A 37-year-old woman has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment after she broke into a house in Nukunuku and stole mats and ta’ovala with a total value of $14,100.
Justice Laki Niu suspended ‘Ana Katokakala Siale’s sentence for three years on condition that she must not commit an offence punishable by imprisonment within the period of three years of her suspension.
Siale pleaded guilty to two charges of serious housebreaking and theft.
Siale was sentenced to five-year imprisonment for the housebreaking offence. For theft offence, she was sentenced to two years imprisonment. Both sentences were to be served concurrently and suspended.
The court heard that on 15 June 2020 Siale broke into the dwelling house of Milise Vaiangina in Nukunuku and stole the valuable goods.
According to court records, in 2004 the mother of seven broke into a house and stole a ta’ovala and piece of tapa that belonged to her mother’s sister and sold them to get money. She was later charged and convicted of that theft.
In that case, she was fined $100 and ordered to pay compensation of $500.
In 2012, she bought a ta’ovala worth $800 for $200 knowing it had been stolen.
She was ordered to be on probation for two years but after the probation ended, she went and broke into a house in Kolomotu’a in 2015 and stole mats and ta’ovala from there.
“You offered the properties as security for loans you took from loan businesses at Havelu and Mataika. You did not repay the loans and the properties were put up for sale on the net and the owner identified them as hers,” the judge said.
“You were arrested, charged and convicted and you were sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, 6 months of which you served and 12 months were suspended for 2 years.”
(AUCKLAND, NZ) A father who died in hospital after his wife’s body was found in a car on Wednesday is believed to have killed her before taking his own life.
Toakase Finau. Photo/Supplied
He has been identified by the family as Viliami Latu, who was on electronically-monitored bail before the tragic incident occurred.
Officers arrived about 9am to conduct a bail check and found him in a critical condition, along with a note.
He was rushed to Middlemore hospital and remained there for two days in critical condition before Police confirmed his death yesterday, Saturday morning.
He and wife, Toakase Finau, 29, are survived by their four children, three sons and one daughter. The eldest is 10 year-old while the youngest was three-year-old, their grandmother, Finau’s mother Alilia Teu Kata told Kaniva News.
Reports said Latu allegedly breached bail several weeks before the killing at his brother’s house in Pukekohe.
Detectives believe Latu killed Finau before attempting to take his own life, according to reports.
Kata told Kaniva News her family were holding a meeting to see if the couple could be buried together.
Toakase’s family have announced a prayer vigil plan for her funeral services.
It said the first failotu was expected to be held in Ōtāhuhu at 13 Pukeiti Road this Thursday 18.
The body of Finau is expected to be buried this Saturday.
Stuff reported that “Neighbours and people who shared a house with the couple at their former rental property in Ōtara have described an abusive relationship where Finau would often be seen with injuries including black eyes.”
“Others described Latu wandering the streets of Ōtara with a machete after staying up for days at a time.”
Kata said a note was found with Finau’s body on Wednesday. She said she was with her before she left to go to Pukekohe the week before her death.
She said she told Finau to leave her only daughter Siunipa with her.
Finau later texted Kata after she left asking if she was okay.
Kata said that was the last message she received from Finau.
This story by RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission
Tonga’s Meteorological Service has announced that the country has a 45 percent chance for at least one tropical cyclone to happen for the remainder of this cyclone season.
The Tonga Met Service reported that if a cyclone does affect Tonga between late March to mid-April, there’s a 25 percent chance of it being severe, and most likely coming from the Fiji area.
The peak time for the occurrence of tropical cyclones in Tonga is from January to March, with most events occurring in February.
The northern islands of Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu experienced heavy rainfall in December that exceeded the averages expected.
In January, heavy rainfall exceeded the averages expected for Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u.
However, climate models are expecting near normal or below normal rainfall for most of Tonga for the remainder of the tropical cyclone season.
The grieving mum of a young Tongan mother whose death was being investigated by Police in Auckland said her daughter texted her at work last week asking if she was okay.
Toakase Finau. Photo/Facebook
‘Alilia Teu Kata said that was the last time she heard from her daughter.
As we reported yesterday, Toakase Finau’s body was discovered after police went to the property, on McNally Rd, Pukekohe to conduct a bail check on Wednesday and found a man with critical injuries.
The body of the 29-year-old was found in a car, Police said.
Speaking to Kaniva News, Kata alleged a letter from Finau’s husband was found in a room which led to Police being called to the scene.
“Police are still investigating the incident,” Kata said.
It is understood, the deceased’s older sister ‘Ana died last year.
Kata wrote on Facebook that her daughter ‘Ana will be happy to see Finau.
“You are gone and will never come back, tears, tears, tears,” Kata wrote.
The Tongan woman’s body which was found dead at a Pukekohe property has been identified.
She was Toakase Finau, aged 29, of Māngere, South Auckland.
The revelation came after a homicide investigation launched in Pukekohe following an incident at an address on Wednesday.
Police have now completed all of their formal identification and notification procedures relating to the woman located deceased at the McNally Road property on 10 March.
“Our team are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Toakase’s death and we are providing her whānau with the support we can at this difficult time,” said Counties Manukau Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton.
A man who was taken to Middlemore Hospital at the time of the incident remains in a critical condition.
“Our scene examination at the property remains ongoing at this stage.”
Anyone who has not yet spoken with Police as part of our investigation is asked to come forward and call Counties Manukau Crime Squad on (09) 261 1321.
By Sarah Robson of RNZ.co.nz. This story is republished with permission
International boxing star Joseph Parker can now be named as the high-profile sportsman allegedly connected to a global drug syndicate.
Photo: PhotoSport / Andrew Cornaga
Parker was named during the trial of a trio found guilty of importing methamphetamine from California at the High Court in Auckland in 2019.
Although Parker was the subject of police interest, authorities did not speak to him, did not execute a search warrant and have never charged him.
Parker has denied any involvement in the importation of class A drugs, or the purchase, supply or consumption of methamphetamine.
He has also denied being involved in changing or transporting money for the three men.
In 2017, Tevita Fangupo, Tevita Kulu and Toni Finau imported large amounts of methamphetamine, disguised in Nike shoes and clothing declared as gifts.
Kulu was jailed for 18 years, Fangupo for 17 years and Finau for eight-and-a-half years. Kulu and Fangupo must serve at least half of their sentences before they are eligible for parole.
During the High Court trial, Parker was refused name suppression, but that was challenged all the way to the country’s highest court.
In a judgment released yesterday, the Supreme Court said although naming Parker would cause him undue hardship, the principles of open justice outweighed that.
“In the present case, there is no dispute that publication would cause undue hardship to the applicant, so the discretion to make a suppression order was enlivened,” the judgment said.
“However, in all of the four decisions considering the application, the Courts have determined that the discretion should not be exercised in favour of suppression, having regard to open justice principles.”
Parker was given 24 hours by the Supreme Court to allow him to “communicate the result as he needs to”, before name suppression lapsed.
In a statement released after his name was revealed, Parker said he had resolved to put this matter behind him and concentrate on the future.
“This has been going on for ages now, and it takes a toll. I haven’t been charged with anything and it doesn’t feel right that my name will be connected to matters I’ve had no chance to defend myself against.”
He said he could not imagine anyone in his position not wanting to seek name suppression in similar circumstances.
“It’s a terrible position to be in. Things have been said about me that are quite untrue; some of them have already been proven untrue, and I was given no chance to respond at the time they were made.
“It’s caused a lot of stress and worry for myself and my family – and it just seems totally wrong.
“Having said that, I need to accept the decision and get on with my life. I have other fights to fight.”
Parker’s lawyer Michael Heron said Parker and his legal team “respectfully acknowledge and accept those decisions, whilst disagreeing with them”.
“In summary, Mr Parker was investigated by the police, who found there was insufficient evidence on which to charge him. The police made a public statement confirming that, after questions were raised with them. Mr Parker has denied, on oath, any involvement with methamphetamine or any involvement with the importation of drugs. He has not engaged in that conduct.
“Despite the lack of evidence against him, unfounded allegations were made against Mr Parker in court. Those allegations were not supported by evidence, were unnecessary and were unfair.”
The drug trial
During the trial of Fangupo, Kulu and Finau, the Crown alleged Parker had played a role in the import of methamphetamine, by transporting and changing currency.
It has since recanted part of the evidence presented at trial.
The Crown now accepts that it was not Parker who was referred to in a text to Kulu from a Californian supplier, in July 2017.
“It was to the effect that he was ‘taking sese and joe out’ and that they would be changing New Zealand currency for him. ‘(J)oe’ was said by the Crown to be Mr Parker. But the Crown now accepts that it cannot have been him. He was not in California at the time,” a Court of Appeal judgment in October 2020 said.
However, a second aspect of the Crown’s evidence – which the Court of Appeal called “more damaging” – has not been recanted: a later text from Kulu to another Californian supplier.
“It was more explicit, stating that Mr Kulu had ‘paid one of the guys I was with today to change [the price] into [US] currency’ and then stating, in a second message: ‘Alright bro..I got u tho..have all ur money..the dude I was with that’s on my snapchat is going to change it to U.S currency..they won’t question him bout all the money..cause he’s the WOB boxing champion so pple know he rich anyways so he’ll be good to change it with no hassles’,” the same Court of Appeal judgment said.
Other messages on the application Wickr between Parker’s account and Finau appeared to show the user of ‘joeboxerparker’ arranging for the purchase or supply of small quantities of drugs over a four-day period, the judgment said.
As part of the legal proceedings over name suppression, Parker denied helping the trio in a sworn affadavit: “I have never been involved in the importation of class A drugs. I have never changed or transported money for the defendants. I have never been involved in the purchase, supply or consumption of methamphetamine.”
Who is Joseph Parker?
Parker, 29, became the first New Zealand-born heavyweight boxing world champion in 2016, defeating Andy Ruiz Junior in Auckland to claim the vacant WBO World Heavyweight Championship.
After turning professional in 2012, he has recorded 28 wins and two losses. He was undefeated over his first 24 professional fights.
His most recent fight was just last month, with a unanimous points victory over Junior Fa in Auckland.
Last week, Parker split with his long-time trainer Kevin Barry. Parker left New Zealand on Tuesday to meet up with his new trainer.
FAKAMATALA FAKA-TONGA
Ko e tangata fuhu ‘iloa ko ia ko Joseph Parker ‘a e toko taha sipoti ‘iloa ne tukuaki’i na’a’ ne fetu’utaki mo e kau tila faito’o konatapu lahi ‘i Nu’u Sila kuo mo’ua ngāue pōpula ai ‘a e kau tangata Tonga ‘i he 2017. Ko Tevita Kulu ‘oku lolotonga ngāue pōpula ta’u ‘e 18, kae ta’u ‘e 17 ‘a Tevita Fangupō. Ko Toni Finau kuo ngāue pōpula ta’u ‘e valu mo e konga ki he hia ko ‘enau hū mai ha faito’o konatapu lahi kalasi ko e mefi, ‘o fufuu’i mai he ngaahi su Naiki mo e vala ne fakahā ko e me’a’ofa. Fakatatau ki he fakamatala ne ma’u ‘e he kau polisi’ lolotonga ‘enau fakatotolo’i ‘a e hia ko ‘eni’ ne ma’u ai ha ngaahi fetesi’aki ‘o kau ai ‘a e hingoa ko e Joe. Pea ne tui e kau polisi ko Joe Parker ia. Ne ‘i ai ‘a e tui ‘a e kau polisi foki ne ‘osi fakafetongi ‘e Parker ‘a e pa’anga muli mei he tila ko ‘eni’. Ka ne ‘ikai pe ke nau faka’ilo ‘a Parker. Faka’ikai’i kotoa ‘eni ia ‘e Parker na’e ‘ikai ha’ane kaunga ‘e taha ki he hia ne fakahoko ko ‘eni’. Ne lele ‘a e hopo ka ne ta’ofi ke fakahā ‘a e hingoa’ koe’uhī ko e ala ke uesia ai ‘a e kaha’u mo e talēniti ‘o Parker. ‘Aneafi ne fakahā ai ‘e he Fakamaau’anga’ ke tuku ange mai ‘a e hingoa ki he kakai’. Ne ui e kau fakamo’oni Tonga he hopo’ ‘i he 2017 pea fakahā ai ‘e Sioeli Fakafanua ne ne fu’u ‘ohovale he’ena sio ko Parker ‘a e tokotaha ne ‘ave ki ai ‘e Finau ‘i Manukau ‘a e tangai ko e fo’i’akau hinehina. Ne ‘ikai fakamahino ‘i he hopo’ ko e hā ‘a e fo’i ‘akau ko ‘eni’.
The Leader of Democratic (PTOA) Party Sēmisi Sika has accused Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa of lying when he was interviewed about why the government did not repair damages to the roads after recent heavy raining and flooding.
One of the roads in Tongatapu with holes after recent flooding. Photo/Facebook
Sika claimed the Prime Minister appears to have held a grudge against the PTOA Party members and this has been shown in some of his regular public statements and interviews which Sika has described as “malicious and unbecoming”.
Sika was responding after the Prime Minister said during a recent interview with the government’s sponsored Television Tonga and Broadcasting Commission that the government could not repair the damages because of contract agreements signed by Sika in 2018.
The interview
Tu’i’onetoa said these were five companies contracted by the government to repair the roads but stopped short of saying why the contractors did not do their jobs to repair the roads or whether the government has discussed the situation with them. Instead, he kept on telling the broadcaster the government couldn’t do anything to repair the roads until these companies’ contracts expired in May this year.
The Prime Minister also said the public have to face and stay with the road damages as if the government has made any changes to the agreements these contractors may end up taking legal actions against the government.
PM Tu’i’onetoa said Sika signed the contract agreements while he was the Minister of Infrastructure in 2018.
He said the companies were BB Contractor, Five Star – a company belongs to Sika’s parents, To’a Contractor, Petani Quarry and Veisiale Construction
PM Tu’i’onetoa (left), MP Sika
Contractors vs government
But Sika claimed the Prime Minister was lying.
He alleged the roads were left unrepaired because the government has yet to tell the contractors to repair them.
Many potholes had been seen developing on main roads in Nuku’alofa very recently and Sika said this was of great concerns because these were the capital’s main roads.
Sika told Kaniva News this week the contractors could not do any repair or maintenance works to the roads unless the government’s Ministry of Infrastructure tell them when to repair or fill the roads with tar.
Sika said the contracted works included mowing grasses along the roadsides.
“If you see long grasses along our roadsides it was because the government did not tell the contractors to cut it,” Sika claimed.
Sika said these contractors were ready to do the works and they have the right equipment to do the jobs.
“The Prime Minister mentioned my name as the former Minister of MOI from Tongatapu 2 who signed the contracts. That was untrue,” Sika said.
Payment conditions / Procurement Committee
Sika said if these contractors have repaired the roads without getting permission from the government first the Ministry of Finance wouldn’t pay them for that work.
Sika said the Prime Minister’s claim that he, as former MOI Minister, dealt with the agreements with these contactors and signed them in 2018 was untrue.
Sika said all government’s contract works must be processed by the government through its Procurement Committee.
He said the contracts for these five companies were all processed through the Procurement Committee and Tu’i’onetoa was the Minister of Finance at the time when the government offered the contracts to these companies. The Procurement Committee is operated under the authority of the Minister of Finance.
“The Committee’s duties includes examining the companies to make sure they can do the jobs well before offering them the contracts,” Sika said.
Sika said the outsourcing of the road repair works to private companies was initiated by the World Bank before it was accepted by the Tonga government few years before he became the Minister of Infrastructure.
FAKAMATALA FAKA-TONGA
Kuo tukuaki’i ‘e Semisi Sika, taki ‘o e PTOA na’e loi ‘a e Palemia he’ene pehē ‘i ha ‘initaviu he’ikai lava e pule’anga ‘o toe monomono e ngaahi hala’ kuo maumau’i ‘e he ‘uha’ mo e tāfea’ koe’uhi ne’ osi konituleki e pule’anga ki mu’a ‘o ‘Akilisi Pōhiva mo ha ngaahi kautaha ‘e nima ke nau fai ‘a e ngāue ko ia’. Na’e ‘ikai ha lave ‘e taha ‘a e palemia’ ‘i hono faka’eke’eke ko ‘eni ia ‘e he Televisone Tonga’ ki he ‘uhinga kuo ‘ikai monomono ai ‘e he ngaahi kautaha ko ‘eni ‘a e hala’ ngata pe he’ene pehē kuo ‘osi fai ‘a e konituleki mo kinautolu. Pehē ‘e Tu’i’onetoa ko Sika ne alea mo e ngaahi kautaha ko ‘eni’ ki mu’a pea ne fakamo’oni he ngaahi konituleki’. Pehē ‘e Sika, ‘oku ‘ikai mo’oni e palēmia’ heni. “i he fakamatala ‘a Sika, ‘oku mahino neongo kuo fai ‘a e fefakamo’oni’aki aleapau ‘a e ngaahi konitulekotoa mo e pule’anga’ ka ‘e kei fakaongoongo pe ‘a e ngaahi kautaha’ ni ki he ngaue ke fai’ ‘i hano fakamafai’i mei he pule’anga’. Ne pehē ai ‘e Sika ‘e ‘ikai lava e kau konitulekitoa’ ‘o monomono ha konga hala ta’e ‘uluaki tala mai ‘e he pule’anga’ ke nau ngāue ki he hala ko ia’. Pehē ‘e Sika, kapau ‘e tu’u hake pe ngaahi konitulekitoa’ ‘o monomono e hala’ ta’e fakapā ki mu’a ki he pule’anga’ ‘e ‘ikai totongi ‘e he pule’anga’ ia ‘a e ngāue ko ia’. Ko e pehē ‘e he palēmia’ ko Sika ne ne alea’i ‘a e ngaahi konituleki ko ‘eni mo fakamo’oni ai’, ‘oku ta’emo’oni ia fakatatau kia Sika. Pehē ‘e Sika ko e lao’ ‘oku ne tala mai ko e ngaahi konituleki kotoa pe ‘a e pule’anga’ ‘e fou ia ‘i he Kōmiti Polokiuameni ‘a e Pule’anga’. Ko nautolu te nau sivi pe ‘oku taau ha konitulekitoa ki mu’a pea nau tali ‘aki honau mafai ke foaki ange ‘a e ngāue ko ia’. Pea ko e palēmia ‘o e ‘aho ni’ na’e Minisitā Pa’anga he ‘aho ne tali ai ‘e he Polokiuameni’ ‘a e konituleki ‘a e ngaahi kautaha ‘e nima ko ‘eni’ ke nau tanu mo monomono ‘a e ngaahi hala ‘i Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai mo Vava’u mei Mē ‘o e 2018 ki Mē 2021. ‘A ia ko e Five Star, BB Contractor, To’a Construction, Veisiale Construction mo e Petani Quarry. Tukuaki’i foki ‘e Sika ‘a Tu’i’onetoa ‘oku kei teteve pe hono loto he PTOA pea ‘asi ‘a e ngaahi loto ngali taaufehi’a nai kiate ia ‘i he anga ‘ene ngaahi fakamatala ne fa’a fai ‘i hano faka’eke’eke ia ‘e he ngaahi mitia’.
