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Deep sea mining a possibility, but could harm tourist industry, warns ministry CEO

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga is exploring the possibility of deep sea mining.

However, there have been warnings that mining the seabed could cause environmental problems and could harm Tonga’s whale watching industry.

Paula Ma’u, CEO of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, said eight ministries were developing a plan to sustain the ocean around the kingdom.

“We are still at the exploration stage only now as far as deep sea mining is concerned,” Ma’u said.

According to a report by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme the kingdom has already granted exploration licenses within its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Ma’u said the government wanted to develop an ocean management plan that would protect the Pacific ecosystem from activities such as deep-sea mining, transport routes and fishing, tourism.

A United Nations conference in Egypt this month was told the Pacific seabed could be worth millions of dollars in valuable minerals, making it a potential mining site.

Speaking at the meeting, Ma’u said deep-sea mining could be source of economic growth.

However, there were concerns about potential environmental and social affects.

He said deep sea ecosystems were already threatened by climate change and fishing.

“Across the Pacific, there is a widely recognised need for new industries to overcome poverty and to support economic and social development,” he said.

In 2014 Tonga passed the Tonga Seabed Minerals Act, to regulate exploration and exploitation activities within its national jurisdiction.

Tonga has committed itself to designating a third of its EEZ as a Marine Protected Areas by 2030 and to creating whale sanctuaries.

Ma’u said the potential affects of mining needed further investigation.

Mining could generate noise that would affect whales and other marine species, which could be a problem for the Tongan tourism industry which was highly dependent on whale watching.

The main points

  • Tonga is exploring the possibility of deep sea mining,
  • Paula Ma’u, CEO of the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications, said eight ministries were developing a plan to sustainably the ocean around the kingdom.
  • “We are still at the exploration stage only now as far as deep sea mining is concerned,” Ma’u said.

For more information

Tonga seeks support to determine the best way forward to explore seabed minerals while protecting its marine environment

NZ police appeal for sightings of Grace Millane

By
Kaniva Staff
-

New Zealand police are investigating the disappearance of a 22-year-old British woman during a holiday in Auckland.

The family of Grace Millane, who is from Essex and attended the University of Lincoln, said they have not heard from her since Saturday 1 December.

“Police are releasing a CCTV image as our investigation into the disappearance of 22-year-old English tourist Grace Millane continues,” Detective Inspector Scott Beard, Auckland City Police said.

“Since receiving a missing person’s report around lunchtime yesterday, Police have been piecing together Grace’s last known movements with the last sighting being on Saturday night.

This image of Grace was taken at 7.15pm on Saturday night at Sky City in Auckland’s CBD. Photo/Supplied

This image of Grace was taken at 7.15pm on Saturday night at Sky City in Auckland’s CBD.

In the CCTV image Grace is seen wearing a black dress and white shoes, believed to be Converse shoes.

Police are aware of a number of reported sightings of Grace from members of the public.

At this stage, these are unconfirmed sightings and Police will assess these as part of our ongoing enquiry.

Police are keeping an open mind in this investigation and there is still work to be done.

CCTV footage has been crucial so far in locating Grace’s movements.

“Clearly this is a very stressful time for Grace’s family and the longer she remains missing the more our concern grows for her safety and wellbeing,” said Detective Beard.

“It’s important that anyone who recognises Grace from this photo or saw her on Saturday night contacts Police immediately on 09 302 6970.”

Forklift operator’s death leads to safety training and awards

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The death of a forklift operator in Nuku’alofa early this year has led to a safety and health training as well as a presentation of certificates to local operators on Friday.

The events came after the New Zealand’s A Safe Work Environment For All (ASWEFA), an Auckland based forklift training company carried out the training for 30 operators at the Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf.

The Friendly Island shipping Agency (FISA)  CEO Viliami Takau said the company wanted to take the lead on this campaign as forklift operators worked in “an environment where safety of people is vital.”

“Following the success of this first training programme the aim is to extend the initiative to include other training that focuses on ensuring people are safe at work and go home to their families each day,” he said.

The certificates could enable the local operators to operate forklifts in New Zealand for three years, Takau has said.

Tongan folklift operators during health and safety training in Tonga. Photo/Kaniva Tonga (Patimiosi Ngungutau)

A spokesperson for ASWEFA said: “[The company] was keen to be a part of an exciting program to not only carry out the first ever forklift training, but also pass on skills and knowledge so after leaving selected individuals can continue to train and pass on the importance of safety around forklifts in Tonga.”

“ASWEFA also provides training in WTR and Dangerous Goods and we hope one day to also extend this knowledge to Tonga as they lead the way in investing in their employees.

“ASWEFA was a good choice given they have a fluent Samoan speaking instructor with some knowledge of the Tongan language. Henry was not only able to provide training but was able to connect with the students so they understood the importance their actions have in a workplace as operators.  Henry has been in the industry for over 20 years and his knowledge is vast and his passion about everyone having a safe workplace is obvious to all.”

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Mr Andrew Ford, who was the guest of honour, thanked Tonga Skills, the Friendly Island Shipping Agency and ASWEFA for making the events happened.

Tribunal overturns Immigration ruling and grants visa on humanitarian grounds

By
Philip Cass
-

The New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan women be granted  a visa.

The Tribunal allowed her appeal against a decision by Immigration New Zealand.

The tribunal’s report on the case it said there were exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature which would make it unjust or unduly harsh for the appellant and her daughter if the appellant were to be deported from New Zealand.

The woman came to New Zealand in 2005. Having been successful in the Pacific Access  Category ballot, she applied for a residence permit.   Her application was declined by   Immigration New Zealand the next year because the terms of her employment did not allow her to meet the minimum income requirement.

The appellant appealed Immigration New Zealand’s decision and, in January 2007, the (then) Residence Review Board allowed her appeal on the  basis that she had a new offer of employment. However, this second offer was later retracted and consequently the appellant’s application was declined for a second time.

The appellant’s lawful status in New Zealand had expired by February  2007. In September 2007,  she married a widowed  New Zealand  resident  with  six children.  A few days after their marriage, the couple’s daughter was born.

The couple’s relationship began deteriorating shortly after. The appellant was unable to feed and clothe the children properly because her husband was spending his weekly wages on gambling. He became progressively more abusive and violent.

In November 2008, her husband was charged with male assaults female, after punching the appellant, although the police later withdrew the charge at her insistence. Shortly after this, the appellant left her husband, taking her daughter with her. Their marriage was eventually dissolved in December 2013.

In January 2011, the appellant began a relationship with a  Tongan-born New Zealand citizen and they stayed together until 2016. During this period, the appellant made five unsuccessful requests for visas under section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009. Immigration New Zealand eventually granted her a year-long work visa pursuant to section 61 in February 2017.

In early 2017, the appellant’s partner was diagnosed with cancer and decided to return to Tonga for traditional treatment. He remained there until his death in mid-2018.

The woman cited the following points in support of her appeal;

She had lived in New Zealand since 2005.

She has had a difficult history in that she first experienced an abusive relationship and then her second partner died.

She has an 11-year-old child who is a New Zealand citizen.

The daughter’s school social worker said the appellant and her daughter did not have secure accommodation, which meant that they had to move around frequently.

The appellant was unable to apply for Housing New Zealand or private rental accommodation because of her lack of residence status. The daughter was also concerned that her mother would be sent back to Tonga, “leaving her stranded” in New Zealand.

The woman’s doctor said the woman had been diagnosed with diabetes in May 2018 and had been trying to control it with lifestyle changes.  She  had just been started on an oral medication. She had also been  found to have a heart murmur although she remained asymptomatic. She had been referred to a cardiologist but, due to financial constraints, was unable to attend the appointment.

“The Tribunal reminds itself that the daughter, who would face possibly more severe consequences of adjustment to life in Tonga than her mother, bears absolutely no responsibility for their present predicament,” the report said.

“In view of the likely negative impacts on the appellant and her daughter, the Tribunal finds that it would be unjust and unduly harsh for the appellant to be deported from New Zealand.”

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration and protection Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan women be granted a visa.
  • The Tribunal allowed her appeal against a decision by Immigration New Zealand.
  • The tribunal’s report on the case it said there were exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature which would make it unjust or unduly harsh for the appellant and her daughter if the appellant were to be deported from New Zealand.

Tsunami warnings after 7.6 massive earthquake strike east off Australia

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A tsunami warning has been issued after a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off Australia’s east coast.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said tsunami waves could hit areas close to the French territory of New Caledonia, about 1,400km off Australia’s coast.

The undersea quake stuck on Wednesday at about 10km deep and 155km south-east of the Loyalty Islands off New Caledonia’s east coast.

‘Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 1,000km of the epicenter along the coasts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia,’ the PTWC said.

There were no reports of immediate damage, injuries or casualties.

More to come.  

Edwards wants king re-dissolve Parliament; Taliai says people will re-elect same gov’t

By
Kalino Latu
-

Former Police Minister and MP lawyer William Clive Edwards Snr has called for the king to re-dissolve Parliament and set up an interim government.

He claimed the nation’s political status had deteriorated and an independent commission should be set up to investigate Cabinet ministers.

He claimed the government had failed in its responsibility to explain to the public what had happened to the TP$74 million pa’anga he said the Auditor General claimed was missing.

The Minister of Finance has already told Kaniva news the loss of the money was caused by the high foreign exchange rates. He said no one in government misappropriated it.

Edwards, who is a long-time political enemy of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva used strong language during a radio interview on local station FM 88.1 to support his allegations that there was corruption in government. He described it as terrifying -“fakalilifu.”

However, he said it was wrong for him to say Cabinet Ministers had misappropriated any money.

He claimed Tonga was moving towards dictatorship and autocracy.

Edwards also claimed that if people spoke against the government they could be threatened “fakamanamana’i.”

He claimed Tonga’s changes in 2010 into a democracy gave power to the cabinet ministers and Prime Minister to freely (“fa’iteliha he fonua”) use whatever they wanted in the country.

However, at one stage he said the government ruled under the rule of law.

He said according to the law the government should be accountable to Parliament and that was why the Auditor’s report was submitted to the Legislative Assembly. He claimed there was unauthorised uses of money “ta’efakamafai’i,” but failed to provide any specific details to support his claim.

He accused the kingdom’s Cabinet ministers of not being transparent in Parliament.

He also said the Legislative Assembly was closed while there was still need for them to make things clear to the public.

Critics response

The Director of the Tonga National Sports Institute ‘Ikani Taliai made a lengthy response against Edward’s claims on Facebook.

Taliai claimed the allegations were only made to discredit the government.

He predicted that if the king dissolved Parliament again the people would do the same thing they did after last year’s dissolution by re-electing the same people in the current government.

Waste of money

Taliai said last year’s dissolution was a waste of public money and time.

He claimed Edwards’ call for the king to set up a new government if he dissolved the House was unconstitutional.

Taliai said this was made clear during last year’s dissolution when the king realised the government could not be dismissed at the same time and would continue to operate until new MPs were elected.

Vote of no confidence

Taliai said the only time the constitution allowed the establishment of an interim government was when the Prime Minister and his Cabinet ministers were ousted by a vote of no confidence.

Taliai said Clause 61 of the constitution allowed the king to appoint the Speaker of Parliament after he was elected only from the nobility. The absolute power given to the king to dissolve Parliament and handpick the members of the Privy Council meant these members were not accountable to the people.

No corruption

Taliai said there was an attempt to impeach the Prime Minister and his Cabinet after a petition was submitted to Parliament in June.

He said the petition had led the Auditor General to investigate the claims and its outcome showed Cabinet members did not breach the law or the constitution or misappropriate any public funds.

Taliai said there was no need to dismiss the government before any further investigation.

Dismissal of democracy

Taliai believed Edwards’ move was an attempt to dismiss the democratic system Tonga has adopted since 2010.

He said Edwards’ attempt should not be taken lightly.

He said if the king was allowed to remove the people’s government and set up an interim administration Tonga’s democracy would have been disbanded. It would mean the kingdom would revert to the old system in which the king chose the government and not the people.

Taliai claimed Edwards was part of a small group at the upper echelon of the society who continued to support minority rule.

Commenters on Facebook said when Edwards was in government he did not do anything to change the system.

However, some people stood by him and claimed some of his claims were right.

The main points

  • Former Police Minister and MP lawyer William Clive Edwards Snr has called for the king should re-dissolve Parliament and set up an interim government.
  • He claimed the nation’s political status had deteriorated and an independent commission should be set up to investigate Cabinet ministers.
  • The Director of the Tonga National Sports Institute ‘Ikani Taliai claimed the allegations were only made to discredit the government.

For more information

Government raises concerns over Parliament delaying their response to petition

Tukutonga: from hazardous landfill to new recreational park

Speaker Lord Tuʻivakanō finally speaks out after king dissolved Parliament

PM in fix over portfolio, but euphoric over voters’ ‘huge support’ after dissolution

Democrats have numbers to form government on their own after final count

Tribunal overturns rejection of residency, says Immigration NZ decisions must be fair and just

By
Philip Cass
-

The New Zealand Immigration Tribunal has overturned a decision by Immigration New Zealand to deny a Tongan man residency under the Family (Partnership) category.

The application was declined because Immigration New Zealand was not satisfied that the appellant had provided sufficient verifiable evidence to show that they were living together in a genuine and stable relationship.

He and his Tongan-born New Zealand-citizen wife were married in 2016. Their first child was born in 2017.

In its report on the case the Tribunal said the main issue was whether Immigration New Zealand properly and fairly assessed the information provided by the appellant and his wife.

The Tribunal said the decision to decline the application was incorrect.

It said Immigration New Zealand failed to consider all relevant evidence and over-emphasised the absence of certain documents, to the exclusion of others.

“In circumstances where there was substantial evidence that the appellant and his  wife were a genuine couple and living together, including evidence from the wife’s family with whom they had been living for a year, a joint tenancy agreement covering the period they lived elsewhere and the birth of their first child, any  doubts should have been explored by way of interview,” the report said.

It said an interview should have been conducted if Immigration New Zealand was not satisfied that a couple were living together in a stable and genuine relationship.

The Tribunal said that considered together, the evidence provided by the appellant and his wife overwhelmingly suggested) that the couple were living together.

It said Immigration New Zealand must comply with the requirements of fairness and natural justice when making decisions.

Immigration New Zealand’s decision was cancelled and the application returned to Immigration New Zealand for a correct assessment.

The Tribunal ordered that the application be reassessed by an Immigration New Zealand officer not previously associated with the application.

The Tribunal said that before making a final decision, Immigration New Zealand must ensure that all the available evidence must be properly weighed and balanced.

However, the Tribunal also warned there was no guarantee that a re-assessment of the application would be successful.

The main points

  • The New Zealand Immigration Board has overturned a decision by Immigration New Zealand to deny a Tongan man residency under the Family (Partnership) category.
  • The application was declined because Immigration New Zealand was not satisfied that the appellant had provided sufficient verifiable evidence to show that they were living together in a genuine and stable relationship.

Story of slave raid on Tongan island retold as evidence emerges of NZ role in blackbirding

By
Philip Cass
-

The story of the slave raid on the Tongan island of ‘Ata has surfaced again.

A story in Stuff today reports on research by New Zealand academic Scott Hamilton into a raid on the island of ‘Ata by whaler turned slaver Thomas McGrath in the Grecian.

As Kaniva news reported in 2016, the Peruvian government sent ships into the Pacific in the mid 19th century to find labourers to collect guano. When they could not find enough willing workers they resorted to kidnapping.

McGrath decided to profit from the situation and in 1863 visited ‘Ata where he persuaded about 140 people to board his ship. Once on board they were locked in his hold.

After a less successful visit to Niuafo’ou and a failed attempt in the Lau group the Grecian headed for Peru. Before it reached South America it encountered the Peruvian slaver General Prim to which McGrath sold the Tongans.

In the meantime, the Peruvian government had cancelled all recruiting licenses under pressure from the European powers and ordered the Islanders to be released.

Some of them made it to Peru, others were dumped on remote islands; starvation and disease decimated the ranks of all the Islanders who had been taken. Some survived to be absorbed into the Peruvian population

In a paper delivered at the ‘Atenisi Institute in Nukua’lofa in 2015, Dr Hamilton said he had come across a letter from a German trader in Auckland who said he had met a man at a horse race in Auckland in 1894 who had been taken from ‘Ata.

“The man identified himself as Isileli Latu and explained that he was an ‘Atan who had been kidnapped, taken to South America, and made to work there for 15 years,” Dr Hamilton said.

“Latu said he had escaped to Auckland, where he had married and settled.

“Since Isileli Latu married and had children in Auckland, it is possible that there are dozens or even hundreds of New Zealanders who have, even if they do not know it, ‘Atan blood flowing through their veins.”

Colonial governments cracked down on the Pacific labour trade, with the Germans in New Guinea banning recruitment for the Samoan plantations and the British importing labour from India, a form of kidnapping and virtual slavery developed.

McGrath appears to have returned to the whaling trade and died in Tahiti, but many New Zealand ships took part in the trade.

Ships left New Zealand ports for what are now Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, luring Islanders on board and taking them to plantations in Queensland or Fiji. In 1868, John Thurston, the British Consul in Fiji, reported that nine New Zealand ships had recently called there with human cargoes.

Some were also taken to New Zealand. According to the Stuff article 27 ni-Vanuatu  were  brought to work at a flax mill in the Hokianga for three years in return for £10 worth of trade goods.

The main points

  • The story of the slave raid on the Tongan island of ‘Ata has surfaced again.
  • A story in Stuff today reports on research by New Zealand academic Scott Hamilton into a raid on the island of ‘Ata by whaler turned slaver Thomas McGrath in the Grecian.
  • As Kaniva news reported in 2016, the Peruvian government sent ships into the Pacific in the mid 19th century to find labourers to collect guano. When they could not find enough willing workers they resorted to kidnapping.

For more information

New book tells story of slave raiders who took Tongans to South America

Blackbirding: New Zealand’s shameful role in the Pacific Islands slave trade

VIDEO: School brawl in bus station leaves one man unconscious

By
Kalino Latu
-

WARNING: This story contains graphic content.

A man lay unconscious after what appeared to be a school brawl in Nuku’alofa last week.

Video footage posted on Facebook shows a group of students in uniform and in casual clothing running before the unidentified man was spotted.

It has since been viewed 17,000 times and received 238 reactions, 105 comments and 184 shares.

It is understood two groups of students were attacking each other at a Nuku’alofa bus station.

Kaniva news could not be able to independently verify the authenticity of the clip.

The audio of the video clip reveals onlookers were concerned and panicking while some were providing helps.

Some could be overheard calling to take him to hospital.

He was finally picked up and removed from the area.

Authorities could not be reached for comment.

You can view the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/905164069680598/videos/359731138108454/

Papua New Guinean student crowned Miss Pacific Islands in Tonga

By
Philip Cass
-

Papua New Guinea’s entrant in this year’s Miss Pacific Islands Leoshina Mercy Kariha was crowned at the Atele Indoor Stadium in Tonga.

The first runner-up was Miss Cook Islands Lydia Simoni. The second runner-up was Miss Samoa Sonia Piva and the third runner-up was Miss Tuvalu, Emelipelesa Panapa.

Kariha, 18, won the  Best Talent, Best Interview, Miss Tourism and Miss Personality.

Leoshina Mercy Kariha was crowned at the Atele Indoor Stadium in Tonga

She is studying a BA in PNG studies at Divine Word University in Madang.

PNG will  host next year’s Miss Pacific Islands pageant.

Tonga was represented by Kalolaine Funganitao.

As Kaniva news reported earlier this year, the 23 year-old was crowned Miss Heilala 2018 in July.

She was also crowned Miss Appraxus Tonga New Zealand.

In the Miss Heilala competition she won four of the five judging categories including island creation, pre-interview, talent, and sarong wear.

The main points

  • Papua New Guinea’s entrant in this year’s Miss Pacific Islands.
  • Leoshina Mercy Kariha was crowned at the Atele Indoor Stadium in Tonga.

For more information 

PNG’s Leoshina Kariha crowned Miss Pacific Islands

Miss Tonga, six other women, will compete for Miss Pacific Islands crown in Nuku’alofa

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