Tongan alpine skier
Kasete Skeen will compete at the 2019 FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships in
Åre, Sweden.
Next week Skeen, who
has family links to Vava’u and Tongatapu, will compete in the Giant Slalom qualification
race at the Åre World Championships.
He became the first
Tongan to compete at Alpine Skiing World Championships in St Moritz in
Switzerland in 2017.
He finished 104th out
of 105 competitors.
He wanted to qualify
for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, but ruptured the tissue that connects
the thighbone to the shinbone while training in New Zealand.
While recovering,
Skeen moved to Sweden, learned Swedish and took up a job in the Åre ski area to
help fund his return to competition.
Skeen was working as Manager at Opera
Holland Park in London in 2016 when he decided to pursue his dream of becoming
Tonga’s first Olympic alpine skier.
He once joked to Radio New Zealand that Tonga probably isn’t overrun
with skiers.
The
first Tongan to compete in the Winter Olympics was Bruno Banani at the Sochi
Winter Games in 2014.
“He’s
a trailblazer definitely for Tonga – the first Tongan to compete in the Winter
Olympics – and also it’s kind of inspiration for not just Tongans but lots of
people from non-traditional backgrounds or non-traditional Winter Olympic
countries to kind of get involved,” Skeen said.
The main points
Tongan alpine skier Kasete Skeen will
compete at the 2019 FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships in Åre, Sweden.
Next week Skeen, who has family links to
Vava’u and Tongatapu, will compete in
the Giant Slalom qualification race at the Åre World Championships.
The men accused of murdering the US based Tongan Sione Feimoefiafi are scheduled to make their first appearance in the Fasi Magistrate Court at Nukua’alofa on Monday next week.
Feimoefiafi, 49, arrived in Tonga in early January to attend his
father’s funeral. He was beaten during a brawl inside Tali’eva bar on Monday 4.
He died in hospital later that evening.
Police
arrested the accused the following day.
The five suspects, aged between 39 and 51, remain in police custody while investigations continue.
The tragic death of Feimoefiafi has sent shock waves throughout Tonga and the Tongan international community.
From the moment Feimoefiafi was shown being beaten in a viral video clip
to today’s court decision for his accused’s court appearance date, people have
become obsessed with the life of Feimoefiafi especially with what had been
documented about him on Facebook.
Dozens of public and private groups are now dedicated to the murder.
A public group called Must Be Tongan has 120,393 followers. Another has nearly 17,000.
Feimoefiafi painted a portrait of the perfect family man on social media. Homemade videos and photos he and others had posted show what seemed to be an outgoing and light-hearted man.
“….We have a 19-day fast which end right now. We are heading out right now to eat some good food somewhere,” he said while making fun with his children in one of his Facebook live videos.
A tropical depression which travelled at a speed of 15 knots or 28 kilometres per hours with maximum momentary wind of 40 knots or 74 kilomtres per hour continues to travel away from Tonga.
The Fua’amotu tropical cyclone warning centre said this morning at 6am a gale warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u.
But it is now cancelled for Ha’apai,
Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Tele-Ki-Tonga and Tele-Ki-Tokelau land areas and coastal
waters.
A heavy rain and flash flood
advisory remains in force for the Niuas and Vava’u but is now canceled for Ha’apai,
Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
A heavy damaging swell
warning remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.
The tropical depression td10f
was located near west of Niuafo’ou, it said.
It is now moving south
southwest at the speed of 15 knots (28km/hr).
The potential for this system
to develop into a tropical cyclone is low in the next 24 hours.
On its current track, td10f is expected to lie at about 360 kilometres southwest of Niuafo’ou or 460 kilometres west northwest of Vava’u at 10am this morning.
It will continue to move south-south-west away from the groups.
Associated clouds, heavy rain
and strong to gale force winds may affect the Niuas and Vava’u.
New Zealand-based
business councils were crucial to the work of the Pacific Cooperation
Foundation, the PCF’s new head said this week.
Speaking to Kaniva Tonga news, the Foundation’s new
CEO, Don Mann, said bodies like the New Zealand Tonga Business Council, Tonga Advisory
Council, the Fiji New Zealand Business Council, the New Zealand Samoa Trade and
Investment Commission, the New Zealand PNG Business Council and the New Zealand
French Chamber of Commerce provided an important private sector voice.
“We sit in the middle,
between government and the private sector,” Mann said.
“We can feed ideas back up to government and from them to the private sector.
Don Mann (L) with his parents Elaine and Don Snr at Port Neiafu. Photo/Supplied
“As one example, the
NZTBC is essentially a New Zealand agency, but speaks to a lot of Tongan
business owners.
“Tongans running
businesses here have deep links to the business community in Tonga.
“It is absolutely
valuable working with them because they work both sides of the boarder.”
Mann, whose father Don
Snr was from Neiafu in Vava’u, took over as head of the Auckland-based body
last month.
He said he wanted the
Foundation to be seen as a trusted, impartial entity to which people could turn
to unlock opportunities in the Pacific.
“We want to be at the
top of people’s minds when they want to do business in the Pacific.”
Mann said that while
the Foundation had been established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade it was important that it was seen as independent.
He said this helped
its mandate to work with 18 countries in the Pacific creating opportunities for
business, helping developing leaders and putting people from different sectors
together.
He said New Zealand
operated as a Pacific nation, which made it different from Australia.
“There are many
similarities between the two nations, but at the end of the day the difference
is that we have a unique Māori identity,” Mann said.
He said culture was at
the heart of national identity and how people saw themselves. Apart from his
links with Tonga, he has affiliation with Ngāti Ruapani and Ngāti Kahungunu
through his mother.
“I have a Māori mum
and a Tongan father,” Mann said.
“I was born in
Auckland and consider myself to be both Tongan and Māori.
“I have family in the
US and Australia consider them Tongan.
“It’s who we are, how
you see yourself,” Mann said.
“As they saw in Te
Reo: ‘E ngā tagata o te moana nui a kiwa’ – we are the people of the
Pacific.”
The PCF had a long
term goal of creating business opportunities between Māori business and Pacific
islands.
Iwi economic entities
were worth about NZ$40 billion. He said Pacific nations could learn from iwi
about how indigenous bodies had developed over the years into successful
businesses and managed economic and social transitions.
The PCF could be a
conduit for this kind of knowledge sharing.
Areas of co-operation
could include resource based industries.
Mann took over at the
PCF after being head of Corporate Partnerships at ATEED. While with the
Auckland Council body he led Pasifika stakeholder engagement which included the
Pacific Business Trust Awards and the Pasifika Festival commercial strategy. He
also mentored emerging Pacific Business Leaders and advised Pasifika business
owners.
Originally a
policeman, he left the force when he was 33 to go into sports management and
became general manager of the Warriors.
His family has strong
ties to rugby league. His uncle George founded the Mate Ma’a Tonga. His father
played league professionally and his brother Duane captained the Kiwis and MMT.
His father ran a well-known
heavy haulage company and was involved in several major infrastructure projects
around New Zealand. He liked to point them out to his family as a tangible mark
of what he had achieved.
Mann said that in each
role he had been involved with he had been able to make a serious and positive
affect on people’s lives and wanted to do the same at PCF.
The
main points
New Zealand-based business councils
were crucial to the work of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation, the PCF’s new
head said this week.
Speaking to Kaniva Tonga news, the Foundation’s new CEO, Don Mann, said bodies
like the New Zealand Tonga Business Council provided an important private
sector voice.
Mann, whose father Don Snr was from Neiafu
in Vava’u, took over as head of the Auckland-based body last month.
The possibility for a tropical disturbance in Tonga to develop into a tropical cyclone is moderate, said the Fua’amotu Meteorological centre this morning Tuesday 12 at 7am.
The system, named by the Centre
as TD 10f was located near the north west of Niuafo’ou.
It is moving east south east at
the speed of 12 knots (22km/hr) towards Niuafo’ou.
Associated clouds, heavy rain and strong to gale force winds are expected to affect the group, it said.
The Centre said, a gale warning remains in force for all of Tonga land areas and coastal waters.
A heavy rain and flash flood advisory remain in force for all of Tonga.
A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.
Meanwhile, it said tropical
cyclone alert previously in force for all of Tonga for 08f is now cancelled.
The Supreme
Court has refused application by the ‘Atenisi Institute for an interim
injunction against the Tonga National Qualifications Accreditation Board.
The
Institute wanted an interim injunction preventing the TNQAB from stopping the Institute from
recruiting new students; imposing new, amended or revoking the institute’s
qualifications and publishing anything about its compliance with the board’s
regulations.
The Lord
Chief Justice Paulsen said making the orders sought would serve no useful
purpose.
“ ‘Atenisi has not satisfied me that it has
good prospects of success,” the judge said.
“I do not
accept that ‘Atenisi’s position can be so dire that it is necessary to issue an
injunction.”
Instead, he
said he had allocated an early date to hear the matter at trial.
The ‘Atenisi
opened in 1975 and operated without interruption since then.
It lodged an
application for registration as a university with the TNQAB in 2010. After a
legal dispute it was registered as the Tertiary Academy of ‘Atenisi Institute
in 2011.
The
Institute’s registration was renewed in 2013 and 2015 until August 2017 after
which its registration lapsed.
In 2015 it
was advised by the TNQAB that it would not be permitted to renew its
registration as a University;
In February
last year ‘Atenisi filed an action for a declaration that it was a University.
In March
2018 the TNQAB told the Institute it considered it was delivering unaccredited
programmes.
It was told
to show what it was going to do to have the programmes accredited and told that
if it did not comply the TNQAB could impose new or amended conditions or revoke
the Institute’s registration.
The
Institute argued in court that not being able to recruit students would
endanger its financial status and continuing operations.
However, Lord
Chief Justice Paulsen said prospective students had the right to know their
proposed courses of study were to be delivered by an entity not registered
under the Act and that any qualifications earned may not be recognised by the
kingdom’s largest employer, the government.
“The
students’ right to be informed outweighs ‘Atenisi’s interest in recruiting them,”
he said.
The
main points
The
Supreme Court has refused application by the ‘Atenisi Institute for an interim
injunction against the Tonga National Qualifications Accreditation Board.
The
Institute wanted an interim injunction preventing the TNQAB from stopping the Institute from
recruiting new students; imposing new, amended or revoking the institute’s
qualifications and publishing anything about its compliance with the board’s
regulations.
“In Loving Memory”, a recent exhibition in Tonga, attracted many art lovers.
The exhibition was hosted at the On The Spot Artspace in Nuku’alofa and was arranged by the Seleka International Art Society Initiative (SIASI).
It was a tribute to their fallen fale which was destroyed by Cyclone Gita last February.
“We’ve lost our land and our studio but cyclones cannot take our spirits and we will move forward,” says Taniela Patelo.
The exhibition featured more than 20 paintings from Tongan artists Tevita Latu, Taniela Petelo and Virginie Dourlet.
Seleka International Art Society was founded by Tevita Latu in 2008 aimed at promoting art and encouraging young artists from Tonga.
“I had the chance to study art in Australia. I always promised myself that when I would be back I would teach Tongans about art,” says Latu – and the Seleka initiative was the result.
The fale has been a home for more than 100 young artists and was situated in the Fanga ‘Uta Lagoon in the main island of Tongatapu.
Taniela Patelo … “We’ve lost our land and our studio but cyclones cannot take our spirits and we will move forward.” Image: Blessen Tom/PMC
Painting to poetry “The core intention was to teach painting…then later on a friend came in and started teaching poetry, musicians came on board and started teaching music.
“Since the house came down we’ve lost a tour of artists. We moved to my house and it’s not the same.”
The group has moved back to town since the destruction of their fale.
“I want this vision to flourish. I wanted to go to the poorest village and teach art to the young kids there,” says Latu, when asked about the future of Seleka.
“I wish we could have more exposure overseas and exhibit more.”
Seleka International Art Society Initiative has started an art movement in Tonga. They want this to continue and hopes for more support from the government to travel around Tonga to conduct workshops for young people.
The exhibition was welcomed by art lovers and common people and many paintings were sold on the opening day.
AUT graduate Blessen Tom reported on the exhibition while in Tonga for the Nuku’alofa International Film festival late last year. Kaniva has a republication arrangement with Pacific Media Centre.
Sione Finau Moala-Mafi has today been named as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Tonga Tourism with effect from 7 February 2019 for a period of four years.
The Public Service Commission said it welcomes Moala-Mafi and wishes him a successful and fulfilling term in office.
Moala-Mafi holds a
Master of Tourism (Marketing) (2000) from James Cook University, Australia and
a Bachelor of Arts in Socio-Economic Development (1987) from the University of
the South Pacific, Fiji.
Moala-Mafi has extensive years of work experience in the Tourism sector.
He was first appointed to the public service in 1990 as an Educational and Training Officer, Tonga Visitors Bureau.
In 1999, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Director of Tourism (Marketing) for the same Department.
In 2009, he exited the Public Service and was again re-appointed in April, 2016 to the position of Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism where he currently serves to date.
However, prior to his re-appointment in 2016, he was employed by Tonga Communications Cooperation Ltd (TCC) as from August, 2011 to April, 2013 as a Sales and Marketing Manager.
Former Rugby League Board members and president have appealed a supreme court judge’s order barring them from attending a meeting at which a new Board was elected.
Former president Sēmisi Sika said he had not been convicted in any court during the entire tenure of his office.
He said they believed the court decision has violated the democratic rights of each league club in Tonga to choose whoever they wanted to represent them in the board and presidency.
Hon. Sika said he, the former Chairman Stan Moheloa and another board member were baffled by the court decision.
As Kaniva Tonga news
reported earlier, the Supreme Court dissolved the Tonga National Rugby League
(TNRL) board and ordered an election of new board members.
The sacked board members included
Chairman Stan Moheloa, General Secretary Tavake Fangupō, Board Director Siu
Fangupō, Board Director Pita Vakautakakala, and Board Director Mātani
Nifofā.
The Court appointed Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu as Amicus
Curiae (friend of the court) to organise and oversee new
elections.
Judge
L.M.Niu said the Incorporated Societies Act required that incorporated
societies must be managed in accordance with their rules and
constitutions.
“When
a society fails to manage or govern its funds in accordance with its rules, the
Supreme Court must make the necessary orders to ensure that it does,” the judge
said.
“This
Court has found that the defendants have failed to govern and manage the funds
of the Tonga National Rugby League in accordance with its constitution.
“Substantial
funds are not accounted for.
“The
Board of Directors at the time was the body responsible for that failure. The
members who constituted that Board must be replaced by new members and the new
members must not be persons nominated by or voted for by any person who was
member of the Board responsible for the failure.
“They
must not influence the nominations and voting for new members. They must
therefore be excluded from the meeting at which the new Board of Directors is
elected.”
Presidency
Judge Niu said the President and Vice President of the Society were not members of the Board, but could take part in meetings to ensure the board carried out its functions properly.
“Because
the Board has failed to carry out its functions properly, it is clear that the
President and Vice President have also failed in their duties,” the judge said.
“Accordingly,
they should also be excluded from the meeting at which the new Board is
elected.”
Judge
Niu ordered that Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu, in his role as Amicus
Curiae, convene and conduct a meeting to elect a new board of
directors.
He
said Hon. Kefu would decide all questions arising at the meeting.
“The
new Board shall govern from its election until the election of the Board of
Directors is completed at the general meeting which shall be convened by the
new Board after the accounts of the society have been audited and after
completion of appropriate actions, if any, which shall have been taken by the
new Board in consequence of the results of the audit,” the judge said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government has today announced it will prohibit smoking in cars carrying children under 18 years of age.
The announcement has been released by Associate Minister of Health Jenny Lātū Salesa.
The law change will come into effect by an amendment
to the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990.
“First and foremost this change is about protecting
children. However, it is also part of the Government’s commitment to achieving
Smokefree 2025,” says Jenny Salesa.
“Too many New Zealand children, particularly Māori and
Pacific children, are exposed to second-hand smoke in the vehicles they usually
travel in. Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of
second-hand smoke due to their smaller lungs, higher respiratory rate and
immature immune systems.
“Second-hand smoke accumulates in vehicles, even with
the windows open. It reaches much higher levels than in homes.
“Public education and social marketing campaigns over
many years have had some impact, but the rate of reduction in children exposed
to smoking in vehicles is slowing. It is now time to do more by legislating,”
says Jenny Salesa.
Under the change, Police will be able to require
people to stop smoking in their cars if children (under 18) are present. Police
will also be able to use their discretion to give warnings, refer people to
stop-smoking support services, or issue an infringement fee of $50.
“In 2016, recommendations by the Health Select
Committee to ban smoking in cars carrying children were ignored. Now, this
Government is taking action,” says Jenny Salesa.
“One of our core priorities is achieving equity in
health. Raising public awareness about the dangers of smoking in cars carrying
children can assist in achieving this goal.
“The legislation will also be backed up with a new and
innovative public education and social marketing effort.
“Ultimately, the focus of this change will be on
education and changing social norms – not on issuing infringement notices.
“There is strong support for legislating. Multiple
surveys have shown around 90 per cent of people support a stop to smoking in
cars with children present.
“New Zealand will join other countries such as
Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, parts of the United
States, and most of Canada – where smoking in cars with children is already
prohibited,” say Jenny Salesa.
Vaping will also be included in the prohibition and it
will apply to all vehicles both parked and on the move.
It is expected that this amendment will become law by
the end of 2019.
