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New Health Minister appointed to adjunct roles in leading Sydney universities’ health faculties

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga’s new Health Minister was appointed as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the  University of Sydney earlier this year.

She was appointed an Adjunct Associate Professor University of Sydney in September this year.

In May she was apppointed an Honorary Associate in the adjunct faculty in Health at the University of Technology in Sydney, a position UTS described as being for “eminent professionals.”

Dr Tu’ipulotu’s career has been a mixture of acacademic and hands-on ever since she trained as a student nurse in Australia

As Kaniva news reported in 2013, Dr Tu’ipulotu was the first Tongan to graduate with a doctorate in nursing from the University of Sydney’s Nursing School.

She wrote her doctoral thesis on standards for nursing practice in Tonga.

She received an Australian Development Scholarship to complete her doctorate through the University of Sydney.

She was Matron and Director of Nursing at Vaiola Hospital from 2012-2014.

She was responsible for the majority of the country’s nurses who work in four hospitals on  Tongatapu, Vava’u, Eua, Haapai and Niua.

In 2015 she chaired the South Pacific Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers conference in Tonga which  drew 30 delegates from 12 countries.

Last year she joined Minister for Health Dr Saia Piukala in a visit to Sydney to launch the kingdom’s policy on non-communicable diseases.

A former head girl at Tonga High School, Dr Tu’ipulotu was Acting Principal of Queen Salote School of Nursing in Tonga. She has been a visiting senior scholar at the school since 2015.

She has written about the role of nurses in disaster management in the Asia Pacific and conducted research on nurses’ work and practice in Tonga.

The main points

  • Tonga’s new Health Minister was appointed as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the  University of Sydney earlier this year.
  • As Kaniva news reported in 2013, Dr Tu’ipulotu was the first Tongan to graduate with a doctorate in nursing from the university’s Nursing School.

For more information

Tonga’s first ever Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing will graduate tomorrow from the University of Sydney

https://kanivatonga.co.nz/2013/01/tongas-first-ever-doctor-of-philosophy-in-nursing-will-graduate-tomorrow-from-the-university-of-sydney/

Court cases “repeatedly delayed” because Attorney General office overloaded and understaffed, claims Lawyer Edwards

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Office of the Attorney General was on the verge of collapse (“ta’e’aonga”,) senior legal counselor William Clive Edwards Snr has claimed.

Edwards alleged the process of submitting prosecution and criminal proceedings to courts were repeatedly delayed because the Office could not “cope” with the work overload.

The lawyer said he believed the Office was understaffed or the experienced law officers were on leave or had left the country for good.

Edwards said these issues needed to be resolved.

He made the comments in a televised radio programme he co-hosted with political partner and former MP Teisina Fuko which was released online.

Edwards was responding after Fuko called on the Attorney General Linda Folaumoetu’i to actively engage with the public in government matters which were of legal interest and make advice and recommendations.

Fuko wanted immediate responses from the Attorney General on these matters.  

The claims came after a public concern at the repeated delays of some high profile court cases including the Lord Tu’ivakano and the Lavulavus’ cases.

Police charged Lord Tu’ivakano, a former Prime Minister and Speaker, on March 2018 with numerous offences relating to passport fraud, bribery and money laundering.

Since then the case had been delayed numerous times. Last month it was adjourned again but this time his lawyer, who is Mr Edwards, applied to strike out several of the charges against him. The case was last scheduled to be heard on October 9 at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

The delay in the Noble’s case was due to requests from both sides to be given more time so they could file papers for the trial.

Cabinet minister and MP ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband former government minister and MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu had their case adjourned for the third time in June 25.

Their case had been adjourned to allow for the defence to submit documents in relation to their charges.

The Lavulavus are charged with three counts each of knowingly dealing with forged documents and three counts of obtaining credit by false pretences.

The Attorney General has been contacted for comment.

The main points

  • The Office of the Attorney General was on the verge of collapse (“ta’e’aonga”) senior legal counselor William Clive Edwards Snr has claimed.
  • Edwards alleged the process of submitting prosecution and criminal proceedings to courts were repeatedly delayed because the Office could not “cope” with the work overload.

For more information

Lavulavus granted permission to seek judicial review of Auditor Generals’ actions

Lavulavus granted permission to seek judicial review of Auditor Generals’ actions

Tonga urged to abolish death penalty; brother of three executed in 1982 shared their final moments and family reaction as they went to the gallows

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga had been urged to abolish the death penalty as the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty marked the 17th year since its establishment with the theme – Children, Unseen Victims.

It says it is frequently forgotten that children of parents sentenced to death or executed carry a heavy emotional and psychological burden that can amount to the violation of their human rights.

The Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners to Tonga jointly marked the world day with speeches  by Capt Sila Siufanga from the Salvation Army and Families Free of Violence Co-ordinator and former Tongan Police officer Siueli ‘Eleni Mone.

The high commissioners urged those present to work towards the eventual removal of the death penalty from Tonga’s statutes.

Tonga has maintained a de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 1982, although it remains in law as a punishment for murder and treason, they said.

In 2011 a brother and relative of three men who were executed in Tonga 39 years ago spoke to Kaniva news about the family’s reactions and the final moments of the men before they were hung in Hu’atolitoli prison.

Siale Sole spoke to Kaniva news in 2011. The original story was published in Tongan on May 9, 2011.

Hāloti Sole, Livingi Sole and Fili ‘Esau were convicted and sentence to death after they murdered Uikelotu of Vainī in 1981.

The murder happened at Taufa’āhau Road in Vainī after the three men and another person from their town had been working at a residence of their noble, Kalaniuvalu, in Nuku’alofa.

They drank alcohol and sang songs while driving back home to Lapaha when they heard Vaini residents swearing at them.

The victim Uikelotu was one of a group of youths who challenged them  on the road. The vehicle stopped and a fight broke out.

Siale said Livingi saw that Hāloti was outnumbered so he got out of the van with a machete and hit the victim’s leg before ‘Esau stabbed Uikelotu’s chest with a hoe.

Siale, a brother of Hāloti and Livingi and a relative of ‘Esau said it was a heavy burden for the whole family of 13 siblings to cope with the results of the death penalty. ‘Esau’s mother married Sole’s uncle.

The agony was coupled with the rejection of hu loufi – the cultural practice of asking the king to use his constitutional power to pardon the convicts.

Siale said they asked the then king to save the trio from the death penalty and commute their sentence  to life imprisonment. The king refused request because of the gruesomeness of the killing, Siale said.

Siale said he thought it was unfair to kill three men because they killed just one person. He claimed there were murder cases in which the convicts were given life sentences and who eventually died in prison or released in jubilees.

In Tongan he said: “It was a great loss to the family. Not only two of our siblings had been executed, but we also spent a lot of possessions  such as Tongan handicrafts when they went to family of the victim and asked for their forgiveness and also to the king.”

Siale was emotional when he talked to Kaniva news and said the family were shocked when they first received the news in 1981 that the trio had been involved in the murder at Vaini town.

But what was more shocking was the involvement of Livingi, the youngest sibling. He described Livingi with the Tongan proverb – ‘Ikai fuea e lango’ which means he had a naïve and innocent character just like someone who cannot chase away the flies which fly around their face.

He said Hāloti was a diehard person and their father once warned him that if he did not change his attitude he would one day die because of it. He said Hāloti made homebrew, which is prohibited by law in Tonga, and when police were aware of him possessing homebrew they could not arrest him because of the threats he made against them.

The final moment

Siale said the family was allowed to visit the three men in prison.

The trio were also allowed to tape record their stories and send them to the families.  

They advised their siblings from their cell to stop drinking alcohol because this was a factor that contributed to the killing of their victim,  Uikelotu. 

Siale had described the advice as excellent sharing (“vahvahe malie”) which he hadn’t  heard of before.

“His brothers were absolutely remorseful,” Siale said.

He said when they heard them talking on the tape, it was deeply touching.

He said it sound like his brothers were talking directly with God.

He said even the two pastors, Haitini Finau and Manase Tafea who were working with them were astonished to hear how his brothers had shared the word of God from the Bible.

Siale said the men were not told when they would be executed, but the pastors were surprised when they told them the date and time.

When the pastors asked who told them, they said the angel.

On the morning of September 7 1982 jailers opened the door of their cell before dressing them and leading them to Mo’ungakula gallows for their execution, Siale said while trying to compose himself.

He said the pastors told them that when they arrived at the gallows Livingi pulled off his hood and turned to the officers and asked for their forgiveness.  He apologiesed to the family of Uikelotu, the king and the government.

Siale said there was a brief disagreement among the three on who would be executed first. Livingi told Hāloti to be the first to be executed because he was the oldest, but Hāloti told him to take it first as he was the youngest and leave it for him to tidy it up. Livingi agreed and was executed first.  ‘Esau was the second to be hung before  Hāloti.

Siale said the pastors told them the men died peacefully.

Livingi’s wife delivered their youngest child a day before he was executed. Hāloti was survived by his wife and three children. Esau was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

The death penalty

Hātoti Sole, Livingi Sole and Fili Esau were the last people executed in Tonga.

In the same year, the Tongan Parliament discussed abolishing the death penalty, but decided to retain it.

In 2004, the Tongan Parliament voted 10-7 against a  bill to introduce the death penalty for possession of illicit drugs.

In 2005 Tevita Siale Vola became the first person in Tonga to be convicted of murder in 24 years, but was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In January this year Sitiveni ‘Esi Muli was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of Feng Sheng Pei and Su Jie Wen at their vegetable farm in Lakepa.

The main points

  • Tonga had been urged to abolish the death penalty as the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty marked the 17 year since its establishment with the theme – Children, Unseen Victims.
  • It says it is frequently forgotten that children of parents sentenced to death or executed carry a heavy emotional and psychological burden that can amount to the violation of their human rights.

Former Acting PM accuses Lavulavu of making “serious, inappropriate allegations” that defame him; Lavulavu says he does not remember making such an accusation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Former Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika has warned ousted MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu to stop defaming him.

Hon. Sika said Lavulavu’s comments were selfish, unloving and belittling and showed him to be power hungry.

He asked: “What wrong did I do for the country to cause you to make serious inappropriate allegations against me and to demean my dignity and the trust the people have in me?”

In Tongan he asked: “Ko e ha ha’aku kovi kuo fai ki he fonua kuo fa’u ai e fu’u talanoa ta’e taau ke holoki ai hoku ngeia pea ke fakangalikovi’i ai e falala ‘a e kakai kiate au?”

Hon. Sika made the comments on Facebook after he was seriously incriminated by ‘Etuate in the secretly recorded audio which was leaked to online users last week.

In that audio ‘Etuate alleged Hon Sika was having sex with other men.

He also alleged that Hon. Sika planned to appoint Hon. Saia Piukala as his Deputy Prime Minister and retained Dr Tu’i Uata as minister outside Parliament if he won the premiership. Hon Sika has denied this.

Hon. Sika said he never talked with ‘Etuate while the late Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was in hospital before he died or even before the premiership election day last month.

Hon. Sika warned ‘Etuate to keep away from any involvement with his wife’s ministerial duties which could involve multi-million dollar projects for roads maintenance and tourism.

In Tongan he wrote: “oku ou kole fakamamate atu ke ke tukuange ho mali ke ngaue tauataina mo e ongo CEO mo e kau ngaue he’e uesia a e ngaahi projects.”

Hon. Sika, who was the Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism said he had processed these projects and he trusted the new minister ‘Akosita Lavulavu, ‘Etuate’s wife, would fulfill them successfully.  

‘Etuate’s response

When Kaniva news asked ‘Etuate Lavulavu whether he had proof of the accusations he made against Hon. Sika on the secretly recorded audio, ‘Etuate said he did not remember making the allegations.

He said the audio could be edited and a voice similar to his could be added to it to make it soundlike he was the one who was saying it.

‘Etuate claimed he was the middleman for the coalition party and what he said reflected what the Democrat MPs who defected, the public and churches said about their dissatisfaction about the candidate for the premiership election.  

He said these people did not want Hon. Sika to become Prime Minister.

“Ko ‘eku fakahoko ange pe ki ai e lau e kau memipa kuo mavahe mo e uhinga oku ikai ai ke nau tali e tokoni palemia kene fetongi a PM. He ko e mea ia oku fakaha ange ehe kakai , ngaahi siasi, mo e kakai oku ikai kenau tali ai ke iai ha palemia pehe I tonga ni.”

‘Etutate has accused a senior government officer at the Ministry of Land and Survey of recording their conversation and released it to the public.

He said he did not authorise ‘Atunaisa Fetokai to release it.

Public reaction

The incident has fueled the Democrat suporters’ anger after the so-called PTOA party lost the premiership election and five of its MPs defected to form the coalition government.

They were Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Deputy Prime Minister Vuna Fa’otusia, Hon Vatau Hui, Hon ‘Akosita Lavulavu and Hon Poasi Tei.

Many criticised the way the new government was formed, saying the release of the secret audio recording confirmed their concerns that late ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s battle to bring democracy to Tonga might be discontinued.  

Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa said in a previous interview that he was confident his government would build the nation under the leadership of a diverse cabinet which included MPs from the nobility, independents and Democrats.

He rejected claims he betrayed the legacy of ‘Akilisi when he crossed the floor.

“The good governance and those good principles nobody should claim that as their own, no matter whether you are in the so-called PTOA Party or the People’s Party, but if you stick to that principle that is the legacy. Nobody should claim that as their own,” he told Radio New Zealand.

Lavulavu

There has been public disquiet about the level of involvement of ‘Etuate Lavulavu in politics in recent weeks.

The Prime Minister Tu’onetoa responded to criticism from the public and said last week Lavulavu was not his advisor.

Public concern has centred on Lavulavu‘s criminal record and the fact that his wife, who is also under investigation, is the Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism.

The Supreme Court convicted Lavulavu in 2016 of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign.  At his trial the judge said Lavulavu was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.

He and his wife are waiting another court case in which they are charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretenses, after irregularities in an audit of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.

The main points

  • Former Acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika has warned ousted MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu to stop defaming him.
  • Hon. Sika said Lavulavu’s comments were selfish, unloving and be,littling and showed him to be power huingry and selfish.

For more information

Lavulavu claims incriminating audio doctored, threatened to sue Tonga Broadcasting Commission and others

Lavulavu claims incriminating audio doctored, threatened to sue Tonga Broadcasting Commission and others

Public outrage after audio recording appears to show demand for land deal sweetener in return for supporting new coalition’s quest for power

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tu’i’onetoa government faces serious public criticism after the release of an audio recording that appears to show  horse-trading for a deal in exchange for persuading members of Parliament to defect or join the coalition government.

Kaniva news has been unable to independently  verify the audio or identify the speakers. Former member of Parliament, ‘Etuate Lavulavu has not responded to our request for comment on claims that he is the caller in the recording.

It appears that the audio was secretly recorded during a telephone conversation between the caller and a senior government officer who apparently works at the Ministry of Land and Survey.

The caller can be heard telling the officer that he wanted Lord Ma’afu to be the Minister of Land, Survey and Natural Resources. He told the receiver he wanted the lease for the land in which he and his family currently living to be approved.

There is no evidence that Lord Ma’afu was aware of the conversation.

The caller said a previous application had been declined.  

He said he wanted Lord Ma’afu to allow the land to be leased for 99 years, to which the government officer replied that might be possible if he would bring a member of his family to join the nobility in their attempt to form a new government.

The caller also asked for help in resolving an issue with a group of Chinese who leased land from him in Tofoa.

The officer said he could arrange this.

The caller then said they would form the new government and that he wanted the newly appointed cabinet ministers to return to parliament in 2021.

He said he deliberately planned in the weeks before the premiership election to cause chaos during a PTOA (Democrat) party meeting to make them disunited and disorganized so that it would make setting up of the new party and government successful.

Five MPs from the Democrats eventually defected and joined the new party. They were all appointed cabinet ministers today.

Reactions

In the recording the caller claimed he was the engineer (“’enisinia”) of the new coalition government which included MPs from the Democrats, Nobles and Independents.

Online users have called on the Prime Minister to step down.

They also criticised the way how the new government was formed.

Lavulavu

There has been public disquiet about the level of involvement of ‘Etuate Lavulavu in politics in recent weeks.

The Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’onetoa responded to criticism from the public and said last week Lavulavu was not his advisor.

Public concern has centred on ‘Lavulavu‘s criminal record and the fact that his wife, who is also under investigation, is the Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism.

The Supreme Court convicted Lavulavu in 2016 of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign. At his trial the judge said Lavulavu was not a credible witness and that his evidence was implausible, evasive and untruthful.  

He and his wife are waiting another court case in which they aere charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretenses, after irregularities in an audit of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.

The main points

  • The Tu’i’onetoa government faces serious criticism after the release of an audio recording that appears to show  horse-trading for a deal in exchange for persuading members of Parliament to defect or join the coalition government.
  • Kaniva news has been unable to independently the identities of the people in the audio. Former member of Parliament ‘Etuate Lavulavu has not responded to our request for comment on claims that he is the caller in the recording.

Lavulavu claims incriminating audio doctored, threatened to sue Tonga Broadcasting Commission and others

By
Kalino Latu
-

Ousted cabinet minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu has said that an incriminating audio recording of him was doctored, as critics increased pressure on him to stand aside after allegations he was the “engineer” of the Tu’i’onetoa government.

Lavulavu denied allegations that there was an agreement to reward him for the advice he gave the coalition parties before they won the premiership election and formed the new government.

He said there was a plot to record the telephone conversation to discredit him.

He said the audio was edited and parts of it were removed leaving the rest with only information that appeared to incriminate him.

He threatened to sue Television Tonga, its station manager Sētita Tu’i’onetoa along with its two reporters Salamo Fulivai and Vilisoni Tu’iniua. He also said he would to sue MP Saia Piukala and the person who he claimed secretly recorded the audio, ‘Atunaisa Fetokai of the Ministry of Land and Survey.  He claimed these people doctored the recorded audio before releasing it online.  

Lavulavu said he did not authorise Fetokai to record their telephone conversation or released it to the public.

He said he was seeking advice from Fetokai and there was no agreed deal to pay anybody back in return for his part in setting up the new government.

He said the coalition parties asked him to help them in their endeavor to win the premiership election and form the new government. He said he advised them what to do to win and fhey followed his advice.

Public concern has centred on Lavulavu‘s criminal record and the fact that his wife, who is also under investigation, is the Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism.

The Supreme Court convicted Lavulavu in 2016 of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign. 

He and his wife are waiting another court case in which they are charged with knowingly dealing with forged documents and obtaining credit by false pretenses, after irregularities in an audit of the ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Royal Institute in 2016.

But Lavulavu has assured the public that he did not interfere with ‘Akosita’a’s government duties. He said ‘Akosita was well educated and she was qualified with a Bachelor of Computer Science and MBA.  She is currently a part time law student at USP in Tonga. 

As Kaniva news reported earlier this week, the Tu’i’onetoa government had faced serious public criticism after the release of the audio recording that appears to show  horse-trading for a deal in exchange for persuading members of Parliament to defect or join the coalition government.

Lavulavu can be heard telling a government officer that he wanted Lord Ma’afu to help him in his attempt to lease the land in which he and his family currently living to be approved.

There is no evidence that Lord Ma’afu was aware of the conversation.

Lavulavu said a previous application had been declined. 

Lavulavu also asked for help in resolving an issue with a group of Chinese who leased land from him in Tofoa.

The officer said he could arrange this.

Lavulavur then said they would form the new government and that he wanted the newly appointed cabinet ministers to return to parliament in 2021.

He said he deliberately planned in the weeks before the premiership election to cause chaos during a PTOA (Democrat) party meeting to make them disunited and disorganized so that it would make setting up of the new party and government successful.

He also said he stopped his wife ‘Akosita from attending a Democrat Party meeting in weeks before the premiership election, after the they got a message reminding them of the meeting.

Five MPs from the Democrats eventually defected and joined the new party. They were all appointed cabinet ministers on Thursday.

The main points

  • Ousted cabinet minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu has said that an incriminating audio recording of him was doctored, as critics increased pressure on him to stand aside after allegations he was the “engineer” of the Tu’i’onetoa government.
  • Lavulavu denied allegations that there was an agreement to reward him for the advice he gave the coalition parties before they won the premiership election and formed the new government.

For more information

Public outrage after audio recording appears to show demand for land deal sweetener in return for supporting new coalition’s quest for power

Public outrage after audio recording appears to show demand for land deal sweetener in return for supporting new coalition’s quest for power

Murder charges laid after migrant worker died hours after returning to Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan migrant worker returning home after spending months working in a farm in Australia has died.

Fanaafi Misifane, 35, has just arrived and joined his family in Holonga, Tongatapu on Saturday before he died on Sunday morning, various sources close to the deceased said.   

A 25-year-old and a 21-year-old men from Kolonga along with a 21-year-old Holonga man had been arrested and charged with murder.

Police alleged the men assaulted the deceased with metal rods on his head.

The sources alleged the deceased was having a party with cousins before the incident happened.

Misifane worked at the PlantGrowPick company in Emerald, Queensland.

As Kaniva news reported, a Tongan man died in Tasmania last week. Kalolo Kuea died while working in that country’s Seasonal Worker Program.

Kuea’s cause of death has yet to be released.

Next round of legal fight over Lord Sevele’s compensation claim set for next February

By
Philip Cass
-

Lord Chief Justice Whitten has set February 14 next year for the next round of the legal clash between the government and Lord Sevele.

The ruling follows an order made earlier this year by his predecessor, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen, that Lord Sevele should have another chance to argue his case for compensation over the government’s decision to abandon the 2019 Pacific Games.

Lord Sevele has argued that when the government cancelled the Pacific Games and disbanded the Games Organising Committee, the committee agreed to pay him TP$105,869.98 severance pay.

He has argued that the Government is responsible for paying the settlement.

“In my view, this case raises an important issue and while the amended statement of claim should be struck out the justice of the case requires that the plaintiff be given a further opportunity to amend his claim,” Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten made his decision after Lord Sevele filed a third amended statement of claim on the matter.

He said all documents on which either party intended to depend for the trial had to filed by November 19.

The judge said Lord Sevele had to file an outline of his submissions for trial by January 24 next year.

The government has been ordered to file an outline of its submissions for the defence by February 7.

The main points

  • Lord Chief Justice Whiitten has set February 14 next year for the next round of the legal clash between the government and Lord Sevele.
  • The ruling follows an order made earlier this year by his predecessor, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen, that Lord Sevele should have another chance to argue his case for compensation over the government’s decision to abandon the 2019 Pacific Games.

For more information

Supreme Court says Lord Sevele should have another chance in his claim against government

Supreme Court says Lord Sevele should have another chance in his claim against government

Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa sworn in as new Prime Minister

By
Kalino Latu
-

Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa  is officially the prime minister of Tonga.

King Tupou VI signed the warrant appointing Tu‘i‘onetoa as prime minister in a swearing in ceremony at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa this morning.

As Kaniva news reported previously, Tu’i’onetoa has outlined policy areas in an exclusive interview in which he revealed his People’s Party new slogan – “Counting two as one.”

In Tongan, “Lau e ua ko e taha”, means to regard two people with different views as one and treat them the same way.

He said this was a time for “reconciliation” and uniting the country which has been long divided by political rivalries and dispute.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said two priorities his government would focus on were sealing all public roads with tar and filling roads to plantations and tax allotments with rocks. The other priority is the e-government project.

He said this evening a revocation process is underway to terminate some members of the ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s cabinet ministers before the king would appoint the new cabinet ministers.

As Kaniva news reported Hon Tu’i’onetoa has confirmed to us his new cabinet lineup is as follows:

1. Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa – Prime Minister of Tonga, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Public Enterprises

2. Sione Vuna Fā’otusia – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Prison

3. Tēvita Lavemaau – Minister of Finance, Minister of Customs and Revenue

4. Siaosi Sovaleni – Minister of Education

5. Dr. ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu – Minister of Health

6. ‘Akosita Lavulavu – Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Tourism

7. Poasi Tei – Minister of MEIDECC

8. Lord Nuku – Minister of Police

9. Sāmiu Vaipulu – Minister of Trade and Economic Development

10. Vātau Hui – Minister of Internal Affairs

11. Lord Tu’ilakepa – Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries

12. Lord Ma’afu – Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Minister of Land and Survey and Natural Resources 

A statement from the Prime Minister Office said: “Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa studied Accounting at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand (CA) in 1982. He received a Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia in 1993, and went on graduating with a Master of Business Accounting (MBA) from the same University in 1994. He received his Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) from the Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountant of New Zealand in 1999. He is a certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants in Australia in 1997, and a receiver of a certificate of Civil Law from the University of the South Pacific. 

“The Hon. Tu’i’onetoa is a Doctor of Christian Ministry, from the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Tacoma, Washington, USA since 2000.

“He first joined the Tonga Civil Service in January, 1979. He was the Official Liquidator at the Department of Justice, commercial Division in Hamilton, New Zealand. He served as Tonga’s Auditor General (AG) from 1983-2014, before he was first elected to parliament in the 2014 General Election as People’s Representative for Tongatapu Constituency No.10. He was a Private Secretary to His Majesty from 1987-1988, and also clerk to the Privy Council during the same period.

“In the Pohiva’s Government, Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa served as Minister for the, then Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries; Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services. He became Minister of Revenue and Customs up to September 2017, where he was later appointed as Minister of Finance and National Planning in January 2018. 

“He was a member and representative at the International Congresses of International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI); elected member of the Governing Board of INTOSAI for six years in 1992, and was reelected in 1998 for another six years until 2004. He attended the Conference of Commonwealth Auditors General, and the regional branch of INTOSAI the SPASAI. He was also Secretary General of SPASAI for 10 years from 1985-1994. He is currently one of the Governors of the World Bank – IMF.” 

Tonga lament slow start against France

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Vinnie Wylie, RNZI Sports Reportervinnie.wylie@rnz.co.nz. This story is republished with permission.

Tonga were left to rue another slow start as they fell agonisingly short of repeating their shock victory over France from eight years ago.

The ‘Ikale Tahi were pipped 23-21 in Kumamoto last night, having trailed 17-0 just before half-time.

Tonga also gave Argentina a 28-point headstart last week and coach Toutai Kefu was at a loss to explain their sluggish beginnings.

“I don’t know, it’s a good question. The coaches talked about it straight away post-game – maybe we warm up for too long (laughing), I don’t know. It’s something we need to look at. I think it’s probably just the mental thing because, as you can see, we finish a game really well so definitely an issue for us,” Toutai Kefu said.

France’s two Fijian flyers inflicted the initial blows with Alivereti Raka setting up Virimi Vakatawa for the opening try before regathering his own kick to score the second.

Sonatane Takula struck back for Tonga with 30 seconds to play in the first half, which cut the deficit to 10 points and Toutai Kefu said that gave the ‘Ikale Tahi some real belief.

“We didn’t start the game as well as we thought we would, very similar to last week, and I think just after half-time the boys realised that, even though we played poorly, we were still in the game. We had 40 minutes to turn that around and I think just mentally we just had a little bit of a mindset change in the second half to keep putting pressure on them with the ball in hand, with territory,” said Toutai Kefu.

Malietoa Hingano capitalised on a wicked bounce to score Tonga’s second try and close the gap to just three points with over half an hour still to play.

Two penalty goals gave France a nine point buffer with 20 minutes to play but Tonga began to exert real pressure on the opposition line, as the Kumamoto crowd got behind the men in red.

The French defence cracked again with just 90 seconds left on the clock, as flanker Zane Kapeli out jumped Damian Penaud to score from a pinpoint cross-kick from Leon Fukofuka.

Latiume Fosita slotted the sideline conversion to make it 23-21 but France regathered from the kickoff and promptly booted the ball into touch to secure their third straight win and seal a spot in the quarter finals.

Tonga captain Siale Piutau was proud of his side’s performance but said ultimately they made too many errors.

“I think it takes a while for us to grow into the game and start to get that belief. I think it just comes too late for us but I think the more times we play tier one nations the better it’s going to be for us – we’re going to grow in belief and I think just that first 20 minutes France did a great job in keeping us down in our own half and we were making errors, slipping off tackles and eventually that cost us the game,” Siale Piutau said.

Where to from here?

A third straight defeat ends Tonga’s faint hopes of reaching the quarter finals.

It also means the ‘Ikale Tahi miss out on automatic qualification for the next Rugby World Cup, with only the top three teams in each group guaranteed a place at France 2023.

Toutai Kefu said despite all the adversity the team and players have gone through they have continued to work hard and improve on and off the field.

“The sacrifices they make just to turn up and to endure what we endure while we’re on tour and during our campaign I’m really really proud of them. Definitely proud of what happened on the field – the way where they just stuck in there in the second and be able to fight back to put us in a position to nearly win the game,” Kefu said.

First five James Faiva said sacrifice is just part and parcel of representing Tonga, whether players are at the World Cup or not.

“I think there’s a lot of players out there too that want to be here but they have to sacrifice for more money for family first but us boys that turn up we just put the jersey (on). We let the boards do their work and we just do ours,” James Faiva said.

Faiva said playing consecutive tests against New Zealand, England, Argentina and France has been a steep but valuable learning curve.

“When we first played the All Blacks that was a big step for us and we slowly came into England we started believing (in ourselves) every single game playing a tier one game. If we get more tier one teams during and after the World Cup I think it will help us tier two nations compete,” Faiva said.

Toutai Kefu said more top level matches is just one way World Rugby can help close the gap for countries like Tonga over the next four years.

“That brings more quality time together. We also have a list of players that, through some reason or another, are not here…Definitely everyone can see the improvement over the last three weeks – last four weeks if you include that All Blacks game. We’ve improved out of sight, I think, and still the last couple of games we probably lost it due to our own fault,” said Toutai Kefu.

The ‘Ikale Tahi will round out their Rugby World Cup campaign on Sunday against the United States in Osaka as they look to finish on a winning note and avoid finishing last in Pool C.

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