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Tongatapu couple among six arrested with meth, cannabis

By
Kaniva Staff
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The police in Tonga have arrested a married couple found in possession of cannabis, methamphetamine, cash and drug paraphernalia.

The 21-year-old man from Hauloto and his 32-year-old wife had been arrested on 6 January 2025.

On Monday, Tonga Police raided a bush allotment at Hauloto and seized two packs of cannabis 1.54g, 27 packs of methamphetamine 0.86g, over TOP$300 cash, electronic devices and drug utensils.

Both suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues.

The Police also said in a statement that they raided the same bush allotment at Hauloto on 2 January 2025, arresting one man and three women between the ages of 38-43 years.

The Police seized 21 packs of cannabis 8.17g, five packs of methamphetamine 0.14g, utensils and over TOP$800 cash.

The suspects have been charged with possession of illicit drugs and drug utensils.

Tonga Police stated that they are determined to disrupt and seize illicit substances for their usage and distribution to protect our communities better.

They urged the public to call them at 740-1657 or 922 with any information relating to illicit drug use.

Sinkhole opens up in upmarket Auckland street, cordons erected around growing crater

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Raphael Franks,nzherald.co.nz

A sinkhole has opened up on a street in one of Auckland’s oldest suburbs, with a protective cordon now in place to prevent traffic from driving near the growing brick-lined crater.

A sinkhole has a brick-lined crater that is around 2sqm beneath the ruptured surface of the St Marys Bay street. Photo / Michael Craig
A sinkhole has a brick-lined crater that is around 2sqm beneath the ruptured surface of the St Marys Bay street. Photo / Michael Craig

Fire and Emergency are on the corner of Dunedin and New Sts in St Marys Bay to keep people safe and away from a sinkhole that opened up at lunchtime.

A firefighter told the Herald the council was responsible for fixing it, but Fire and Emergency were on the scene to put down cones and keep people away.

The firefighter said it would be easy for a motorist or cyclist to hit the sinkhole if they had not put cones around the hole.

The hole is about 50cm wide, but a firefighter said there was a larger void under the surface.

There is an area of about 2sqm. He said people should not stand on, lest the ground gives way.

The chasm has revealed extensive brickwork beneath the road.

The surrounding streets are very quiet, but traffic can continue to drive around.

Firearm ‘pointed at victim’s forehead’, Tonga police arrest suspect with cannabis

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police in Tonga have arrested a suspect after an unlicensed pistol was pointed at a man working at the Emerald Hotel in Nuku’alofa on Saturday 4.  

The suspect then left the premises, got into his vehicle and drove off, the Police said.

He was later arrested on Hihifo Road at Hala’ovave with the handgun along with one pack of cannabis weighing 0.52mg.  

No one was injured, and the victim reported the incident to the police, a statement said. 

The 35-year-old male suspect from Kolomotua is currently in police custody and has been charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, illicit drugs, and attempting to intimidate with a firearm.  

The Police said “the suspect brought up a firearm and pointed at the victim’s forehead while speaking incoherently in English”.

“The police responded to the call and located the suspect shortly after”.

Police investigations are still ongoing into the nature of this case.  

The victim was safe and sound and thankfully, he was not injured during the encounter.  

Tonga Police appealed to the public to report any criminal activities.

Students make medical maintenance trip to Tonga

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

Eight biomedical engineering students from the University of Canterbury are heading to Tonga to train staff to maintain essential medical equipment.

Eight biomedical engineering students from the University of Canterbury are heading to Tonga to train staff to maintain essential medical equipment. Photo: University of Canterbury

A group of eight biomedical engineering students from the University of Canterbury are heading to Tonga this month to train staff to maintain essential medical equipment.

Debbie Munro, an engineer and senior lecturer at the University, led a previous student trip to Tonga in 2019.

When Munro first visited Tonga they anticipated providing direct equipment repairs. However, they realised that Tonga’s primary need was for long-term maintenance and technical expertise.

“There’s a lot of programs out there where they send in teams of people that are trying to help and trying to make a difference,” she said.

“These groups come in with a team, they might repair a bunch of equipment, they might build a clinic or outfit a ward or something like that; but then they leave and the only thing that remains is a plaque on the wall.”

Tonga has equipment donated from all over the world which is given without tech support or manuals.

“What you have is a potential resource but who’s going to unload the shipping container? Who’s going to stage it somewhere and then repair it?

“I’m hoping that by educating the people, we can get a workforce of biomedical technicians that are there year-round who can continue to maintain and repair the equipment.”

As well as helping Tonga, the trip gives a chance for the students to experience a unique learning experience, Munro said.

She said her students that went in 2019 completely changed how they thought about design.

“As a new engineer the temptation is to make something really clever and unique, but after having to repair something that somebody else designed, it’s like, why couldn’t they have used standard fasteners? Why did they have to put the wire all the way in the back behind this weld? Those types of things.

“Now they think about if this is going to be donated someday in some kind of a circular economy situation – is it fixable? Could someone take it apart, understand how to repair it?”

Funaki convicted after attempting to rape former lover while his wife was sleeping next-door  

By
Kalino Latu
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A former lover has been found guilty of attempted rape and common assault in relation to the charges brought against him.  

Manase Funaki committed the crime while his wife and family were at an adjoining property. 

The complainant was at home with her daughter, who was sharing a bed, and her husband was abroad in New Zealand. 

The Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC said it is likely the accused and the victim engaged in a sexual relationship during the year 2016. 

She later married and had a child.  

The victim and Funaki, however, renewed their acquaintance and arranged to meet at night for the purposes of a sexual, the court judgement said.  

However, the court was told that on the night of the offending, he climbed through the glassless window of the complainant’s home, pulled her out of bed, took her to a nearby couch and compelled her to have oral sex with him. She complied out of fear.  

He threatened the complainant that he would kill her before attempting to have sexual intercourse, which he could not achieve because of his flaccid state.  

Funaki argued that the sexual relations were entirely consensual. 

He said what happened on the night in question was simply a repetition of what would frequently occur during their relationship. 

Mr Bishop did not buy it and found the victim’s statement convincing. 

He concluded that Funaki “was in fact a trespasser because she never invited him into the property nevertheless. But he also said he “cannot rule out the possibility that he genuinely believed he would be welcome”. 

Mr Bishop then said: “But I have no doubt that what happened next was not with the complainant’s consent and that he knew that, otherwise why would he manhandle her and try to stop her calling out and threaten to kill her? This means that he is guilty of attempted rape Count 1 and common assault in Count 3”. 

Stolen car discovered in Tonga returned to Australia as importer sent to jail 

By
Kalino Latu
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A stolen car that was shipped to Tonga is poised to be returned to Australia following the importer’s two-year prison sentence in the kingdom. 

Siosio Mālohi Vea

Siosio Malohi Vea, 40, pleaded not guilty to two counts of money laundering and receiving stolen property. 

However, the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa found him guilty and handed down his sentence in December. 

His ex-wife in New South Wales reportedly stole the car and then shipped it to Tonga. 

The prosecution argued that Vea had concealed the actual ownership of the MG motor car and knew it had been stolen or obtained under such circumstances. 

“First, he in the knowledge or suspicion that the car in question was criminal property that is to say it was derived directly or indirectly from the commission of a serious offence, he converted the car to his own use concealing its true origin”, the court judgement said. 

The illegal action constitutes a money laundering offence, the court document shows. 

The vehicle was rented to the convict’s former wife Kasanita Vea in the state of New South Wales Australia. 

“In this case the thief is alleged to be the Defendant’s former wife, Kasanita”, the Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop said, noting that the correspondences submitted to the court show “not only that the vehicle was originally rented by Kasanita ….. she had no intention of complying with the agreement or restoring the vehicle to its lawful owner, Ride Solutions”. 

The Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC also said he was satisfied with the evidence that Kasanita appropriated the car, and this was to the defendant’s knowledge. 

The vehicle’s removal from that state is prohibited unless prior authorization had been obtained. 

Sentencing, Mr Bishop imposed a sentence of two years imprisonment with the last 12 months suspended for 12 months on the following conditions;  

a. He must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment.  

b. He must report to the probation office within 48 hours of your release from custody.  

c. He must be placed under probation during the duration of your suspension.  

d. He must complete a course on life skills at the direction of the Probation Office within 12 months. 

“I further order that the vehicle is returned to the complainant company, Ride Solutions Ltd”, Mr Bishop said. 

Lord Chief Justice appeals to Mormon Church for help as eight youths with fully suspended sentence after man’s death case to return to court for ‘follow up’ 

By
Kaniva Staff
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Eight men found guilty of common assault after the tragic death of a young man in Nuku’alofa had been sentenced to three years in prison, but their sentences are fully suspended. 

The Lord Chief Justice Malcolm Bishop KC has described the December 3, 2024 sentencing as “a merciful sentence” for some.

He ordered the court to reconvene to address this matter on 31 January 2025 at 10am. During this session, the Court is expected to review and assess the progress made regarding the conditions previously imposed in the judgment.

Toni Langilangi died after a brawl in the centre of Nuku’alofa in the early hours of 17 September 2023.   

The deceased from Pahu suffered injuries and died shortly afterwards.  

“It is asserted, and not challenged, that the deceased died of a preexisting condition and that the injuries he sustained did not cause or contribute to his death”, the court was told.   

Sentencing, Mr. Bishop stated that Mesuilame Finau, Tevita Lisiate, Moana Masima, Richard Ervin Vea, Mafua ‘I Vaha Palu, Sosifa Vatuvei, Viliami Tongamana, and Salamani Filitonga acted jointly, causing grievous bodily harm to the deceased.

He imposed a sentence of three years imprisonment fully suspended for three years on the following conditions: 

a. They must report to the Probation Office within 48 hours. 

b. They must complete 100 hours of community service within 12 months 

c. They must each pay a sum of $2000 to the family of the deceased within 6 months. 

d. They must not enter any licensed premises serving alcohol or night club within the six months 

e. They must complete a course on life skills and a course on drugs and alcohol misuse on the direction of the Probation Office. 

“This matter is to be mentioned again before this Court on 31 January 2025 at 10am to follow up on the progress on these conditions imposed”, according to the judgment document.  

“That concludes my sentencing remarks. I desire to say first that the presence of violent offences where drink plays a part needs to be addressed and if there is an established connection between accused consuming alcohol in licensed premises and then committing violence offences then steps may need to be taken affecting the license of those premises. 

“I asked that the authorities bear this matter in mind. 

“A very important reason for passing what some may regard as a merciful sentence is the steps which you have all taken to reform your lives.  

“To this end, I appeal to the elders and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to join together to support and guide these young Accused so that they may prove worthy of the faith they now profess. 

“Finally, I desire to express my condolences to the family of the deceased”. 

Met Service providing ‘Tsunami Information Statement for Tonga’ following Tibet deadly earthquake met with mixed reactions   

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga’s Met Service has issued a ‘Tsunami Information Statement’ in response to Tibet’s deadly earthquake.  

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near the border of Tibet and Nepal on Tuesday morning, the China Earthquake Networks Centre said, killing people, damaging buildings and sending people running to the streets in Tibet, Nepal and India. 

At least 53 people died and “many buildings” had collapsed, Chinese state media reported. 

The quake was centred close to the city of Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, in Dingri county, and struck at 9:05 am (0105 GMT) on Tuesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The US Geological Survey reported the quake as magnitude 7.1. 

The official Xinhua News Agency said 62 other people were injured in the quake on Tuesday, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters, as dozens of aftershocks shook the region of western China and the neighbouring state of Nepal.

The quake had an epicentre depth of 10km, the report added, revising the magnitude from an earlier 6.9. 

Tonga Met statement

As a precautionary measure, Tonga Met Service issued a statement detailing the location, duration and timeframe of the Nepal earthquake.  

It clearly said in Tongan that it provided the statement for the people’s information and for them to know about the disaster.   

However, some commenters on the Service’s Facebook have expressed concerns about the relevance of such alerts, given that Tonga is far from the epicentre.  

“Why are you putting out a Tsunami alert for an earthquake so far away?” a commenter wrote.  

“Be prepared”, a responder replied.  

“I think you’re trying to copy …… maybe focus on Tonga only before you set off the panic button”, another wrote. 

“I am puzzled as to why you are putting this info. Here for us in Tonga? Pretty irrelevant considering”, one wrote.  

A commenter reminded others about the significant impact of Tonga’s devastating tsunami in 2022, noting that the waves generated by the disaster travelled thousands of miles, reaching even as far as the Arctic region near the North Pole. 

Nebal

According to Google Maps, the distance from Nepal to Tonga is 12,109 kilometres, which is approximately 7,524 miles when converted to air travel distance.

Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, located in the Himalayas.

It shares its northern border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and is surrounded by India to the south, east, and west.

The country is also narrowly separated from Bangladesh by the Siliguri Corridor and from Bhutan by the Indian state of Sikkim.

Rental car and claw mattock allegedly involved in church minister’s house robbery caught on camera 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police had been reportedly called after an alleged robbery in a residence on Tongatapu on Monday afternoon.  

Claw mattock (L) and rental car allegedly at the robbery scene

Photos of a rental car and a claw mattock allegedly used during the robbery had been captured on camera.  

Reports said a man was trying to steal precious Tongan handicrafts from a house belonging to a church minister.  

The person who reported the incident on Facebook said they were returning from work when they noticed the suspicious activities in their neighbour.  

They said they confronted the robber before taking photos of the car.  

They later found the claw mattock, apparently used by the robber, which had been left behind in the house. 

The news follows our report last week that a family in Touliki whose verandah was burgled while sleeping in the living room said they woke up to find their washing machine with laundry inside had been stolen. 

The robbers also took with them a bicycle. 

Air NZ flight aborts Christchurch take-off after bird strike

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

An Air New Zealand flight was aborted moments before take off from Christchurch Airport Monday morning after a bird strike.

(Source: rnz.co.nz)

The plane was due to depart for Brisbane shortly after 6am, but abruptly halted its take off.

Ben Anderson was a passenger on the flight. He said everything was normal as the plane initially accelerated.

He estimated the plane was just 30 knots away from lift off when he heard a bang.

“Then suddenly on the brakes, front wheel down, and we’re full reverse and we’re coming to a stop, one wheel sort of skidding a little bit you definitely felt and eventually came to a stop.”

Passengers were later told birds had struck both engines, Anderson said.

Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan said flight NZ207 followed standard procedure after experiencing a suspected bird strike.

“Our engineering teams are required to complete a full aircraft inspection before the aircraft can return to service.”

Bird strikes were frustrating but not uncommon, Morgan said.

“Aircraft are designed with this in mind, and our pilots are fully trained for a bird strike scenario.”

The flight to Brisbane was cancelled, as was NZ272 from Brisbane to Wellington.

Most customers were expected to travel Monday on alternative services, Morgan said.

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