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Busted again: Vava‘u shops caught selling expired food

By
Kalino Latu
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A complaint from the Neiafu town officer has led to seizures of expired goods from a number of  convenience stores in Vava’u yesterday.

Town Officer Vāvā Lapota told Kaniva News these stores allegedly concealed their expired goods from MAFF officers in other places before their businesses were inspected.

He claimed after the inspectors left the store owners sold the expired food.

He said he found out these hiding places and reported them to MAFF authorities.

The expired goods included large plastic bottles of vegetable oil, cartons of frozen rotting meats such as lamb flaps and packs of soft drink.

Lapota said it appeared some expired goods were illegally sold including bottles of soya bean oil with labels written in Asian language and not in English as stipulated by the law.

He said some of these stores had been busted previously for selling expired goods. ‘

As Kaniva News reported recently, around 400 boxes of rotting chicken have been destroyed in Vava’u after authorities inspected a refrigerated container at a Chinese shop in Neiafu in February.

Lapota said inspectors from MAFF have found the chicken to be unfit for consumption and destroyed them.

Lapota said the inspection came after complaints from customers.

Bags of expired flours and rotting salted beefs were previously found at the store, he said.

RSE workers in New Zealand must have chance to move among employers as lockdown continues and lessons from overseas must be learned, say Australian labour researchers

By
Philip Cass
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Commentary by Rochelle Bailey and Charlotte Bedford

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Summary: Two Australian researchers have praised the New Zealand government’s support for RSE workers, many of whom are Tongans, but warn that there are still problems to be overcome.

They say that problems in Australia are a lesson for what might happen here.

In this commentary they argue that all efforts must be made to support RSE workers to keep working for the foreseeable future. This needs to include help them send money home and provide workers with wi-fi and/or mobile data plans to stay in touch with families at home.

They said seasonal workers in Australia have raised the issue of being able to buy groceries. They said locals were stockpiling goods and workers could not get to supermarkets until after their work day ended.

There also needed to be more flexibility to allow workers to shift between employers to keep them employed as the peak harvest season for some crops approached.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, this is now allowed in Australia.

Rochelle Bailey is a Research Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University in Canberra. Charlotte Bedford is an independent researcher working on Pacific labour mobility.

The New Zealand government has responded swiftly to the complex and rapidly changing environment caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

From March 25 the country went into Alert Level 4 or ‘lockdown’ in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Recognising the significant disruption to the domestic economy, measures have been introduced to support employers and new immigration measures have been implemented, effective from April 2, to support the many foreign workers, students and visitors who remain in the country due to border closures and associated travel restrictions. All temporary visas due to expire before April 1 and between April 1 and 9 July, will be automatically extended until late September 2020.

This is welcome news for Pacific (and a small number of Asian) workers in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, of which there are more than 9,700 currently in the country to harvest, pack, and maintain crops for the horticulture and viticulture industries. As ‘essential’ workers, they can continue working during the lockdown, providing a critical supply of seasonal labour, especially for the apple and kiwifruit industries, both of which are in their harvest periods.

Support for workers

RSE workers have received information on COVID-19 from their RSE employers and Toso Vaka o Manū, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s programme to help Pacific countries gain economic and social benefits from labour mobility. Efforts are underway to translate relevant information into different Pacific languages to make it readily accessible to workers, and disseminate information on social media sites.

As part of the COVID-19 Economic Response Package, RSE workers are entitled to government funding, equating to NZ$585.50 per worker per week, if they cannot work during the lockdown because their employer’s business is not operating or the employer cannot afford to pay them due to reduced business activity.

If an RSE worker is required to self-isolate while in New Zealand, due to illness or close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, they are also eligible for the government’s wage subsidy. RSE employers apply for the subsidy on behalf of their workers, and provide accommodation and pastoral care facilities during the 14-day isolation period.

Workers will continue to pay their accommodation and other living costs. Under existing medical insurance, RSE workers are entitled to receive medical treatment for any presenting conditions, including COVID-19, and treatment for the virus will be covered by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health.

To abide by New Zealand law, and new measures for physical distancing and minimal staff interactions, RSE employers are required to set strict rules for the safety of their workforce, including restricting workers’ ability to leave their worksites and prohibiting engagement with people other than those they live and work with.

This is to minimise the risk of RSE workers’ contact with people that could spread transmission of the virus. Employers must ensure workers fully understand the new requirements, and are informed of the symptoms of the virus and what actions should be taken if a worker becomes unwell. If workers are concerned an employer is not following COVID-19 workplace recommendations, these concerns should be reported to their RSE liaison officer.

RSE visas and work continuity

The extension of RSE workers’ visas and provision of financial and medical support, if required, are essential to maintaining workers’ welfare and safety while they remain in New Zealand. There are, however, some logistical and operational challenges associated with implementing these measures.

Workers in the RSE scheme are on a Limited Visa which means they are only entitled to work for the RSE employer specified on their visa. RSE workers cannot switch to another employer or find a job in a different industry.

If RSE workers’ visas are extended under the same visa conditions, then workers are presumably tied to the same RSE employer as their original visa. For RSE employers who can provide continuous work over the next six months, or until travel restrictions are lifted, the extension will work well.

However, if the RSE employer has run out of work, the situation becomes more problematic. RSE employers can apply for the wage subsidy for workers, but should they also be required to provide accommodation and pastoral care facilities to workers who are no longer actively in their employment?

New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture industries are seasonal, with strong peaks in labour demand for the apple and kiwifruit harvests in particular. Most RSE employers require their largest numbers of workers from February until June. RSE workers are employed for winter pruning work in grapes and kiwifruit, but in smaller numbers of around 6,000–7,000 between July and September.

If current travel bans remain in force, the concern will be finding work for the 9,700 RSE workers still in the country. This may create challenges for RSE employers who are also trying to employ as many New Zealanders as they can to support those who have found themselves out of work due to COVID-19.

To further support RSE employers and workers, there needs to be greater flexibility to shift workers between employers, tasks and regions. If possible, this may require extending RSE visas under different, more flexible visa conditions that do not tie workers to a single employer, as well as opening up the range of jobs that can be performed by RSE workers to ensure they remain in work.

The kiwifruit harvest, located mainly in the Bay of Plenty, is now underway and requires more than 20,000 workers. Ideally, RSE workers who have finished their employment in other regions will be relocated for kiwifruit work, to replace the approximately 3,200 RSE workers that have not been deployed to New Zealand for horticulture and viticulture due to the current travel bans, as well as other temporary foreign workers who usually comprise around 20 per cent of the kiwifruit workforce.

There are logistical difficulties to overcome when moving and accommodating workers who must remain in their self-isolation groups and severely limit their interactions with others, and this will be a challenge in the Western Bay of Plenty where there is already a shortage of seasonal worker accommodation due to a tight local housing market.

Nevertheless, all efforts must be made to support RSE workers to remain in employment for the foreseeable future. This also includes efforts to assist workers to send money home to their families via online remittance services, and providing workers with wi-fi and/or mobile data plans to stay in touch with family members at home. Employers and pastoral care hosts should also check that workers are able to access essential grocery items. Seasonal workers in Australia have raised this as a concern due to locals stockpiling goods and workers being unable to access supermarkets until after their workday.

The New Zealand government is providing important safe-guard measures to protect the RSE workforce. To ensure this support continues over the coming months requires a collaborative approach by all key stakeholders: government, industry, and RSE employers and workers.

The solid government-industry partnership, that has formed the backbone of the RSE scheme over the past 13 years, is more critical than ever at this challenging time. COVID-19 presents an opportunity to further strengthen this partnership to ensure the safety and well-being of all RSE workers who provide an essential labour force for New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture industries.

The main points

  • The New Zealand government has responded swiftly to the complex and rapidly changing environment caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
  • Recognising the significant disruption to the domestic economy, measures have been introduced to support employers and new immigration measures have been implemented, effective from April 2, to support foreign workers.
  • This is welcome news for the 9700 Pacific workers in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.

For more information

COVID-19: RSE responses, challenges and logistics

PTOA party meeting erupts in argument while deciding MP Tapueluelu’s future, but ends in members asking to forgive each other and stand together, says Leader Semisi Sika

By
Kalino Latu
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The Democratic Party’s core team had a head to head battle during their meeting yesterday before they forgave each other and MP Mateni Tapueluelu’s future membership with the Party was saved, according to a letter by Party Leader Sēmisi Sika seen by Kaniva News this evening.

Hon Sika said the party’s core team had decided to accept the move by its members to restore their friendly relationships and stood together.

He said a public apology had been approved and would be aired on local radio stations.

“The decision was not easy and I asked for your forgiveness,” Hon. Sika said.

As we reported on Monday, Hon Sika demanded in a letter leaked to Kaniva News  that Hon. Tapueluelu respond within five days or face dismissal.

The Party Leader wanted Tapueluelu to explain why he no longer attended the party’s board meetings and why he had accused other Party members without them knowing about it. The party also wanted a clear explanation about his membership status.

The brief response from Hon. Sika this evening did not mention the letter submitted by Tongatapu 1 MP Siaosi Pohiva in response to MP Tapueluelu’s allegations against him.

Hon. Tapueluelu accused MP Siaosi and other Party supporters of wrongly advising  the late Prime Minister, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, not to resign in April 2019 five months before he died.

Tapueluelu said if ‘Akilisi’s resignation had happened according to plan, he would have been able to assist  a smooth transition of power and make sure the party still won the following premiership election.

Tapueluelu also accused Siaosi of engaging with these people in power struggle which led to the demise of the party before the 2019 premiership election.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand, Australia and US PTOA Movement officials split with many saying they were behind both Siaosi and Tapueluelu and approved yesterday’s decision by the core team. Others have accused Tapueluelu of being power-hungry and causing chaos within the party and wanted him out.

The main points

  • The Democratic Party’s core team had a head to head battle during their meeting yesterday before they forgave each other and MP Mateni Tapueluelu’s future membership with the Party was saved.
  • Party Leader Sika said in a letter seen by Kaniva News this evening the party’s core team had decided to accept the move by its members to restore their friendly relationships and stood together.

For more information

Former Police Minister’s leaked letter revealing late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva wanted to “resign with dignity” as PM before he died divides supporters; calls mount to dismiss son-in-law from Party

Party MP Tapueluelu leaked letter revealing late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva wanted to “resign with dignity” as PM before he died divides supporters; PTOA leader demands response or may face dismissal

By
Kalino Latu
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EDITORS’ NOTE: We have edited this article to reflect the fact that the former Acting Attorney General did not draft a letter of resignation for Late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva. In fact, there was no such letter.

MP Māteni Tapueluelu, who was also the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s son-in-law, has revealed in what appears to be a letter he sent to the Democratic (PTOA) Party’s Leader and Chairman Sēmisi Sika, that the late Prime Minister wanted to resign five months before he died in September 2019.

Tapueluelu’s revelations appear to be his responses to demands from  Chairman Sika to reply within five days or may face dismissal from the Party. The Party was expected to meet tomorrow Monday 21 to decide the future of Tapueluelu.

The Party’s strong overseas chapters and frontliners have accused Tapueluelu of being power-hungry and causing chaos within the party. Tapueluelu has denied these.

The letter, which was leaked to Kaniva News,  claimed that ‘Akilisi’s eldest son Siaosi Pōhiva and people who were very close to ‘Akilisi at the time, but were not Members of Parliament or Party members, gave the late leader of the democrats  wrong advice to stay in the premiership until his death.

Tapueluelu accused Siaosi of engaging with these people in power struggle which led to the demise of the Party before last year’s premiership election.

Siaosi told Kaniva News he was unmoved by his brother-in-law’s allegations against him because he had done nothing wrong and he had submitted his full response to Chairman Sika.

Tapueluelu was contacted for comment.

PTOA loses premiership election

Hon Tapueluelu claimed the Party lost the government after some of the Party’s MPs, led by current Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, defected and formed the new People’s Party with Noble MPs before they won the premiership election last year, because of the wrong advice given to ‘Akilisi by Siaosi and others.

Tapueluelu said if ‘Akilisi’s resignation had happened according to plan, he would have been able to assist  a smooth transition of power and make sure the party still won the following premiership election.

The leaked letter also claimed the then Acting Attorney General, ‘Aminiasi Kefu, gave legal advice about ‘Akilisi’s plan to resign. The written legal advice was then allegedly labeled ‘Strictly Confidential’ before it was passed on to Tapueluelu to hand it over to ‘Akilisi in about April 2019.

Tapueluelu, who claimed he worked with ‘Akilisi for about 19 years and had helped him organised three consecutive election campaigns, said he handed the letter to ‘Akilisi and waited.

“April passed then May, June, July and August then the Prime Minister became seriously ill before he died,” Tapueluelu said in Tongan.

Phone call claim

He said before ‘Akilisi died he was “so surprised” when he allegedly received a phone call from Siaosi telling him he did not want ‘Akilisi to resign. He claimed Siaosi said the people owed it to ‘Akilisi to continue on as Prime Minister until he died.

Tapueluelu said this was in conflict with what ‘Akilisi had allegedly told him to do about his plan to resign with dignity – (“mālōlō fakahau”.)

Tapueluelu’s leaked letter which appears to have been written on March 6 2020, claimed  that when ‘Akilisi became seriously ill he repeatedly asked his media adviser, Lopeti Senituli, about the resignation letter.

Chairman Sika demands response

The leaked letter purportedly showed that Chairman Sika demanded Tapueluelu explain why he no longer attended the party’s board meetings and why Tapueluelu had accused other Party members without them knowing about it. The party also wanted a clear explanation about his membership status.

Tapueluelu’s letter has divided the PTOA Party supporters overseas with the US stronghold and  frontliners calling on Chairman Sika to dismiss him.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand PTOA officials split with some said they were behind both Siaosi and Tapueluelu and called for reconciliation. Others said they wanted him out of the Party.

Party in disarray

A number of  PTOA chapters were set up in New Zealand, Australia and the US after ‘Akilisi’s death. They have been extremely active in supporting the Party’s core team.

There was an attempt in New Zealand to have all chapters come under one umbrella after a committee was elected and named as PTOA New Zealand. However, this was opposed by some supporters, including the PTOA Auckland Aotearoa, which said it wanted to work directly with the core team in Tonga and not go through PTOA New Zealand.

That dispute in New Zealand was toned down after MP Siaosi visited Auckland two months after replacing his father as MP for Tongatapu 1.

He told PTOA fans during a welcoming feast in Mangere, South Auckland, hosted by the party supporters that every chapter would be free to contact the core team in Nuku’alofa directly.

Despite the statement from Siaosi, who is also the secretary of the Core Team, New Zealand supporters kept debating on Facebook about who should lead them in New Zealand.

The PTOA chapters overseas called on  the PTOA’s core team to publicly admit the Party was in disarray and they accused Tapueluelu for causing chaos.

Many were behind Siaosi and Chairman Sika, while others supported Tapueluelu.

MP Siaosi Pōhiva’s response

When contacted about the letter Siaosi told  Kaniva News he was unmoved by what his brother-in-law had said about him because he had not done anything wrong.

In Tongan he said: “neongo aipe ha fa’ahinga tukuaki’i ta’efakapapau’i ‘oku fai mai kiate au fekau’aki moe issue ko eni ‘oku ou ongo’i nonga pe mo fiemalie ‘ihe mahino ki hoku ‘atamai mo hoku laumalie ‘oku ‘ikai keu fai ha me’a ‘oku hala.”

Siaosi said he did not believe the allegations his brother-in-law  had made against him and others could be resolved through media.

He said he had submitted his response to Chairman Sika.

MP Siaosi said his father had the political freedom and divine mission to free the poor and oppressed from the rule of the oppressors.

The Party supporters grow

‘Akilisi’s supporters have been growing and more than ever publicly active since his death.

However, there was great concern about the party’s future and there were some conspiracy theories about another new party being set up.

Some analysts believed the disarray among the Party’s core team and the movement’s supporters was just part of a struggle by its leadership to put things together after their great leader died.

Editor’s note:

Kaniva News has just received a number of livestreaming videos and responses from the PTOA Movement’s frontliners to Hon Tapueluelu’s allegations and his Party roles. One of those videos came from Dr Tu’i Uata, the former Minister of Trade and Economic Development. Because of the need to keep the length of our articles to our standard word length we will write more stories on this topic.

 

California illegals to get emergency payment; estimates say a third of Tongans undocumented

By
Kaniva Staff
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While overstayers in New Zealand remain cut off from government financial assistance, illegal migrants in California will receive government financial aids.

The money will go to illegal immigrants who do not qualify for assistance under the US$2.2 trillion federal Covid-19 stimulus package.

It has been estimated that there are about 10,000 Tongan migrants living in Los Angeles County, about a third of whom are undocumented, or, in New Zealand terms, overstayers.

Poverty rates among the Tongan population are higher than average.

On Wednesday California governor Gavin Newsom said the state government would spend US$75 million in taxpayer funds sending US$500 to 150,000 adult immigrants.

The New York Post described the migrants as reeling from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

READ MORE:

According to the Public Policy Institute of California there are more than 2.5 million illegal migrants in California. Nearly 25 Percent of the United States’ undocumented immigrants reside in California.

Ten percent of California’s workforce consists of immigrants living in the country illegally according to Newsom. The state’s illegal immigrants paid over $2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year, the governor said.

“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” Newsom said.

California’s state government will send the money to a coalition of regional non-profits, who will in turn vet potential recipients and disperse the money to those who qualify.

Overstayers in New Zealand have access to free Covid-19 testing, but Kaniva News has been contacted by large numbers of people seeking help.

Many overstayers are in extremely difficult situations because they have lost their jobs and are relying on friends for help.

Kaniva News has called on the New Zealand government to institute a blanket amnesty for overstayers to allow them to receive the full range of government assistance during the current crisis.

The main points

  • While overstayers in New Zealand remain cut off from government financial assistance, illegal migrants in California will receive government financial aids.
  • The money will go to illegal immigrants who do not qualify for assistance under the US$2.2 trillion federal Covid-19 stimulus package.

For more information

California will pay illegal immigrants not included in coronavirus stimulus

Undocumented Immigrants in California

Undocumented Immigrants in California

Tongan seasonal workers in Australia continue working as farmers around the world face shortage of labour due to Covid-19 restrictions

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
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Tongans in Australia on the Seasonal Workers Programme are continuing to work during the country’s lockdown.

Tonga’s liaison officer in Australia, Sione Vaka, told Kaniva News today all Seasonal Worker Programme employees’ visas had been extended for up to 12 months.

Vaka said Tongan workers had not been charged for the extension.

He said employers were making sure employees would not be infected with the virus.

Sione Vaka, Tongan Liason Officer in Australia’s Seasonal Worker Progamme

He said the Australian government had directed all employers to make sure their workers had work to do during the lockdown to help their families in Tonga.

All states were on lockdown, but the workers were exempted because they were doing essential services.

They had to be quarantined for 14 days once they arrived in a state.

The cost of their quarantine was paid by the employers, but at the same time the employers have to pay them while they were being quarantined.

The employers of various farms were allowed to share the workers and employ them if they had works available for them to do.

This was not normally allowed under the Seasonal Worker Programme.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation announced earlier this month that Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme participants could extend their stay for up to one year.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said extending the visas of working holidaymakers and seasonal workers would ensure farmers had enough labour to plant and pick their crops.

“What we are saying to those visa holders is that if you’re prepared to stay in this country and help us get through this coronavirus then we’ll extend your visa,” Mr Littleproud told ABC TV’s rural affairs programmer Landline.

The Minister said the extensions would be for people working in agriculture, health and aged care.

He said extending seasonal workers’ visas would ensure farmers had enough labour to plant and pick their crops.

New Zealand

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Recognised Seasonal Employer workers are entitled to government funding, equating to NZ$585.50 per worker per week, if they cannot work during the lockdown because their employer’s business is not operating or the employer cannot afford to pay them due to reduced business activity.

RSE workers required to self-isolate while in New Zealand, due to illness or close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, they are also eligible for the government’s wage subsidy.

RSE employers can apply for the subsidy on behalf of their workers and provide accommodation and pastoral care facilities during the 14-day isolation period.

Workers will continue to pay their accommodation and other living costs. Under existing medical insurance, RSE workers are entitled to receive medical treatment for any presenting conditions, including COVID-19, and treatment for the virus will be covered by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health.

RSE employers are required to set strict rules for the safety of their workforce, including restricting workers’ ability to leave their worksites and prohibiting engagement with people other than those they live and work with.

Global

Meanwhile, CNN reported yesterday that farmers in the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada are using charter flights to bring in thousands of seasonal migrant workers as coronavirus shutdowns threaten the supply of migrant labour.

CNN said farm workers had been deemed essential workers by most countries. However,  border closures in Europe and a virtual shutdown in global aviation had left countries that rely heavily on seasonal migrant workers facing labour shortages.

“A lack of farm workers would further stretch food supply chains that had been under huge pressure from restrictions on travel and shipping, and waves of panic buying by consumers worried about the coronavirus,” the American broadcaster said.

The main points

  • Tongans in Australia on the Seasonal workers Programme are continuing to work during the country’s lockdown.
  • All Seasonal Worker Programme employees’ visas have been extended for up to 12 months.
  • Farm workers had been deemed essential workers by most countries.

For more information

Backpackers allowed to extend stays in Australia during coronavirus pandemic, temporary visa holders to get access to super

COVID-19: RSE responses, challenges and logistics

Farmers are chartering planes to bring in workers and save their crops

Tongan Cabinet prepares to make tough decision on flight ban while Tongans reach out to help overstayers in New Zealand

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
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Tonga’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Vātau Hui, told Kaniva News this evening Cabinet would decide tomorrow whether to extend the ban on international flights until June.

The ban has been in place since March 23 and affects Fiji Airways, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, and Talofa Airways flights.

Some flights have been allowed in to take Australians, Americans and New Zealanders home.

An air shipment of medical equipment was diverted to Fiji and its cargo sent on by ship.

Tonga remains free of the Covid-19 virus, but the decision on whether or not to extend the airline ban is in line with its extension of emergency laws including a nightly curfew and the closure of almost all public venues and events.

The kingdom instituted a lockdown on March 29.

Meanwhile, the kingdom’s plans to deal with the virus should it reach the islands have been boosted by the creation of an isolation facility at Mu’a hospital and the arrival of medical equipment from New Zealand.

Covid-19 testing equipment, an x-ray unit and 36 hospital beds have been sent to the kingdom.

Reaching out

Kaniva News has received many calls for help for overstayers during the crisis, with most people wanting assistance with food.

We published a list of contacts for food banks and other sources last night.

Auckland resident Nola Pasikala called to say she had collected food which she had given to a number of overstayers.

She described one family she visited as being in a pitiful situation, with a baby and no food. She said she was able to give them some food and cash after learning of their condition.

Other people have contacted Kaniva News to ask how they can get help with their rent.

Many overstayers have lost their jobs and because of their illegal position cannot access government financial support.

We have also had support for our call for the New Zealand government to implement a blanket amnesty or overstayers during the Covid-19 crisis for they can access the full range of official support.

Plight of many overstayers extremely difficult, but help available with food and Covid-19 tests

By
Philip Cass
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As New Zealand enters its third week of lockdown, Kaniva News has been contacted by large numbers of people seeking help for overstayers who fall outside many of the provisions of government assistance.

Many overstayers are in extremely difficult situations and their friends have pleaded for help.

One woman texted us to say she, her husband and seven children were renting a sleep out in South Auckland.

She said their rent payment had been stopped when the lockdown began, but the landlord warned them to start paying their rent again next month.

She said  they did not know where to get that money from because they had lost their jobs and did not have access to government subsidies or financial supports. 

Many of the people who contacted us had large families and asked for help with food.

Food

Help with food is available, but the problems for many people living in New Zealand is becoming serious.

The Salvation Army said more and more families were struggling to buy groceries due to the Covid-19 lock down.

“Our individual and corporate partners are being very generous in helping us help those who are struggling. We are calling on those New Zealanders who are in a position to help, to keep our food banks stocked by donating to The Foodbank Project, our online foodbank, at https://www.foodbank.org.nz/ ” Assistant Territorial Secretary for Mission, Captain Gerry Walker said.

“They can also place non-perishable items in our purple bins at Countdown Supermarkets.”

The Auckland City Mission has a consultation service for the provision of family food parcels.

All consultations are now completed by phone.  If callers need a food parcel, they should call 09 303 9200 to arrange for a phone consultation.  They will be given a time to collect the parcel and instructed how to pick up.

Family food parcels can be collected from the following locations:

The mission’s distribution centre in Grafton. Monday – Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm.           

Nga Whare Waatea Marae, Favona Monday – Friday 10.00am – 2.00pm

People living in the Auckland region can also  call the Auckland Council Emergency Management Team for a food parcel on 0800 22 22 96 if they are in isolation and have no access to other support networks or if they are unable to afford groceries.

Outside Auckland people can check the foodbank directory at : https://www.foodbank.co.nz/foodbanks for the location of their nearest food bank.

People in need are advised to call to make an application for emergency food assistance. People are asked not just to turn up at the foodbank because it puts everyone at risk.

A national list of whānau Ora Covid-19 support partners can be found at http://pasifikafutures.co.nz/covid-19-support/. The site provides the names and contact details of a range of organisations.

Pacific providers that are funded to provide support to vulnerable Pacific families have been supporting overstayer families and will continue supporting them.

Tongan Mormon churches have made their Kau Matu’a Offices in every stake open to all members of the public if they need helps such as food and groceries.

Covid-19 testing

Minister for Pacific Peoples William Aupito Sio said it was important for Pacific individuals and families who were overstayers to  get tested if they have any of the symptoms for COVID-19 or if they think you have Covid-19.

Covid-19 symptoms include  a cough or fever, a sore throat or shortness of breath and loss of sense of smell

“Our expectation as Government is that you will be served and tested for Covid-19 regardless of your legal status, including if you are an overstayer here in New Zealand, when you visit either a Community Based testing station, a GP clinic or any of our hospitals,” Hon. Sio said.

“We must collectively as a country.

“Please remember you can always call Healthline for free from a mobile or landline on 0800 358 5453.

“You can be referred by Healthline or your GP for a free COVID-19 test.

“Many of these Community Testing Stations also allow you to drop in, in person for a free test when you fit within public health’s expanded criteria without an appointment.”

The Minister said health workers at the Testing Stations would be moving around to support people while they waited so as not to be with any person long enough to be at risk of Covid-19.

Health workers who were taking the swabs for testing would be wearing full PPE – mask, gloves, gowns and eye protection.

Patients would be given written advice about when to expect their results and what to do next. Most results would be sent out via text message, with other options available to people who don’t have a mobile phone. The expectation is that test results would take up to five days to be available.

It should be remembered that Community Testing Stations were only for testing.  They would not provide medical care or assessment.

“If any of you are feeling sick or unwell enough where you would normally seek the advice of your doctor you should contact your GP and schedule an appointment please,” Hon. Sio said.

The main points

  • As New Zealand enters its third week of lockdown, Kaniva News has been contacted by large numbers of people seeking help for overstayers who fall outside many of the provisions of government assistance.
  • Many overstayers are in extremely difficult situations and their friends have pleaded for help.

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa denies allegations Her Majesty the Queen and Deputy Prime Minister return to Tonga on today’s aircraft from New Zealand amid coronavirus ban

By
Kalino Latu
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Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa and his Deputy have vehemently denied allegations the Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa’otusia and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u were expected to return to Tonga on an Air New Zealand special flight from Auckland to the kingdom today.

The Tu’i’onetoa government has extended its Covid-19 related restrictions on its borders last week and confirmed all Tonga bound passenger flights must be banned. International airlines have to get permission from the government before they were allowed on strict conditions to land at the Fua’amotu International Airport.

The allegation that the Deputy Prime Minister was expected on the flight was released by suspended Tonga Broadcasting Commission Station Manager Sētita Tu’i’onetoa yesterday in a livestream news update she shared to Facebook.

People who contacted us last night about the allegations said other sources on social media alleged Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho was expected to return to Tonga on the Air New Zealand charter flight.

When contacted by Kaniva News about the allegation Sētita said her sources were reliable.

In Tongan she said: “naa ku ma’u e fkmatala falalaanga oku Folau ae tokoni PM ki Tonga tomorrow peau fetu’utaki ia ki Tonga ke fkpapaui pe oku mooni pea fkha mai meiai io.”

The Prime Minister said the fake news was made to discredit the government and made the public think he was being selective and allowed only elite to travel to Tonga during the ban. 

He said this type of political spin must be stopped as it could cause chaos while the government was trying to unite the people.

In Tongan he said: “Ko e politiki koia oku totonu ke tuku he oku fakamoveuveu nofo, ‘oku mio’i ke malava ke ‘oua te tau nofo melino. ‘Oku fakatu’utamaki ia, he oku feinga a e Pule’anga ke tau nofo melino, ke hoko a e ua ko e taha pe.”

The email by the Prime Minister in his response to Kaniva News this morning included a response from his Minister of Health to an urgent request to confirm to him whether or not the allegations were true.

In her response to the Prime Minister Hon ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu said:

“This news is untrue as per MoH directions.”

Hon Fā’otusia, is currently in New Zealand and he has also denied the allegation to us.

“No I am here and well, and would like to speak with anybody concerning my health. In short, I am not returning to Tonga as I am currently under some medication, but I am in constant communication with my office as to any matter of interest to the country as a whole that I may assist,” the Deputy Prime Minister said in an email to Kaniva News.

Hon Fā’otusia said Setita did not contact him and he was concerned about it.

“I am not in prison not allowed to share news with the outside world. As to lock down, the Prime Minister and his office has all the information about it, and they will answer any question concerning it.

“However, personally, i would like to see Tonga treats the situation as if the virus is already there as we cannot afford to be too comfortable about the virus.”

Sētita along with two other television anchors Vilisoni Tu’iniua and Salamo Fulivai were currently being suspended with pay after TBC board received complaints from former Cabinet Minister and MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu.

As we reported last week, New Zealanders stranded in Tonga wanting to get home will find some relief soon thanks to the announcement of a special flight.

An Air New Zealand flight from Tonga to Auckland has been scheduled for today Wednesday, 15 April.

Fanongonongo eni ki he ngaahi mātu’a Stutton Park

By
Kaniva Staff
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SUTTON PARK SCHOOL

89 Vine Street, Mangere East, Auckland 2024

Telephone (09) 276 4560   

Principal: Fa’atili Iosua Esera

Fanongonongo ki he Ngaahi Mātu’a moe Tauhi Fānau ‘Apiako Sutton Park

‘Aho 11 ‘Epeleli 2020

‘Oku ou ‘amanaki ‘oku mou mo’ui lelei pea tokamālie ‘a e ngaahi fatongia mei ‘api na.  Pea kuou tui koe fakamanatu ‘o e Pekiá ‘oku ne fakamo’oni’i ai kiate kitautolu ‘a e ‘ofa lahi moe kelesi ‘a e ‘Otua ‘oku tau ‘inasi ai.  Na’e kalusefai hono ‘Alo tofu pē Tahá ko hotau Huhu’i. ‘Oku ou ‘amanaki pē ko ho’o mou tokoni ki ho’o mou ngaahi fāmili fakafo’ituitui, ko e founga pē ia ‘e malu ai ‘a e tokotaha kotoa.  Fakatauange ke tāpuekina kimoutolu  ‘e he ‘Otua, ‘a kimoutolu  ‘oku mou fai ‘a e ngaahi fatongia tokoni ko ia. 

‘Oku kamata ‘a e teemi hono 2 ‘i he Pulelulu ‘aho 15 ‘Epeleli.  Ka neongo ia, ‘oku kei hokohoko atu pē ‘a e fakataputapuí pea koe ngaahi ‘apiako ‘oku te’eki ngofua ha ‘alu ki ai.  Ko e ako ‘etau fānau ‘e kei hokohoko atu pē ‘i he on-line. ‘Oku lolotonga ngāue ‘a e Potungaue Ako mo ‘ene kau ngāue ki hono fokotu’utu’u ‘a e ngaahi founga ‘e lava ke tokoni ki he ako online ‘a e fānaú.

‘Oku ou fakamālō atu kiate kimoutolu kotoa pē ne mou kau mai ki he savea na’e ‘oatú, ke fakapapau’i ai ‘a e ngaahi fāmili ‘oku lava ke ngaue’aki ‘e he fānau ‘a e ‘initaneti ki he ‘enau ako mei ‘api.  Fakamālō atu kiate kimoutolu na’a mou fetu’utaki mai fekau’aki moe fiema’u ha ngaahi naunau fakakomipiuta ke tokoni ki he ako ho’o mou fānau.  Kuou ‘osi ‘ave ‘a e fiema’u ko ia ki he timi ‘oku nau tokanga’i ‘a e tafa’aki ako fakakomipiuta ‘a e ‘apiako. ‘Oku ou fie fakamālō makehe heni kia Mrs Lakokiperitania pea mo Mr Lemanu ‘a ia ‘oku na tokanga’i ‘a e tafa’aki ko ‘eni.

Ko e ngaahi fāmili ‘oku mou lava ke ngāue’aki ‘a e ‘initaneti ‘i ‘api, ‘oku lahi pē ‘a e ngaahi ngāue fakaako te mou ma’u atu mei he website pē facebook ‘a e ‘apiakó.  Ko e ngaahi taki fakatimi moe whanau ‘oku hokohoko atu pē ‘enau fetu’utaki moe kau faiako ‘i he ngaahi timi takitaha, ke fakapapau’i ‘oku lahi pē ‘a e ngaahi ngāue fakaako ma’a ‘etau fānau.

Kuo fa’u ‘ehe Pule’anga e polokalama televīsone ‘o fakafou mai ‘i he Potungāue Ako ke fakamafola mai ai e  ngaahi polokalama akó.  ‘Oku ou fiefia ‘aupito ‘i he fokotu’u ‘a e televīsone ki he ako ‘a e fānaú pea ‘oku ‘i ai  foki moe polokalama ako ngāue’aki ‘a e lea ‘a e kau Mauli.

Ko e ngaahi fāmili ko ia ‘oku ‘ikai ha ‘initaneti, pē koe ngaahi naunau fakakomipiuta fe’unga ke ngaue’aki ‘e he fanaú, ko e faingamālie lelei ‘eni ke mou ako’i ai ‘a e fānau ke nau lava ke ngāue’aki ‘etau lea faka-Tonga.  Ko e ako ‘a e fānau ki he teemi hoko, ‘e fakamamafa ki he ‘Mo’ui lelei’, ko ia ai kātaki ngaue’aki ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie kotoa pē ke tokoni ai ki he ‘etau fānau ke fakalahi ‘enau ‘ilo ki he ngaahi founga ‘o e faka’ehi’ehi mei he mahaki Covid19. Ko e mo’ui lelei kakató, ‘oku kau ki ai ‘ae mo’ui lelei honau ‘atamai, mo’ui fakasōsiale, mo’ui fakaeloto, pea moe mo’ui fakalaumālie. ‘Oku lahi ‘a e ngaahi me’a ke tau tokoni ai ki he fānau ‘i he fa’a talanoa mo e fevahevahe’aki.

‘I he teemi hono 2, ‘e fakahoko ai ‘a e ngaahi fe’auhi lea faka’apiako ‘i he lea ‘a e kau Ha’amoa, Tonga, Mauli moe lea faka-Pilitānia foki.  ‘ E fiema’u ‘etau fānau ke nau kau ‘i he ngaahi fe’auhi ko ‘eni.  ‘Oku ou faka’amu pē ‘e lava ha fe’auhi ‘i he lea ‘a e kau Lalotonga moe Niue kae lava ke kau atu ‘a e fānau ki ai.  Ko ia kātaki ‘o ngāue ‘aki ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie ko ‘eni ‘oku tau ma’u ‘i he lolotonga ni, ke ako’i ai ‘a e fānau ‘i he ngaahi ‘ulungaanga moe lea faka-Tonga.  Koe toe faingamālie ‘eni ‘e lava ai ‘a e fānau ke nau ako ‘i he founga hono ngaohi ‘o e me’atokoni faka-Tonga mo e ngaahi tala tukufakaholo hotau ki’i fonua.

‘Oku ou faka’amu pē te mou talangofua ki he ngaahi fakahinohino mei he Potungāue Mo’ui moe Pule’anga, ke mou malu ai mei he mahaki Covid19.  ‘Oku ou lotu mo e tui ‘e vave ni pē ha ‘a tau toe fakatahataha mai koe fāmili ‘o e ‘Apiako Sātoni Paaka.

Ko e ngaahi fanongonongo kotoa pē ‘e ma’u atu ia mei he website ‘a e ‘apiakó pea mo e ngaahi letiō fakamatakali. ‘Oku ou fakamālō heni kia Mrs Mrs, Mrs Tosogi mo Whaea Molly he tokoni ki hono liliu ‘etau fanongonongo ki he lea Faka-Tonga, Faka-Ha’amoa, moe lea faka-Mauli.  Kapau ‘oku ke toe fiema’u ha tokoni makehe pea ke fetu’utaki mai kiate au ‘i he tu’asila principal@suttonpark.school.nz pē tuku mai ha fekau ‘i he telefoni 021-250-6684.  Fakatauange pē ke mou malu mo hao ‘i he ‘aofinima ‘ofa ‘o e ‘Otua. Talamonū atu, ‘ofa ke mou ma’u ha Pekia moe Toetu’u fonu kelesi’ia foki.

 ‘Ofa lahi atu moe hūfaki,

Fa’atili Iosua Esera

Tumuaki/Pulea’oga/Puleako

Master of Education [Merit]

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