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Additional US$21 million fund increases number of student benefits on resilient school project to 8,000 

By
Kaniva Staff
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A new World Bank grant of US$21 million will allow a school project in Tonga to extend the number of students benefiting from it to a total of 8,000 students. 

Construction work is currently in progress at GPS Teékiu, led by Ca’Bella Pacific Construction (Tonga) Ltd. Photo / Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project

The World Bank initiated the Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project to enhance the safety and resilience of selected education facilities and improve the quality of data-driven education management.  

This included curricula and assessments in specific selected educational programs.  

The original project has already delivered results, a World Bank statement said.  

New classrooms and upgraded facilities for 571 students have been completed at schools in Atele, Kanokupolu, and Te’eiku, with further upgrades at Euieki and Kolomotua schools to commence in 2025.  

Work on an additional six schools in Ha’apai are also set to commence soon.  

To date, resilient school design packages for 11 schools have been completed, setting the stage for further improvements. 

The additional financing will advance the establishment of a comprehensive school maintenance program, including the finalization of a Pilot Maintenance Operations Manual and enhanced support for asset management in the education sector. 

Tonga’s education systems will also be strengthened through the project in other ways beyond infrastructure.  

The rollout of an Education Management Information System is ongoing, for instance, with coding and testing phases completed and the system operational in Tongatapu schools.  

The financing will also enable the project to expand into other regions, ensuring better data management and decision-making across the sector. Additionally, revisions to core curricula—covering mathematics, science, English, and Tongan language—are progressing, with the World Bank funding supporting training and implementation of these new learning modules and standards. 

The Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project is being implemented by the Government of Tonga and the additional financing supported by the Global Partnership for Education and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand through the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund.  

Technical assistance is also being provided by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. 

This nationwide project represents a vital investment in the future of students across all of Tonga, ensuring they have access to safe learning spaces and high-quality education, even in the face of challenges ahead. 

‘She was the best of us’: Tributes flow as Lyn Fleming farewelled in Nelson

By
Kaniva Staff
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By 1News Reporters

Police colleagues, family, friends and politicians gathered in Nelson today to farewell and honour the life of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming who died after being struck by a vehicle in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Hundreds of people turned out to the funeral of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.
Hundreds of people turned out to the funeral of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. (Source: Supplied)

A large number of people attended the funeral of the 38-year police veteran at the Trafalgar Centre.

Police officers were brought into Nelson from other districts so that her colleagues can farewell the 62-year-old.

Fleming’s casket arrived via police motorcade at around 12.50pm followed by the service. The first part of the ceremony took place inside the venue before police relocated to the eastern carpark for the flag folding ceremony, police haka, and to form a guard of honour.

‘I love you so much’: Lyn Fleming remembered by her family

Both her son Aren and daughter Rayna, who led the eulogies, said that words were not enough to remember their mother by.

“Mum, I love you, always have, always will, I’m the person I am today because of you,” said Aren.

“I am sorry for all the fuss I know you would have hated being the centre of attention like this, but you deserve it.”

Rayna said her mother was her everything and the “glue that holds us all together”.

“I love you so much.”

Fleming’s brother Michael ‘Woody’ Fleming, a firefighter, began his speech by thanking those who tried to save her life.

He told childhood stories of his older sister and how he idolised her.

“The fact she has become an historical figure is going to annoy the hell out of her,” he said.

Lyn's brother Michael 'Woody' Fleming.
Lyn’s brother Michael ‘Woody’ Fleming. (Source: Supplied)

‘Full of goodness’ – Police Commissioner

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said that as a senior officer, Fleming did not have to work the night she died, but she did anyway to support her team.

Chambers said he had read Fleming’s personal file and that it was “full of goodness” after 38 years and seven months on the job.

“Letters of thanks and acknowledgement from members of the community, families, children, for what she did for them in their time of need.”

The pair worked together for a short period when Chambers served as Tasman District Commander and he needed assistance with some “complex tasks”.

“I needed someone who had influence, someone who had a lot of common sense, someone whose commitment I could rely on. She got me there.

He said had asked Fleming if she would be interested in doing a similar job but at a national level, which would require “quite a bit of time” away from Nelson.

“Her response to my offer was resounding and clear. ‘No’. I said, ‘Lyn, why not?’

“She said her commitment to her family, to her community, and to her colleagues here in Nelson was more important, and she was right.”

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers speaks at the funeral of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers speaks at the funeral of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. (Source: Supplied)

Jon Routhan, director of sport at Nelson College for Girls, spoke of her impact on countless people.

“She was the best of us and she is irreplaceable. Her wit, knowledge, love and purple puffer jacket stay with our girls forever.”

Earlier today, representatives from police in Australia laid flowers outside the Nelson Police Station.

As well as a dedicated police officer, Fleming has been remembered as a loved mother, wife, daughter, and sister. She was heavily involved in Nelson netball.

Fleming is the 34th officer to die in the line of duty in New Zealand. She is also the first female officer and only officer from the Nelson region to be killed.

Convicted former MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu finally spotted as public awaiting the couple’s retrial  

By
Kaniva Staff
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After more than a year of disappearance from the public eye that has sparked an increasingly feverish wave of online conspiracy theories, ‘Etuate Lavulavu has finally been seen out in public. 

Former Convicted MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu

The former Cabinet Minister and his wife Akosita Lavulavu, also a former MP and Cabinet minister, are awaiting retrial after an Appeal Court decision overturned the 2021 Supreme Court decision, which sentenced them to six years in jail. 

‘Etuate appeared on a streamed video last week and shared his ideas on Tonga’s recent Vote of No Confidence.

The last update we had on the Lavulavus retrial was late last year.

We reported that Tonga’s Attorney General was appealing a Supreme Court ruling that prevented the use of the Auditor’s report on Lavulavus’ school attendance as admissible evidence in the couple’s pending retrial. 

The couple had previously been jailed after charges they had fraudulently claimed $US250,000 in government funding given to their private school, ‘Unuaki ‘O Tonga Royal Institute, to cover student transition. 

The retrial was delayed multiple times after the Lavulavus protested against the evidence used against them. 

‘Etuate was also reported being admitted to a hospital in New Zealand last year. 

His doctor had long advocated for him to receive home care while he was in jail due to his health conditions. 

MetService has issued strong wind warning for Tongatapu and ‘Eua

By
Kaniva Staff
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Wind gusts are some of the intense weather ‘Eua and Tongatapu residents may experience this afternoon till tomorrow. 

A trough is currently positioned over the regions of Vava’u, Ha’apai, and ‘Eua, Tonga MetSerice said. 

Occasional showers with strong winds may affect most of these areas until tomorrow. 

At the same time, a moist northeasterly wind flow is prevailing over the region. 

Light northeast wind variables at times have been forecasted for the Niuas at midnight tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the chance of a tropical cyclone hitting the Pacific, including Aotearoa, New Zealand, is “normal to elevated”, according to NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) and MetService.

NIWA’s tropical cyclone outlook for the region shows that six to 10 named tropical cyclones could affect the region between now and April.

The first cyclone of the cyclone season, Pita, passed near the Niuas, Ha’apai and Vava’u last week.

New lava lobe on Tonga’s Home Reef volcano

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Caleb Fotheringham of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

There’s a new lava lobe on Tonga’s Home Reef Volcano, covering close to half the island, and which has grown nearly 2000 times the size that it was when the thermal anomaly was first detected.

Image from Home Reef on 12 January 2025, showing no growth of the island since 2 January.

Image from Home Reef on 12 January 2025, showing no growth of the island since 2 January. Photo: Tonga Geological Services

Thermal anomalies have continued to be detected on Home Reef Volcano, located south west of Vava’u and north west of Ha’apai, since 4 December.

However, Tonga’s Geological Services said there are no indicators for major explosive eruptions.

The volcanic activity poses a low risk to the Vava’u and Ha’apai communities.

Tonga’s Geological Services senior geologist, Mele Manu said there is a new lava flow lobe on the northern shoreline of the volcano.

“The overall area of the island is approximately 158,000 square meters and 42 percent of this area is covered by the new lava lobe,” Manu said.

She said when the thermal anomaly was first detected the island was only 85 square meters.

Manu said a stream of pumice from Tonga’s Home Reef Volcano might be created if it becomes more active.

“Just in case there will be an increase in volcanic activities a pumice rust might be created – then most likely some of the pumice will drift to the southern islands of Vava’u.

“It is less likely that this will happen to Ha’apai – that’s just because of the direction of the sea current.”

All mariners are advised to remain at least two nautical miles away from Home Reef.

New shoplifting allegation against former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Another shoplifting allegation has been made against former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, RNZ understands.

Golriz Ghahraman sentenced

Golriz Ghahraman appears at her sentencing in 2024. Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

The incident is alleged to have occurred at a Pak’nSave supermarket late last year.

An appeal by Ghahraman to have earlier shoplifting convictions wiped, were dismissed by the Auckland High Court in October.

In June, Ghahraman was convicted on four counts of shoplifting, and fined $1600 and an additional $260 in court costs.

Her request to be discharged without conviction was at the time dismissed by Judge June Jelas.

In reponse to questions, police said “a shoplifting complaint is under investigation from late 2024” but did not name Ghahraman.

Foodstuffs North Island said it could not comment on individual cases.

Miss Heilala warns after her photo used to create fake Facebook profile as Pacific pageant competition schedule unveiled 

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Miss Heilala 2024 / 2025 has alerted her followers on Facebook about a fake account using her photo. 

Racheal Angelica ‘O Manakakapu Guttenbeil

“It’s a fake page” please report, said Racheal Guttenbeil on her Facebook page yesterday. 

She also tagged the Facebook account in question which was created with the name Miss Heilala 2024. 

A photo that seemed to be Guttenbeil was used in the profile. 

Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the page.

The news comes as the law degree graduate is expected to arrive in the Solomon Islands after next week for the 2025 Pacific Pageant competition. 

The schedule for the competition has been released, according to the Solomon Star. 

Contestants and their accompanying parties are expected to arrive on Thursday, 30 January, the Star said.  

Pageant Director and MPIP Board Member, Joyce Konofilia, spoke to the press yesterday, sharing details about the upcoming activities.  

They included several planned visits, including trips to the Prime Minister, local churches, and the National Referral Hospital (NRH).  

On Sunday, 2 February, the contestants will attend a church service at St. Barnabas Cathedral, where they will be hosted by the congregation. 

On Monday, 3 February, the queens will meet with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele before visiting NRH for a charity event.  

A tent will be set up at the hospital for interactions with patients and healthcare workers. 

On Tuesday, 4 February, the Point Cruz Yacht Club (PCYC) will host the eight queens for a dinner. 

The queens will also visit the National University of Solomon Islands (SINU) and the Graceland Tourism site in Tenaru. 

On Wednesday, 5 February, the MPIP Board will hold a meeting at Heritage Park Hotel.  

The main events will kick off on Thursday, 6 February, with the Speech Day, followed by the Float and Market Day on Friday, 7 February, and the Crowning Night on Saturday, 8 February. 

The Speech Competition will take place at AG Mall, while the Float Parade will start at the National Stadium and move towards the Sun Valley Roundabout, before finishing at the SMI grounds for the Marketing event. 

The Crowning Night will be held at Friendship Hall. 

During the Marketing event, each of the eight queens will introduce themselves and perform dances on stage. 

Mrs. Konofilia emphasized that, having participated in many previous MPIP events, they have identified areas for improvement and are dedicating time and effort to ensure the public can interact with the queens. 

Australia PM demands Russia explain what happened to POW

By
Kaniva Staff
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Associated Press

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will take the “strongest action possible” if Russia has harmed an Australian who was taken prisoner while fighting for Ukraine.

Video posted on social media in December showed Oscar Jenkins, 32, dressed in a military uniform with his hands bound being questioned and struck by a Russian interrogator.

Australian authorities were seeking comment from Russia on reports that the Melbourne school teacher had been killed since he became a prisoner of war.

Albanese said Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials were seeking “urgent clarification” of Jenkins’ circumstances.

“We call upon Russia to immediately confirm Oscar Jenkins’ status. We remain gravely concerned,” Albanese told reporters.

“We will await the facts to come out. But if there has been any harm caused to Oscar Jenkins, that is absolutely reprehensible. And the Australian government will take the strongest action possible,” Albanese added.

Jenkins had no previous military experience before joining the Ukraine defense forces early last year. While other Australians have been killed in combat in Ukraine, none has died in Russian captivity.

Albanese did not elaborate on what action Australia might take if Jenkins has died.

Diplomatic, economic options

Monash University political scientist Zareh Ghazarian said the maximum extent of Australia’s response was likely to be expelling Russia’s ambassador, withdrawing the Australian ambassador from Moscow and imposing additional sanctions against Russia.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who could become prime minister in elections due by May 17, said the Russian and Australian ambassadors should be sent home if the Russians killed Jenkins.

“If there is confirmation that Oscar Jenkins has been killed, the government should take the strongest possible action and that is the ambassador should be withdrawn and that the ambassador here in Australia should be sent packing,” Dutton told reporters.

“We should send a very clear message to Russia and to other similarly minded regimes that Australians are sacrosanct, that they deserve to be protected by their government and if they’re harmed in this way and if they’re brutally executed, as seems to be the suggestion in this case, and we wait for confirmation, then there should be a strong reaction from the prime minister,” Dutton added.

Australia’s military involvement in Ukraine has involved training missions, but no Australian combat troops have been involved in the war.

Australia has been one of the most generous donors to the Ukraine war effort outside NATO.

Three months ago, Australia announced it will give Ukraine 49 of its aging M1A1 Abrams tanks valued at AU$245 million (NZ$270 million).

The tanks brought the total value of Australia’s military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion to over AU$1.3 billion (NZ$1.4 billion).

Australian officials questioned Russian Ambassador Alexey Pavlovsky about Jenkins in the Australian capital Canberra on Monday.

The Russian Embassy responded to a request for comment on Wednesday by referring The Associated Press to a press briefing given in Moscow by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on December 25.

Zakharova said the ministry was “checking information on the detained Australian citizen”, whom she described as a “mercenary”.

“We will certainly share any facts, if there are any,” Zakharova said.

“Regarding the current and overall situation, the captured foreign mercenaries will be called to account. We regularly inform you about the mercenaries’ crimes and their punishment in accordance with the Russian legislation, especially when they are involved in acts of atrocity against civilians,” she added.

‘Long overdue’: Sale of Lotto tickets to under 18s to be banned 

By
Kaniva Staff
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By 1News Reporters

The sale of all Lotto products to under-18-year-olds is set to be banned by the Government this year with fines to be issued to retailers caught selling these products to young people.

Sale of Lotto tickets to under 18s to be banned 

1News can reveal an amendment to Section 301 of the Gambling Act 2003 — which refers to age restrictions on instant games and similar games — will restrict the purchase of Lotto NZ’s products both in-store and online to those aged 18-years-old and over. Currently, Instant Kiwi is the only Lotto NZ product with this restriction.

The Government hoped to embed this amendment within a proposed omnibus bill planned for introduction to Parliament later this year.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said it was a “really simple” law change that would bring consistency across Lotto’s products and make age restrictions “very clear” to retailers and consumers.

“We don’t think children should be buying alcohol for their parents, buying cigarettes, buying wine — they should also not be buying tickets for gambling for their parents too.”

She said the Government decided on the change late last year and legislation would be introduced in the House of Representatives this year.

“There will be a fine of about $1000 for any retailer who would be caught selling these products to children.”

Lotto NZ was “highly supportive” of the law change, saying it would remove a grey area which it said could be confusing for retailers and customers.

“We believe it will help us in our commitment to minimising gambling harm and will make it clear that Lotto is for adults only, like other forms of gambling,” said head of corporate communications Will Hine.

Advocates also praised the change to legislation, calling it “long overdue”.

“It just doesn’t make sense that somebody aged under 18 can actually go and buy a gambling product, which of course a lotto ticket is, so we’re really pleased that finally this will be in the Gambling Act,” said Problem Gambling Foundation advocacy and public health director Andree Froude.

Passport index shows Pacific Island nations’ rankings

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Solomon Islands has the highest-ranked passport of Pacific Island nations, at 37th equal.

This is according to the Henley Passport Index.

The index, organised by a consulting firm that describes itself as “the global leader in residence and citizenship by investment,” releases the list based on global travel freedoms using data from the International Air Transport Association.

The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.

The Solomon Islands passport has access to 134 countries out of 227 on the list.

Samoa and Tonga have access to 131 destinations; while the Marshall Islands has access to 129.

Tuvalu is in equal 41st place with access to 128 countries, while Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau can visit 124 countries visa-free.

Further down the list is Vanuatu with access to 92 countries; Fiji with 90; Nauru, 89 and Papua New Guinea, 87.

Singapore tops the list, with access to 195 countries, ahead of Japan (193 destinations) and six countries in third equal position – Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea and Spain (192 destinations).

New Zealand is 5th equal (able to visit 190 countries) and Australia 6th equal (189 countries).

The ranking is the highest for New Zealand since 2017. It peaked at No. 4 in 2015 but dipped as low as 8th in 2018 and 2019.

At the tail end of the list are countries including Yemen, Iran and Syria, with Afghanistan at the bottom ranked 106th, with only 26 countries allowing visa-free access.

Incidentally, Australia also has the most expensive passport in the world – with a new adult passport costing AUD$412 (approximately US$255.30) ahead of Mexico (US$222.82), the USA (US$162.36) and New Zealand (US$120.37).

Henley and Partners said it uses a scoring system.

For each travel destination, if no visa is required for passport holders from a country or territory, then a score with value = 1 is created for that passport. A score with value = 1 is also applied if passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) when entering the destination.

The total score for each passport is equal to the number of destinations for which no visa is required (value = 1).

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