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Hu’akavameiliku officially appointed PM of Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Siaosi Sovaleni who is also known by his chiefly title Hu’akavameiliku has been officially appointed prime minister of Tonga today by King Tupou VI.

Siaosi Sovaleni. Photo/Koro Vaka’uta, RNZ

He replaces Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa who withdrew his candidacy for premiership vote last month.

The King was in ‘Eua when parliament elected Hu’akavameiliku Prime Minister.

He returned to Tongatapu last week, and made the official assignment today at the royal palace in Nuku’alofa.

Hu’akavameiliku worked as a public servant for Tonga’s Ministry of Finance from 1996 to 2010, before working for the Pacific Community and Asian Development Bank. He returned to Tonga in 2013 to work as the Chief Executive in the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

He was first elected to parliament in 2014 and appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Communications in the Cabinet of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.

He was sacked in 2017 after he was accused of trying to undermine the government, something he vehemently denied.

He was later re-elected to parliament in 2017 and subsequently contested the premiership with ‘Akilisi, but was defeated by 12 votes to 14.

Following the death of ʻAkilisi, Hu’akavameiliku supported Tuʻiʻonetoa for Prime Minister and was appointed as Minister for Education and Training.

His cabinet ministers are expected to be given royal confirmation in the coming days.

Air NZ funeral flight cancelled again as Hunga volcano still erupting

By
Kaniva Staff
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Air New Zealand has for the second time cancelled its repatriation flight for Tonga following ongoing eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano that spread ash and gas near its main island Tongatapu.

File image. Photo: Mary Lyn Fonua / AFP

The airlines has marked as “cancelled” its flight number NZ 1172 Tonga (Nuku´alofa) for today December 28 at 9.40am on its website.

A post on Facebook page by the Kingdom Travel Centre-Tonga said the flights were rescheduled for Thursday 30.

This means, the funeral ceremony and cortege of the late Deputy Prime Minister Lord Ma’afu which was expected to be held today in Tonga were cancelled again. His body was still in New Zealand after it was planned to be flown to the kingdom on today’s flight.

Hunga eruption 

Information reported on Volcano Discovery website regarding the condition of the Tonga eruption in the last 48 hours said: “Explosive activity continues”.

“Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Wellington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 10000 ft (3000 m) altitude or flight level 100 and is moving at 10 kts in NE direction”.

Tonga lead geologist Taniela Kula told Radio New Zealand International on Christmas eve the volcano’s eruption had decreased.

Kula said: “This morning (Thursday) we noticed a slow reduction in the amount of gas emitted from Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai but it’s still continuously erupting, but at a lower pace than yesterday.

“It’s a natural phenomena and we can only observe what comes out of it – [there is] not enough equipment to probe into what’s in the sub-surface of the volcano,” he said.

Tongatapu father dies after saving son from rip current

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongatapu father has died today after trying to save his son who was swept out to sea at White Sands Beach in Hihifo.

Photo/ Facebook

The boy was rescued and saved but unfortunately for his dad he could not make it and died shortly after the rescue mission.

Following the incident, a report on Facebook by the Ha’atafu Beach Resort said there was one “fatality and 2 rescued alive”.

“Thank you and God’s blessings to our brave rescue team, Mino, Ifa and Setitaia Chen for your bravery and your hearts helping out today. Our prayers are with the family that today has lost a husband, father, uncle, son and dearly loved man. He died saving lives…what a hero”.

The victim’s family appeared to be part of a large family group enjoying a day at the beach.

Locals said the beach was notorious for its powerful rip currents and waves that are known to sweep people out to sea.

It is unclear whether there was a public notice board at the beach to warn people of the rip currents or not.

Police earlier today warned the public on its official Facebook page to be cautious when going out to seas.

“With more people spending time on our beaches on these hot summer days please take extra care out there. Stay safe Tonga”.

Tongan nobleman’s son arrested after major drug raid links to another nobleman’s son’s home

By
Kaniva Staff
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A number of police drug raids in Tongatapu have resulted in arrests which link to two sons of two of the king’s nobles.

Nuku’alofa Central Police station. Photo/Kaniva Tonga News

One son has been reportedly arrested while the other son’s home was allegedly at the centre of a raid in which police officers from the drugs enforcement unit arrested some people in relation to illicit drugs.

Police have this evening confirmed to Kaniva News the drug raids and the arrests of a number of people in various places in Tongatapu.

When provided with the identities of the noblemen’s sons Police did not deny it and said they will update their investigation tomorrow.

Kaniva News cannot identify the noblemen’s sons at this stage due to legal reasons.

The news came after recent reports said that the methamphetamine epidemic has reached all levels of society in Tonga.

“There are reports of drug use and dealing among church ministers, civil servants, politicians, traditional leaders and even police”.

This was not the first time members of the nobility were involved in drug dealing allegations.

In 2013 the Crown withdrew two of the illicit drug charges against former Speaker and Cabinet Minister Lord Tu’ilakepa due to insufficient evidence – two years after the noble was first charged in December 2010.

Tu’ilakepa’s charges came after Australian police said the noble was allegedly bribed by an international crime syndicate headed by Colombians as part of a plot to import tonnes of cocaine into Australia.

It was reported that an Australian Federal Police-led inquiry, Operation Stair, uncovered a global trafficking operation that allegedly used yachts to sail cocaine from South America to Tonga.

In 2019 Princess Pilolevu Tuita’s son-in-law Sione Filipe was arrested and charged in relation to the seizure of 242 grams of cannabis seeds brought into Tonga, at Fua’amotu International Airport.

He was also charged with drug offences for the second time after three months from his airport drug arrest. He was also accused of bribing a police officer.

Princess Pilolevu’s another son-in-law ‘Epeli Taione was convicted and received an imprisonment suspended sentence after he was charged with possession of illicit drugs.

Covid-19 update: 34 new community cases, 4 new cases of Omicron in MIQ

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

There are 34 new community cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand today.

No caption
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Of today’s new cases in the community, 21 are in Auckland, seven in the Waikato, two in the Bay of Plenty, three in Lakes and one in Canterbury.

There are 10 new cases at the border.

New Zealand has now had a total of 49 cases of Omicron.

There are 41 people in hospital, including eight in ICU or HDU.

Hawke’s Bay is set to become the 12th DHB area to have 90 percent of its eligible population fully vaccinated. The region is only 192 second doses short of this milestone.

More to come…

Tongan wife still in coma from COVID in US; never knows her husband dies and will be buried next week

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan wife who is still fighting for her life in a Portland hospital in Oregon has no idea her husband has died and her family were preparing to bury him next week.

Losa ‘Ete’aki (L), Siaki ‘Ete’aki

Losa ‘Ete’aki was still being kept in a medically-induced coma after she suffered from the deadly coronavirus.

While still in hospital, the father of their three children posted on Facebook asking for prayers for her saying she was being diagnosed with Covid-19. He died the following day.

Siaki ‘Ete’aki, 50, died in his sleep on December 18, a brother told Kaniva News, saying he believed Siaki was overly stressed by his wife’s Covid conditions.

The family was expected to bury Siaki’s body on Wednesday next week.

An announcement on Facebook about Siaki’s death said his wake was scheduled for next week on Wednesday 28 (Pacific Standard Time) at 6801 SW Sunset HWY, Portland Oregon 97203.

It said after the wake the family will proceed with his burial services.

Siaki was a staunch supporter of the Tongan PTOA Global group based in the US which missions included pushing for more democratisation processes since Tonga’s democratic reforms of 2010.

Pacific Islanders in the US including Tongans have more than triple the rate of coronavirus cases in their communities than any other race in Oregon.

A report by Oregon Live said: “The Oregon Health Authority reported July 8 that there are 189.6 cases of coronavirus per 10,000 Pacific Islanders. The next highest rate in Oregon is 54.7 cases per 10,000 Black people, and white people have 12 cases per 10,000 people”.

Victim of Mt Roskill shooting named, offenders still on the run

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

The man who was fatally shot at a property in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill on Thursday night has been named.

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Police at the scene of the shooting in Mt Roskill on Friday. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell

He was Brian James, aged 23, of Auckland.

Police say a post mortem has been completed and James’ body is now back with his whānau.

They launched a homicide investigation after James was shot dead at an address on Glass Rd about 9.30pm.

Two offenders, one armed with a firearm and one with a machete entered the house, occupied by four people at the time.

An altercation then took place, during which the victim was shot dead.

Two other people – a man in his 30s and a man in his 50s – received serious injuries to their arms from the machete and were taken to hospital, where they remain in a stable condition.

The fourth person was not injured.

The offenders fled the scene and are still on the run.

Police are still trying to find them as their examination of the scene and an area canvas continue.

“A key focus for us is understanding exactly why our three victims were targeted,” said Detective Inspector Scott Beard who is heading the investigation.

“The evidence to date indicates the two offenders, who are still to be identified, did not go to Glass Road on Thursday evening by chance.”

Anyone who can assist with information is asked to come forward. Police can be contacted via 105, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting file number 211224/4140.

Body of man found inside Flat Bush home at centre of armed stand-off

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

Auckland police have confirmed that a body has been found inside a Flat Bush home where a man who had been negotiating with officers gave himself up this morning.

no caption
Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly

Police were called to the address at 1.15am this morning after reports of a person in distress at a nearby home in Bezar Place, followed by gunshots.

Cordons were put in place and Armed Offender Squad members who joined the police response got into the home through a window after seeing several people inside the home. They safely brought out several unharmed occupants, including a child.

A nearby resident said he saw police climb into the top of the house and remove three women and a child, who were then taken away.

A police negotiation team made contact with a 38-year-old man inside the property and continued to talk him overnight. He surrendered to police shortly after 8am and was taken into custody without further incident.

Counties Manukau District criminal investigations manager Detective Inspector Fa’amanuia Va’aelua confirmed the body of another man has been located inside the property and a homicide investigation has begun.

“We want to acknowledge the distress this incident has caused for those in the Flat Bush area who were affected.

“This is not something you expect in a residential area after a day of Christmas celebrations.

“I also want to acknowledge the bravery demonstrated by the officers who went into the home and brought the occupants out safely.”

Va’aelua said residents will notice a continued police presence in the area.

Body recovered in search for fisherman missing near Whangapoua

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

The family of a missing fisherman is being notified after a body was found off the Coromandel Peninsula.

Whangapoua Beach on the Coromandel peninsula.
Whangapoua Beach on the Coromandel peninsula. Photo: 123RF

The man was reported missing on Friday, when he failed to return from a day trip in his six-metre boat.

He had set off from the Whangapoua boat ramp at about 9am.

A search was launched involving police and Coastguard aircraft and vessels.

The body was found yesterday at around 5.40pm by a Coastguard fixed-wing plane, south of Kennedy Bay.

His boat had been located around four hours earlier approximately 24 nautical miles off the coast of Whitianga.

Police have expressed their sympathy for the man’s family and have also thanked those who were involved in the search.

Tonga drug enforcement officers complain after three years of overdue unpaid overtime wages: report

By
Kaniva Staff
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Officers working at police drug enforcement taskforce have complained after allegedly not being paid for overtime works they should have received in 2018.

Acting Police Commissioner Lord Fielakepa. Photo/Twitter

The complainants claimed the Ministry of Police’s (MOP) pay practices were surrounded by unfair treatment and favouritism.

The four months unpaid extra hours have been described as a result of a huge amount of works in which at one stage a shuttle bus was hired to transport people who were arrested and charged with drugs offences.

Recent Vava’u operation 

The police officers also claimed their pay for the recent Vava’u illicit drug operation was cut while the senior officers who joined them were allegedly paid in full.

The concerned police officers also claimed they were told they would receive their pay in question before this Christmas, but it did not happen.

The case was allegedly referred to the Ombudsman and a recommendation was made for the MOP to pay the officers, but that decision did not happen either, according to a report by the Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper this week.

The paper claimed the Acting Police Commissioner Lord Fielakepa agreed with the Ombudsman to pay the officers’ overdue wages.

The paper said it contacted the Ministry of Finance (MOF) about the unpaid wages and it was told the MOF wanted more information from the MOP as the unpaid wages had been long overdue.

Kaniva News contacted the MOP for comment.

The news came after it had been alleged “that corrupt public officials have worked with criminals to import and distribute illicit drugs” in the kingdom.

The revelation during a national symposium on illicit drugs in October said that “this corruptive influence has seemingly infiltrated all levels of society, including police, such that law enforcement authorities require people with exceptionally strong ethics, integrity, and courage to tackle this problem”.

King Tupou VI addressed the national symposium after he previously criticised Parliament over what he sees as a lack of effort in combatting the drug threat.

The Kakalu newspaper’s article asked whether the king knew about this drug enforcement officers’ long overdue unpaid overtime wages, implying that this could be a factor which contributed to what the nation faced in its war on illicit drugs.

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