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Teen jailed for frenzied stabbing of Tongan ex-girlfriend in central Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Anneke Smith of rnz.co.nz

A teenager who tried to stab his ex-girlfriend to death in Auckland’s CBD has been jailed for six years.

Micah Shannon Santos attacked Crystal Angel Tupou with a carving knife on Anzac Ave on 22 November 2018.

The premeditated stabbing came after the pair broke up and was only stopped after members of the public intervened.

Santos was sentenced by Justice Whata in the High Court at Auckland today after pleading guilty to attempted murder.

The court heard he arranged to meet Ms Tupou in town after creating a fake Facebook profile as posing as a friend of his, “Sarah”.

The pair met and argued in town before Santos stabbed her more than 20 times, stopping once to switch the weapon to a different hand.

He ran away afterwards and later phoned the police, telling them they would be looking for him because he had stabbed her.

Ms Tupou said she had regular nightmares about the attack in a victim impact statement she read to the court.

“I keep dreaming I’m being stabbed again. I’ve tried to forget what happened but people keep asking about it when they see the scars.”

The court heard she was stabbed more than 20 times and spent almost two weeks in hospital for surgery and treatment.

Ms Tupou said she couldn’t finish her university degree because of the attack and wouldn’t be graduating with her peers.

“I do forgive Micah but I want him to be held accountable for what he did. I’m worried he will do this to another woman.”

Crown prosecutor Henry Steele said Santos planned the attack because he had been either unwilling or unable to accept the break up.

“Simply put Sir, he decided if he couldn’t have her no one else would.”

Mr Steele said the defendant went for a swim and had a meal before the meeting because he knew he would go to jail.

The prosecutor submitted a sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment was appropriate to reflect the premediation and violence.

Santos’ lawyer Maria Pecotic said her client’s offending was deemed “completely out of character” to those who knew him best.

“Everyone who knew Mr Santos described him as a gentle young man, helpful young man and compassionate and caring.”

She said he was in deep turmoil when his relationship broke up and struggled with mental health issues that compounded before the attack.

The court heard psychological reports had identified Santos had developmental dyspraxia and had made good progress through counselling in prison.

Justice Whata said Ms Tupou was Santos’ first girlfriend and the relationship had a pattern of making up and breaking up.

He said the defendant’s offending came as a shock to his family, who said he had no violent tendencies and the attack was completely out of character.

The judge said the serious attack had the hallmarks of a young man who had lost control and Santos’ prospects of rehabilitation were promising.

He jailed the teenager for six years after giving him discounts for his youth, rehabilitative efforts, remorse and guilty plea.

Santos was supported in court by a large contingent of family members who raised their hands and called out “Love you!” as he left the dock.

Confidence builds ahead of Mt Eden clash with Australia; Kangaroos coach warns: “Don’t underestimate Tonga.”

By
Philip Cass
-

The Tonga International XIII go into tomorrow night’s match with a victory against the British Lions under their belt, but as they know from their last encounter, Australia will provide tough opposition.

When they last met, Mate Ma’a Tonga went down 34-16.

However, the level of fan support has blossomed since the victory in Hamilton and the team has been thanked by His Majesty King Tupou VI and Prime Minister Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa for their efforts.

As this story was being written, Tongan fans were gathering, waving flags and circling round in their vehicles with flags to show their supports in Otahuhu Great South Road shopping centre.

Coach Kristian Woolf and co-captain Jason Taumalolo have both spoken to the media about how positive they feel ahead of tomorrow night’s game.

And Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has cautioned his players not to underestimate the Tongan International XIII.

Taumalolo said he was buouyed by the turnout at supporters events at the Mangere East Rugby League Club this week.

He told RNZ it was a sign of what was to come when they play Australia at Eden Park in the Oceana Cup Test match on Saturday night.

“If today is anything to go by, I think this weekend is going to be even more crazier than what it is today so that can only mean a good thing for us. You know, they really turned out in numbers today,” he said.

Taumalolo said he would not be satisfied until Tonga had defeated all of international rugby’s big three.

On Wednesday night the Tongan team watched Australia defeat New Zealand 26-4.

“They played a typical Australian style of footy, grinding out teams and putting them to the sword,” Taumalolo said.

“There’s a lot of factors at play in this weekend’s game. They have strike power all over the field, but I’m confident we do too. I’ll back my players and I’m sure they’ll go out and rise to the occasion on Saturday night.”

The Tongan squad has been extended, with the inclusion of Broncos trio Tevita Pangai Jr, Joe Ofahengaue and Kotoni Staggs.

Australia

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said they could not afford to be over-confident.

“I think you always go into games, particularly at this level, with a fear of failure,” Meninga told the official NRL website.

“That has been a common theme with the Kangaroos for a long time.

“Our mental preparation and physicality has to be good to play against the Tongans. They were extraordinarily good last week and played with so much passion. We have to prepare really well to match the Tongans tomorrow night.”

Earlier, Kangaroos player David Klemmer said Tonga had “an explosive forward pack.”

“If we can keep the ball in play and tire them out somehow and hold the football, we’ll have some fun around the ruck there.”

Divisions

As Kaniva news reported last weekend, Taumalolo was equally confident ahead of the British Lions game, despite the upheavals surrounding the team.

Some people calling for the Invitational XIII to be  boycotted because they weren’t the Mate Ma’a Tonga or even a ‘real’ Tongan team.

However, the Invitational XIII’s performance in a hard, tight fought game should put those claims to rest once and for all.

“I’m confident that they’ll turn out in numbers this weekend,” Taumalolo said.

“I’m sure after last week’s result a lot more fans will be turning out to this weekend’s game.”

The main points

  • The Tonga International XIII go into tomorrow night’s match with a victory against the British Lions under their belt, but as they know from their last encounter, Australia will provide tough opposition.
  • Co-captain Jason Taumalolo is optimistic about the outcome of tomorrow night’s game.

For more information

PM congratulates Tongan Invitational XIII ahead of match with Australia on Saturday

PM congratulates Tongan Invitational XIII ahead of match with Australia on Saturday

PM Tu‘i‘onetoa apologises and vows to put an end to govt’s hemp cultivation proposal

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa said a decision by his cabinet to hold a public consultation on a proposal to plant hemp in the kingdom should never happen.

There was a shortfall and the move has caused public outrage, he told Broadcomm FM Broadcasting livestream updates.

“As a prime minister” that would be stopped and discontinued, he said.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa who returned to office this week after attending meetings overseas was expected to revoke the decision in Cabinet today, Wednesday 30.

He said the wording of the cabinet decision, which was leaked to Kaniva news and other media, was vague when it said it was “approved” and then it followed with the words “as amended.”

It should either said it was “deferred” or “not approved.”

He said the cabinet should have contacted him for a comment on the proposal while he was away.

As we reported last week, a Cabinet document provided to us date October 17 appears to show Cabinet approved the application from an entity identified as ‘the Brown group,’ subject to a public consultation organised  by the Attorney General’s office.

The document does not specifically say the plant is to be grown for medical purposes.

As we reported in June, a group of lobbyists failed in an attempt to discuss the possibility of legalising marijuana for medical reasons.

Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker said at the time he was unaware of any “submission – but hemp is illegal as per the Tonga Drugs Act.”

A Ministry of Health spokesperson said Tonga was too small to allow marijuana to be used in any form.

There has been interest in growing medical marijuana in Vanuatu, but no licences had been issued yet.

The Australian Parliament has passed legislation to allow for the cultivation of marijuana for medical or scientific purposes.

There has been public concern over the legalisation of cannabis cultivation in Tonga.

Despite Deputy Prime Minister Vuna Fa’otusia explaining the difference between hemp and marijuana, some people have remained suspicious that this would lead to an easing off in the war against illicit drugs.

Hemp and cannabis

Hemp and cannabis are variants of cannabis. Cannabis contains the drug tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which gets people high. Hemp is used to make clothes, rope and other items.

In 2018 President Trump signed a Farm Bill which classified hemp as an agricultural product in the United States. Under the Bill, any cannabis plant with less then 0.3% THC is considered hemp, not marijuana.

Marijuana also contains Cannabidiol (CBD) which is legal in New Zealand. It is described as having potential therapeutic value, with little or no psychoactive properties.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health was developing a plan to enable domestic commercial cultivation and manufacture of medicinal cannabis. The plan is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2020.

Name suppression lifted for Tupou’s murder accused

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Catrin Owen, Stuff

One of the men charged over the murder of south Auckland man Samiuela Anania Tupou has lost his bid for continued name suppression.

A homicide investigation was launched after 21-year-old Tupou was found critically injured in Ōtāhuhu’s Seaside Park on May 25.

Janeiro Jason Tapusoa, 27, and Leroy Poi Dumars Tinei, 25, were both arrested and charged with murder on July 25.

Tapusoa applied for continued name suppression on Tuesday at the High Court at Auckland, which was dismissed by Justice Mark Woolford. 

Both defendants deny the charge and will go to trial in October next year. 

At a hearing on Tuesday in front of Justice Woolford, Ish Jayanandan asked for continued name suppression on the basis of fair trial rights for her client. 

Crown prosecutor Gareth Kayes said the threshold for continued name suppression was not met and Justice Woolford dismissed Jayanandan’s application. 

Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Hassall previously told Stuff, investigators had worked “tirelessly” to confirm the circumstances relating to Tupou’s death, to give his family some closure.

“We feel for his family who have been going through an extremely difficult time since his passing, and while we acknowledge this result will not bring him back, we hope it may be able to bring some form of comfort to his family and friends.”

Tupou had recently returned from the United States to live with his family in Mangere before he died.

He was described by friends and family as a fun-loving, hardworking young man.

Ma’ake Hauto, Tupou’s former schoolmate from Salt Lake City in the US, said he always had a big smile on and was always willing to help others “no matter what”.

Another friend Lavelua Pulu said Tupous was “just another older brother on the lookout”, who would always check in on his friends.

Stuff

TRNL withdraws Supreme Court proceedings against government over league management

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Supreme Court action between Tonga’s National Rugby League and the government has been withdrawn.

Earlier this month Justice Laki Niu declared the government and the RLIF-endorsed interim body Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League were “restrained and prohibited” from making decisions involving Tonga’s national rugby league team.

The ruling clashed with a recent suspension of the Tongan National Rugby League by the world governing body – Rugby League International Federation.

This followed a declaration  by Tonga’s then-acting Prime Minister Semisi Sika declared the local body had lost the trust and support of the government, clubs and players.

The suspension led to the TNRL, whose board was elected this year, launching legal action against the Tongan government and the TMTRL.

The matter was adjourned on October 18 to allow both sides to file further affidavits by October 24.

The TRNL’s lawyer, Clive Edwards, told the court that his client had been given a copy of a Cabinet decision dated September 26.

The government had agreed to revisit the issue of the governance of rugby league and its endorsement of any particular body.

The government had agreed to give the TRNL a chance to be heard on the issue.

On that basis the TRNL had agreed to withdraw its proceedings.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten ruled that orders made by Justice Niu be dissolved.

The main points

  • Supreme Court action between Tonga’s National Rugby League and the government has been withdrawn.
  • Earlier this month Justice Laki Niu declared the government and the RLIF-endorsed interim body Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League were “restrained and prohibited” from making decisions involving Tonga’s national rugby league team.

For more information

Court rules in favour of Tonga’s NRL

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/400348/sport-court-rules-in-favour-of-tonga-s-nrl

Gov’t rejects Democrats’ request to hold meeting at Popua park as Royal Commissioner Justice Cato investigates funding of the project

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government has cited concerns that the democrats’ PTOA party  is not registered as a legal entity as one of the reasons it banned the organisation from holding a meeting at the Popua National Park on Saturday.

There was a big question mark (“fakafehu’ia lahi”) over it, Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker told Kaniva news.

Cocker said a royal commission led by Justice Charles Cato was investigating how the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva government’s funding of the recreational park project was spent.

The park was a meeting place for the PTOA party.

Reports said the park was closed down over the weekend and some members of the King’s Armed Forces were spotted guarding the place.

However, Cocker said the park was still open to the public, but the PTOA members and supporters were not allowed to use it for their last week’s get together because of the investigation.

The investigation came after the Auditor General said last year an audit of the spending on the  park found no laws had been  breached.

READ MORE:

It also came after King Tupou VI ordered three petitions attacking the late Pōhiva’s government to be referred to the Ombudsman in March.

As Kaniva news reported, the petitions were organised by long standing opponents of the government who demanded  the government be dissolved.

The petitioners alleged that there was a misuse of public finances and resources by the former government.

Former government minister and lawyer Clive Edwards presented a petition signed by former politicians.

Noble MP Lord Nuku presented a petition from the country’s nobles.

The third petition was presented by former MP Teisina Fuko from members of the general public.

The Lord Privy Seal said at the time the Ombudsman would investigate complaints in the petition, take such action as he considered appropriate and make a determination on any instance of mal-administration which he found to have been established to his satisfaction.

The Ombudsman would report to the king.

Those petitions were submitted after the Auditor General found that claims against seven Ministers of the late Pōhiva government, including Hon Pōhiva, in a 2018 petition raised by PSA Head Mele ‘Amanaki, were untrue.

The Auditor General Sēfita Tangi did not report any breaches of the law, the constitution or any misappropriation of public funds as alleged in ‘Amanaki’s petition.

However, Tangi said some employment contracts raised in the petition “did not comply” with the Public Service Act 2002.

Tangi recommended that the government should refer some of the complaints, including appointments of some government staff and workers raised in the petition, to the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The Auditor General said the audit was hindered in some cases because some records were unavailable or were not provided.

This occurred when the auditors were trying to assess the outcomes of some of the government projects and the performances of some employees hired by the government.

The main points

  • The government has cited concerns that the democrats’ PTOA party  is not registered as a legal entity as one of the reasons it banned the organisation from holding a meeting at the Popua National Part on Saturday.
  • There was a serious concern (“fakafehu’ia lahi”) about it, Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker told Kaniva news.

For more information

Multiple petitions call for dissolution of Tonga Parliament

Multiple petitions call for dissolution of Tonga Parliament

Tonga moves to control outbreak linked to NZ

By
Kalino Latu
-

By Radio NZ

Tonga’s Public Health Chief Medical Officer says the Kingdom has declared an official outbreak of measles.

The highly-contagious virus has now spread to the Pacific region from the New Zealand 2019 epidemic, with Tonga following Samoa’s recent declaration of an outbreak.

Dr Reynold Ofanoa spoke with Jenny Meyer after announcing the outbreak.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s government says its aware of the reported cases, and has been in touch with Tongan authorities to make sure they have the resources needed to respond well.

Tonga has over 95 percent immunity coverage and Dr Ofanoa says that gives him confidence the epidemic will not be too severe there.

Fly Niu boss says he expects airline to be running services in Tonga by end of year

By
Philip Cass
-

Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Fīnau says he expects the airline to be flying in Tonga by December.

He told Kaniva news the government was expecting him to submit his airline license application as soon as he could.

Fīnau, who met with the Deputy Prime Minister in Tonga last week, said the airline would need three months to prepare  for operations.

The CEO said he had been told Lord Tu’ivikano’s government removed the kingdom’s one airline policy.

Last month Kaniva news named Fly Niu and Tonga Airways as airlines that were interested in providing a second airline to service ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas

Earlier this year the Fly Niu authorities in New Zealand said they were disappointed after their submission for a partnership agreement with the Tongan government to operate international flights between Tonga and Auckland was knocked back by the former cabinet.

Last November Fīnau said he had talked to the Prime Minister in Auckland about starting a service between Tonga and Auckland.

Fly Niu  was forced out of Tonga 15 years ago when  the government passed a one airline policy that gave the sole right to operate domestic flights to Peau Vava’u, an airline, co-owned by the Late King George Tupou V and his business partners, the Ramanlal brothers.

 It replaced the bankrupt Royal Tongan Airlines.

In 2016, the government declined an application by Tonga Airways to operate.

The company planned to lease aircraft from Fiji Airways. 

The then Minister of Civil Aviation, Semisi Sika, cited a report by the World Bank which said only one airline could survive financially serving Tonga’s domestic market.

The main points

  • Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Finau said he expected the airline to be flying in Tonga by December.
  • Finau told Kaniva news the government was expecting him to submit his airline license application as soon as he could.

For more information

Second airline to service outer islands in bid to reduce ‘costly airfares,’ PM Tu‘ionetoa says

Second airline to service outer islands in bid to reduce ‘costly airfares,’ PM Tu‘ionetoa says

Invitational XIII shows the Mate Ma’a Tonga spirit as they fight British Lions to 14-6 win

By
Philip Cass
-

Sceptics and boycotters will have to think again after Tonga’s 14-6 defeat of the British Lions tonight.

Tonga scored first and reached half time with a 12 point lead.

However, it was a nail biting finish as the British Lions finally woke up and began scoring as the game came to an end.

In the second half the British side coming back as hard as they could to score six points.

Despite winning an extra two points, Tonga did not play entirely as well in the second half as in the first, with commentators noticing some missed opportunities before they found their form again.

At times it seemed the score might have been closer than it was, with the British being turned back only three metres from the Tongan line in the 76th minute.

The British kept hammering away until the end, but in the last minutes of the game Tonga intercepted and grounded the ball as the British kicked it in.

Michael Jennings scored Tonga’s first try and set up the second after the half-time.

Siosiua Taukeiaho’s converted from the sideline to give the 12-0 lead at half time.

He added two more points with a penalty conversion in the second half.

Confident

Ahead of tonight’s game, Jason Taumalolo had been confident his team would win, despite the upheavals surrounding the team.

As Kaniva news reported earlier today, public support for the team was down on previous games, with some people calling for the Invitational XIII to be  boycotted because they weren’t the Mate Ma’a Tonga or even a ‘real’ Tongan team.

Tonight’s performance in a hard, tight fought game should put those claims to rest once and for all.

Tonga will face off against Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on November 2.

The main points

  • Sceptics and boycotters will have to think again after Tonga’s 14-6 defeat of the British Lions tonight.
  • Tonga struck early and hard and ended the first half with a 12 point lead.

For more information

Tonga Invitational v Great Britain: Lions to make history

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/22/tonga-invitational-v-great-britain-lions-to-make-history/

Tonga International XIII vs Great Britain Rugby League Lions

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1910/S00314/tonga-international-xiii-vs-great-britain-rugby-league-lions.htm

Jason Taumalolo confident Tonga can beat dramas

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12279890

Siale charged over Oamaru double fatality

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Otago Daily Times

A former Oamaru man charged in relation to the deaths of two teenagers in a single-vehicle crash earlier this year has appeared in the Oamaru District Court.

Kaylem Rayne Webb-Hirst (16) and Michael Shelford Mauheni (17) died when the vehicle in which they were passengers crashed and caught fire at the intersection of TY Duncan and Shortland Rds on June 12 this year.

Joseph ‘Amanaki Lelei Fisiitoi Siale (18), of Auckland, made a brief appearance before the registrar yesterday, charged with two counts of aggravated careless driving under the influence causing death.

He was remanded on bail for a second appearance in Oamaru on November 13, when it is likely he will enter a plea.

Detective Sergeant Hannah Booth, of Oamaru, confirmed yesterday Siale was arrested in Auckland, where he now lived, on Tuesday morning following a months-long investigation.

She had earlier this month defended the length of time the investigation had taken because of its complexity.

”I think it’s the normal amount of time for an investigation like this.

”We just need to make sure that everybody is spoken to, all of the facts are identified, and there’s a lot of factors to consider in an investigation like this.

”We just want to make sure we get it right for all of the families involved in this.”

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