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Tongan scholars lodge worldwide complaint against du Plessis-Allan Pacific ‘leeches’ comment

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan community leaders and top scholars in New Zealand will complain to the Human Rights Commission against broadcaster Heather du Plessis-Allan’s outspoken comments against Pacific people.

The complaint will also be lodged with the Broadcasting Standard Authority New Zealand and contact will be made with the Forum Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum as well as United Nations Human Rights Council.

The action was initiated by the Executive Director of Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand, Sione Tu’itahi and came after Du Plessis-Allan commented after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s said she would visit Nauru during the Pacific Island forum leaders’ meeting earlier this month.

Du Plessis-Allan told her Newstalk ZB listeners: “The Pacific Islands don’t matter. They are nothing but leeches on us.”

She also referred to Nauru as a “hell hole”, and said it was not worth attending the Forum anyway because the Pacific Islands “don’t matter.”

Tu’itahi said it was unfortunate that some people did not use their roles in news media wisely and instead used them to thrash the weak and those who were voiceless.

He said they must do something to stop this kind of attitude, if not, people like Du Plessis-Allan would think they were right and they would continue to do it.

Tu’itahi was responding after Dr Malakai Koloamatangi of Massey University asked people to share a link to an opinion piece  by Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban on Radio New Zealand called ‘Pushback against du Plessis-Allan’s Pacific ‘leeches’ comments encouraging.’

Leban said: “When I first heard Heather du Plessis-Allan’s comments, I was reminded of Paul Holmes’ “cheeky darkie” rant about Kofi Annan and Robert Muldoon’s labelling Pacific Islanders as “over-stayers.”

“Outrageous comments are the stock and trade of some broadcasters and politicians. So, it is good to hear that some New Zealanders know and understand Pacific history, value New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific and Pacific peoples’ contribution to New Zealand, and are prepared to speak out when ill-informed comments are aired feeding bigotry and casual racism.”

Dr Koloamatangi has described du Plessi-Allan’s comments as discriminatory, degrading, disdainful and racist (fa’ahinga lau ngali filifilimānako, tukuhifo, siolalo mo laulanu.)

Dr Sūnia Foliaki also of Massey University said: “Nauru a ‘Hell Hole’? Yeah, it’s  a hell hole after NZ farmers benefited from the phosphate dug up to leave those holes in Nauru.”

“A march to Newstalk ZB to ask du Plessis to give us a lecture on brain holes or other holes seeing we should ALL refer to her now as the Holes Expert?”

The Tongan petition was supported by many Tongan academics, including Professor ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Dr Viliami Puloka, Dr Paula Onoafe Lātū and others.

Despite nationwide outrage and calls for du Plessi-Allan to make an apology or resign, she has remained defiant and stood by her comments, according to Radio New Zealand.

Du Plessis-Allan’s comments were posted on social media, prompting lots of angry reactions and some abusive and offensive putdowns of the broadcaster herself.

Du Plessis-Allan invited Privacy Commissioner John Edwards to appear her show to debate the issue last Tuesday. He declined and she hit out.

“Go back to university and do some more training. You are not good enough.”

She said Mr Edwards’ reaction was symptomatic of intolerance on the political left.

“They are like all deep-thinking and progressive but the moment someone says something that they don’t want to see the nuance in, they just take the broad brushstrokes of something.”

Tyres of more than 20 parked cars slashed on North Shore street

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police are investigating reports of damage to more than 20 vehicles that occurred overnight in the Birkdale area.

A number of vehicle tyres have been vandalised in the Tiri Tiri Road and Woodhams Street area and we are working to establish how this has occurred.

Police encourage anyone who has sustained damage their vehicle to report it to police if you have no already done so.

Police would also like to hear from any residents who may have CCTV footage and ask that you contact Sergeant Andrew Hawkins on (09) 477 5261 or email Andrew.hawkins@police.govt.nz.

Police are making area enquiries and conducting scene and forensic examinations and are interested to hear from anyone who may have information.

If you have any information that could help our investigation, please contact Waitemata Police on (09) 477 5261.

Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tongatapu Police arrest taxi driver in visitor’s theft; find drugs in his possession

By
Kalino Latu
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Police in Tongatapu arrested a taxi driver who they said stole a purse belonged to an Australian visitor.

The suspect was allegedly carrying six small packets of methamphetamine while he was confronted and taken to custody.

Police took the 27-year-old male driver after he allegedly stole the 79-year-old visitor’s belonging on September 10 at an accommodation in Nuku’alofa.

Police reportedly said the elderly woman left her purse outside her room at her accommodation at around 11:00am before it’s gone.

A complaint was lodged with Police at around 3.30pm.

Her purse along with other belongings were recovered and returned, except her about $600 cash.

The Fasi man has been charged with theft and possession of the illicit drug and was expected to appear at a Magistrate’s Court.

New Zealand donates emergency generator to Tonga Broadcasting Commission

By
Kaniva Staff
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Press Release

New Zealand has donated a new NZ$20,000 diesel generator to Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) to ensure it can broadcast critical messages to the public ahead of, during, and following natural disasters and in the event of power failure.

When TBC’s back-up generator was damaged by Cyclone Gita in February this year, New Zealand High Commissioner Tiffany Babington offered to replace the generator recognising TBC’s critical role in keeping the public informed in times of emergencies.

Today the new standby generator, supplied by New Zealand company Pace Power and Air, was commissioned at the Popua Main Antenna for AM radio broadcasting that reaches all of Tonga, including the Niuas.

“In November 2017, the TBC Board had made the decision to broadcast AM radio 24 hours seven days a week in the interests of public safety.

New Zealand’s gift will ensure that is possible” Chairman of the TBC Board, Leonaitasi Hoponoa said.

Acting General Manager Solomone Finau noted that the new generator will result in significant fuel savings for TBC.

“Instead of using 500 litres of fuel over 8 hours, our new generator only uses 250 litres over 30 hours.”

In addition to commissioning the new generator, HE Babington also discussed the recent announcement by New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Winston Peters, that New Zealand will invest NZ$10 million over the next three years to expand broadcasting and training services in the Pacific.

This expanded programme will be delivered by Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited, which brought the New Zealand-funded Pasifika TV to the region including Tonga, in 2015. A key component of the expanded service will involve establishing a dedicated Pasifika TV channel.

Building on training provided in 2017, Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited will deliver an enhanced training programme for Pacific broadcasters, including TBC, to strengthen regional broadcasting capacity, working directly with Pacific free-to-air broadcasters to develop skills and increase production of regional news, current affairs and local content.

The donation of the generator and the expanded broadcasting programme reaffirms New Zealand’s commitment to Pacific media and TBC.

Prof Ka’ili forewarns of Mālō E Lelei copyright as Fijians outraged following ‘bula’ trademark

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan professor Tēvita ‘Ō Ka’ili has forewarned Pacific countries of what he has described as a clear pattern of cultural theft after a US businessman trademarked Fiji’s traditional greeting, bula.

Ross Kashtan, owner of a Florida kava bar, has trademarked the word, which is the title of his business, Bula Nation Inc, as well as three bars. But of course, the word is also used by the entire nation of Fiji, and the trademark has angered some, Newshub has reported.

Prof Ka’ili predicted Tongan greeting Mālō E Lelei could be trademarked in the future.

The Associate Professor of Anthropology at Bringham Young University in Hawaii reminded Oceanians that the Hawai’ian greeting and parting, aloha had already been trademarked recently.

“Dear Oceanians, we are witnessing a clear pattern of cultural theft. Last month, it was ‘aloha’. This month is ‘bula’. Next month…’tālofa’ or ‘mālō e lelei’,” Prof Ka’ili wrote on his Facebook account.

According to Newshub a Fijian woman and University of Hawaii professor Tarisi Vunidilo said she’s shocked. Fijians weren’t consulted, given how important the word is to them, and many have called the trademark cultural appropriation.

“Reversing it may be difficult, but this is to highlight to him that there are people behind that word that have this word that means so much to them,” she says.

Intellectual property lawyer Sebastien Aymeric says to have the trademark revoked someone would need to successfully prove it is offensive. He says that process won’t be easy or cheap.

“Legal proceedings in the US will be five to 10 times more expensive than here, so they’re probably looking at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Aymeric says the trademark won’t impact anyone using the word bula outside of the US, but it could catch out anyone exporting products like kava with the word, including to the US.

Kashtan wasn’t available to speak to Newshub, but a barman at his Bula on the Beach says they’ve been inundated with angry messages.

“We have nothing but love and respect for kava and I know my boss is just trying to do good business,” he says.

It’s not the first time this has happened. In August a Chicago company caused outrage after it trademarked the traditional Hawaiian greeting, aloha. A bid by Fiji Airways to trademark 15 traditional tapa design prints in 2013 also caused upset.

“Money isn’t the issue for us,” says Vunidilo. “The issue for us is giving consideration for the people who own these words in the first place.”

She plans to start a petition to have the trademark revoked.

Stutton students shine during Tongan language contest in south Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan students in south Auckland were congratulated for their success during a Tongan language competition last week.

Year 7 and 8 students from Stutton Park School, St Annes Catholic School, Southern Campus Mangere and Kia Aroha College were successful during the competition.

It was part of a contest which began a week earlier and during the Tongan Language Week in New Zealand for students at Year 5 and Year 6.

Stutton Park school won the top places during the competitions.

A year 7 student Mele Moala of Sutton Park School became first while ‘Alakipōmana Fifita also from Sutton Park School won second place.

Teachers and judges

The third place was won by Mele Lavaka of Kia Aroha College.

The first place for year 8 students was awarded to Malia Moa of Sutton Park School. The
second place was awarded to Patricia Lotulelei of St Anne’s Catholic School while the third place went  to Televina Palanite of Southern Cross Campus.

A member of the judging panel Uanivā Havea congratulated the students’ achievements on social media.

“Congratulations to all the Contestants”

“Thanks to Sutton Park School for hosting this most important event,” she wrote.

Former Super Rugby player pleads not guilty over teammate assault

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Hamish McNeilly, smh.com.au

Ex-Super Rugby player Amanaki Lelei Mafi denies assaulting a teammate at a party after they lost a match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Mafi, 28, was charged with intent to injure Lopeti Timani on July 15, after their team, the Melbourne Rebels, lost 43-37 to the Highlanders in Dunedin the night before. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years’ jail.

A photo obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald showed 12-time capped Wallaby Timani with facial injuries after the alleged attack.

Timani and Mafi were reportedly drinking at a house in south Dunedin when things turned sour and Mafi allegedly attacked his teammate.

Both players were slapped with A$15,000 (NZ$16,300) fines for their involvement in the late-night bust-up.

The Dunedin District Court last month heard Mafi, now based in Japan, would have to return to court unless he had a successful meeting with his alleged victim.

Mafi was not in court on Tuesday morning, but defence counsel Anne Stevens told Judge Kevin Phillips that Mafi and Timani had tried to have a restorative justice conference.

A facilitator had found it “exceedingly difficult” to contact Timani, who is now playing rugby in France, Stevens said.

Judge Phillips expressed his frustration with the delays in the case, saying “it should be moved along one way or another”.

Stevens entered a not guilty plea on Mafi’s behalf and indicated he would seek a trial by jury, claiming self-defence.

Mafi and Timani would continue to try and meet for a restorative justice conference, which Judge Phillips described as “highly unusual” given Mafi’s not guilty plea.

The judge remanded Mafi on bail until the case is heard in November.

Mafi represented Tonga at the 2009 under-20 World Cup in Japan and, after moving there for rugby, was selected for Japan’s national side by then-coach Eddie Jones in 2014.

The No.8 played in the 2015 World Cup, including during Japan’s memorable 34-32 upset of South Africa.

He was signed by English club Bath but left under a cloud in May 2016 after what the Bath Chronicle reported was an altercation with the club’s head of sports medicine.

Mafi signed with the Rebels in August 2016.

Men named in Ha‘apai $30m cocaine raid case released on bail

By
Kalino Latu
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The two men facing charges following one of Tonga’s largest cocaine busts can now be named and they have been released on bail.

‘Atonaisio Maile and Lepou Fatafehi appeared in a court before their bail was announced, Talaki newspaper reported on September 10.

The paper did not give the details and conditions of the bail.

The paper said the duo were expected to reappear at the Fasi Magistrate court on September 3.

As Kaniva news reported in July, the two men aged 26 and 28 years, were expected to reappear in court for a bail hearing.

Maile and Fatafehi faced various charges relating to importing cocaine into Tonga and possessing the drug for supply.

The men were arrested after 58kg of cocaine, with a street value of $30 million was seized in Ha’apai in June.

Meanwhile, the Supreme court has convicted and sentenced a Tongatapu man Siaosi Helu to one year and six months imprisonment after he was charged with one count of possession of 39 .65 grams of cannabis contrary to s. 4( a) of the Acts.

The sentence is to be backdated to 10 August 2018.

Fly Niu airline presents gov’t proposal to operate Auckland-Tonga flights

By
Kalino Latu
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The owner of a former Tongan airline which was forced out of the kingdom about 15 years ago arrived in Tonga today in a bid to return the services.

But this time, the domestic services company plans to operate an international flight between Auckland and Tonga.

Fly Niu owner ‘Atu Fīnau said he had talked to the Prime Minister in Auckland about the proposal and Hon ‘Akilisi Pōhiva expressed interest.

Fīnau said the Prime Minister invited him to come to Tonga and present a proposal to the Cabinet this week.

Fīnau, an aviation consultant and engineer, said he had access to aircraft from companies in Canada and Iceland which would be ideal to operate in Tonga.

The plan is to begin an Auckland-Tonga and Tonga-Auckland services with two aircraft.

Fīnau said his company expected the new service and revised schedules to be especially appealing to travellers to and from Tonga and New Zealand.

He said additional services could be added depending on the season and major events in Tonga and New Zealand.

The airline left Tonga in 2004 after the government passed a one airline policy that gave the sole right to operate domestic flights to Peau Vava’u, an airline, co-owned by the Late King George Tupou V and the Ramanlal brothers.

As Kaniva reported in 2015, Finau met Tonga’s then Minister of Infrastructure, Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu in February that year in an attempt to revive the internal flight services.

The plan was later cancelled after Lavulavu’s ministerial posts were revoked by the king in February 2016.

Fourteen people flown back to New Zealand by Australian authorities

By
Kalino Latu
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A group of 14 people being returned by Australian authorities to New Zealand were met and assessed at Auckland International Airport today.

The group of 12 men and two women arrived on an Australian chartered aircraft this morning under Australian escort.

New Zealand authorities were aware of their arrival through established information sharing arrangements.

On arrival the group were assessed by Police and partner agencies including the Department of Corrections.

The priority for Police is to ensure community safety and assist agencies responsible for facilitating their reintegration into the community.

The Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act enables information to be required from eligible individuals under the Act, and the supervision of those individuals by Corrections probation officers.

Supervised individuals are subject to standard release conditions, which include reporting to a probation officer and restrictions on where the individual can live, and may be subject to special conditions, such as being required to participate in a rehabilitation or reintegration programme.

When a person is not eligible under the Act, Police still assesses the risk of that individual and puts in place any necessary preventative measures required within the current law.

Between 1 January 2015 and 3 August 2018, 1,394 New Zealanders have been removed from Australia since the amendment of Australian legislation in December 2014.

Police will not confirm the identities of returning individuals, or discuss their backgrounds.

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