The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has warned people to stay away from a pyramid scheme that has cost its victims thousands of pa’anga.
The alert came as the New Zealand Financial Management Authority warned there had been a rash of scams riding on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
Kaniva News understands that an initial group of eight people became involved in the scheme which lured them into paying hundreds of dollars with promises they would to make hundreds of thousands in return.
A Tongan accountant told Kaniva News some people had lost thousands of pa’anga.
The Reserve Bank said people should not take part in what it said was a pyramid scheme.
It said if people took part they did so at their own risk.
People have complained online that they had fallen into a trap and lost money.
However, not everybody was sympathetic, with some saying those who were defrauded should have known better.
The Reserve Bank said various unlicensed investment schemes were being introduced around the country.
“A pyramid scheme is an unsustainable business model that involves promising participants payment, services, or commissions, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme or training them to take part,” the Bank said.
It said pyramid schemes promised profits which depended entirely on the number of participants or the size of their contributions.
Pyramid schemes were illegal. Anybody running such a scheme was liable to a fine of up to $TP1 million or 30 years in jail or both.
Global fraud
The New Zealand Financial Management Authority said today authorities around the world had warned about a rise in frauds.
It said scams included money transfer fraud, fake investment schemes, often involving crypto-currencies, fake websites, callers pretending to be from official bodies, including the World Health Organisation and phishing schemes
The NZFMA said it had issued 38% more warnings about scams than this time last year.
In June Kaniva News reported on the case of a Tongan woman in New Zealand who lost NZ$5300 in a crypto-currency scam after being lured into it by a friend.
The NZFMA said scammers often took advantage of people’s desire to achieve financial goals such as owning a home, promising to help them ‘get rich quick’ with little or no risk of losing their money.
It said Pacific communities in New Zealand were more at-risk from investment scams.
“Scammers often take advantage of close-knit community groups such as churches, convincing one member who then helps them convince others in the group,” the FMA said.
Samoa
There have been reports of fraud in Fiji and in August Samoa’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour issued a warning against illegal pyramid schemes or “get rich quick” scams.
The Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling, said pyramid schemes were prohibited.
“Such pyramid schemes are illegal and get rich quick scams that may cost our friends and family their hard earned tala,” he said.
Pacific Islanders workings in Australia under the Seasonal Workers Programme are unlikely to get another work visa if they leave their legally approved job.
Australian National University researcher Rochelle Bailey said leaving an employer was a breach of an SWP worker’s employment contract and visa conditions.
And she warned that illegal recruiters were lying to workers and misleading workers in an attempt to lure them way from their legal work employment.
Her comments follow a rise in workers absconding from their jobs in recent months.
Tonga has supplied almost half the SWP’s workers since it began in 2008.
According to Australian statistics, two thirds of SWP visas granted to Tongans were to return workers. Return workers are invited back because employees regard them as more productive.
Because of border closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, thousands of SWP workers have been trapped in Australia for months.
While many have been able to keep working, many face severely reduced hours and incomes.
Bailey said some workers were facing financial pressures because they were working as few as 10 hours a week, but still had to pay for deductions and wanted to send money home.
She said Australian farms were short of 26,000 workers as the harvesting season began. As Kaniva News reported yesterday this has led to calls from growers’ organisations for the government to allow more regional workers to be allowed to work.
However, it has also led to a situation where rogue operators were trying to lure legally approved workers away.
These labour hire contractors were not Approved Employers under the SWP.
“Being offered increased hours in a much warmer climate such as Queensland is appealing,” Bailey said.
However, workers were not told about Covid-19 border restrictions and quarantine, or that leaving an employer is a breach of an SWP worker’s employment contract and visa conditions.
“Workers lured by rogue labour hire operators are not covered by the same protections that they are entitled to through an SWP Approved Employer. Employers operating outside the SWP do not have the same level of responsibilities and are not under the same scrutiny. “
Bailey said there had been a significant increase in the amount of misinformation given to workers about their employment and visa conditions, such as who they can work for, taxation information etc.
She acknowledged that some of this advice was given by well-meaning community members who did not understand the terms and conditions of the SWP and visa restrictions.
Workers who had let their visas lapse would follow any work opportunities they heard of, especially if they could be employed under the radar and undocumented.
Slaves
An earlier investigation into worker exploitation by Australia’s workplace watchdog found some foreign workers on Australian farms were “bonded like slaves” to unscrupulous labour hire contractors.
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Harvest Trail Inquiry reported that some workers were told they would not have their visa extension signed unless they see out the season with them.
It also found cases of workers being taken to their accommodation via ATMs and asked to provide money in advance for bond, transport and accommodation costs.
Tributes are pouring in after the death of Dr Netatua Prescott Taufatofua has been widely reported on Facebook this evening.
Dr Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua. Photo/Facebook
Dr Taufatofua’s family could not be reached for comment.
Her sister-in-law Elenoa Koloamatangi Prescott said on Facebook there was plan for Dr Taufatofua and her siblings to meet in Tonga when the border restrictions were lifted.
“‘Ikani (Dr Taufatofua’s brother) was crying and wishing he could kiss you goodbye,” ‘Elenoa wrote in Tongan.
A Tongan community leader in Australia, Uanivā Havea who goes by the name Touhuni Halapuopua on Social Media wrote on Facebook: “Netatua I can’t believe you’re gone. What a shock to learn just now of your passing, here on Facebook.”
“You only responded yesterday to the pictures I posted, suggesting that they’d be good for our Museum in Tonga. It’s as if you’ve now left me a chore to consider.
“Thank you for your leadership and for going the extra miles to ensure that there is a sense of purpose and that people would benefit in significant ways.
“ You’ve left Kolomotu’a, and Tonga for that matter, in a better place with people working together in one spirit of peace and harmony.
“My deepest condolences to the widow, Pita Tāufatofua, and your immediate family. Also to your siblings Lesieli, ‘Īkani, Kolopeaua, and the rest of your family. May God’s peace be with you all during this very difficult journey. Rest in God’s eternal peace dear Dr. Netatua. You’ve finished the race, now receive your crown from our Heavenly Father.”
Dr Taufatofua stood as candidate for Tongatapu One last year in the by-election for Late ‘Akilisi Pohiva, the former Tongatapu One constituency MP. She was defeated by MP Siaosi Pohiva.
She held a PhD Degree in Environmental Science, specialising in Sustainable Coastal Resource Monitoring and Assessment, coastal water quality, coral reefs and sea grass from the Environmental Science Department, University of Wollongong, Australia (2003).
As a scientist, Taufatofua was a Director of the Climate Change Division at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Last year she became a new member of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Scientific Advisory Panel, an elite group of 15 scientists worldwide who are experts on weather, climate and water.
Pasifika voters in the United States have been active in this year’s dramatic election.
Tongan American Sina Uipi from NGO organisation Empowering Pacific Islander Communities told the ABC’s Pacific Beat there had been an increase in political engagement from Pacific Islanders this election.
NZ MP Carmel Sepuloni, who is of Tonga and Samoan descent, with new US President Joe Biden. Photo/Carmel Sepuloni (Facebook)
“They’re participating, they’re voting, they’re paying attention, they’re watching the news and they are engaged,” Uipi said during the election.
More than 101 million early votes were cast in person and by mail before the polls even opened.
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities said the Asian American and Pacific Islander electorate had risen to more than 22.1 million voters.
In the past Asian and Pacific Island voters have supported Democrat presidential candidates.
In 2012 more than two-thirds of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders voted for President Obama. Obama won every segment of the Asian American and Pacific Islander populations.
It is estimated that about 3.85 million Asian American and Pacific Islander votes were cast, with a about 2.67 million of them going to Obama.
President-elect Joe Biden was Obama’s Vice President. The Obama-Biden Administration re-established the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to improve the lives of AAPIs
The Supreme Court has given a man a suspended sentence for possession of methamphetamine.
Tome Suasau appeared before Judge E.M.Langi on a charge of possession after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.
The court was told that on January 25 this year, police raided the workplace of Kuliti Tongamoa at ‘Umusi. Tongamoa and ‘Epeli Taione were present at the time of the raid.
The police found a plastic dealer bag containing white powder on top of a small work table next to Tongamoa. The police arrested Suasau and the other two. During questioning he confessed to being in possession of Class A drugs weighing a total of 0.48 grams.
The court heard that Suasau told the probation officer that he was having a few beers with his friends at Tongamoa’s residence before the police raid.
He admitted to taking drugs for his own personal use, but said he did not know about the drugs inside the bag. He said he pleaded guilty because all three of them were inside the house.
The prosecution said that Class A drugs were a scourge on society, but in mitigation the accused had been co-operative and had no prior convictions.
Judge Langi sentenced Suasau to eight months in prison, but suspended the sentence completely because he had pleaded guilty and co-operated with the police.
The suspension is based on Suasau not committing any further offences punishable by imprisonment for a period of two years and completing the Salvation Army Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Program and Life Skills Course within the first year of his suspension.
He also has to undertake 70 hours of community work.
An Auckland-Tongan based resident who died while swimming at a Mt Maunganui beach has been named as Michael Finekifolau.
Michael Joseph Finekifolau. Photo/Facebook
His body was found about 15km east, on the beach near Karewa Parade at Pāpāmoa by a member of the public who notified Police at about 7am today November 9.
Tauranga Police can now confirm the deceased was aged 22, of Auckland, Western Bay of Plenty area response manager Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford said.
Mr Finekifolau had not returned from a swim at Mt Maunganui on Saturday 7 November.
Mr Finekifolau’s death will be referred to the Coroner
“Our thoughts are with his whanau at this time and Police continue to provide them with support,” Senior Sergeant Shannon Clifford said.
“Police would also like to thank those involved in the search operation over the weekend including Surf Life Saving New Zealand members from the Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Service and Omanu and Papamoa Emergency Call-Out Squads.”
The resumption of the harvesting season in New Zealand and Australia may open up new opportunities for Pacific seasonal workers.
New Zealand growers want the government to allow workers from countries that are free of Covid-19, like Tonga, back in.
Growers say they are thousands of workers short, even with those who have been stranded by the pandemic.
In fact farmers are adamant that without overseas workers they won’t be able to function.
According to Tasmanian company Burlington Berrie, if the overseas worker’s programme stopped, so would Australia’s supply of berries.
Burlington hires hundreds of workers, many from Tonga. Many return year after year.
Tongan berry picker Lavenda Aiseke said she would sign on for as long as the company would employ her.
Like many workers, the 24 year-old is supporting parents and siblings. Workers like her get a minimum 30 hours a week and pay a flat 15% tax.
The Australian government has allowed a trial reopening of its seasonal workers’ programme, with 160 seasonal workers from Vanuatu sent to Darwin for the mango season.
The Northern Territory governmen and the industry covered the flights and quarantine costs.
Western Australia’s Agricultural Minister said farmers in that state would need thousands of workers to bring in the harvest.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, growers hope the government will allow workers from virus free countries back into the country.
Pipifruit New Zealand’s Trade Policy and Strategy spokesman Gary Jones said his sector was 3-4000 workers short.
He said growers believed they should be able to bring in workers from Covid-29 free countries.
“I hope all players, including the Pacific Island governments, come together to get a good solution so we can support the Pacific Island economies and the New Zealand economies,” he said.
Cederman Brothers co-owner Peter Cederman said it appeared that New Zealanders were either unwilling or unable to take on the horticultural work.
“I could simply say without the RSE workers, and I think every orchardist would back me up, without them we would not have a business. We could not do the scale or the export we do without them,” he said.
Commentary: Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa has told Kaniva News that he will not discuss the perception of conflict of interest surrounding the quarry debate any further.
That is a pity. The issue needs debating because it has happened before and is likely to happen again. So here are – for the moment – our final thoughts on the matter.
(L-R) Saia Moehau of City Engineering and Construction Limited, and a strong supporter of People’s Party; PM Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa; Lord Nuku, used to be a Director for Island Dredging but his name was taken off the director’s list on July 31 last year. His son Faka’osifono Valevale is the current Director of Island Dredging; Etuate Lavulavu, Tongan People’s Party Deputy Chairman, was made a Director of Inter-Pacific Limited in February 2016 but was later replaced by ‘Inoke Finau Vala in May this year.
Tonga is a very small country and a majority of people are either related, went to the same school or attend the same church.
Some people become politicians and some become public servants and some become business people. And somewhere along the way they will inevitably intersect and decisions will be made that will raise questions about conflict of interest.
It has to be underlined that there is no suggestion that anybody has benefitted financially from the quarry deal.
The Prime Minister is absolutely correct in saying that the deal of TP$70 per truckload will save the government a lot of money and help it complete a road project that the public clearly wants.
Hon. Tu’i’onetoa is quite right in defending the government from any charges of criminal activity or financial benefit.
Unfortunately, that is not the point. There does not have to be illegality for questions of conflict of interest to arise. The mere fact of a business, family or personal relationship is enough for that to happen.
The point is that the government kept details of the contract from the public for several months, ignored obvious public disquiet when information leaked online and has tried to brush off the situation ever since.
Government is all about perception. That is a vital lesson that this government needs to learn. All of the guidance to MPs and public servants around the world that we have seen says that governments must be seen to be above reproach.
Being regarded as an honest and trustworthy government is not just about avoiding criminal activity or corruption or nepotism or fraud. It is about understanding the difference between corruption and conflict of interest and acknowledging that what is seen as the potential for wrongdoing is just as great a concern than actually committing a crime.
A leading Norwegian think tank says: “In reality, conflict of interest is properly understood as a situation, not an action, and it is clear that a public official may find him or herself in a conflict of interest situation without actually behaving corruptly.”
“The concept of conflict of interest does not refer to actual wrongdoing, but rather to the potential to engage in wrongdoing.”
The potential is what the public – the voters – see. That is what all governments have to be wary of.
In August this year the Canadian government was the centre of a financial scandal. Ethics experts told MPs that public office holders must be as careful to avoid the impression of conflict of interest as they were to avoid actual breaches of ethics law.
Robert Czerny, former president of the Ethics Practitioners’ Association of Canada, told MPs that even the appearance of a conflict of interest was capable of eroding public confidence in government.
“Avoiding the appearance of a conflict interest is no less important than avoiding its actual occurrence,” Czerny told MPs.
Another expert said that when a conflict of interest wasn’t dealt with properly, public trust could be lowered.
This is a trap into which the previous government fell. When the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva appointed his son as his PA in 2015, many Parliamentarians and members of the public were angry and bewildered.
Hon. Pohiva did not think he had done anything wrong. He obviously sincerely believed that it was appropriate to appoint his son because he understood him best and he would be paid out of the Prime Ministerial salary.
Unfortunately, to a lot of Tongans, the late Prime Minister was engaging in precisely the kind of nepotism and corruption that he had fought for so long.
Brushing aside public criticism and concern did not help Hon. Pohiva in the long run and helped to damage his reputation.
It was a lesson from which the current government should have learned.
The government could have avoided this problem by following simple procedures. The quarry tender process should have been carried out openly and at arms length by an independent body. If necessary it could have been handled through New Zealand or Australia, just so that the government was seen to be absolutely hands-off.
Then, if the same companies were awarded the tender purely on a financial basis, as Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa has said, nobody could complain.
The government should also have been very careful to consider that a number of the people involved in the quarry contracts have been the subject of serious allegations or adverse findings in the courts.
Nobody is suggesting for a moment that they have engaged in any way illegally or benefitted financially from the tender process.
However, this is once again a matter of public perception. We acknowledged that public perceptions are not always right, but a sensitive – and sensible – government would keep such matters in mind.
Some time ago we used a verse from the Old Testament in another political context and doubtless we may feel obliged to use it again. That verse, from Thessalonians 5:22, says “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
It’s a simple idea. If you don’t give people any cause to think you are doing anything wrong, or aren’t being completely honest, then they will trust you and will turn to you. If you don’t, the people will turn away from you at the next election.
As we have said throughout this article, politics is all about perception. The late ‘Akilisi Pohiva forgot that on one or two occasions and it did him and the Democrats no good at all.
This story was originally appeared on TVNZ and is republished with permission.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shared a message of congratulations for US President Elect Joe Biden on his victory over Donald Trump.
Source: Photo by Mark Tantrum
Biden was declared victorious after successfully flipping his hometown state of Pennsylvania this morning, giving him enough electoral seats to surpass the required 270.
Ardern says she looks forward to strengthening the ties between both nations in the coming years.
“There are many challenges in front of the international community right now, the message of unity from Joe Biden positions us well to take those challenges on.”
Noting Biden’s previous visits to New Zealand in 2016, Jacinda Ardern says the win would allow for the two countries to closely on prominent issues like Covid-19 and climate change.
“New Zealand will continue to work side-by-side with the United States on the issues that matter to both of us, including the prosperity, security, and sustainability in the Indo-Pacific and Pacific Island regions.”
Ardern also took a moment to share her thoughts on the departure of Trump, highlighting the work both nations have done together, particularly on issues regarding the Pacific.
