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Covid-19 update: Three new community cases in Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
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This story by RNZ.co.nz is republished with permission

Three new community cases in a single South Auckland household have been reported today, with the Health Ministry describing them as new and active cases.

There have been no changes to the alert levels at this stage.

Minister for Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield have provided an update.

Watch here:

Hipkins confirmed the three new cases of Covid-19 in the community are a mother, father and daughter from the same household in Papatoetoe.

The mother works for laundry and catering company LSG Skychefs, which services planes at the airport.

Her main duties at the company involved laundry duties, but she was also involved in some of the packing and preparation of food.

Bloomfield said there was no risk of her passing on the virus through laundry or food.

He said the ministry remained open minded about the cases and were working actively to identify all sources of admission.

“We have not yet identified the source of these cases.”

Results for the mother and daughter results came through late last night, while the father’s result came through this morning.

Hipkins said genome testing was now being done and the three cases have one other household contact. That person has been tested. Results from the genomic testing are expected this evening.

Bloomfield said these people had done the right thing – when the mother developed symptoms, she and her daughter had a test.

The mother was last at work on 5 February and it was not believed she would have been infectious when at work.

The daughter attends Papatoetoe High School and this will be closed on Monday 15 February and Tuesday 16 February, with a testing facility to be set up at the school.

The father is self-employed and the ministry will be undertaking case interviews around his contacts to find out anyone who needs to be tested.

Two of the cases visited Pak’n Save Manukau for a short time on Friday 12 February and the ministry was treating this as a possible exposure event. People who were there between 3.30pm and 5.30pm should stay home and be tested if they develop symptoms.

Two of the positive cases also visited a number of New Plymouth tourist attractions – information about places and times of interest will be shared on the Health Ministry’s website.

Bloomfield said the ministry did not initially consider that the New Plymouth visit was during their infectious period, but it was now collecting more detailed information on that. He said the focus was mainly on Auckland.

Community testing station hours at some Auckland testing stations are being extended, but Bloomfield said only those who need to be tested should do so.

Hipkins said no further consideration of changes to alert levels at this stage, but the ministry was still collecting further information

He said Auckland event organisers should talk to health officials about whether they should do anything.

Hipkins said the Health Ministry expected to be able to provide more information later today, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – who was expected to attend the Big Gay Out today – will instead be returning to Wellington this afternoon, where she will be briefed.

He said the message remained the same – stay at home if sick, wash hands and do not attend events if sick.

There was also one new case in managed isolation reported today.

Yesterday it was announced that a person who tested positive for Covid-19 after being admitted to Auckland Hospital had died. The person had been transferred from a managed isolation facility into hospital-level care for the treatment of a serious non-Covid related condition earlier this month and then returned a positive result, the ministry said.

FAKAMATALA FAKA-TONGA

Ma’u e toko tolu ‘i he Koviti-19 ko ha fāmili ‘eni tamai mo e fa’ē mo hona ‘ofefine ‘i Papatoetoe, he saute ‘o ‘Aokalani’. Ko e fa’ee’ ne ngāue he kautaha LSG Skychefs, ‘a ia ko ha kautaha ‘eni ne nau ngāue ki ha ngaahi vakapuna ‘i mala’evakapuna, ‘a ia ko ‘ene fakahoko ‘a e fō kau ai ‘a e fa’o mo hono teuteu ‘o ha me’atokoni.

Ko e ‘ofefine ‘oku ako he Papatoetoe High School pea ‘e tāpuni ‘a e ako’anga’ ni he Monite mo e Tusite kaha’u’. ‘Oku ngāue toko taha pe tangata’eiki’. Na’e ‘ahia ‘e he toko ua ‘o kinautolu ‘a e Pak n Save ‘a Manukau he Falaite kuo ‘osi ‘aho 12 pea ‘oku tui ‘a e Potungāue’ ne lava ke mofele heni ‘a e vailasi’.  Ko kinautolu ne ‘i he fale koloa ko ‘eni’ mei he 3.30pm ki he 5.30pm ‘oku fale’i atu ke mou nofo ma’u ‘i ‘api pea fai hamou sivi Koviti foki.

Patient with Covid-19 dies in North Shore Hospital, Health Ministry confirms

By
Kaniva Staff
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RNZ/ ABC – A person who tested positive for Covid-19 after being admitted to an Auckland hospital has died.

North Shore Hospital.

North Shore Hospital. Photo: rafaelbenari/123RF

In a statement today, the Ministry of Health said the death at North Shore Hospital has not been included in the official Covid-related deaths “at this stage”.

The Ministry said the patient was transferred from a managed isolation facility into hospital-level care for the treatment of a serious non-Covid related condition earlier this month, and then returned a positive result.

The Ministry said the patient spoke with family daily, either by zoom or phone.

“On behalf of New Zealanders, I want to recognise this family’s loss,” said Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

“This is a time for us all to offer our deep sympathy, while also respecting the family’s privacy.”

There were also two new cases of the coronavirus in managed isolation reported today. They both arrived from India via the United Arab Emirates on 9 February.

One previously reported case has now recovered and the total number of active cases in New Zealand is now 45. The total number of confirmed cases is 1972.

There were two new cases of Covid-19 reported in managed isolation in New Zealand yesterday. Meanwhile, across the Tasman, nne new locally acquired case of coronavirus has been recorded on the first day of Victoria’s five-day lockdown to halt the spread of the highly infectious UK variant.

Repatriation flights to Tonga postponed to March

By
Kaniva Staff
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This RNZ.co.nz story is republished with permission

Flights from Fiji, New Zealand and Australia to Tonga have been postponed to next month due to managed quarantine period changes.

The flights were scheduled for February the 25th, but have now been moved to March the 3rd.

Matangi Tonga reports the new rule requires repatriated passengers to be in managed quarantine for 21 days, with no home isolation.

Tonga’s head of government communication, Paula Ma’u, said postponing the flights allows for one week for workers to rest and for the facilities to be cleaned before the next arrivals.

There are currently 114 passengers who arrived last week who remain in quarantine at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa.

Passengers arriving tomorrow from Brisbane will be quarantined at the Kupesi Hotel and Taliai Military Camp at Fua’amotu for three weeks.

Covid 19 restrictions: Man in Tanoa isolation facility pleas with authority to allow him see dead wife

By
Kalino Latu
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A Tongan man in managed isolation has pleaded with authorities to allow him kiss and say goodbye to his wife who died earlier this week.

‘Alatini Fanakena. Photo/Supplied

‘Alatini Fakena is devastated he will never get the chance to be with his wife, ‘Ānau Ki he Sina Pateta Fakena, and is wishing authorities could change how they deal with compassionate exemptions.

He arrived in Tongatapu recently in one of the repatriation flights from New Zealand.

“Dear darling, I thought I was brave enough to withstand this but I didn’t. You have gone and left me alone with our children,” a heartfelt message appears to be written by ‘Alatini was shared on Facebook.

“I am in tears while being isolated at the Tanoa as I could not join you with our kids

“I wish I have the power to make decision so I can be released to come home.

“I have come all the way from New Zealand and now I am getting stuck here”.

‘Alatini said he wished authorities could give him a chance.

Tonga have very strict rules in place in an attempt to make sure the country is protected against the Covid-19 pandemic.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, the government has extended the managed quarantine period from 14 days and seven days home isolation to 21 days with no home isolation.

Previously the third week of mandatory quarantine had been isolation at home.

The new variants of Covid-19 which were rapidly replacing other versions of the virus around the world and increasing issues raised about repatriated nationals being sent to home isolations after their 14-day living in managed isolation facilities have led the government to introduce the new measure.

A total of 27 people breached home quarantine rules, authority said this week.

Tonga is still Covid-19 free.

Tributes flow for Ha’apai custom officer

By
Kalino Latu
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A Ha’apai Custom Officer has been remembered as a “great mate” who touched the hearts of many.

Fe’ao ‘Ofa. Photo/Supplied

Fonua Fe’ao was allegedly killed following a car accident in Pangai on Thursday, reports said.

He has been described as a brother to everyone and being friendly in a way one could tell he did it to show how he valued their kāinga connections.

“Rest easy… you will be missed by many, lots of love to your family,” a commenter said on Facebook.

Others wrote that they could not believe a great mate had been “taken way too early”.

“You touched the hearts of many and will be missed by all. Sending my love to your family.”

Fe’ao’s death came after a government senior officer died in a single-vehicle crash in Pangai, Ha’apai in October last year.

Kali Taumoe’anga who worked for the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications was driving a government van when the fatal accident occurred.

Prison term for man spotted dealing drugs from a vehicle in Nuku‘alofa

By
Kaniva Staff
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A man who was caught dealing drugs from a vehicle in Nuku’alofa has been sentenced to one-year and nine-month imprisonment for drugs offences.

Kaniva Tonga

Tevita Talia’uli Fatongiatau, 34, appeared at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court on February 3, 2021.

On 2 February 2020, Police received reliable information that Fatongiatau was selling illicit drugs from his vehicle at the bus station in town.

Police went to the bus station and found the accused inside his car. A second accused, Sesilia Uaisele, was at an ice-cream truck nearby. She again failed to appear for sentencing and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.

As the police approached the vehicle Fatongiatau saw them and he put something into his mouth and chewed it. Suspecting that he was trying to destroy illicit drugs, the police pulled him out of his car and pried his mouth open. He spat out plastic packets commonly used for packing illicit drugs.

Police informed Fatongiatau why they were there and proceeded to search the him and his vehicle. Inside the vehicle police found the following items:

  1. A partially opened packet of methamphetamine at the floor of the drivers’ side with crystal fragments inside the packet and some fragments had fallen out onto the rug;
  2. A test tube in the passenger side of the car containing fragments of methamphetamine;
  3. Cash totalling $2,290.
  4. The crystal fragments tested positive for methamphetamine.

On the count of possession of a Class A drug, the accused is convicted and sentenced to 1 year and 9 months imprisonment;

This sentence is to be served consecutive to the current sentence he is serving for CR 138/19;

Count 2 -The Accused is convicted and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment to be served concurrent to Count 1;

Count 3 – The Accused is convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to be served concurrent to Count 1;

Justice Langi said: “As requested by the Crown, it is further ordered that the drugs seized from the accused, namely methamphetamine, be destroyed. The cash seized from the accused totalling $2290.00 is forfeited to the Crown”.

Tonga education project launched

By
Kaniva Staff
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This RNZ.co.nz story is republished with permission

A joint project between Tonga and New Zealand has been launched, outlining a 15-year policy framework for Tonga’s education system.

In December 2019, a Statement of Partnership was signed by both countries, which laid out the principles and priorities under which they will work together.

A key priority was Tonga’s education policy framework.

It aims to find what areas and issues should be targeted in the education sector, better use of resources and an education sector that has greater impact.

It also wants more cohesion across the sector and enabling Tonga to be in a better position to attract development partner investment and support.

The launch of the framework for 2021 to 2036 was held at the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa.

Tonga's Ministry of Education with the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners and stakeholders at the launch of a Tonga Education Policy Framework review.
Tonga’s Ministry of Education with the New Zealand and Australian High Commissioners and stakeholders at the launch of a Tonga Education Policy Framework review. Photo: Supplied / NZ High Commission Tonga

Truck crashes through fence at Tongatapu property

By
Kaniva Staff
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Truck smashes into a residence. Photo/Supplied

A truck has gone off the road and through a fence into a front yard in Ha’alalo this afternoon.

An eyewitness told Kaniva News there were no reported injuries.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

 

Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church taken off Charities Register after probe

By
Kalino Latu
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By Mackenzie Smith of RNZ. This story is republished with permission

A church in Auckland has been struck off the Charities Register after its employees stole millions of dollars in church funds, and poured millions more into dubious investments.

Samoan Seventh Day Adventist Church headquarters in Mangere, South Auckland.
Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church headquarters in Māngere, South Auckland. Photo: Google Maps

It follows a two-year probe into the Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church (SISDAC) which operates 10 churches in the Auckland region.

An investigation report by Charities Services published today, reveals a web of financial mismanagement and corruption that saw vast sums of money sourced from the church’s membership funnelled into the pockets of church officials, many of whom were family relatives.

The church, whose services are held in Gagana Sāmoa, preyed almost exclusively on Auckland’s sizeable Samoan population.

SISDAC was first referred to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) by Charities Services following a 2013 investigation into the church.

The SFO probe led to the 2017 sentencing of former treasurer Elizabeth Papu to two years and nine months in prison for stealing more than $1.6 million from the church, and using the funds at a casino. That year, Charities Services opened a fresh investigation to determine whether the church knew about Papu’s offending.

The investigation report found:

  • Elizabeth Papu misappropriated a further $766,895 that was not uncovered by the SFO probe. (Her father, Pastor Willie Papu, contends that this income came from legitimate sources).
  • Another former treasurer, Joseph Stowers, took $498,997 in church funds as undeclared income in 2017.
  • Pastor Willie Papu Junior banked more than $316,000 from the church and its World Committee bank account. (He claims they supported the church or were personal income that he paid tax on).
  • Pastor Willie Papu engaged in “serious wrongdoing” by taking $84,031 in church funds for him and his family, and influencing SISDAC to pay a further $63,309 of his expenses. (He submits that he never took the money for his personal benefit).

Pastor Willie Papu, who remains as an executive director of SISDAC’s World Committee, is named as a key influence on the church’s offending.

The report found he spearheaded large investments including nearly $1m into the cryptocurrency OneCoin, and $1.7m into WFE Capital; the Financial Markets Authority warns that both may be scams.

Sina Hunt, a New Zealand woman who was central to establishing OneCoin’s presence in the country, took more than $200,000 in SISDAC’s funds for her personal benefit, as well as arranging investments into “Health Coffee” and “Organo Gold”, the report found.

“The entity [SISDAC] lost all of the funds it invested in each scheme,” it said.

A 2019 investigation by RNZ found Hunt had targeted several vulnerable Samoan families through SISDAC, and had convinced them to invest money they could not spare into OneCoin, which has been labelled a ponzi scheme by authorities. “We don’t believe anything anymore,” one woman told RNZ at the time.

In some ways, church members are still paying for the failings of their leadership.

The report found Pastor Papu had paid SISDAC $355,097 in reparations for the funds lost on the WFE Capital investment.

“Most of this money has been gifted to Pastor Willie Papu by members of SISDAC’s overseas churches.”

This membership also donated about $500,000 directly to the church to help recuperate from the WFE Capital and OneCoin investments.

SISDAC was removed from the Charities Register on 5 February, and cannot apply to be re-registered for another six months.

Pastor Papu and former treasurer Joseph Stowers were also disqualified from being officers of charities for four years.

In the report, the Charities Registration Board said it still had concerns about Pastor Papu’s influence over SISDAC’s investment decisions.

In its submissions, the church denied this. Pastor Papu put it differently: “I know that Charities Services would love to kill my influence. But influence is not something you can kill. It is a legacy, built upon a lifetime of service and compassion.”

Man given suspended sentence after showing Police three cannabis plants

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 66-year-old man who said he had been growing cannabis plants around his property to feed his addiction and to use drugs for the relief of his chronic pain was given a 12-month suspended sentence in the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

Cannabis plants grow in the greenhouse at Vireo Health’s medical marijuana cultivation facility on Aug. 19, in Johnstown, New York. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

On or about 21 July 2020 the Police received reliable information that Heamani Saafi was cultivating cannabis plants at his residence at Ha’asini.

The Police went to his house and found him there with his family. They informed him that they were there to conduct a search without a warrant.

The Police asked the accused whether he had anything unlawful at his residence whereby the Accused told them that he had three cannabis plants behind the kitchen. He led the Police to where he had planted the said cannabis plants.

He was arrested and was charged with one count of cultivation of illicit drugs contrary to section .4 (a) (ii) of the Illicit Drugs Control Act;

Saafi pleaded guilty to the charge.

On the charge of cultivation of illicit drugs, Saafi was convicted and sentenced to 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.

Justice Langi said the sentence was fully suspended on the following conditions:

Not to commit any further offences punishable by imprisonment for a period of2 years;

The Accused is to be placed on probation during the period of his suspension;

He is to complete the Salvation Army Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Program and Life Skills Course within the first year of his suspension;

He is to undertake 70 hours of community work as directed by the probation officer. He is to report to the probation office within 48 hours.

“As requested by the Crown, I order that the drugs seized are destroyed,” said the judge.

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