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Covid-19: Protesters camped at Parliament warned they could be trespassed

By
Kaniva Staff
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More than 50 police have formed a ring around the front of Parliament edging up to a line of protesters who have linked arms lining up in front of the cenotaph.

One person speaking said he would walk up the Parliament steps at 3pm and get arrested, inviting others in the crowd to join, saying “see you at 3pm” to cheers from the crowd.

The group is part of a convoy which travelled to the capital yesterday to protest against Covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Steel barriers have been put up in front of the protesters.

The crowd was still largely peaceful but some were heckling police and the temperature was starting to rise.

Protesters who spent the night camped on Parliament grounds have been warned they could be issued with a trespass notice.

About 1000 people and hundreds of vehicle converged on Parliament grounds yesterday, and at least 100 people camped overnight.

Trucks and other vehicles are blocking Molesworth Street.

Police issued a statement late last night saying they were monitoring the situation and were talking with the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard.More than 50 police have formed a ring around the front of Parliament edging up to a line of protesters who had linked arms lining up in front of the cenotaph.

More than 50 police have formed a ring around the front of Parliament edging up to a line of protesters who had linked arms lining up in front of the cenotaph. Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

Protesters have been given a letter from the Speaker setting out Parliament’s rules, which prohibit staying overnight on the grounds and ban tents or other structures.

Specific policies mentioned in the letter include leaving the grounds in an orderly manner and not interfering with traffic.

“Participants must assemble within and disperse from the grounds in an orderly manner, and so as to not interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic.”Police forming a ring around the front of Parliament.

Police forming a ring around the front of Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

It also mentions that tents and structures are banned from the grounds.

“No erection of tents or any structure is permitted other than hand held signs … structures including tents as mentioned above are not permitted and if not removed when requested, are liable for confiscation.”Protesters outside Parliament.

Protesters outside Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

It said if the rules were breached people could be trespassed and their equipment confiscated.

“In line with these existing policies, please disassemble any tents or structures and remove them from the grounds. Do not continue protests or demonstrations on the grounds after dark. The breach of the above policies and failure to carry out the actions may result in trespass notices being issued.”A truck and vans from the convoy covered protest messages.

A truck and vans from the convoy covered in protest messages. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell

There are also campervans parked in nearby streets and the police say Molesworth Street in front of Parliament is not accessible to traffic, and drivers should avoid the area this morning.

It is not clear how long the protesters will be allowed to stay.Tents set up in the grounds of the law school over the road from Parliament.

Tents set up in the grounds of the law school over the road from Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell

Wellington City Council is talking with police about their options to deal with cars illegally blocking the roads and footpath near Parliament.

Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said if cars were to be removed there would be resources needed.

He said the council wants to avoid confrontation but are planning for if it were to arise.

Motorists are still being advised to avoid the area if possible.The scene from the front lawn of Parliament. The media are no longer allowed on the grounds.

The scene from the front lawn of Parliament. The media are no longer allowed on the grounds. Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell

Tongan SWP employee ‘fighting for his life’ in Brisbane hospital after alleged BBQ accident   

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan man who is in Australia under the country’s Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) has suffered severe burns after what appeared to be a freak barbeque accident.

Sione Lāvalu was rushed to Brisbane’s Royal Hospital on Sunday.

He was provided medical assistance yesterday while he was reportedly in a coma.

The family hope for the best and asked for prayers on social media.

“We hope he will wake up. Don’t stop praying Sione is fighting for his life,” his brother Manase Lavalu wrote on Facebook in Tongan.

Manase told Kaniva News an ambulance had picked up Sione from the property in which he lived after a “bbq accident’.

Sione Lavalu. Photo/Supplied

He said it appeared methylated spirits or benzine had been involved.

Manase claimed an investigation was underway to confirm the cause of injuries.

He said he was informed about the alleged accident after a person from Sione’s Tongan SWP group contacted his aunty in Logan.

Manase lived in Sydney but he flew to Brisbane to see Sione.

The incident comes amid investigations in Perth after another Tongan SWP employee was allegedly beaten.

In the Perth case, Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs said the safety of the SWP employees is paramount and priority and his Ministry was investigating the incident.

Tongan fire survivor dies 11 years after deadly blaze in Brisbane

By
Kaniva Staff
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Family patriarch, Tau Tāufa has passed away more than a decade after 11 household members perished in one of Australia’s worst house fires.

The fierce blaze tore through the Tāufa family’s home at Slacks Creek, 25km south of Brisbane on August 24, 2011.

Tau lost his wife, daughter and three grandchildren, and his wife’s sister and her five children; the victims ranged in age from three to 57 years.

Tau, who was 65 at the time, his brother-in-law, Jeremiah Lale, 36, and son-in-law, Misi Matauaina, 26, were the only three of the 14 people staying the night in the house to walk out alive.

Family patriarch, Tau Taufa has passed away more than a decade after 11 household members perished in one of Australia’s worst house fires.

The flames were so intense it took several weeks to identify the dead. They were Tau’s wife, Fusi, 57, his daughter and Mr Matauaina’s wife, Annamaria, 23, and their children, Kahlani, three, and La’Haina Matauaina, seven, Fusi’s sister and the wife of Jeremiah Lale, Neti-Teukisia Lale, her children, Jerry, 18, Paul, 17, and Richie, eight, and daughters Lafoa’i, 14, and Sela, 10, and another of Mr Taufa’s granddaughters, Ardelle Lee, 16, who was staying the night.

The family announced Tau’s death last month.

“Today we farewelled the Patriarch of the Taufa Family, one of the survivors of the devastating Slacks Creek House Fire back in 2011”, a post on Facebook by the Logan Housefire Network Support said.

“Taukinukufili Taufa known as Tau to many sadly passed away 13/1/22 after a long battle with Dementia”, it said.

“Today we said goodbye to him to join his 11 Angels tragically taken on the 24th August 2011.

“Tau, you are loved by many and will certainly be missed by many especially your Daughter Treicee, and sons Sam and Loto.

You are reunited with your Queen”.

Covid-19 update: 202 new community cases today, 63 in MIQ

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

There are 202 new community cases of Covid-19 being reported today, with 63 in MIQ.No caption

Photo: 123rf.com

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new cases are in Northland (17), Auckland (119), Waikato (39), Lakes (4), Bay of Plenty (8), Taranaki (1), Hawke’s Bay (8), Hutt Valley (1), Capital & Coast (4), and Nelson Marlborough (1).

Fourteen people are in hospital with Covid-19, including one in intensive care in Rotorua.

On a number of cases being identified at schools, the ministry said it is not unexpected following the start of the school year.

“A range of public health measures have been established to help ensure our tamariki are well protected from Covid-19 at school.

“Vaccination continues to be New Zealand’s best defence against Covid-19, and vaccination of those currently eligible will help to both protect children and further lower the risk of transmission in schools. All staff in schools are required to be vaccinated and the vaccination programme is well underway for 5 to 11-year-olds.”

There are requirements for mask wearing such as for visitors, and for staff and students in Year 4 and above, when at Red. Where not required, mask wearing is encouraged, especially in higher density indoor settings where there is an increased risk of transmission, the ministry said.

On vaccinations, there were 18,655 booster doses administered yesterday, taking the total to date to 1,605,815. Also, 1502 paediatric doses were given yesterday, bringing the total to 200,562.

The ministry said with Omicron in New Zealand, one of the best things you can do is get your booster as soon as it is due.

In the last 24 hours, there were 13,997 Covid-19 tests.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she expected the peak of the Omicron outbreak in late March.

Meanwhile, new modelling suggested at the peak, New Zealand could see 10,000 daily cases.

Yesterday, 188 new cases were reported, with 27 in MIQ.

Tonga Covid: Minister urges potential patients to ‘tell the truth’ as six new cases detected

By
Kaniva Staff
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Minister of Health Dr Saia Piukala. Photo/Screenshot (FM87.5 online)

The Minister of Health believes some people weren’t initially forthcoming with information, after  six new community cases recorded today, four in Vainī, two in Pili.

The six new Tongatapu cases are linked to the initial Covid cases.

The new cases bring the number of active cases to a total of 14 with an earlier case been recovered.

Tongatapu and Vava’u were currently in a two-week extended lockdown since Sunday.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said special and urgent services were conducted in Vainī and Pili this morning to test residents there as part of an attempt to contain the spread of the virus. Health officials will also test people at roadblocks on these two villages’ borders.

People from other places were asked not to go to these two villages except for passing vehicles.

The Minister of Health Saia Piukala said during a press conference this morning the new cases were close contacts of the previous cases number fifth and seventh.

In the Vainī case a family of four were identified as a close contact while the two patients in Pili were people who attended a kava session together with one of the active cases.

Hon Piukala urged the public to tell the truth and help the Ministry of Health with any information they needed about a suspected case.

The Minster has warned that when people withheld information it put the whole community at risk of contracting the virus.

Political poll: Labour, National up, ACT down

By
Kaniva Staff
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National leader Chris Luxon, left, and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Labour and National have both seen their popularity increase in the first Newshub-Reid Research poll of the year.

Labour is on 44.3 percent, up 1.6 percentage points and National on 31.3 percent, up 4.4 percentage points.

ACT is down eight percentage points on eight percent, which is half what it was on in the last Newshub-Reid poll.

The Greens have overtaken ACT and are on 9.6 percent, up 2.4 points, making them once again the third highest-ranked party in Parliament.

At 44.3 percent, Labour would have 56 seats, which means they would need the Greens to govern.

The Māori Party is on 2 percent, New Zealand First on 1.8 percent, TOP on 1.5 percent and Conservative Party on 1.1 percent.

As preferred Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is still significantly ahead on 43.3 percent, up 1.6 percentage points.

However, Christopher Luxon has jumped 15.3 percentage points since becoming National’s leader and is on 17.8 percent.

Government admits mistake in giving out banned canned pork as concerns mount at possible spread of swine flu 

By
Kalino Latu
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NEMO recalls canned pork it distributed on Saturday

The CEO of the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Kelemete Vahe, has apologised for the mistake the Ministry has made by allowing banned products to enter the country.

Vahe was responding after the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MAFF)  issued a recall of canned pork the National Emergency Management Operation (NEMO) had distributed on Saturday.

Vahe said the products were blacklisted by MAFF and he was notified about the ban about two years ago.

Vahe said the problem occurred when the tsunami relief shipments were released from quarantine last week. The blacklist was overlooked due to most of the senior officers being isolated at home because of the Covid restriction guidelines.

He said not all officers were working at the same time. They worked in shifts to make sure there were staff at the borders while others were isolating at home

“In fact it was forgotten to remind those working at the time to look out for the banned products,” Vahe told Katalina Tohi of radio FM87.5 in Tongan.

“We apologise. They can be recalled and people are warned about them”.

Deputy Minister and Minister of Disaster Poasi Tei

Vahe said the matter was discussed with the Chinese embassy in Tonga as they have more relief shipments coming to the kingdom.

The government did not give further details as to why the products were recalled apart from Vahe saying the canned pork was “dangerous for animals”.

However, while Tohi interviewed Vahe this morning she claimed the recall was made in fear of “yellow swine fever” to which Vahe agreed and said in Tongan  “’io, ko ia” which was in English he was saying – yes, it is.

Products should stop at border

The Minister of Disaster Poasi Tei said the canned pork products recalled by the government yesterday should have been stopped at the border.

He said he only became aware of the incident on Sunday and ordered a stop to any further distribution of the products.

Hon. Tei appeared to have questioned the MAFF about the way it handled the products.

“I greatly respect the Ministry of MAFF, but there was a procedure of identifying food which are banned from Tonga,” he said.

“It should have been stopped at the ports of entry whether it came through the airport or the wharf.”

Hon. Tei was responding after MAFF recalled the products on Saturday just hours after they were distributed in Tongatapu as part of the tsunami relief goods.

He said the government trusted that the relief aid donor countries only donated the best food.

“They would not like to tarnish their good reputation,” he said.

Canned pork

As we reported yesterday, MAFF warned residents on Saturday not to eat or dump the cans if they had been opened.

CEO Kelemete Vahe. Photo/Tonga Broadcasting Commission

Photos of what appeared to be the products were shared on Facebook on Sunday.

It showed one of the apparent products with its label written in Asian and English languages.

One says: “Canned Pork Luncheon Meat”.

It also showed the company’s name, “Guangzhou Eagle-Coin Food Group Co. Ltd”.

The Chinese company was previously known as Guangdong Cannery and it said on its website that it integrated more than ten food and beverage enterprises, including Guangqixiang Cannery, Yangcheng food factory, Lingnan biscuit factory, Asian soda factory and Conghua Sanhua distillery.

Swine flu

Yellow swine fever caused a pandemic in 2009. The virus originated from pigs in a very small region of central Mexico.

From April 12 2009 to April 10, 2010, the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that there were 60.8 million cases with  274,304 hospitalisations and 12,469 deaths in the United States.

Chinese scientists discovered a new strain of the virus in 2020, which they said had the potential to spread to humans and cause another pandemic.

It is the third recent flu pandemic involving the H1N1 virus, the first being the 1918–1920 Spanish flu pandemic and the second being the 1977 Russian flu.

When Spanish flu reached Tonga in 1918, with the arrival of a ship carrying sick passengers, the infection spread rapidly.

It is estimated up to 8 percent of the population died as a result.

Covid-19

Coupled with a powerful tsunami which killed four, flattened houses andblanketed almost the whole country with think layer of ash, Tonga recorded its first community Covid cases last week.

The Prime Minister ordered a nationwide lockdown on Wednesday last week which was subject to a 48 hour review.

Yesterday the lockdown was extended for another 14 days after two more cases were detected bringing the total of the active cases to eight with an earlier case been recovered.

Tonga’s Covid source still unknown as samples sent to identify variants reach Melbourne scientists, says Minister

By
Kalino Latu
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Health Minister Saia Piukala. Photo/Screenshot (FM87.5 livestream)

The exact source of the Tongan community cases of Covid-19  is still unknown despite interviews with the first two primary sources and an investigation which has been underway since last week.

Minister of Health Saia Piukala said the two patients whose infection  with the virus that led to the current lockdown were baffled by their infection.

Hon Piukala said the duo did not recall any situation while working at the wharf that could lead them to believe a breach was responsible for their infections. 

Piukala previously denied rumours that the source might link to the Australian helicopter carrier, HMAS Adelaide, which arrived in Tonga last week. More than 20 of its crew have been infected and are self-isolating on board.

Tongatapu and Vava’u Lockdown

Tongatapu and Vava’u were currently in a two-week extended lockdown while restrictions in the rest of the country’s outer islands were eased in response to the seven community cases announced yesterday.

Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa from the Ministry of Health’s frontliners said during yesterday’s press conference that the Ministry had reviewed the process of decontamination of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by the frontliners.

Dr ‘Ofanoa said the decontamination process included frontliners having to have a clean shower before changing to their casual clothing.

He said the review was made to see if there was a breach that led to those two primary cases testing positive last week.

Dr ‘Ofanoa was responding after a journalist claimed during the conference she had information that there was a breach of how the PPE was handled.

Tonga sends samples to Australia

Meanwhile, Hon. Piukala said samples from Tonga had been sent to a Melbourne lab to identify the Covid variant.

He said according to the evidence the Ministry had collected about the active cases he strongly believed it was Omicron.

The Minister said it was expected the results would be sent back to Tonga this week.

Hon. Piukala said 20 Health frontliners had been told to isolate at home after they treated the fifth patient.

He said the 14-day incubation period had become law because most people who had been infected with the virus were likely to show symptoms within 11 days.

The 14 days self-quarantine period allowed extra time for suspects to be certain they had not been infected and could not spread the virus to others.

Hon. Piukala also revealed Health officials knew of people who breached the home isolation protocol including some who were unvaccinated.

The number of unvaccinated people in the kingdom was 2889 last week, but this had dropped to 2530, the Minister said yesterday.

Fiji Govt lifts nationwide curfew

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

The Fijian Government lifted its nationwide curfew at midnight – ending almost 22 months of strict movement restrictions due to Covid-19.

Several other measures were also relaxed, over public transport, sports events, nightclubs and no longer requiring the use of the care-Fiji contact tracing app.

Mask wearing, however, will remain mandatory.

Acting prime minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji is past its worst with over 90 percent of the population over the age of 15 fully vaccinated, and the number of people hospitalised declining.

He said “it is time for a new direction” in responding to Covid-19.

Fiji recorded its first positive infection in March 2020, and has had 811 deaths since.Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt

“What this means in practice is that we no longer need to look at the world solely through the lens of Covid-19. We are moving to a stage where we can remove our blinders and treat Covid as an endemic disease instead of a pandemic, not unlike the common flu,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“Covid cases aren’t going away, but our focus — from a health and policy standpoint — will be on particularly vulnerable groups, while the rest of our society more or less live normally as we rebuild our economy and focus on addressing the other challenges affecting the lives of ordinary people,”

Covid-19 update: 188 new community cases, 27 in MIQ

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

There are 188 new community cases of Covid-19 being reported today – 20 fewer than yesterday.Many coronaviruses, cause of Covid-19, 3d illustration. (Photo by CHRISTOPH BURGSTEDT/SCIENCE PHOT / CBR / Science Photo Library via AFP)

Photo: 123rf.com

In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the new cases are in Northland (16), Auckland (117), Waikato (15), Tairāwhiti (1), Lakes (12), Bay of Plenty (20), Hawke’s Bay (1), Mid Central (1), Hutt Valley (2) and Canterbury (3).

A record 243 community cases were reported on Saturday, the highest one-day number since November. Yesterday the numbers dropped slightly to 208.

Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker believes the daily case numbers may not reflect the true extent of community spread.

More to come…

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