Home Blog Page 578

Not guilty verdict in manslaughter case

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The High Court in Auckland has found a man charged with manslaughter not guilty.

Carlos Pula had been on trial over the death last August of Reginald Sharma, who was of Tongan-Indo Fijian descent.

Sharma, whose mother is Tongan and his father is Fijian-Indian, died of a single punch to the head.

Pula’s defence said he was not capable of making a fist.

Pula originally had name suppression.

The jury was told the events leading up to the incident began at the Gemini bar in Otahuhu and ended up at Haughey Avenue in Mt Roskill.

Several people were drinking.

The prosecution said Sharma had been “minding his own business” and did not provoke anybody.

He was described as “an absolutely innocent bystander”.

You may also like to read this:

Heartfelt messages after Tongan man died under suspicious condition in Auckland

Child injured in two-vehicle crash in east Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
-

A child had been allegedly injured in a two-vehicle accident at a three-way junction in east Tongatapu this morning at about 8.15 am.

The crash happened at junction for Taufā’ahau Road and Taupī Road in Tatakamotonga, an eye witness said.

Photos taken at the scene showed two cars with damages.

Two vehicles were facing the wrong ways at the roadsides while the other vehicle which appeared to have involved in the crash was seen on the opposite lane.

Kiwi dies after collapsing at a restaurant in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Kiwi woman died on Monday night August 27 after she collapsed at a bar and restaurant in Tongatapu.

The 57-year-old arrived from New Zealand recently before the incident occurred, a Police spokesperson told Kaniva News.

The woman’s identities were still unknown.

It said the tourist was having dinner when she collapsed.

She was rushed to Vaiola Hospital where she was confirmed dead.

Police were expecting a medical report on the cause of her death.

Two Tongan gang members get life sentences for murder in US

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tēvita Kaihea was sentenced to 112 years to life in prison on Friday after being found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder, attempted murder, two counts of robbery, vehicle theft and a felon in possession of a firearm, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.

His partner in crime Charlie Hola was previously sentenced to 48 years and 8 months to life in prison on June 22 on related charges, a press release reportedly said.

The Tongan gang members have been sentenced to life in prison in connection to a crime spree involving murdering a rival gang member on Sacramento City College campus and an armed robbery of a Church’s Chicken.

Kaihea and Hola, who are members of the Tongan Crip street gang, according to the DA’s office, were arrested following a string of crimes committed on Sept. 3, 2015.

The two first stole a car from the 47th Avenue light rail station and drove to Church’s Chicken on Florin Road, where they proceeded to commit an armed robbery.

“They then shot a south Sacramento resident in the face when the resident noticed the two acting suspiciously in the neighbourhood,” the press release said. That victim survived, officials said.

Kaihea and Hola then drove toward Sacramento City College, abandoning the car nearby, and then got into a gang fight that ended in the shooting death of Roman Gonzalez, reportedly a member of the Norteno gang.

Family of missing school girl Meliame Nai ‘devastated’ as search comes to standstill

By
Kalino Latu
-

The family of missing South Auckland school girl Meliame Nai are “desperate for information”, as police admitted they were no closer to finding her.

She disappeared while walking with a girl friend to a dairy last Saturday night in Māngere East.

Meliame is Tongan while her friend was Maori. They are both 16 years-old.

Meliame’s father Lōpeti Nai of Fua’amotu, Tongatapu who is now living in Māngere with his family, has told Kaniva News in a telephone conversation this afternoon they have not heard from Meliame since she went missing.

In a desperate call for assistance on Facebook Lōpeti wrote: “I’m asking for support from the community.

“My daughter at the age of 16 and her friend who is also 16 has been missing since Saturday last week.

“They both went for a walk to the shop at about 8:30pm and since then, they’ve both still been missing and no one knows where they are or what happened to them.

“The police are still on the case and are working towards finding them both.

“So i’m writing this In hope that someone could please help find any information to them missing please contact the police or call me at 0273999720 or this police officers number at 0211910806 they’ve were last seen in mangere east. Thank you.”

Hon Sika to leave Rugby League, saying the Sport is at its best in kingdom

By
Kalino Latu
-

The president of the Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league, Deputy Prime Minister Sēmisi Sika, will not stand for re-election.

He told the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nuku’alofa his re-election to the presidential role in April was his last term.

He said he was happy the sport had reached some milestones including the Mate Ma’a Tonga’s outstanding achievement in the Rugby League World Cup 2017 in New Zealand in which Tonga reached semi-finals.

Hon Sika believed his leadership skills had positively influenced the game and brought into the kingdom’s Rugby League more sponsors and strongly inspired Tongan rugby league internationals including Jason Taumālolo and Andrew Fifita.

Hon Sika claimed he had spent hundreds of thousands of pa’anga of his own and from his family’s Five Star business to help revive the sport in Tonga by paying for overseas airfares when any Rugby League teams travelled and other expenses.

Situation

He said the Tonga Rugby League was at a low point when he stepped in.

Hon Sika said when he was first elected in 2010 and became aware of the situation the sport was in he decided to contribute more to rebuild it.

As Kaniva News reported in 2016, a court decision said the TNRL had been dysfunctional for years and there was little to suggest the situation was getting any better.

That case was brought by three former members of the TNRL’s board of directors, Siliveinusi Taumoepeau, Tavake Fangupo and Taufa Fukofuka with chairman Stan Moheloa and Hon Sika, who was elected president in 2010, as defendants.

In his findings on the evidence presented in court, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he was satisfied that “not all money received for and on behalf of the TNRL has been paid into its bank account with the ANZ bank, that money of the TNRL has been used for purposes that were not authorised by the board and that Mr Moheloa has incurred obligations on behalf of the TNRL without board approval.”

The organisation

Hon Sika said the TNRL which had a Chairperson, a Secretary General and Board members was responsible for the operations of the sport in Tonga.

His role as president was to chair the AGM.

When he was first elected to the presidency he took it as a special call for him to revive the international sport in Tonga and helped the youths.

He said in 2010 only about eight rugby league teams had been registered. In 2013, 10 rugby league clubs were registered. In 2017 more than 20 rugby league clubs were registered and this year about 40 rugby league clubs had been registered.

“I wish the increase in the number of teams being registered will continue to climb,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Challenges

However, his role in the game has been repeatedly challenged by former members of the  Rugby League Board who took him and Moheloa to court in 2016.

Hon Sika was responding to recent reports in the local and online media claiming a court order had been issued to seize his possessions and salaries because he failed to pay a lawyer fee after the 2016 court case against him and the rugby league.

The fees which were $30,000 in total was owed by the plaintiffs to Lawyer Clive Edwards and $10,000 to Lawyer Sifa Tu’utafaiva who represented Hon Sika and Moheloa.

Hon Sika told Kaniva News in an exclusive interview he was aware of an application by lawyer Clive Edwards to get a court order to confiscate his possession and salaries if he failed to pay his lawyer fees but the court had rejected it.

Hon Sika said Edwards applied to the court to remove Moheloa from any involvement in paying his lawyer’s fees as he had retired.

Hon Sika said that left him and the Rugby League to pay the lawyers’ fees, including Moheloa’s costs.

AGM 2018 postponed

He said Lawyer Clive Edwards, Silivenusi Taumoepeau and Pita Ha’angana had sought a court order to cancel the AGM on April 6 but it had gone ahead.

Hon Sika said the court had ruled that they had to return to the league and call an AGM.

He said after the agendas were discussed he postponed the meeting after he found out the financial statement had not been audited.

He said the TNRL Board was responsible for the financial statements and should ensure they were audited according to the TNRL rules.

He said he postponed this year’s AGM until the financial statement were properly audited.

Re-elections

Despite being involved in several court cases because of his role as president, Hon Sika said he had been re-elected by the majority of the TNRL members as president every year since 2010.

His position as a Member of Parliament helped him secure some government financial assistances which was vital for Mate Ma’a Tonga’s involvements in Rugby League World Cups.

In 2012 he asked Parliament to help with Tonga’s involvements in the Ohana Cup in Honolulu which cost TP$50,000. The government paid $25,000  and he and Five Star paid $25,000.

He said he paid personally $50,000 for other expenses while the team was in Fiji.

This did not include tens of thousands of pa’anga he paid for other local teams expenses.

During the 2013 World Cup in UK TNRL could not afford to cover all costs for the Mate Ma’a Tonga players including their hotel and accommodations in New Zealand.

Hon Sika claimed he paid for these including the team’s air cargoes and gears.

He said he has asked the Board to consider paying back his financial assistance after 2017’s World Cup.

They only paid back $3,000, Sika said.

He said he has records of all the funds and donations from sponsors and donors he had raised, but could not find the names of his critics among them.

King’s request to Greenberg to make Kangaroos Test happen

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Michael Chammas, nrl.com

A desperate plea from the King of Tonga direct to NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg is set to help revive the end-of-season Test match against Australia.

The king of Tonga, Tupou VI, phoned Greenberg last week when it seemed as though the Tonga-Australia match wouldn’t go ahead due to the financial restraints around the event.

However in a sign of just how much the match means to the people of Tonga, Tupou VI got in contact with Greenberg to reiterate the importance of the game to his people and the impact last year’s World Cup had on the nation.

Since the conversation with King Tupou VI, Greenberg has met the NZRL to discuss the possibility of Auckland hosting the much anticipated fixture on October 20, where 30,000 people are expected to pack out Mt Smart Stadium if it is given the green light in the coming days.

NRL.com understands that match is pencilled in, however it could rely on the Australian players agreeing to a one-off reduction in their $20,000 match fee they are entitled to for representing the Kangaroos.

King Tupou VI flew to Auckland for last year’s semi final against England, and later invited the players back to his palace the following week to provide them with an award of the Royal Orders, such was the impact of his nation’s breakthrough performance.

Officials having been working closely for months trying to get the Tonga-Australia match on the calendar, exploring many options including New York City.

Brisbane showed a keen interest in hosting the match, however it now looks likely to be held in Auckland a week after the Kangaroos are scheduled to play New Zealand in a one-off Test match before the Kiwis travel to the United Kingdom to take on England.

Greenberg is expected to meet with RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast in the coming days to discuss the potential of a reduced payment acceptance by the Kangaroos.

Tongan superstar Andrew Fifita has already expressed a willingness to play for free, not concerned about the money rather the opportunity to join forces with Jason Taumalolo and company to take on the best in the world.

Tongan family ‘disheartened’ by damages to mother’s grave in Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan family in Auckland has been devastated after vandals damaged their mother’s grave by opening large holes at both ends of the grave.

They also found what appeared to be a mixture of garlic and salt left on the mouths of the holes spread on the grave at Manukau Memorial Garden cemetery.

The family said they were hugely shocked by the incident and branded the person or persons who did the vandalism as people who had nothing in their minds (“oku momoa mooni ee fakakaukau”).

The family posted pictures of the damage on Facebook and asked their followers and friends to share them as a way to give them relief.

The grave belonged to Uheina Tina Kioa, who died on August 1, 2015.

Her daughter, Lineni Kioa Hafoka, told Kaniva they had a suspect and had reported it to the authorities.

Kaniva News cannot release the details of their suspect at this stage for legal reasons.

She said an investigation was underway, but authorities said it could take some time because not all areas in the cemetery were covered by CCTV.

Lineni said the vandalism was a result of person who was sick and her family believed the spirit of their dead mother was harming the patient.

Lineni’s sister-in-law, who went by the name Jae Lexx Hau, on Facebook shared the family’s griefs.

Hau said the damage was probably caused two weeks ago, but was not exactly sure of the date it occurred.

“It was Saturday that my older brother visited and found out that someone had done this. We went over Sunday afternoon to make sure what it was and I tell you how disheartening this was to see,” Hau said.

Hau described the damage to the grave on Facebook and asked people who had any information that might help find the vandals to contact them.

“Dug Two really deep holes, one by her head and the other by her leg with garlic and salt in it and all over her plot.

“Hoi e! please share because I can’t stand this right now ?????? Let us know if you know who did this!!!!!!,” she posted.

You may also like this:

Town officer condemns vandalism and superstition after Vava‘u cemetery attack

Tongatapu man and woman die in suspected suicide in separate incidents

By
Kalino Latu
-

Two suspected cases of suicide in Tongatapu have officially been reported by Police.

It said a body of a 29-year-old man was found at a home in Kolofo’ou on Thursday, August 23.

On Monday last week a body of a 49-year-old woman was found at a home in Hoi.

Police reportedly said both deaths were suspected suicide.

Young rugby league powerhouse best among uncles’, grandfathers’ rugby talents, mum says

By
Kalino Latu
-

A young Tongan talented rugby league star in New Zealand has been described as the best among his grandfathers and maternal uncles who played for Tonga’a national rugby team, ‘Ikale Tahi.

Heneli Faioso Jr Luani, 15, of Ha’ateiho and Kolofo’ou in Tonga but living in Auckland who played in numbers 12 and 13 in the Pakuranga Rugby League Jaguar is being described as a ‘God-gifted talent’.

Heneli played strongly and quickly, was excellent in sidestepping his opposition and could successfully fend them off with one arm, according to a video shared by his mother Manusiu Luani on Facebook.

He has been repeatedly awarded with Most Valuable Player of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and has captained some of his rugby union and rugby league teams.

He is currently being signed up for a three year contract with the Warriors.

Manusiu has described her son’s rugby playing history as ‘malie’ (excellent).

She said her father, Paseisei Havili, her grandfather ‘Anitelu Havili, her brothers Aisea, Salesi and  Lisiate Havili all played for the ‘Ikale Tahi.

She said her father told her her son had the best rugby talent among them all.

“It’s true,” Manusiu said with a laugh.

She said the secret behind Heneli’s great rugby talent was that it was in his blood.

Heneli first played rugby union at Tepapa Rugby Union Club in Onehunga when he was five. His parents then  moved him to Grammer Calton Rugby Union club at Cornwall Park in Greenlane.

He was captain of the Oranga Primary School rugby team when they won the Primary Schools rugby tournament’s seal in his final year. He was awarded the best player of the year.

While he was at the Remuera Intermediate he was moved to Ellerslie Eagles RLC 2015 when he was 11 years old. The young rugby powerhouse chose to shift from playing rugby union to playing rugby league.

Manusiu said the change in his rugby careers was influenced by his palagi supporters who shouted that he was a good rugby league player when Heneli ran in the field.

The first time he played rugby league at Ellerslie the coach was deeply impressed by his talent, Manusiu said.

Heneli won the Most Valuable Player of the Year for Under 12 in his first year in Rugby League.

He was selected to represent Auckland rugby league Under 13

Last year he moved to the Pakuranga Jaguars Under 14 ARL where the Warriors has signed him up for a contract.

This year he was signed for a three-year contract with Warriors.

He was the captain of the Pakuranga Kings Under 15.

He was also named the Remuera Sportsman of the Year in 2016, with the prize being presented to him by Tongan All Black ‘Ofa Tu’ungafasi.

In 2014 the Grammar Carlton awarded Heneli with the Most Valuable Player of the Year at its Annual prize Giving. His prize was presented by Simon Hickey from Auckland Blues.

Heneli played his first Rugby League game in 2015 and was named player of the day and first runner up player of the year, his mother said.

He was picked for the Pacific Cup as well as for under 16 this year from the Warriors.

1...577578579...955Page 578 of 955