Leave of Absence (LOA) was approved to attend a meeting with Ports of Authority Tonga (PAT) on behalf of Inter-Pacific Ltd (IPL)”.

However, a court document later seen by Kaniva News proved otherwise.

The Lord Chief Justice expressed his concern about the incident after a complaint from a senior lawyer over Lavulavu’s Leave of absence.

Mr Tapueluelu responded to Justice Whitten on June 22 confirming that Mr Lavulavu was indeed granted an LOA to attend the meeting at the Ports Authority Tonga office.

Mr Tapueluelu was Superintendent of Hu’atolitoli Prison until he was dismissed by former Prisons Minister, William Clive Edwards over a conflict dating to September 1997.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, Mr Tapueluelu fought a long battle to seek compensation and in 2015 the government accepted liability for wrongful suspension and wrongful dismissal.

Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen ruled that the government must compensate Mr Tapueluelu for damages caused by his wrongful dismissal and loss of salary from October 11, 2001 to December 8, 2002.

For more information

Supreme Court rules Tapueluelu’s dismissal unlawful, orders compensation by government

Supreme Court rules Tapueluelu’s dismissal unlawful, orders compensation by government

Prisoner at Hu’atolitoli beaten til he defecated himself

Prisoner at Hu’atolitoli beaten til he defecated himself

Tonga’s Court of Appeal quashes convictions of former cabinet ministers

Court refuses to return passport to convicted ‘Etuate Lavulavu who wanted to travel abroad

Court refuses to return passport to convicted ‘Etuate Lavulavu who wanted to travel abroad

Missing Tongan man’s boat, last seen in Timaru, found on Ashburton shore

By

Kaniva Staff

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27/01/2023

A boat belonging to a missing Tongan fisherman has been found about 50 nautical miles off the coast of Canterbury’s Ashburton River.

The family of Pastor Lionati Fotofili, 47, are still looking for him after a member of the public discovered the half-submerged dinghy on the shoreline south of the river.

A family spokesperson told Stuff the dinghy “was found the same day Pastor was reported missing to police”.

“It was not until 26 days later they realised the dinghy they had found was the one Lionati Fotofili, 44, of Timaru, was last seen fishing from before he was reported missing on December 30” Stuff reported.

The family previously “release a photo of the green plastic boat/dinghy Fotofili was in on the night he disappeared” to media, “and asked people to look out for it”.

The family search continues. It has been assisted by groups from Multicultural Aoraki, Alliance Smithfield Timaru, and the Te Aitarakihi Trust who had been ‘’a phenomenal support’’.

The family also asked that members of the public continue to report sightings of items of interest as far north as Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), “specifically, a grey or blue tarpaulin, blue New South Wales league shorts’’.

The boat is being recovered.

Court of Appeal quashes life sentences for three young convicted murderers

By

Kaniva Staff

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27/01/2023

By RNZ.co.nz

The Court of Appeal has quashed life sentences imposed on three young convicted murderers.

The court said its decision did not set a precedent, and creating laws for sentencing young people was a task for Parliament. (file image) Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

In a judgment released today, it ruled the sentences unjust and replaced them with set terms of prison and shorter minimum periods.

The appeals were seen as test cases for sentencing young people – all three were aged under 20 when they committed the offences.

The court said its decision did not set a precedent, and creating laws for sentencing young people was a task for Parliament.

However, it found life sentences were hard for young people to grasp; that the 10-year minimum terms imposed on the three killers could exacerbate the adverse effects of prison; and that subjecting the three to possible recall to jail for the rest of their lives could be unjust.

The three killers are Christopher James Brown and Georgia Rose Dickey, convicted of murdering 19-year-old Jack McAllister in Invercargill in 2017, and Katrina Roma Epiha, convicted for the murder of Maree Nathan at a Christchurch house party that year.

Brown was 19 at the time of the killing and Dickey 16. Epiha was 18.

Instead of life sentences, Dickey was sentenced to 15 years’ jail, with a minimum term of seven years and six months; Brown 12 years, with a minimum term of six years; and Epiha 13 years, with a minimum term of seven years.

The court said it was mindful of Sentencing Act requirements that young people convicted of murder serve life sentences, unless it was unjust.

“The Children’s Commissioner suggested, and some of the appellants’ [lawyers] submitted we should create a special category for young persons,” the judgment said.

“We must, however, not trespass upon Parliament’s domain… Our judgment does not have the effect of creating a special category for young persons convicted of murder.”

Although being a youth was not by itself enough to establish an injustice to avoid a life sentence, mitigating circumstances of the offending and an offender’s personal circumstances could count on top of their age, the court said.

The appeals were heard in July. The court had reserved its decision.

Tongan family in US files suit over police chase that led to deadly crash that killed son

By

Kaniva Staff

-

27/01/2023

A Tongan family in California has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit on behalf of a relative killed in a crash after a police-involved car chase.

Lolomana’ia Soakai, 27, was killed on June 2022 after a vehicle struck him.

His mother, Lavina Soakai, was injured with a broken back. Family members Ina Lavalu and Daniela Fifita, and a friend, Sam Finau, were also injured.

Victim killed in crash after Oakland police pursuit, Lolomanaia “Lolo” Soakai. CBS© Provided by CBS SF Bay Area

The East Bay family and others were waiting for food outside a popular burrito truck when the fatal incident happened.

Reports at the time said, Police were investigating reports that the crash may have come shortly after an unauthorized pursuit of the Nissan by Oakland police. Two officers had been suspended from duty.

The family’s attorneys have announced the lawsuit today and released video of the incident that happened late last June.

“The family of Lolomanaia Soakai has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Oakland Police Department for a ‘ghost pursuit’ — chasing a car without lights, sirens or authorization —that ended in a collision that struck and killed the young man, and severely injured his mother, along with his family and others waiting for food outside a popular burrito truck”, Civil rights attorney Adante Pointer said in a statement which was sent to Kaniva Tonga News.

“These officers engaged in an unsanctioned, deadly car chase in order to satisfy their ego and urge to arrest someone for a low-level traffic infraction,” Oakland civil rights attorney Adanté Pointer said. “We expect officers to have the maturity and discipline to not give chase, or to discontinue a vehicle peursuit, when the odds of catastrophic injury or death are high. These officers ignored their training and commonsense which cost a good man his life.

“On June 25, 2022 police pursued the suspect at speeds of up to 100 mph through heavily populated surface streets in Oakland until the driver of the Nissan 350Z lost control on International Boulevard. The driver slammed into a row of parked cars and motorcycles, and crushed 27-year-old Lolo Soakai. His mother, Lavina Soakai, was gravely injured with a broken back. Family members Ina Lavalu and Daniela Fifita, and a friend, Sam Finau, were injured.

“Instead of calling for medical assistance and stopping to render aid, the Oakland Police officers drove past the scene with one of them reportedly remarking that he hoped the driver of the Nissan had died in the crash. They returned minutes later once 911 was called and emergency responders were racing to the scene, pretending to be unaware of the horrendous crash.

“This was a tight-knit Tongan group who were celebrating a fellow church member’s college graduation.

“This was a man who took care of his widowed mother since his father died. He loved his job at Envoy Air, sang gospel in church and lived a quiet life devoted to family and friends.”

Tongatapu couple arrested, wife found with methamphetamine in her bag

By

Kaniva Staff

-

27/01/2023

A Veitongo woman was caught with drugs in her bag including methamphetamine following a police search in Tonga’s Tongatapu main island.

Illicit drugs, cash and utensils seized. Photo/Tonga Police

The Police arrested the 29-year-old woman, her 43-year-old husband and another 24-year-old man from Ha’akame for possession and supplying of illicit drugs.

The Police arrested the couple after they intercepted their vehicle at a residence at ‘Anana.

“A further search was carried out at their Veitongo residence where the third accused was apprehended along with a pack of cannabis found in the room he occupies”, a Police statement said.

“Also included in the items seized were one scale, empty packs, and TOP$240 cash.

“All accused persons are being remanded in custody to appear in court.

“Anyone with information on drug-related activities can contact Police on 922, 740-1630 and 740-1632”.

Paula Ma‘u appointed as Tonga’s new Chief Secretary, Secretary to Cabinet

By

Kaniva Staff

-

27/01/2023

The Tongan new Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet is Paula Ma’u.

He replaced former Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker, who retired last year.

Paula Pouvalu Ma’u and Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. Photo/PM Office

He was appointed by the Public Service Commission and has already signed his contract today for four years, a statement said.

“This morning he took his oath before the Honourable Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku witnessed by members of Cabinet”, it said.

“He started with the Government of Tonga as Head of the Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance in 1993, before taking the Deputy Secretary post at the Prime Minister’s Office in 1996, a post he held for 16 years.

“He was appointed as the first Secretary for the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) in 2020, and he is the longest serving Chief Executive Officer and has recently served at MEIDECC.

It is understood Ma’u has been acting in the role before his appointment.

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Considerable damage to Auckland roads across many parts of the region

Many Bay of Plenty roads “undriveable”

Coromandel Peninsula now cut off

Waikato police say ‘stay home’

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