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Country’s second most powerful police officer, Jevon McSkimming, suspended amid probe

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

The second most powerful police officer in the country has been suspended, pending the outcome of a criminal investigation.

RNZ/Reece Baker

Jevon McSkimming had been in the running to become the new Police Commissioner. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER

Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming is being investigated by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the New Zealand police.

The nature of the allegations against McSkimming cannot be reported.

In a statement from his lawyer on Tuesday, McSkimming confirmed he had been suspended since before Christmas on full pay, pending a criminal investigation.

“He remains on full pay, pending a criminal investigation. When any police officer faces an investigation of this nature, they are typically suspended from duty,” the statement said.

“Mr McSkimming is cooperating fully with Police and looks forward to the investigation being concluded swiftly, after which he expects to resume his duties as Deputy Commissioner.”

McSkimming was one of the final two candidates for New Zealand’s top cop job last year, with Richard Chambers eventually appointed Police Commissioner.

McSkimming was promoted to statutory deputy commissioner in 2023 on the recommendation of then-prime minister Chris Hipkins.

The role comes with a higher pay packet and status than standard deputy commissioners.

Late last year he was overseeing road policing and operational services, which include strategy, media and communications, risk and assurance, and firearms regulation and reform.

During his appointment process, it was noted he had a “relatively unique career path”, working at police headquarters since 2010 across a range of areas: strategy, service delivery, resolution, financial planning, arms admin, ICT and infrastructure.

McSkimming joined the police in 1996 and worked on the frontline in Auckland and Southland.

He has also been responsible for large restructures – as well as managing police IT systems, property portfolio, vehicles, and launching the 105 non-emergency number.

Woman arrested after stabbing near Glenfield Mall

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz

The police have made an arrest in the Auckland suburb of Glenfield, after a man suffered a minor stab wound to his hand on Tuesday afternoon.

Armed police in Wellington. Generic image of armed police.

File pic Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Officers responded to the incident on Glenfield Road just before 2pm.

A woman was arrested a short time later.

Inspector Mike Rickards said the offender fled the scene towards nearby Glenfield Mall.

“Our staff, who were armed as a precaution, responded and located the woman near a store inside the mall,” he said.

“Our staff take these sorts of incidents seriously and moved quickly to resolve this matter without further incident.”

Police said the individuals were known to each other and there were no ongoing risks to the public.

The man would receive treatment for his injury.

Pacific’s most popular baby names in 2024

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

The most popular Pacific baby names for 2024 in Aotearoa have been revealed, with Kaia topping the girls’ list and Malakai leading the boys, according to data from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

Baby portrait

In 2024, 59,199 births were registered with the Department of Internal Affairs. LDR has compiled the top Pacific baby names for boys and girls in New Zealand. Photo: Siobhan Kelly Photography

Local Democracy Reporting received the list of all the baby names registered last year from the DIA.

Using this data, an unofficial list for 2024 – which is not sanctioned by the department – focused on names associated with Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia, while separate from Māori names, unless there was an overlap.

The official Māori baby names for 2024 will be released closer to Matariki, as the DIA works closely with Māori to establish clear criteria for identifying Māori names.

However, the department has not yet created an official list of Pacific baby names and does not have this initiative planned for 2025.

Kaia is the most popular girl’s name, with 85 registrations, while Malakai is the leading boy’s name, with 57.

Kaia, of Hawaiian origin, means “the sea”, while Malakai, the Tongan and Fijian form of Malachi, means “messenger of God.”

Manaia ranked second among the girls and occupies the eighth spot on the boys’ list.

In Sāmoan, Manaia means “beautiful” or “nice”, and it is also connected to Māori mythology.

Leilani, the third most popular girl’s name, is also of Hawaiian origin and means “heavenly garland of flowers” or “heavenly child.”

Other popular Pacific names for girls included Malia, Kiana, Mele, and Kehlani.

For boys, Koa is the second most popular name, meaning “brave,” “bold,” or “warrior”, and refers to the native Hawaiian koa tree. Kai, the third most popular name, also of Hawaiian origin, means “sea” or “ocean.”

Other popular names included Sione, Keanu, Te Ariki and Ariki.

Overall, the top baby names in New Zealand for 2024 were Isla for girls and Noah for boys.

Noa, a Pasifika variation of Noah, also made the list of top Pacific boy names for 2024.

Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local board, shared his name Nicholas with 22 newborns last year and provided his thoughts on the unofficial list.

“It’s probably a sign of the times. The names are a lot more contemporary now, as opposed to once upon a time when it was almost close to 100 percent biblical names. It’s the modern age we live in.”

The name Hawaiki, given to 26 baby boys last year, refers to the ancestral Polynesian homeland and is of Māori origin, although its Polynesian roots can be debated.

Atarangi, the 10th most popular baby girl name, is also a Māori name with ties to the Cook Islands.

Tauanu’u acknowledges this discussion: “Yeah, leave that to the academics. It’s an interesting conversation.”

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Boardchair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich (left), and Sāmoan language expert Lemoa Henry Fesulua'i, comment on the unofficial list of top Pacific baby names for 2024.

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Boardchair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich (left), and Sāmoan language expert Lemoa Henry Fesulua’i, comment on the unofficial list of top Pacific baby names for 2024. Photo: Auckland University / Auckland Council

Sāmoan language expert Lemoa Henry Fesulua’i, senior leader for engagement and partnerships in the Office of Pacific Advancement at

Auckland University of Technology, commented on the biblical names that made the top 10.

“Initially, there are a lot of biblical names, a lot of transliterations names like Malakai is Malachi. Sione’s John, Mele’s Mary in Tongan. [There’s] a lot of Tongan names.”

Lemoa says there is a significant presence of Tongan in the Pacific baby names and, a mix of original or indigenous names, floral names, and gender-neutral names.

“A lot of the names I’ve mentioned at first glance, like the royalty names, seem like a reclaiming of their identity as noble.

“If there’s 24 Mele, 35 Malia, and 36 Sione, it’s either biblical or a namesake, just to revive their name, even though they’ve given me short versions.”

Lemoa recalled his late mentor, known as Mele, whose full name was Melengalenu’u. In many Pacific Islands, especially Samoa, names hold significance as a connection to identity, which goes beyond just the Western concept of a birth certificate.

“The name itself has always been an Indigenous approach, a concept passed down from our ancestors to connect the young to the land, their identity, and their surroundings.

“People are now opting for the originality of ancestral names, reclaiming their identity. It’s about connecting with who we are, where we come from, and the legacy of our ancestors.

“From a linguistic point of view, these names are definitely Pacific. They follow a pattern -consonant-vowel or vowel-consonant structures. It’s how we know the cultural distinctions between us,” Lemoa explains regarding the unofficial list.

Dr Polly Atatoa Carr.

Dr Polly Atatoa Carr underscores the importance of collecting high-quality ethnicity data. Photo: Supplied / University of Waikato

Polly Atatoa Carr, associate professor of population health at Te Ngira (Institute for Population Research) at the University of Waikato, commented on the absence of an official list for Pacific names.

“Identity is such an important part of ourselves, our families, and our children growing up. If we are not, from the very beginning, collecting high-quality ethnicity data and representing our Pacific families appropriately, we miss the chance to celebrate them.

“Knowing that we have high-quality ethnicity data – even when it comes to baby names – is crucial. We need to ensure that we are counted appropriately.”

The Department of Internal Affairs registered 59,199 births in 2024, including 19,404 unique names. Parents are encouraged to register their baby’s name within two months of birth.

Parents are encouraged to register their child's name with the Department of Internal Affairs within two months of birth.

Parents are encouraged to register their child’s name with the Department of Internal Affairs within two months of birth. Photo: Siobhan Kelly Photography

Most popular Pacific baby girl names for 2024

Kaia – 85

Manaia – 37

Leilani – 35

Malia – 35

Kiana – 29

Mele – 24

Kehlani – 16

Tiare – 16

Noa – 15

Atarangi – 13

Most Popular Pacific baby boy names for 2024

Malakai – 57

Koa – 48

Kai – 47

Sione – 36

Keanu – 34

Te Ariki – 34

Ariki – 27

Manaia – 26

Tai – 16

Kainoa – 15

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Supreme Court quashes Public Service Commission decision to fire director Magdalena Fifita 

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga Supreme Court has quashed a Public Service Commission (PSC) decision to dismiss director Magdalena Tafa Fifita from the Ministry of Tourism due to an alleged conflict of interest.

Magdalena Fifita

It follows a legal challenge brought by the victim.  

Fifita was charged with a serious breach of discipline. 

The PSC had also intended to report her to the Tonga Police for investigation.  

Fifita was dismissed as Director of the Ministry of Tourism on 9 January 2024. 

Until then, she had been employed in the Tonga Public Service for 24 years. 

That career culminated in her working for the Ministry and taking on the role of director in September 2019. 

She was dismissed after revelations that she, as director of the Ministry, had offered a contract to a company named Matapa Services.

Fifita’s daughter owns that company.

The company had been paid approximately TOP $55,000.00 through the contract to provide courses and training as well as catering services to the Ministry in 2022-2023.

Statement of claims

The statement of claims stated that Fifita had never been given a copy of the complaint.  

As such, she could not answer the allegations before the charges were laid.

This amounted to a denial of her right to be heard, the court document says.  

“The PSC did not allow Ms. Fifita to be heard before they laid the charges against her and as such the decision maker was biased and the decision to charge, fundamentally unfair and an abuse of power”, it said.

The Ministry of Tourism’s former CEO, Sione Mafi, was never spoken to during the inquiry regarding the accusations, even though Fifita identified him as a relevant witness.

The court was told that Fifita disclosed her apparent conflict of interests to Mafi before he agreed to offer the contract in question.  

She was reported in the court document as saying in court that “…she was aware of the conflicting interests due to the consultancy ownership by her husband as a co-owner, however, declared to the CEO, Mr. Sione Moala-Mafi and received his endorsement”.

Statement of defence

The statement of defence argued that the CEO Report demonstrates that Fifita was interviewed and so was given the right to be heard.

It also argued that interviewing former CEO Mafi was not a mandatory requirement as Regulation 5 (2) (j) only requires “any statements from witnesses” and they need not be included if not gathered.

Further, there was sufficient material placed before CEO Takau, by Fifita for him to come to the view there was no need to take a statement from the former CEO.

The trial was held on 13 November 2024, with submissions taking place the following day.

Mafi gave evidence for Fifita.

Simione Sefanaia, Chairman of PSC, CEO Kioa of PSC, Franz Tu’uhetoka and CEO Takau all gave evidence for the Defendant.

In his conclusion, Justice Cooper quashed the decision to charge Fifita with 27 Charges of serious Breach of Discipline. 

He also rejected the decision to dismiss Fifita from the Ministry of Tourism and the intention to report her to the Tonga Police. 

He said the costs are to be subject to further hearing on a date to be agreed upon. 

Kiwi resident charged after Nakolo death as Police ‘investigate’ video shared on social media 

By
Kalino Latu
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A New Zealand resident has been charged in connection with the death of a Nakolo man in December.

‘Esilani Latu

‘Esilani Latu’s body was found on Hala Liku between Nakolo and Fua’amotu, in Hahake. 

Police have charged a New Zealand driver who is currently in Tonga in relation to Latu’s death.  

No detail was provided about the suspect. 

The 21-year-old deceased allegedly died from his injuries, which police had described at the time as being consistent with being struck by a vehicle.   

His body was found on Hala Liku Road between Nakolo and Fua’amotu.  

A Police statement said a post-mortem report confirmed that the young man was run over by a car.  

However, the police were not so sure if this was the cause of death. 

Investigation  

Meanwhile, the Police said they were investigating a video being circulated on social media to determine its “validity, origin and context”.  

“Tonga Police is assuring the public that they are working diligently to uncover the facts surrounding the video”, Police said.  

It warned that posting electronic communication that causes harm is an offence.  

They urged the public to refrain from sharing “unconfirmed information”.  

The video 

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, an unverified video circulating on Facebook has garnered significant attention from the Tongan online community.  

The footage, seen by Kaniva News, purportedly depicted an unsettling incident where a man is seen being overpowered by another while allegedly being coerced into speaking against his will.   

The 10-second video clip appeared to show a man physically dominating a victim, who seemed visibly distressed, resistant and screaming.  

An individual is overheard asking questions of the victim, though the content of his words is unclear due to the video’s poor audio quality.  

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

The video evoked emotional responses from viewers, prompting speculation about the possible motives behind this act, leading to many theories online.   

On the most extreme end, some commenters suggested, without evidence, that the video was purported to show the last moments before Latuu’s death.   

6.6 earthquake rattles southwestern Japan

By
Kaniva Staff
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By  YURI KAGEYAMA

TOKYO (AP) — Japan issued a tsunami advisory on Monday after a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the southwest of the country. The public warnings to stay away from coastal areas were later lifted.

The agency initially gave the magnitude estimate at 6.9, but later revised it down. An official first told reporters the lowered magnitude was 6.7, but the agency then released a statement with the magnitude revised to 6.6.

There were no immediate reports of damage. Residents in some coastal areas were told to evacuate as a precautionary measure.

One man was slightly injured in Kyushu after falling down some stairs, NHK TV reported. Trains stopped running in Miyazaki Station, stranding passengers.

NHK said a tsunami, estimated to be as high as 1 meter (3.2 feet), reached land within 30 minutes of the quake. The waters detected at Miyazaki Port measured 20 centimeters (0.7 feet) high, the reports said.

Tsunami advisories were issued for Miyazaki prefecture, where the quake was centered, in the southwestern island of Kyushu, as well as nearby Kochi prefecture in Shikoku island, shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 p.m. according to the agency. They were all called off shortly before midnight.

People were warned to stay away from the waters, including rivers. Agency official Shigeki Aoki told reporters that people should watch for landslides as well as falling objects in homes. Aftershocks are possible, especially in the next two or three days, he said.

The quake, centered at a depth of 36 kilometers (22 miles), shook a wide area in Kyushu, the southwestern main island, Japan’s Meteorological Agency said. The agency initially gave the depth as 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).

NHK TV footage showed moving traffic and well-lit streets, meaning that electric power was still working. No problems were detected at the various monitoring posts for nuclear plants in the area.

Japan is frequently hit by earthquakes due to its location along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

Experts at the meteorological agency met late Monday to gauge how the latest temblor may be related to the so-called Nankai Trough quakes, but decided not to take any extraordinary measures for the time being. The term refers to a wide region believed to be prone to periodic major quakes.

A Nankai Trough quake off Shikoku in 1946 killed more than 1,300 people. The area was hit by a 7.1 magnitude quake in August last year.

Air New Zealand bag handler’s sister and brother-in-law sentenced after $400,000 from drugs seized by Police 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The sister and brother-in-law of the Air New Zealand employee who pleaded guilty to assisting in several meth importations into New Zealand had been sentenced for their roles in laundering the money illegally received from the crimes. 

Matangikolo Piukana, who was working for the airlines, is awaiting sentencing. However, police discovered that his sister, Sanlolan Piukana, and her spouse, Sitaleki Maka, were involved in concealing the financial proceeds from the illicit drug activities.   

They were sentenced to 12 months of home detention on November 14, a report by the NZ Herald said.  

Armed with authority granted by the High Court, the Police tracked the financial trail associated with the illicit drug trade.  

The report said that Matangikolo handled money earned from the operation and stored large amounts of cash at the home of his sister and her husband. 

Sanlolan Piukana and Maka both pleaded guilty to receiving in relation to the $316,900 found at their Waterview, Auckland home.  

The police obtained restraining orders over $316,900 found stashed at Sanlolan’s house and $24,470 in the bedroom of his own home. 

As part of that lawsuit, police also gained control of a family bank account containing more than $264,000, but most of that money will be given back as it belongs to relatives of Piukana who were not involved in his crimes. 

A High Court decision by Justice Christine Gordon just before Christmas ordered the forfeiture of all the cash and $71,920 of the money in the bank account. In total, $413,290 will become the property of the Crown. 

In her judgment, Justice Gordon said police had acknowledged that Matangikolo Piukana did not physically take possession of the methamphetamine that had been brought into the country, but he “facilitated” its importation. 

“When the value of the controlled drugs or cash that he handled is taken into account, he must have unlawfully benefited from his role in facilitating the importation of at least 110kg of methamphetamine.” 

Matangikolo helped in several meth importations, mainly from Malaysia, and was prosecuted in connection with three consignments of the drug in June and July 2021. 

Piukana was a “logistical organiser” of the syndicate, who received orders from the group to assign baggage handling staff to particular flights to collect the imported drugs.

The drugs were then driven off airport grounds without going through the Customs area, the report said.

Man charged after attempted kidnap from Christchurch street – police

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz

A man has been charged with kidnapping after allegedly trying to pull someone into a vehicle in the Christchurch suburb of Sydenham, police say.

Police in Wellington. Generic image

(File photo). Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Detective James Bourne said about 3pm on Thursday 2 January, a man approached a person at the northern end of Tennyson Street, in Sydenham. He then attempted to pull them into a vehicle.

The man has been charged with kidnapping in connection with the incident, and is scheduled to appear in Christchurch District Court on 16 January, Bourne said.

“As part of our ongoing enquiries, we would like to hear from anyone who was in the Tennyson Street area between 2:50pm and 3:10pm on Thursday 2 January.”

Anyone with information was asked to call Police on 105, or to visit their Update Report page online at 105.police.govt.nz and quote file number 250102/6559. Information could also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or on their website.

La Nina possibility drives up cyclone risk

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist

The risk of cyclones in Pacific Islands close to the coral sea could increase as a La Niña watch remains in place.

Tropical depression TD04F developed into a tropical cyclone on 10 January, named Pita. Photo:

The first cyclone of the cyclone season, Pita, passed near Niue over the weekend.

La Niña refers to a cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean, particularly near and east of the international date line.

It’s the opposite to El Niño which was underway this time last year.

The south Pacific is currently in the middle of its cyclone season.

NIWA forecaster Chris Brandolino said the second half of the season from January is normally the most active.

“Areas in and around the coral sea, Vanuatu even maybe toward the Solomons, they run the higher risk for a tropical cyclone development as we work our way through the next few months.

“Areas further east, the risk is likely to be normal to even reduced.”

He said rainfall could also increase in islands by the coral sea, with island nations further east like French Polynesia and the Cook Islands seeing less rainfall and experiencing drought.

“That’s because that is where we’re seeing ocean temperatures to be relatively cool. These cool ocean temperatures, they don’t encourage rainfall – they favour dryness.”

Brandolino said La Niña means “different things for different people”.

He said trade winds would be blowing briskly over the next month in the tropical Pacific especially just west of the international date line.

“Just east of Fiji to maybe around the north of New Caledonia, in that zone nearer to the equator, the trade winds are going to be accelerating.

“People may notice fast or stronger trade winds and maybe higher waves with those associated with those trade winds.”

King to appoint Prime Minister-elect and Cabninet next week

By
Kalino Latu
-

The King is scheduled to appoint the Prime Minister-elect and members of the new Cabinet in a formal ceremony next week.

Prime Minister-elect Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke

The Prime Minister Designate Dr ‘Aisake Eke confirmed this to Kaniva News this morning but did not provide the exact date.

He said the king is expected to arrive in Tonga this weekend before the appointments.

The news follows the extension of the current caretaker government arrangements under Acting Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu until the king appoints the new Cabinet.

It is understood the Prime Minister-elect was in New Zealand last week, and he was expected to meet the king.     

The new government is facing heightened public expectations as citizens look for positive changes and accountability, especially after the serious accusations of corruption and mismanagement that were levelled against the previous administration of Hu’akavameiliku.

Many people are eager to see reforms and transparency in governance, hoping that the new leadership will address the issues that plagued the former government and restore trust in public institutions.

In response to the various allegations surrounding his administration, former Honorable Hu’akavameiliku expressed a willingness to face any legal actions that may arise.

He emphasized that he is open to pursuing legal avenues in order to clear his name and demonstrate the integrity of his government.

As we previously reported, a leaked document purported to show Dr Eke’s preliminary new Cabinet ministers and to-do list, seen by Kaniva News, showed that all Ministries must be reviewed and reported within the new administration’s first month.

As we reported last week, MP Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, a supporter of Dr Eke, alleged that he had access to alarming claims about evidence of dishonesty within government ministries.  

He particularly mentioned the Ministry of Education.

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