Home Blog Page 567

Six men arrested in Vava‘u after 2665 cannabis plants, gun, ammo seized

By
Kalino Latu
-

Vava’u Police have arrested six men after finding 2,665 cannabis plants in a bush alottment in Mataika yesterday Monday 24 September 2018.

Police also seized a .22 rifle as well as 26 live ammunition.

The men have been charged with cultivation of illicit drugs.

“We would like to acknowledge the assistance of members of the public which led to the drug seizures yesterday.  It only takes one call to disrupt the supply of drugs in your community and we encourage anyone who can provide information of drug dealing to contact Police,” said Acting Superintendent Taulango Tapueluelu.

As Kaniva news reported yesterday, 10 people have been arrested following seizure of 96 packets of marijuana in Malapo.

Tonga Police said they were committed to disrupting the supply of these drugs and preventing the harm this illegal trade supports, a statement said.

Anyone with information can contact Police on 922, 23 417 or 25 147.

All accused are under police custody while police investigations are continuing.

Australia backs off proposed Asian work visa that threatens regional Pacific work scheme

By
Philip Cass
-

Plans by the Australian government to introduce a new work visa for Asians that threatens places for Island workers, has been put on hold.

The Vanuatu Post reported that experts argued that the proposed visa would have endangered gains made by Pacific workers.

The proposal would have given Asian workers opportunities now offered to Pacific workers under Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme.

The Post said policy experts feared the resulting influx of workers would outnumber and out-compete Pacific island workers, and possibly lead to the effective demise of the programme.

However, following public opposition to the proposal, the Australian government has now backed off and shelved the proposal.

However, it is believed that this is only a temporary move on the part of the Australian government and the ABC has reported that it is still being developed.

Vanuatu now has more workers in Australia under the Seasonal Worker Programme than any other Island  nation. It has a 40% share, with 3350 workers.

Tonga now has a 33% share of the programme with 2790 workers. Tonga once dominated Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme, providing 81% of workers.

In Tonga, the number of workers participating in the Australian programme and its New Zealand equivalent, has reached 13% of the eligible population (those aged 20-45).

According to Tonga’s Minister of Internal Affairs ‘Akosita Lavulavu, the kingdom earns US$45 million a year from season work in the two countries.

The main points

  • Plans by the Australian government to introduce a new work visa for Asians that threatened places for Island workers, has been put on hold.
  • The Vanuatu Post reported that experts argued that the proposed visa would have endangered gains made by Pacific workers.
  • The proposal would have given Asian workers opportunities now offered to Pacific workers under Australia’s Seasonal Worker Programme.

For more information 

Agriculture Visa Delayed

Another bumper year for the Seasonal Worker Programme

Tonga earns US$45m a year from seasonal work

New skills helped apprentice give back to parents

By
Philip Cass
-

A former Tongan courier driver who gave up his job to re-train as a builder said this week the risk had been worth the risk.

Robert Piutau, 34, told Tagata Pasifika he decided to re-train after helping to renovate his parents’ home.

“Me and my siblings have always talked about how we want to give back to mum and dad,” he said.

He said being able to change the family house allowed him to do that.

Piutau won second place in the New Zealand certified Building competition.

However, re-training has meant great sacrifice.

His wife Mele was studying – she is now a qualified nurse  – during the first three years of his apprenticeship.

“It was always at the back of our minds that when we qualified things will be easier,” Piutau said.

Speaking in Tongan his father,  Manako Piutau said he was happy his son had become a builder.

“That is why we came to New Zealand for better opportunities and to gain new skills,” Piutau Snr said.

The main points

  • A former courier driver who gave up his job to re-train as a builder said this week the risk had been worth the risk.
  • Robert Piutau, 34, told Tagata Pasifika he decided to re-train after helping to renovate his parents’ home.

For more information 

Tagata Pasifika

Energy company will become first regional Tongan host for NZ internships

By
Philip Cass
-

New Zealand Scholarship students from Tonga will be able to intern at the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nuku’alofa.

This will be the first time a Tongan regional organisation has hosted PCF interns.

The closing date for applications for the Pacific Co-operation Foundation scholarships has been extended to this Friday, September 28.

The Centre was established in 2017 and is hosted by the Pacific Community.

It is part of a global network of regional sustainable energy centres and helps Pacific countries promote sustainable energy.

Programme Development Manager Linda Kaua says that having regional host agencies would help Pacific NZ Scholar students feel at ease when they returned home.

“Having host agencies from the region participating in the Summer Internship Programme will be beneficial to the interns, as it will provide them with the opportunity to apply what they have learnt in a real-life situation,” she said.

The internships are open to current New Zealand Scholarship students studying at undergraduate level.

Internships will last from November 19, 2018 until February 15, 2019.

Although most internships are unpaid, MFAT will continue to pay standard scholarship stipends for the period of the internship.

Interns will still be entitled to take Reunion Travel during the summer period, but will be expected to do so at a time that does not interfere with their internship or study responsibilities.

If you are interested, fill out the application form on the link at the bottom of this story and send them by email to internships@pcf.org.nz by no later than 5pm – Friday, September 21, 2018.

The main points

  • New Zealand Scholarship students from Tonga will be able to intern at the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Nuku’alofa.
  • This will be the first time a Tongan regional organisation has hosted PCF interns.
  • The closing date for applications for the Pacific Co-operation Foundation scholarships has been extended to this Friday, September 28.

For more information 

Summer internship

Family not giving up hope as search for missing fisherman continues

By
Kalino Latu
-

The search for Mikaele Moata’ane continued with an army of volunteers from Lapaha after he went missing at sea on Saturday, September 22.

The 34-year-old who was also known by the name Keuli Moata’ane was fishing with a group of friends who were all safe

Photos uploaded and shared on Facebook today showed locals have come together at Lapaha beach to provide support.

One photo showed Moata’ane’s mother appeared devastated by her son’s missing.

The search mission was being led by a Police rescue team but no sighting to date.

NZ Police continue to investigate needles in strawberries

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police continue to make enquiries following a report yesterday of needles found inside strawberries imported from Australia.

“An investigation is underway and we are working in close partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries.

However, it is too early to comment in any detail about the investigation,” Detective Superintendent Tim Anderson says.

“Anyone who finds anything suspicious in their food is urged to contact local Police immediately.

“Reports of this nature will be taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.   From the Police perspective, that means witnesses will be spoken to and any items of interest will be taken for forensic testing.

“For example, Whanganui Police received a report of a pin found in takeaway food over the weekend, and while this turned out to be an honest mistake, Police conducted interviews and a scene examination before determining there was no malicious intent.”

Questions specifically related to food safety should be directed to MPI.

10 arrested in Tongatapu drug bust

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongatapu Police confiscated 96 packets of cannabis and cash after serving a search warrant.

Mu’a Superintendent District Commander  Sisi Toutai Tonga said three women and seven men were arrested.

Police made the arrests on Saturday 22 September 2018 at a bush allotment in Malapo.

“Tonga Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs where thereby preventing the harm this illegal activity causes.

“It only takes one call to Police to stop crime and the availability of drugs in your community,” says Superintendent Sisi Toutai Tonga.

“As always, the Police rely on members of the public to pass on any information about drug cultivation, manufacture and/or dealing.”

All suspects are in Police custody while investigation continues.

Information about drug offending can be passed on to your local Police station or can be made anonymously by phoning 23417 or 25147.

Customs staff dies after processing Air NZ passengers in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Customs officer has died in hospital after he collapsed at the Fua’amotu international airport this afternoon.

A reliable source has claimed the officer, identified as Vitikami Paongo collapsed while he was processing a passenger from an Air New Zealand aircraft.

The passenger attempted CPR and Paongo was revived before he was rushed to hospital, the source claimed.

He was shortly pronounced dead.

Kerikeri man assaulted and his car stolen

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police are continuing to investigate an incident where an elderly male was assaulted in Kerikeri on Friday 21st September.

The victim was attacked after he picked up two male hitchhikers around 1.30pm who subsequently pushed him out the vehicle near Kerikeri Airport and stole his car, which was seen heading in the direction of Okaihau.

Police are appealing for any sightings of a red Suzuki Swift – registration GNS33.

“This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on a vulnerable member of our community and we urgently want to find the offenders responsible for this incident,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston.

Anyone with information about this incident or sightings of the vehicle is urged to contact Kerikeri Police on 09 407 9211 or alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tongan woman in Auckland wakes to find tyre, rim stolen from vehicle

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan driver in Auckland, New Zealand woke up this morning to find a tyre and rim on her vehicle had been stolen overnight.

Tupou Vanisi of One Tree Hill said her van was parked on its parking last night but this morning it was left with only three tyres and rims.

Vanisi said she came outside ready to go to work and to drop her children off at school but the incident had changed everything.

The Alford avenue resident said the car was left propped up on a scissor jack.

She said the jack belonged to the alleged stealer.

She could not specify the model and make of her car or brand of tyres.

Vanisi has yet to lodge a complaint with Police.

She said she could offer us no suspects.

1...566567568...955Page 567 of 955