Dr Sitiveni Halapua, controversial Tongan politician and respected scholar, dies

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05/02/2023

Dr Sitiveni Halapua, former Deputy leader of Tonga’s Democratic movement, has died January 29.

Born on February 13, 1949, he was a respected academic, a pioneer of Tonga’s democratic reforms and pioneer of a conflict resolution system based on traditional practices.

Dr Sitiveni Halapua. Photo/Kalino Lātū, Kaniva Tonga News

Halapua earned a doctorate in economics from the University of Kent in the UK and went on to lecture in economics at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.

He was Director of the Pacific Islands Development Programme at the East-West Centre at the University of Hawai’i for more than 20 years.

It was while working at the East-West Centre that he developed a conflict-resolution system based on the Polynesian practice of Talanoa, known as the Talanoa conflict-resolution system.

It has been used in the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Tonga.

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In November 2005 Dr Halapua was appointed to the National Committee for Political Reform, aimed at producing a plan for the democratic reform of Tonga.

In October 2006 the Commission recommended a fully elected parliament. He later accused Prime Minister Feleti Sevele’s of hijacking the report and blamed this for the 2006 Nuku’alofa riots, which destroyed much of central Nuku’alofa.

Dr Halapua was elected to Parliament as a people’s representative for Tongatapu 3 in the 2010 elections.

Four years later, he was ousted as candidate for the Democratic Party after party leader and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s newspaper, Kele’a, accused him of being at the centre of a plot to seek the Premiership.

As Kaniva News reported at the time Kele’a claimed that three Democratic Party members, including People’s Representatives Semisi Tapueluelu and Sione Taione planned in 2012 to replace Pohiva with fellow parliamentarian Dr Sitiveni Halapua.

Kele’a alleged that the plan was made in 2012 when the Democratic Government lodged a motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Lord Tu’ivakano.

Both Taione and Halapua denied the story.

Relations between Pohiva and Halapua had been strained since October 2013 when Dr Halapua abstained from voting for a bill that would have let the Prime Minister be popularly elected.

The bill was laid before the Tongan Parliament by Democrat MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke and had received massive support from many of the 17 popular electorates, nine of which elected Democrat Members of Parliament. However, the motion was lost 15-6.

Dr Halapua’s abstention drew strong criticisms from the local media and the Democrats.

Kele’a lashed out at Dr Halapua’s behaviour, with the editor saying he no longer trusted him as one of the front benchers of the party.

Dr Halapua had long been an advocate of what he called Pule’anga Kafataha or ‘Coalition Government.’

Under the proposal all parliamentarians, whether nobles or commoners, would work together as a coalition.

In 2010 Halapua told Kaniva News that Democratic Party Parliamentarians voting as members of a coalition could elect a noble rather than his party leader, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, but still keep their allegiance to Pohiva and the Democratic Party.

After he was removed as a Democrat candidate, Dr Halapua said he would stand as an independent at the next election, but did not run. He stood unsuccessfully in 2017 election.

Australian financial subsidy will keep Tongatapu-Vava‘u service flying until June

By

Kalino Latu

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03/02/2023

Australia will help Tonga pay Fiji Airways to run a passenger service seven times a week between Tongatapu and Vava’u.

Tonga and Australia signed a financial agreement this morning which will help fund the service until June.

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Her Excellency Rachael Moore and Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku

The service is being provided by Fiji airways’ domestic carrier, Fiji Link.

The financial subsidy is expected to help reduce the worst of the crisis.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku announced the agreement earlier today.

Lulutai’s CEO, Poasi Tei, said Lulutai had compensated overseas visitors who were stranded in Tonga. He said Lulutai had worked with Qantas and Air New Zealand to handle overseas visitors’ issues with connecting tickets.

The Prime Minister said additional expenses incurred by the compensation deal would be covered by Australia.

The Australian High Commissioner in Tonga, Rachael Moore, said Australia was donating Aus$500,000 to the rescue package.

“It will depend on the number of flights,” Moore said.

“Lulutai will continue to sell tickets. If there is a shortfall in the cost of any of those segments Australia will meet that shortfall to ensure that connectivity domestically for Tonga.”

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said Australia’s support would ensure Lulutai would not encounter further financial problems between now and June.

Asked whether the government had considered selling Lulutai to a private company, the Prime Minister said that was part of the process to resolve the Lulutai crisis. He said the immediate priority was to sort out the Tongatapu – Vava’u flight crisis.

A journalist asked the High Commissioner whether the Australian government was aware that Lulutai’s management involved ousted Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei who was appointed as CEO. Tei’s election was declared void after the Supreme Court convicted him of electoral bribery.

The journalist, a daughter of the late Prime Minister and former Democratic Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva, wanted a response from Ms Moore, but the Prime Minister quickly picked up the question and eventually said the appointment of Tei went through due diligence process and there was nothing illegal about it.

New Zealand PM to look into Pacific overstayer petition

By

Kaniva Staff

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03/02/2023

By RNZ.co.nz

New Zealand’s new Prime Minister has agreed to look at an overstayer petition that was launched by Pacific community leaders almost three years ago.

The petition calls for pathways to residency to be established for Pasifika overstayers under compassion grounds.

The petition has 11,119 signatures. The Petitions Committee recommended that Parliament take note of it.

Chris Hipkins was questioned by RNZ Pacific over a lack of action by the government over the issue.

“I want to make sure we have a country in New Zealand where Pacific people are respected, they have a place and where we can continue to maintain a really strong relationship with their home countries,” he said.

When questioned on whether he will make changes to the government’s policy, he said “I haven’t had an opportunity to look at that issue yet but I absolutely intend to look at it.”

Mati Filemoni Timoteo (Samoan Matai or High Chief) and Pakilau o Mana Moana Manase Lua guide the guest of honour and Taumu’a into the kava ceremony. Photo: Jinki Cambronero, Someday Stories

One example given of Pasifika people who need support is Tongan overstayers who have nothing to go home to one year on from the devastating volcanic eruption.

Pakilau Manase Lua, who is a Tongan community representative, said people are terrified they will be deported.

He said he is not advocating breaking the law.

The people he is fighting for have legitimate reasons to stay and deserve compassion, he said.

“They might have been here during the lockdowns and they couldn’t go back. Or they were here on a temporary visa and it was difficult to go back due to the eruption so these people are probably wanting to find a better life, and what better place than Aotearoa New Zealand.

“These are people who are often already working,” Pakilau said.

Overstayers are contributing to the economy and are not eligible for benefits, he said.

Kanokupolu beach with the destroyed Liku’alofa Resort. Photo: Supplied

The government has said previously that it is: “committed to upholding a fair rules-based immigration system and delivering on the goals of the immigration rebalance”.

But it also admitted that: “progressing an amnesty for overstayers would be a considerable undertaking and regardless of which group of people it may be extended to, it would take time to progress and would require legislative change.”

Pakilau wants action now because at the moment overstayers and their children are scared.

“It ties in with the Dawn Raids apology, apologising is great but it is not going to solve the problem we have now especially their children, the children of overstayers are an innocent party it’s not their fault.”

Chris Hipkins said he is committed to Pacific Communities in Aotearoa and will look into the calls made in the petition.

Photo: Supplied / Pakilau Manase Lua

Real Tonga ready to fill gap left by loss of Lulutai services, says former airline’s boss

By

Kalino Latu

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02/02/2023

Real Tonga Airlines is ready to replace Lulutai airlines, the CEO of Palu Aviation, Tevita Palu said today.

“Real Tonga can step back in now to offer the domestic air service as they have done in the past for seven years,” Palu said.

Palu Aviation and Real Tonga owner Tēvita Palu

“Lulutai Airlines is struggling to provide the service as required.”

The government-owned SAAB 340 aircraft is undergoing engine repairs and is expected to be grounded for three to four months. A service to the outer islands is currently provided by Fiji Airways.

Palu said Real Tonga had been put out of operation by Covid-19 and local politics.

He said that with the border open a safe and reliable air service was needed.

Palu said aircraft from New Zealand were readily available for delivery to Tonga and were waiting on Tongan Government approval.

He said he had met with several authorities, including the Prime Minister, the Minister Civil Aviation and the Minister of Finance to seek their support.

Palu also met the CEO of Lulutai airlines to discuss how to better support domestic air service.

“Real Tonga is willing and awaiting on Government approval in order to get start its operation,” Palu said.

Real Tonga

Real Tonga began flying in March 2013.

It took over services previously operated by Chathams Pacific, a subsidiary of New Zealand-based airline Air Chathams

Real Tonga Airlines operated two British Aerospace 19-seater Jetstream 32s on flights to Vava’u and Niuafo’ou.

It acquired the aircraft in 2014 after pressure from the New Zealand government which warned tourists not to travel on the Chinese-made MA-60.

Real Tonga ceased operations in 2020. The then Minster of Finance, Tevita Lavermaau, claimed the airline was close to bankruptcy, with most of the debt owed to the government.

The carrier also owed outstanding landing fees to the government. The Covid-19 outbreak made Real Tonga’s situation worse and it faced problems with aircraft availability. It began cancelling its flights.

At one point a partnership between Real Tonga and the government was considered.

For more information

Real Tonga Airlines on brink of bankruptcy says Minister

Inter-island ferry finally due to leave Auckland after unexpected faults cause months of delays

By

Kalino Latu

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31/01/2023

Tonga’s inter-island ferry, the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa, was still in Auckland tonight, four months after being sent to New Zealand for repairs.

The ferry is expected to return to the kingdom this week.

MV ‘Otuanga’ofa mooring at Titan’s berth. Photo/Kalino Lātū, Kaniva Tonga News

The vessel reportedly arrived in Auckland in September 2022 and was expected to return the following month.

Kaniva News visited the vessel last week at Auckland wharf and photographed her while she was sitting on the Titan Marine Engineering Ltd slipway.

Tonga’s Ministry of Transport said the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa had left Auckland today January 31 and was expected to arrive back in Tonga on February 13.

However, Kaniva News visited the wharf this evening and found it was moored at Titan’s berth.

It is understood it was originally planned for MV ‘Otuanga’ofa’s maintenance to take one month.

Our source said when the vessel first arrived in Auckland there were problems with its paperwork. The issue forced the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa to anchor outside New Zealand’s waters to avoid paying the wharfage charges until the paper work issue was sorted out.

Kaniva News has contacted the ship’s captain, Vivili Fifita, for comment.

Critics said the delays had caused financial losses to the government’s Friendly Islands Shipping Agency because it had to pay travelling allowances and other costs for the ferry’s crew for a longer time.

MV ‘Otuanga’ofa sitting on the Titan Marine Engineering Ltd slipway. Photo/Kalino Lātū, Kaniva Tonga News.

The Minister of Transport has been contacted for comment.

The government has also been criticised for not looking after the crew and making sure they were protected and safe.

It has been claimed a crew member became ill shortly after the ferry arrived in Auckland. While processing his medical needs it was discovered that the crew did not have any medical insurance.

The Minister of Transport told a press conference yesterday in Tonga that when the ferry arrived in New Zealand some unforeseen mechanical and electrical issues were identified which were not addressed when the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa was being repaired in Fiji in 2018.

“The MV ‘Otuanga’ofa will return to Tonga from New Zealand about the second week of February, following mechanical services there,” the Minister said.

“The vessel should be serving Tonga again soon after having gone for maintenance and repairs.”

Ship history

The ‘Otuanga’ofa was given to Tonga by the Japanese Government in October, 2010 to replace the Princess Ashika, which sank with the loss of 74 souls.

In January 2012 the ‘Otuanga’ofa hit the MV Sitka twice at the Queen Salote wharf in Nuku’alofa while trying to dock. Damage was estimated at UAS$50,000.

In May 2014 the ferry was reported to have run aground while trying to leave the Pasivulangi harbour in Niuafo’ou.

Close inspection ferry found cracks in the vessel and it was dry docked in Fiji for maintenance.

Last year the Fiji Sun reported that the ferry was having a new rudder fitted at the Industrial & Marine Engineering Limited (IMEL) floating dock in Suva.

Covid-19: 10,589 new cases in NZ, 28 deaths and 189 in hospital

By

Kaniva Staff

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31/01/2023

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

New Zealand has 10,589 new cases of Covid-19 over the last week.

The Ministry of Health reported 28 deaths with Covid-19.

There were also 189 people in hospital at midnight Sunday including four cases in ICU.

Of the deaths being reported today: one was from Northland, six were from the Auckland region, two were from Waikato, one was from Bay of Plenty, four were from Hawke’s Bay, one was from Taranaki, one was from MidCentral, three were from Whanganui, two were from Wellington region, two were from Nelson Marlborough, three were from Canterbury and two were from Southern.

One was in their 50s, three were in their 60s, eight were in their 70s, 11 were in their 80s and five were aged over 90. Of these people, 12 were women and 15 were men.

The seven-day rolling average is now 1508, down from last week’s figure of 1979.

Today’s figure compares to 13,880 new cases, 79 further deaths and 242 people in hospital announced last Tuesday.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Ko e keisi fo’ou ‘e 10,589 ‘o e Koviti 19 ‘i Nu’u Sila ni ‘i he uike kuo osi.

Fakatatau ki he Potungaue Mo’ui ne lipooti ‘a e toko 28 ko e kau mate mei he Koviti’.

Ko e 189 ‘a e kakai ‘i fale mahaki ‘i he tu’uapō ‘o e Sāpate kau ai ‘a e keisi ‘e fa ‘i he ICU.

Ko e anga ‘eni vahevahe ‘a e ngaahi keisi.

‘I he kau mate’ ko e taha ‘i Northland, ono mei he vahenga Auckland, ua mei Waikato, taha mei he Bay of Plenty, fā mei Hawke’s Bay, taha mei Taranaki, taha mei he MidCentral, tolu mei Whanganui, ua mei Wellington , ua mei Nelson Marlborough, tolu mei Canterbury mo e ua mei he Southern.

Ko e toko taha ne ‘i hono ta’u 50t toko tolu he 60t toko valu he 70t toko 11 he 60t pea toko niva ‘ova he 90t. Toko 12 kakai fefine pea toko 15 kakai tangata.

Ko e ‘avalisi e takai mai ‘a e mahaki he ‘aho ‘e fitu he uike ko e toko 1797.

Ko e fika ‘o e ‘aho ni fakahoa ia ki he toko 13880 ‘a e keisi fo’ou pea 79 kau mate pea mo e toko 242 ‘i fale mahaki fakatatau ki he fanogongo he Tusite.

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

By

Kalino Latu

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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

-

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

-

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

-

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.

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