Air New Zealand has postponed a repatriation flight to Tonga because of the volcanic ash clouds from the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption.
An undersea volcano eruption in Tonga on 15 January, 2022. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano came just a few hours after Friday’s tsunami warning was lifted. Photo: Tonga Meteorological Services / EyePress via AFP
The flight was scheduled to leave Auckland this Thursday.
Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer captain David Morgan said they were postponing the service indefinitely and contacting affected customers.
He said they were monitoring the situation closely and their hearts went out to people in Tonga who have been affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami over the weekend.
“Those affected include our Air New Zealand partners who help with airport operations and our sales and cargo offices in Tonga,” Morgan said in a statement.
“Thankfully, we have recently been in touch and they, their families and homes are safe. We are doing everything we can to support them.”
Fiji Airways put flights on hold
Meanwhile, all Fiji flights to Tonga have been put on hold too.
Fiji Airways said several flights have been affected and passengers can expect delays and extended flight times.
Flights affected include FJ935 from Nadi to Melbourne, FJ921 Nadi to Brisbane, FJ911 Nadi to Sydney, and FJ914 Sydney to Nadi.
“Safety remains paramount for the group and flights will only operate once approval is given by the authorities,” the airline said in statement.
Power has been restored in large parts of Nuku’alofa, while two New Zealand planes are heading to Tonga to provide support after Saturday’s eruption, Defence Minister Peeni Henare says.
Henare and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke to media at a vaccination clinic this afternoon, with online booster shot bookings and paediatric vaccines kicking off today.
New Zealand has offered support to Tongan authorities, and Ardern said two NZ Defence Force aircraft were being sent – a P3K Orion which was already on its way, and a C-130 Hercules which was being prepared for a take-off later today.
Ardern said the Orion’s arrival was imminent, and it would be undertaking an aerial assessment – of the outer islands in particular – with that information being provided to the Tongan authorities.
The C-130 meanwhile would perform naval drops, with planning being done to enable that regardless of the status of the airport.
She said the C-130 was expected to fly today regardless, and would be able to meet immediate supply needs.
Henare said it was being ensured that the C-130 had the necessities on board. He said the aerial assessment being done by the Orion would help with that.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it’s a matter of if, not when Omicron is in the community. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The response must be directed to where it is needed the most, he said.
He said power had been restored d in large parts of Nuku’alofa, but there was urgent need for other necessities like water.
Ardern said the navy was able to deploy very quickly, and communication had been difficult but the flights today along with communication with officials on the ground would help establish the needs of those in Tonga.
One of the things that was known was water was needed.
She cautioned that while there had been reports that some islands have seen no casualties, it was still early days.
It was thought the connectivity problems with the underwater cable stemmed from power outages, she said.
Power is being restored in Tonga’s capital, and the country is sending naval boats to outlying islands to assess the damage from the huge Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption and tsunami.
Tsunami waves in Tonga from the volcanic eruption. Photo: Twitter / Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau
A New Zealand Defence Force plane has left for Tonga to assess the damage from Saturday’s volcanic eruption and tsunami.
The violent eight-minute eruption of the undersea volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai triggered atmospheric shockwaves and a tsunami which travelled as far afield as Alaska, Japan and South America.
The flight – which was dependant on whether the ash cloud from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai had dissipated enough – departed from Whenuapai air base in Auckland.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said reports overnight said there had been no further ash fall, and that there was no damage to the runway in Tonga.
“It’s just a matter of clearing the ash from the runway.
“The flight is scheduled to leave this morning.”
Mahuta said 80 percent of power was restored in the capital Nuku’alofa, on Tongatapu, but internet connections remained disrupted.
Damage on Tongatapu is able to be better assessed today, and the country was sending its naval capacity to the outer islands, she said.
The initial need was for water and water storage bladders, as well as food and medical supplies, she said, and Mahuta expected the Tongan government would be be making a more formal request for assistance.
An RNZAF P-3K Orion is due to carry out a reconnaissance flight to Tonga when conditions allow. Photo: NZ Defence Force
The RNZAF P-3K Orion will carry out a reconnaissance flight over the affected area, including low-lying islands that have not been heard from.
The Defence Force was also preparing options for naval deployments to help with the recovery.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday the navy was making preparations, and either HMNZS Canterbury or HMNZS Manawanui could be deployed.
Labour MP Jenny Salesa, who is Tongan, last night joined a Zoom meeting with Tongan Methodist ministers, including Rev ‘Ulufonua from Ha’apai.
He told them there had been no casualties on the group’s main island. There was is a lot of ash on the ground and quite a number of houses had been damaged.
“One of the main things that they’re dealing with right now is the damage to the water system and the fact that not all of the people were able to protect some of the tank water that they collect from the rain,” she told Morning Report.
“There are 169 islands in all of Tonga, 36 of those are inhabited, and so we don’t have updates from any of those other islands.”
Red Cross teams in Tonga have supplies in the country to support 1200 households, their international organisation says.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Pacific head of delegation Katie Greenwood said they were able to make very brief contact with the teams in Tonga on Saturday before communication was cut.
“Red Cross teams were supporting authorities to move people to the small available amount of higher ground around capital Nuku’alofa itself and also they are well trained to be able to support any needs that are arising on the ground,” she told Morning Report.
Greenwood said once communications were restored the Red Cross was looking to help connect families registration system where people indicate they are looking for contact with loved ones.
A P-8 aircraft from Australia’s defence force is also being sent to survey critical infrastructure such as roads, ports and power lines today, if conditions permit. A statement from Australian government ministers said it was co-ordinating critical humanitarian supplies for disaster relief, and was ready to respond to further requests for assistance.
New Zealand Acting High Commissioner in Tonga Peter Lund said the capital Nuku’alofa resembled a moonscape.
Peter Lund says Nuku’alofa was blanketed in ash, and there was a lot of damage on the waterfront and along the western coast.
There were no confirmed reports of any deaths or serious injuries, he said.
His Majesty King Tupou VI is reportedly still on ‘Eua island despite reports yesterday that he was evacuated to the royal villa at Mataki’eua in Tongatapu.
The latest information about his presence in ‘Eua came last night after terrifying footage was shot of a tsunami wave crashing into the gate of the Heilala Tangitangi royal palace in ‘Eua.
In the video, which was sent to Kaniva News, a man can be heard saying: “It’s now 5.54 pm”.
“There, you see the wave is on its way to ‘Ohonua” he said in Tongan.
“Hang on, I will run, otherwise the wave will catch me,” he said.
“Those of you who have already been to ‘Eua look at how the wave breaks on the Matapā Tapu (or Taboo Gate of the royal palace).
“Look at it. The wave reached the Matapā Tapu”.
The man was also heard in another video saying the waves had broken electric poles, sunk boats and engulfed the ‘Ovava hotel.
“Everything in the wharf has gone”.
He can also be heard in another video saying in Tongan that the only time he took notice of the wave was when the king told him to assist two vehicles trying to flee the scene.
“Two vehicles came out there and the king noticed they appeared hesitant to enter so he told me to run and wave to them to come through,” the man said.
‘Alisi Moa Paasi, who shared the videos with Kaniva last night, said the person speaking in the videos was her father, Tēvita Fau’ese Moa.
She said Tēvita was His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ (HMAF) Superintendent in ‘Eua. He called her in Auckland on Facebook from the palace while the tsunami hit at about 6pm (Tongan time) on Saturday January 15, shortly before Tonga’s internet was knocked out by the eruption.
Kaniva News could not independently confirm the authenticity of the videos.
‘Alisi clarified the vehicles her father was talking about in one of the videos as the background sound of the tsunami heard in the clips she sent intermittently distracted what her father was saying.
‘Alisi said his father was talking about two vehicles who attempted to flee the wave before they realised their only way out was the Matapā Tapu.
While the drivers appeared hesitant to enter the gate ‘Alisi claimed the king alerted his father to allow the vehicle to drive through.
She said once the vehicles entered safely the tsunami wave crashed into the gate.
She contacted Kaniva News
‘Alisi contacted Kaniva News after we reported yesterday that the king was evacuated to his villa at Mataki’eua in Tongatapu.
‘Alisi denied this and said the king was still in ‘Eua. She said she confirmed this with her father.
She said it may be that it was the Queen who was escorted to the villa.
Our report was based on an information published by Fiji’s Island Business media on its official Facebook page yesterday.
The information read:
“Tonga’s King Tupou VI has been evacuated from the Royal Palace after a tsunami flooded Nuku’alofa today.
“A convoy of police and troops rushed the King to the villa at Mataki’eua as residents headed for higher ground.
“Earlier, a series of explosions were heard as an undersea volcano erupted, throwing clouds of ash into the sky.
“The explosions were heard on Lakeba, Matuku and in Fiji’s capital, Suva, around 6pm”.
The Island Business Facebook administration was contacted for comment.
The news was picked up by the New Zealand mainstream media such as the New Zealand Herald and Radio New Zealand International.
The ‘Eua news comes after the underwater volcano at the two Hungas erupted for eight minutes, throwing clouds of ash into the sky yesterday afternoon.
Waves flooded the capital Nuku’alofa, where video footage has shown water engulfing buildings.
“The eruptions have been heard as booms or ‘thumps’ across the Pacific, in Fiji, Niue, Vanuatu, and in New Zealand”, RNZ reported.
The west coast of New Zealand’s South Island has been included in a warning about dangerous sea conditions as a result of the eruption.
The New Zealand defence force is currently monitoring the situation in Tonga, and said it was standing by to assist if asked to do so by the Tongan Government.
Meanwhile, Shane Cronin of the University of Auckland in an analysis article published by The Conservation said : “Soon after the eruption started, the sky was blacked out on Tongatapu, with ash beginning to fall.
All these signs suggest the large Hunga caldera has awoken. Tsunami are generated by coupled atmospheric and ocean shock waves during an explosion, but they are also readily caused by submarine landslides and caldera collapses”.
There are no official reports of injuries or deaths in Tonga, but communication with the island is very limited, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.
Communication with the island nation has been cut off since yesterday evening and members of the Tongan community in New Zealand are desperately awaiting news of their loved ones.
In a post on her Facebook page, Ardern said images of the volcanic eruption were “hugely concerning”.
She said communication as a result of the eruption had been difficult but the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were working to establish what was needed and how to help.
Watch here from about 3pm:
Ardern said the undersea cable has been impacted, probably because of power cuts, and authorities are trying urgently to restore communications.
Local mobile phones are not working, she said.
A significant clean up will be needed. Authorities are still trying to make communication with some of the smaller islands, she said.
Ash has stopped falling in Nuka’lofa, she said.
The Tongan government has accepted a New Zealand government offer for a reconnaissance flight, and an Orion will take off tomorrow morning provided conditions allow. At present ash has been spotted at 63,000 feet.
The government is also announcing a $500,000 donation which is very much a starting point, she said.
A naval vessel has also been put on standby to assist if necessary.
Ardern has also been in touch with Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison so that both governments can work in tandem in their response.
Ardern said she has not been able to speak to the Tongan Prime Minister, because communications are so difficult.
“At the moment we are mainly receiving information from our High Commission …unfortunately from the outer islands we don’t have a lot of information,” she said.
If necessary New Zealand would help with any repairs that may be needed on the undersea cable that carries communications.
She said a priority is the supply of water for Tonga.
The reconnaisance flight will be useful to see the impact of the volcanic eruption on the low-lying islands, Ardern said.
“At the moment we stand ready to assist,” Ardern said, but she added that the conditions at the moment do not make it a stable environment for aircraft to operate in.
That is why naval vessels may be needed to head to the region.
“We are preparing for those ships to sail as we speak.”
Defence Force Minister Peeni Henare said it’s not known yet what has happened under the water. A New Zealand hydrographic vessel may be able to head to Tonga.
“Our people are ready to deploy. We just have to make sure they are fitted out with what the Tongan people need.”
Water would be one of the critical things that New Zealand could help with.
Pacific Affairs Minister Aupito William Sio said the Tongan Consul General Lenisiloti Sitafooti Aho has confirmed Tonga’s Royal family are safe.
Residents in Tongatapu are facing long lines of traffic as thousands evacuate to Mataki’eua and Fualu height in the central south of the main island.
Footage taken by locals and shared on Facebook showed traffic is crawling along Taufa’āhau Road near Tofoa following a huge eruption at Hunga Ha’apai Hunga Tonga.
People in eastern Nuku’alofa have been urged to move to Pili and Sia ‘a Tevolo.
King Tupou VI has been evacuated from the Royal Palace after a tsunami wave flooded Nuku’alofa today, a report by Fiji’s Island Business Media on its official Facebook page said.
“A convoy of police and troops rushed the King to the villa at Mataki’eua as residents headed for higher ground”, it said.
“Earlier, a series of explosions were heard as an undersea volcano erupted throwing clouds of ash into the sky.
“The explosions were heard on Lakeba, Matuku and in Fiji’s capital, Suva, around 6pm.
King Tupou VI Photo/File photo
Fiji has been placed on tsunami alert after waves generated by the volcano inundated Nuku’alofa, flooding the Palace grounds, waterfront and the main street”, it said.
Reports and photos shared on Facebook showed sea flooded ‘Eua island and it sank ships and boats at Nafanua wharf.
His Majesty’s Armed Forces has called on reservists to assist with Defence’s response to the evacuations.
A tsunami warning was issued for the whole of Tonga just after 5.30pm by the Tonga Meteorological Services.
It came shortly after locals in Tongatapu reported “deafening” explosions of a volcanic eruption this afternoon. They also reported stones pouring down on Tongatapu.
Our correspondent in Tonga Patimiosi Ngūngūtau shared a photo of sea waves flowing inland.
He described the deafening sound as “weird”.
“It was a rain of small black stones and black ashes”, he said.
Ngūngūtau said ash not only covered vehicle screens but their impact sounded like they could break the screens.
He said they have evacuated to Liahona at the central south.
Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has warned locals to take care on the road.
He also warned people to avoid trying to take a bath in the rain in fear that it could contain toxic acids from the volcanic activities.
A new tsunami warning is now in force for all of Tonga following this evening’s violent volcano eruption.
A tsunami wave struck Tongatapu after locals were urged to seek higher ground.
Photo taken by Patimiosi Ngungutau / Kaniva Tonga News
It came shortly after locals in Tongatapu reported “deafening” sound of an eruption this afternoon. They also reported stones pouring down on Tongatapu.
No injuries or deaths have been reported.
Our correspondent in Tonga Patimiosi Ngūngūtau shared a photo of sea waves flowing inland.
He described the deafening sound as “weird”.
“It was a rain of small black stones and black ashes”, he said.
He said they have evacuated to Liahona at the central south.
Ngūngūtau said ash not only covered vehicle screens but their impact sounded like they could break the screens.
Tonga Geological Services said at 1.45pm this afternoon satellite images captured this morning between showed volcanic eruption continues, with ash emitted and detected at 7.20am this morning.
“This ash plume was due to an eruption that lasted 10 – 15 minutes and was drifting downwind to the east from Hunga. No further eruption has been detected since then”, it said.
“Nearshore water turbulence caused by the eruption is expected to have ceased for all shores of Ha’apai and Tongatapu islands. It is advised that the public observe currents before entering the water.
“Owners of rainwater harvesting systems in all Tonga are advised to check for ashfall on your roofs for ash before reconnecting your guttering systems.
“Please clean if ashfall is evident. For locations of residents where the pungent smell of sulphur or ammonia is experienced please use breathing masks if helpful”.
The ongoing activities at the two Hungas’ volcano, which sent ash, steam, and gas 20 kilometers into the air have a new twist.
Geologists on the site. Oversighting Hunga Ha’apai in the forefront and Hunga Tonga ‘o the left. The plumes up to 20km above sea level. Photo/ Tonga Geological Services
In the latest development, locals in Tongatapu have reported “deafening” sound of an eruption this afternoon. They also reported stones pouring down on Tongatapu.
No injuries or deaths have been reported.
Our correspondent in Tongat Patimiosi Ngūngūtau said the deafening sound was “weird”.
“It was a rain of small black stones and black ashes”, he said.
Ngūngūtau said ash not only covered vehicle screens but their impact sounded like they could break the screens.
Tonga Geological Services said at 1.45pm this afternoon satellite images captured this morning between showed volcanic eruption continues, with ash emitted and detected at 7.20am this morning.
“This ash plume was due to an eruption that lasted 10 – 15 minutes and was drifting downwind to the east from Hunga. No further eruption has been detected since then”, it said.
“Nearshore water turbulence caused by the eruption is expected to have ceased for all shores of Ha’apai and Tongatapu islands. It is advised that the public observe currents before entering the water.
“Owners of rainwater harvesting systems in all Tonga are advised to check for ashfall on your roofs for ash before reconnecting your guttering systems.
“Please clean if ashfall is evident. For locations of residents where the pungent smell of sulphur or ammonia is experienced please use breathing masks if helpful”.
A Tongan Police officer has been fired after he punched and kicked a man’s face and stomach while he was being handcuffed.
The final decision was made after a presiding Magistrate allowed him to continue on his job as he was young and took the opportunity to learn from his conviction.
Tēvita Pōhiva was found guilty of one charge of bodily harm, and convicted by Magistrate Sālesi Mafi.
He was ordered to pay $1,000 compensation within one month and in default of payment, he is to serve three months imprisonment with 12 months probation on the condition that he would not commit any further offending.
Pōhiva beats Mr Litili
Pōhiva was on duty on 29 October 2017 patrolling at Vuna Road. He tried to apprehend the complainant, Mr Litili, who was running away from a vehicle, stopped by the Police.
Mr Litili was a passenger in the stopped vehicle. After handcuffing him Mr Pōhiva continued to repeatedly punch his face, part of his stomach and jaw while taking him to the station and while they were outside the police station.
Mr Litili did not pose a threat to Pōhiva at any time, especially after being handcuffed, the Magistrate Court was told.
The ground for sentencing
The Presiding Magistrate Sālesi Mafi gave the following reasons for sentencing Mr Pōhiva:
The victim had made full recovery from the injury sustained as a result of the offending; and
Mr Pōhiva was a young Police Officer, 21 years old, who relatively new to the Police Force.
“The Magistrate wished to give him a chance to do better. He was warned that he would be subjected to a much harsher sentence if he continued to show such behavior in the future. Conclusion If compensation ordered by the Court has been paid, it is mitigating factor, also noting the reasons given by the Magistrate Court for its decision.
Pōhiva, is remorseful and seeks a second chance”.
Police Board decision
However, the Police took the matter further with the Police Board last month and recommended dismissing Mr Pōhiva.
“The Police Employment Committee concluded that Pōhiva used unnecessary and excessive force on the Complainant”.
The authority said that on 8 December 2021, it “considered the application by the Tonga Police after hearing Crown Counsel” for Tevita Pōhiva, in person and ordered, “that Constable Tevita Pohiva’s “employment be terminated effective from the date of this decision”, which was December 14, 2021.
There have been 29 new community cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today and 25 new cases in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 11 new cases in Auckland, two in Northland, one in Western Bay of Plenty, 14 in Rotorua and one in Wellington.
There are 29 people in hospital with Covid-19 and two are in ICU or HDU.
An Auckland MIQ worker returned a positive result for Covid-19 late yesterday afternoon and is in isolation, the ministry said.
The test was taken as part of routine border worker surveillance testing.
Genome sequencing is being carried out to determine what variant the infection is and the results will be reported in tomorrow’s 1pm Covid-19 update.
Investigations are underway to determine if the infection originated from the community or the facility.
The ministry said the worker is fully vaccinated and up-to-date with regular testing.
Household contacts of the MIQ worker all returned negative tests last night.
The 25 cases at the border came from Australia, India, Brazil, Nepal, Fiji, France, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.
The ministry said New Zealand continues to see many border cases arriving from overseas, reflecting the growing number of Omicron cases globally.
Yesterday the ministry said there had been 266 Omicron cases detected at the border since the start of December, with more than 18,000 people being processed through managed isolation and quarantine facilities in that time.
Footage taken by locals and shared on Facebook showed traffic is crawling along Taufa’āhau Road near Tofoa following a huge eruption at Hunga Ha’apai Hunga Tonga.
The final decision was made after a presiding Magistrate allowed him to continue on his job as he was young and took the opportunity to learn from his conviction.