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Minister says Town Officer should co-operate with him and that constituents’ needs come before council request for funds

By
Kalino Latu
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Minister for Labour and Economic Development Samiu Vaipulu said today Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota  should put aside his political beliefs and work with him.

Hon. Vaupulu was responding to Kaniva news’ report yesterday of claims  by Lapota that he had been intimated and threatened at a meeting with constituents in Vava’u last week.

The Minister also denied that residents were upset that a meeting had been cancelled and said constituency needs came ahead of what Lapota and his town council wanted.

However, he did not deny Lapota’s claims that he had been intimidated and threatened.

When asked yesterday what he thought may have caused the incident at the meeting, Lapota said it may have been because of their political differences.

The Town officer is regarded as a staunch supporter of the PTOA Party (Democrats).

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Hon. Vaipulu told Kaniva news Lapota should co-operate with him “for the benefit of the people of the country.”

“I warned the Town Officer because he said we cannot work together, but he wanted me to listen to him,  but I believed that was wrong,” the Minister said.

“For him to come and tell me to work with him according to his political beliefs was wrong.”

Hon. Vaipulu said Lapota and his town officers’ council wanted a share from the constituency funding, but he had to do what the constituents wanted. The constituents’ needs included women wanting to build pigsties for them.

The Town Officer said he had received complaints from ‘Alo’italau, a block in Talau district, about the cancellation of a Parliamentary meeting.

The Minister said Faleleu and Talau residents marked the start of construction of an evacuation and weaving centre last week.

“The kāinga were happy and told me that was enough and they did not need the Parliamentary meeting as the centre was more important and that was what they needed,” Hon. Vaipulu said.

“There were no complaints and if the Town Officer claimed there were complaints he should have given me the names of those people so I could look at it”

Lapota hit back

Now Lapota has hit back with fresh allegations, saying that during last week’s meeting he questioned the Minister about funding for Neiafu district wardens.

He said the Minister told him to work together with him but he replied and told Hon Vaipulu “I am waiting for you.”

He also said the ‘Alo’italau residents continued complaining to him this week after the Parliamentary meeting was cancelled.

He said the Minister told him that the governor wanted wardens established to police  Neiafu district including Makave, Neiafu, Fungamisi, Falaleu and Utui, but that he (Lapota) had not agreed.

“I told Vaipulu the governor was right,” Lapota said.

“I did not want to set up  warden services for Neiafu because there was no funding. The money was used to purchase tractors for the district.”

He claimed that Hon. Vaipulu had met the Toula and Makave residents and discussed setting up warden services without him or the rest of the town officers of the constituency knowing about it.

Lapota raised this with Hon. Vaipulu.

“This provoked Vaipulu to become angry with me during the meeting.”

The  main points

  • Minister for Labour and Economic Development Samiu Vaipulu said today Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota should put aside his political beliefs and work with him.
  • Vaupulu was responding to Kaniva news’ report yesterday of claims by Lapota that he had been intimated and threatened at a meeting with constituents in Vava’u last week.

Kaniva mediawatch September 4, 2020

By
Kaniva Staff
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Senior officials from Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department have admitted they are investigating  the concept of a “grand compact” with some small Pacific nations, including Tonga.

The idea has been pushed some Australian politicians, academics and officials for decades.

It is seen in some circles as a way of curbing the growth of Chinese power in the region.

One of the suggestions is that Australia could allow permanent residency or even citizenship for people from Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga and Nauru  in return for Australia managing their vast, and valuable, exclusive economic zones.

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd put forward a similar proposal which was attacked by Tuvalu’s then Prime Minister leader, Enele Sopoaga as “imperial thinking.”

“The days of that type of imperial thinking are over,” Mr Sopoaga told the ABC.

Both New Zealand and the United States have compacts with some Pacific island states.

However, the ABC’s Pacific Beat said there was no sign that the  Australian government was currently seriously contemplating the idea or has plans to take a proposal to Pacific governments.

North Queensland Toyota Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo is expected to miss this Saturday night’s clash with the Dragons in Townsville.

As Kaniva news reported earlier the Tongan international was expected to be off for four weeks after tearing a calf muscle during a game against Newcastle last Sunday afternoon.

In June he missed a game with Cronulla at Queensland Country Bank Stadium due to bone bruising on his knee.

The Cowboys are due to take the field against the Dragons tomorrow at 8.30pm Queensland time.

Tongan High School students will now stay at school until they are 18.

The Education Act 2013 has been updated to reflect the new school age, which is now 4-18. The new law came into effect on Tuesday.

The Education Department’s Truancy & Reconciliation Division Leader  Kalafitoni Latu told Radio Tonga the compulsory leaving age was meant to help all students get a better education.

He said the Ministry would push children who are of legal age, to attend school in accordance to the law.

Uhatahi Tu’amoheloa, who manages the grassroots Just Play project in Tonga, has described online mentoring by the English Football association as a blessing.

Two of the FA’s leading coaches, Head of Grassroots Delivery, Les Howie and Coach Mentor Officer, Steve Smithies are providing virtual mentoring to Pacific players in Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.

“This is like a new era for us having the FA running mentoring sessions,” Tu’amoheloa said.

“Our participants at the first session were mainly volunteers from Just Play, but at the second session our national team coaches were also on board,” she said.

Repatriation flights from Fiji and Kiribati arrived in Tonga this week.

Health Minister ʻAmelia Afuhaʻamango Tuʻipulotu told Radio Tonga the repatriation flight from Fiji would be the last.

The flight from Kiribati was chartered flight by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and brought back seven passengers and a body.

Flights from Auckland remain in limbo because of the re-appearance of community transmission of Covid-19 in the community.

Town Officer alleges intimidation at Vava’u meeting, says ‘Alo‘italau residents upset when meeting cancelled

By
Kalino Latu
-

Neiafu Town Officer Vāvā Lapota claims that Minister for Labour and Economic Development Samiu Vaipulu tried to intimidate him during a Parliamentary meeting with constituents in Vava’u last week.

Kaniva news has contacted Hon. Vaipulu and the Parliamentary Chief Clerk for comment and for the Minister to give his side of the story.

The Town Officer told Kaniva news he was baffled by Hon. Vaipulu’s actions and asked him to explain what laws he had broken.

He said Hon.Vaipulu did not reply.

Lapota claimed the Minister was angry with him during the meeting at Fakamelino Hall in Neiafu.

When asked what he thought may have caused the incident, Lapota said it may be because of their political differences.

The Town officer is regarded as a staunch supporter of the PTOA Party (Democrats).

Lapota said he had been threatened during the meeting and claimed that he had been told he was being given a final warning.

He said he thought the Minister believed he was trying to politicise the meeting when he asked for a clarification about the constituency’s town warden funding.

However, he said this was not true.

He said he had told the Minister they should put their political beliefs aside and work for the good of the constituency.

He said that in the past he had put aside his political differences with Hon. Vaipulu to support him in a personal dispute.

Lapota said he had been told to leave a previous meeting in Halalele after he directed serious questions at the Minister.

“I am the only one who could direct serious questions at him when he was holding meeting here including asking him to explain how our parliamentary constituency funding is being used and allocated,” Lapota said.

“I also demanded he give answers regarding allegations about him being raised in news media.”

Cancelled

Meanwhile, the Town Officer said he had received complaints from the residents of the ‘Alo’italau block after their Parliamentary meeting was cancelled.

Lapota said the locals were looking forward to meet with Hon. Vaipulu last week.

He said there was confusion after the government apparently scheduled meetings at the same time as meetings with constituents.

The main points

  • Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota claims that Minister for Labour and Economic Development Samiu Vaipulu tried to intimidate him during a Parliamentary meeting with constituents in Vava’u last week.
  • Kaniva news has contacted Hon Vaipulu and the Parliamentary Chief Clerk for comment.

Reports say Lord Fusitu’a still in New Zealand as election at Palace returns him to Parliament

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lord Fusitu’a is still in New Zealand, according to unconfirmed reports.

Kaniva news has contacted the Parliamentary chief clerk for confirmation.

Lord Fusitu’a was re-elected to Parliament in a by-election yesterday.

The Noble was airlifted to Middlemore hospital in New Zealand last year. As Kaniva news reported at the time, Lord Fusitu’a had been hospitalised at Vaiola hospital in Tonga where he was placed on a ventilator.

The Minister of Finance confirmed last year that the government had paid for the noble’s expenses including the air ambulance, but he did not reveal the amount of money paid.

Sources told Kaniva news that Parliamentary law dictated that an MP could not be absent for more than a year and that Lord Fusitu’a had not attended sittings since August 5, 2019.

However, although the Noble missed Parliament he still received his Parliamentary pay and entitlements as a Noble according to Parliamentary regulations.

His seat was declared vacant last month.

A by-election to replace Lord Fusitu’a was held at the Palace Office yesterday.

Lord Fusitu’a’s re-election has been criticised on the grounds that he would still not be able to attend Parliament, a reliable  source told Kaniva News.

The three Niuas nobles, Lord Tangipa, Lord Kalaniuvalu Fotofili and Lord Fusitu’a, who voted in absentia,  voted among themselves.

Lord Fusitu’a won the seat with  two votes while Lord Tangipa received one, said the Electoral Commissioner, Pita Vuki.

The Noble will continue to receive his Parliamentary pay and entitlements after yesterday’s election.

The main points

  • Lord Fusitu’a is still in hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, according to unconfirmed reports.
  • Kaniva news has contacted the Parliamentary chief clerk for confirmation.
  • Lord Fusitu’a was re-elected to Parliament in a by-election yesterday.

Firefighters tackle blaze at Tongan church in Whangarei

By
Kaniva Staff
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New Zealand – A fire that broke out overnight in the upper section of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga building in Raumanga in Whangarei has been brought under control.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, Northern Advocate has reported.

Fire investigators’ investigation of the cause of the blaze continued this morning, the paper said.

Siulolo Ahio, who lives at the house next to the church with her two children and husband who is the church’s minister, said she first discovered the fire when she could hear an unusual rattling sound from the church, the paper said.

“We heard rattles and we thought it was something from the downstairs storage room and I just wanted to check it out because the rattle was quite loud,” she said, according to the Advocate.

“I pulled the sliding door from our house and there I saw the flame, it was already engulfed.”

When the glass windows in the church exploded from the heat, Ahio immediately woke her mokopuna and evacuated the house.

The church, which normally saw about seven families to its weekly service, had not been in use since lockdown in March apart from some regular cleaning.

While she said the incident was quite distressing, Ahio thanked those from the community who had offered their support.

Community groups including The Fono, Whānau Ora, Fale Pasifika, Te Ora Hou and the local Raumanga kindergarten had all offered meat and other food for Ahio’s family and the wider church whānau.

“We appreciate all the phone calls and all the test messages we’ve been receiving, all the Facebook messages, we really appreciated that but we are safe.

“It’s been a overwhelming day but the amazing support from the community has been wonderful.”

Calf brings down Cowboy: Taumalolo out four weeks

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Margie McDonald NRL.com Senior Reporter, This story is republished with permission under the Kaniva Tonga News arrangement with NRL

Jason Taumalolo is facing four weeks on the sidelines after scans revealed the Cowboys ace tore a calf muscle against the Knights on Sunday.

The sight of Taumalolo hobbling up the tunnel of McDonald Jones Stadium in the 53rd minute would sent shivers up the spines of North Queensland fans.

The Cowboys announced on Monday that their star forward would miss up to a month.

The Tongan international only managed 41 metres in his 32 minutes on the field in Sunday’s 12-0 loss to the Knights, which is far below his usual standards.

In the round seven 32-30 win over the Knights in Townsville, Taumalolo ran for 297 metres in his 70 minutes input.

“It’s a calf injury but I’m not sure of the severity. It’s a fresh injury – he had no niggle coming into the game,” said Cowboys coach Josh Hannay.

Calf muscles have a funny way of hanging around – like hamstrings – not allowing players to come back as early as they hoped.

Asked if Taumalolo might have played his last club game of 2020, Hannay said: “I wouldn’t have a clue but I hope not.

“He’s obviously key for us but as I said, I’m not sure how severe it is.”

After scoring six tries in the 31-30 loss to the Rabbitohs a week ago, the Cowboys couldn’t cross the line against the Knights. Hannay said the 40km/h wind blowing down the field didn’t allow either side to use the ball out wide.

Still, the Cowboys kept the Knights to two tries in a decent defensive display.

It is the last-tackle options and kicking game that Hannay wants his men to work harder at getting right.

“I didn’t like our last plays. I thought our kicking game was poor, especially in the second half.

“I thought we worked hard in the first half to give ourselves a chance,” he said of the 6-0 half-time score.

“We showed some effort and some resolve that we haven’t seen a lot of for a while at this club. So we gave ourselves a chance but we lacked control in the second half with our last plays to build any pressure.

“Mitchell Pearce did a really good job for them – he’s been doing it his whole career – in turning teams around and kicking the death out of football sides. I thought that was the difference.

“I also thought we could have easily rolled over and conceded a few more tries in that second half and earlier in the year we would have.

“But more and more over the last four or five weeks we’ve showed a resolve to defend our line and handle pressure.”

He wants that in spades for the remaining five rounds.

“We’ve got to continue to play, to demonstrate, a toughness about our football – that the jersey and the club mean something.”

Even though star fullback Valentine Holmes is no guarantee of making his return from an ankle injury next weekend, Hannay indicated he may look to shuffle his spine to spark the team’s attack.

First-choice hooker Reece Robson missed the Knights clash with a hamstring problem.

The Cowboys have another long trip to Sydney next week to play the Sharks at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium at Kogarah.

Two repatriated passengers charged for isolation hotel breach; More Tongans in Fiji, Solomon return home

By
Kalino Latu
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Two people have been charged after what authorities have described as failing to follow rules of a managed isolation facility at the Tanoa International Hotel.

Health Minister Professor ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu said they have spoken with 13 others for breaching the facility’s rules, but gave no further details, according to TBC.

Professor Tu’ipulotu said tightening national security are behind measures put in place along with more information for passengers expected to arrive from Fiji and the Solomon islands in Tonga this week.

“More documents have been handed out to the passengers to sign and to give them information about the importance to follow the rules,” Prof Tu’ipulotu said.

The breaches of the managed facility and Police charges came after 150 Tongans were repatriated from New Zealand in July.

The government has announced that more repatriation flights for Tongans overseas will begin this Wednesday.

These are flights from Fiji and the Solomon islands expected to bring about a 100 Tongans.

The Fiji flight is expected to bring more than 60 passengers while the flight from the Solomon Islands, which is due to take place on Saturday, is expected to bring more than 30 Tongans.

“The Honiara to Port Vila and Tongatapu flight is available only for citizens or pre-approved residents of both Vanuatu and Tonga. Passengers are required to have proof of medical clearance and a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel,” a Solomon Airline’s statement said.

“Solomon Airlines Flight IE615 from Tongatapu to Brisbane direct will depart Tonga at 4.10pm arriving in Brisbane at 6.10pm.

“The Tongatapu to Brisbane service is available only for those who are permitted to transit or stay in Australia. Available seats on board the aircraft are strictly limited in accordance with Australia Border Force and Queensland Health quarantine requirements.

The special approval granted to Solomon Airlines will provide a unique opportunity for foreign nationals in Tonga to return to their home countries.”

Tonga star Mahe Fonua sin binned for brutal, contentious shot in Hull FC’s win over Huddersfield

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga star Mahe Fonua has been sin binned after pulling off a brutal shot in Hull FC’s 31-12 win over the Huddersfield Giants this morning in the Super League.

Fonua had an eventful outing in the 31-12 win, coming off the bench to score one of five tries for Hull before being yellow carded in the 64th minute.

Video of the hit shows Giants fullback Darnell Mcintosh get the ball on a sweep play to the left edge before being crunched by Fonua coming off his wing.

Mcintosh was left in a crumpled heap, with Fonua checking in on his wellbeing.

Fans on the Super League’s Facebook page were divided on whether the hit deserved punishment, with some fans saying it should have been play on while others thought it deserved a red card with Fonua having made contact with Mcintosh’s head.

There were also plenty of comments on the page about the sickening sound of the collision between the two players.

Keep checking in on ourselves and each other to maintain mental health during Covid crisis

By
Philip Cass
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Kaniva commentary August 29, 2020

Keep checking in on ourselves and each other to maintain mental health during Covid crisis

While Auckland is coming out of Level Three and the rest of New Zealand is coming out of Level Two, the Covid-19 threat has not gone away, with 13 new cases today.

That means that communities in Auckland and elsewhere still have to  be careful and still have to face the strain of keeping safe.

It may also mean that Tonga will delay the repatriation flights from Auckland for a while longer.

All of this is going to impose more strain on communities, especially when they may also be facing strain over finances and job losses.

According to the New Zealand Department of Health, stress and uncertainty can have significant and wide-reaching impacts on the mental wellbeing of people.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on how people interact with others, go about their lives, work and study.

The Department said it was normal to not feel all right all the time. It was understandable to feel sad, distressed, worried, confused, anxious or angry during this crisis.

People reacted differently to difficult events and some may find this time more challenging than others. The way people thought, felt and behaved were likely to change over time.

The Department said people may  need help to feel mentally well and get through the crisis.

That is why it is important that people keep an eye on themselves and on each other.

Yesterday we reported the words of John Kiria from the Mt Wellington Integrated Health Centre in Auckland, who said some people were reluctant to ask for help.

Unfortunately, people aren’t just reluctant to ask for food parcels. They are also reluctant to ask for help when mental stresses become too much.

That’s why it was good to read the advice of   Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath, co-head of the School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, who said we need to be vigilant about our own well-being as well as other people’s.

Dr Tiatia-Seath, who is a specialist in mental health and well-being among Pacific people, said that like other members of the community, members of the Pacific community were subject to stresses from the lockdown.

“We’re all the same,” Dr Tiatia-Seath said.

“We all feel anxious leaving the house and juggling family, work and schooling or job loss. It may sound like a cliché but sometimes we need a reminder that it’s extremely important to check in with each other.

“When we’re disconnected from people, it can be hard to pick up the signs of distress without being physically present.

“It’s important to make sure we’re checking in on loved ones, friends and colleagues.”

Mental health support

Depression Helpline on 0800 111 757 or text 4202.

Covid-19: Mental health and wellbeing resources https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-resources

https://depression.org.nz/covid/alert-level-update/pasifika-and-covid-19/

https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/community-resources/covid-19-resources

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2020/08/19/jemaima-tiatia-seath-watch-the-talk-on-Covid.html

 

 

 

Kaniva mediawatch August 28, 2020

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Vaccine concerns

The General Secretary of the Pacific Churches Conference Reverend James Bhagwan said this week it was important for churches to discuss the ethical implications of cell lines from an electively aborted foetus being used in the development of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Rev Bhagwan was responding to comments from the Anglican archbishop of Sydney that the use of foetal material raised serious ethical issues.

He said he expected some Pacific churches would share similar concerns.

“The key issue for us [is] to have a proper understanding of the science of the material used and at the same time recognizing that different denominations may have their own viewpoint so there may be some difference of opinion as well,” he said.

“We have diverse range of doctrines within our PCC membership which range from life at conception to what’s the most important thing in terms of saving lives,” he said.

“I think this should not be an emotional conversation but I would encourage as much conversation as possible.”

Workers in Australia

Tongan workers may be able to enter Australia again after the Australian Government agreed that the Seasonal Workers Program and the Pacific Labour Scheme would be able to resume,

Workers will have to quarantine when they arrive.

Tonga joined the Pacific Labour scheme last year. Tongans make up nearly half of the 31,000 workers in the Seasonal Worker Programme.

Australian state and territory governments will have to sign up to the new arrangement, which means there could still be a long wait before large numbers of people are able to travel to Australia.

“Many regions are expecting above average crop production following good rains,” Australia’s Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said.

“But farmers can’t fill harvest jobs because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, with people prevented from moving across state borders, overseas workers and working holiday makers in scarce supply.”

Support for families

There is no shame in asking for help during the Covid-19 crisis, John Kiria from the Mt Wellington Integrated Health Centre in Auckland said this week.

He said more than 13,000 Pacific families in New Zealand had received support from various Pacific agencies since the first outbreak of the virus in March.

“We don’t know how long this pandemic will last so our Pasifika community needs to know, we are here to lean on if they need our support.”

He said help was also available to Pacific people who had been displaced in New Zealand due to the closure of their country’s borders.

The second outbreak had prompted the centre to provide families with grocery vouchers rather than food packages.

The centre could also refer families if they needed mental, physical and spiritual support.

To access a Whanau Ora Family Support Package, please click here.

Information for Pacific Communities

The New Zealand Government has launched a website dedicated to providing all the latest updates regarding COVD-19. See below

Unite against COVID-19 | For Pacific communities in Aotearoa, NZ

Other websites providing up to date information on COVID-19 and other relevant matters, including travel restrictions can be accessed by clicking these links:

NZ Ministry of Health

Safe Travel NZ

World Health Organisation (WHO) Pacific division

SPC – COVID-19: Pacific Community Updates

For New Zealand exporters NZTE has also launched their own COVID-19 site.

Fiji flight

The next repatriation flight from Fiji may arrive in Tonga this Saturday, Health Minister  Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu said earlier this week.

It is understood that if it occurs, the flight would bring in about 60 to 70 passengers from Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

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