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Israel Folau will not be sanctioned for on-line comments, says Rugby Australia

By
Philip Cass
-

Rugby Australia has decided not to sanction Israel Folau for his online comments that gay people were going to hell unless they repented.

Chief executive Raelene Castle has warned Australian Super Rugby players to be respectful on social media.

Rugby Australia’s  introduced a policy four years ago which said: “There is no place for homophobia or any form of discrimination in our game and our actions and words both on and off the field must reflect this.”

Folau, who was born to Tongan parents in New south Wales, is Australia’s highest profile rugby player and has played 62 tests,.

He is off contract at the end of this season.

Last October he tweeted his belief on same-sex marriage, saying: “I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions, but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”

Born to Tongan parents in New South Wales, Folau has had a spectacular rugby career, but like many young players could not cope with the pressures of success and began to suffer from depression.

He drank heavily and in the end there was only so much support his family and friends could give him.

He said that when things were at their worst he turned to God and found the peace he needed.

In 2016 Folau and fellow player Manu Vatuvei led a revival tour, the Road to Redemption.

The main points

  • Rugby Australia has decided not to sanction Israel Folau for his online comments that gay people were going to hell unless they repented.
  • Chief executive Raelene Castle has warned Australian Super Rugby players to be respectful on social media.
  • Last October tweeted his belief on same-sex marriage, saying: “I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions, but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”

For more information

Footballer Folau found peace, but depression and suicide still stalk young rugby players

 

Donated building supplies arrive in Tonga from New Zealand

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Building supplies from Fletcher Building South Pacific have arrived in Tonga to assist in rebuilding cyclone-damaged homes of people most in need.

Aside from assisting with residential repair work Fletcher Building’s South Pacific business is involved in rebuilding commercial buildings and infrastructure in Tonga. The business employs 20 people in Tonga, and 650 in the South Pacific.

Several Fletcher Construction employees in Tonga were among those who lost their homes in the storm.

The division’s South Pacific business unit leapt into action to help, asking around parent company Fletcher Building’s New Zealand building product distributors and retailers for building materials they could give at short notice to help employees and the Tongan community.

South Pacific General Manager Brent Leach says, “We wanted to make sure our teams and their communities are looked after while they rebuild their lives after this catastrophic storm.”

Fletcher Building also has employees in New Zealand with families back in Tonga who have been affected by the cyclone.

“We’re in a unique position to help being in the business of building and building products. We wanted to get a container across to Tonga as fast as possible and the response from our business managers was incredible,” Brent says. “Within a day of picking up the phone, we had 20 tonnes of donated roofing iron, which is enough to help repair around 25 homes.”

The donated supplies collected to date fill three 40-foot containers which contain roofing from Dimond Roofing and ply, timber and fixings from PlaceMakers to rebuild residential houses.

Tonga Branch Manager, Josh Collins says there’s still a lot of work to do. “With the damage to homes, schools and infrastructure the rebuild will take months if not years for some. Tongatapu and ‘Eua were the worst hit, with almost every building suffering some damage.”

The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) will be coordinating the distribution of the donated supplies as they arrive in Tonga. The Shelter Cluster (made up of international aid organisations), which supports people affected by disasters, will be distributing the materials to assist the most vulnerable people in making repairs to their houses first.

“We’re very grateful for Fletcher Building’s kind donation. Directly receiving building materials will speed up repairs and enable the NGOs who are repairing houses to spend money on other things,” say Graham Kenna of NEMO.

The contents of the first 40ft container, which arrived in Tonga on March 28, will be distributed this week.

Fletcher Construction has worked with a wide range of clients over the last 70 years to help build thriving island nations and is now permanently based in Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

Hotel convict barred from leaving Tonga as part of bail conditions

By
Kalino Latu
-

A convicted hotel pay supervisor has been forced to surrender her passport as part of her bail conditions.

Her name has to be recorded on the no fly list.

Selemana Fonua, 40, was prevented from leaving Tongatapu without a court permission.

She must report to the Nuku’alofa Central Police Station fortnightly between the hours of 10am and 5pm commencing on Friday 20 April 2018.

She is to provide two sureties in the sum of T$500 and must also provide her bond in the sum of T$I,OOO to secure her surrender to custody.

As Kaniva News reported last month, Fonua had been jailed for two years after she stole $21,299. 00 pa’anga over a seven-month period while she was an employee of the hotel when she was 38.

She had dishonestly manufactured a false spreadsheet which included the names of a number of fictitious or “ghost” employees thereby inflating the wages bill for Tanoa (Tonga).

Fonua has appealed her conviction challenging the decision made by Justice Cato.

She argued Mr. Cato wrongly accepted spreadsheets as secondary evidence of the originals in reliance upon section 64(b) of the Evidence Act.

But the Court of Appeal President Lord Chief Justice Paulsen believed the argument is not strong.

“The counter argument is that the ‘original’ documents for the purposes of section 64(b) are the ones created on and printed from the appellant’s computer. Viewed in this way the spreadsheets produced at the trial were indeed copies made by a mechanical process (printing from the computer) and would almost certainly have been accurate copies,” Mr. Paulsen said.

“I am satisfied that the grounds for granting bail in s 4B(1)(b) and (c) of the Bail Act are made out. By consent the appellant is granted bail pending the hearing of her appeal.”

Author of “lovely and popular” Wesleyan hymns identified by initials

By
Philip Cass
-

An Australian man says he has solved the mystery of a set of initials that appear in the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga hymn book.

Nigel Statham, who worked as a translator for the church from 1970-82, said he had long  been intrigued  by the initials CPWB that appeared what he called “eight of the most lovely and popular hymns in the book.”

The hymns are numbers  624, 628, 629, 630, 631, 635, 642 and 651 .

Statham said the mystery was solved when he found the name C.P. Walkden-Brown in the Tupou College 150th Anniversary book and realised he was the author of those hymns.

Walkden-Brown was appointed a missionary to Tonga in 1903 to replace Dr Moulton as Principal of Tupou College. He was chairman of the Tonga District from 1906-1908, returning to Australia in 1908 due to ill health.

He was married to Ethel Marie, a daughter of a Methodist minister, Reverend Matthew Maddern. After Walkden-Brown returned to Australia he ministered to Methodist churches in several towns in New South Wales.

He was chairman of the Goulburn District in 1922 and chairman of the Third Sydney District from 1925-1926. He retired from the ministry in 1934 and died the following year.

His memorial service as attended by Prince Taufa`ahau, the future king of Tonga as well as 43 Methodist ministers and members of other churches.

Statham said Walkden-Brown was a fine preacher and musician and was the pianist of the Methodist Conference Ministerial Choir for many years.

“That he was a person of refined spirituality is clear from the hymns he wrote, which are no less extraordinary in their poetic and spiritual merit than the best of Dr Moulton’s hymns,” staham said.

“It is astonishing that he was able to write such hymns after being in Tonga for such a short time. No wonder he has been called a genius.”

Walden-Brown’s family had a long involvement with the Pacific, particularly in Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

His nephew Douglas Walkden-Brown was a lay Methodist missionary principal of the Navuso Agricultural College in Fiji from 1949 till 1960.

He eventually becoming a Fiji citizen and served first as Minister of Natural Resources and then as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.

The main points

  • An Australian man says he has solved the mystery of a set of initials that appear in the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga hymn book.
  • Nigel Statham, who worked as a translator for the church from 1970-82, said he had long been intrigued  by the initials CPWB that appeared what he called “eight of the most lovely and popular hymns in the book.”
  • Statham identified the initials as belonging to C.P. Walkden-Brown, a former principal of Tupou College.

Lavulavu’s dismissal was constitutional, PM Office says

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Prime Minister’s office said the dismissal of former Minister of Internal Affairs ‘Akosita Lavulavu was made by the Prime Minister according to the constitution.

The Prime Minister’s Media Advisor Lōpeti Senituli said Clause 51(2) of the Constitution gave the Hon Prime Minister the discretion to nominate and recommend whoever he wants to be Ministers in his Cabinet to His Majesty for appointment.

He also said Clause 51(3)(a) also gave the Hon Prime Minister the discretion to recommend to His Majesty that the appointment of such Ministers should be revoked.

As Kaniva News reported last week, Lavulavu said there was nothing in the Tongan constitution which gave the Prime Minister any power to force her to resign because of her criminal charges.

Akosita and her husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu were charged with three counts each of knowingly dealing with forged documents and three counts of obtaining credit by false pretenses. They are expected to reappear in court on May 28.

Akosita said the constitution says the appointment of a Minister can only be terminated if the king has revoked it after a Vote of No Confidence under clause 50B, or if it was a decision made against them after an impeachment under clause 75, or they became ineligible to hold the office in accordance with the Constitution or any other law.

However, Senituli said: “There is no criteria set out in Clause 51(2) on what qualifications and qualities that the nominees to Cabinet should have. The Hon Prime Minister has total discretion as the criteria he uses.”

“There is no criteria set out in Clause 51(3)(a) on why the Hon Prime Minister should recommend that a Minister’s appointment should be revoked. Again the Hon.Prime Minister total discretion.

The Hon Prime Minister’s decision to recommend to His Majesty to revoke Mrs. Lavulavu’s appointment because of the serious criminal charges against her for defrauding the taxpayers is sufficient grounds for dismissal from Cabinet in any democratic jurisdiction in the world.”

PM clarifies statement after UK property offer causes stir on social media

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva today sought to clarify a statement he made to British authorities saying they could take up again a former residence they previously used in Nuku’alofa in the past.

His statement has sparked a debate on social media with some commenters saying the Prime Minister has overstepped his bound because the property belonged to the king.

“But I thought that HM owns that place ??” a commenter said on Facebook.

“I know what’s happening with this crazy man?” another commenter replies.

The Prime Minister’s Media Advisor Lōpeti Senituli said Hon. Pōhiva thought the government owned the property.

In Tongan Senituli quoted Hon. Pōhiva as saying: “Na’e me’a e ‘Eiki Palemia o pehe, “Ko ‘ene lave’i ko e konga ‘api ko e ‘api ‘o e Pule’anga. Pea ‘okapau ‘oku hala ‘ene ma’u, ‘oku ne kole fakamolemole!”

This translates into English as: “The Prime Minister made a statement and said. “He thought the property is owned by government. If he gets it wrong, he apologizes.”

Hon. Pōhiva made his statement in London after he was told the United Kingdom would soon announce that it would re-open its missions in some Pacific Islands.

In a previous statement from his office,  Hon. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was quoted as saying:  “The British Government’s re-engagement in the South Pacific is music to Tongan ears and I take the opportunity to offer the British Government the use of its former Residence in Nuku’alofa from which you departed 12 years ago.”

Hon. Pōhiva was in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government two-day Meeting which began on April 19.

As Kaniva News reported this morning, the UK pulled out of Tonga 12 years ago and reduced its presence in its former colonies in the Islands.

For more information

Return of UK to Pacific “music to Tongan ears” says PM as troops clean up residence

Man arrested over TOP$297,000 methamphetamine shipment from US

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 39-year-old man has been arrested on April 17 after 297 grams of methamphetamine,  with a street value of TOP$297,000,  was smuggled into the country in a shipment from the United States.

A 31-year-old man was also arrested after he was caught with 30.4grams of cannabis.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said: “This type of criminal activity causes significant harm to our youths and community. Methamphetamine is a destructive drug that destroys lives and impacts families. We are saving lives by removing these drugs from our streets. Police are vigilant and committed to the ongoing targeting of this type of offending.

It’s important to remember that these people supplying drugs to our community put profit above all else and do not consider the health and wellbeing of users and its negative impact on our society.”

“Police will continue to work with the community to prevent the harm illicit drugs cause and the ongoing criminal activity associated with their use.

“Those with any information on drug-related offending are encouraged to speak in confidence to an officer at their local Police station, or contact 23417.”

The suspects remain in police custody while investigation continues.

Return of UK to Pacific “music to Tongan ears” says PM as troops clean up residence

By
Philip Cass
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has described the news that the United Kingdom is to re-engage with the Pacific as “music to Tongan ears.”

Hon. Pōhiva, who is in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, offered the British Government the use of its former residence in Nuku’alofa.

The UK pulled out of Tonga 12 years ago and reduced its presence in its former colonies in the Islands.

At the moment the closest British diplomatic representative is in Fiji.

It is expected to increase its presence in the Pacific after it leaves the European Union.

“Before I departed Nuku’alofa I asked the Chief of Staff of His Majesty’s Armed Forces to deploy some of his men to repair the fence of the Residence as well as the minor damage caused by Cyclone Gita,” the Prime Minister said.

The Head of the UK’s Diplomatic Service, Sir Simon McDonald, said the United Kingdom would soon announce that it would re-open its missions in some Pacific Islands.

However, he did not specifically identify Tonga as being one of those countries.

Sir Simon was hosting a roundtable ahead of the official opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Other participants from the Pacific Islands included, Hon, Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon Baron Waqa MP, the President of Nauru, as well as Ministers from the other Pacific countries.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has described the news that the United Kingdom is to re-engage with the Pacific as “music to Tongan ears.”
  • Pohiva, who is in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, offered the British Government the use of its former Residence in Nuku’alofa.
  • The UK pulled out of Tonga 12 years ago and reduced its presence in its former colonies in the Islands.

For more information 

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018

Over TOP$100,000 worth of food supplies arrive in Tonga from New Zealand

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Daily life will be a little easier for over 400 families in Tongatapu and ‘Eua with the arrival this week of a consignment of non-perishable food from New Zealand.

The consignment was put together by Tongan RSE workers and subsidised by their employers and is valued at over $TOP100,000.

NZ Government agency MBIE, Horticulture New Zealand and Tonga Development Bank also chipped in to pay the freight costs of the 3x20ft containers

Of the 400 families involved, 60 or so are in Eua and their consignment will be shipped over on the next day or two.

RSE liaison officer in New Zealand, Sefita Hao’uli is here to assist with the distribution which is being carried out by NEMO and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The distribution is being carried out at the entrance to Teufaive Stadium and recipients are asked to bring ID and a suitable vehicle as there’s over 130 kilos of food for each family to take home.

It is hoped that the distribution in Nuku’alofa will be completed today and the consignment to the Eua families will leave for Ohonua on the ferry this afternoon.

The RSE workers are grateful for the financial assistance received which enabled them to help their families while they’re away from home.

Background information:

  1. Consignment of 3 containers valued at $TOP110K including freight.
  2. Each fāmily will receive:
  • 25 kilos of rice
  • 25 kilos of sugar
  • 60 kilos of flour
  • 20 litres of cooking oil
  • 1 carton of canned mackerel
  1. A similar initiative was in place for Vava’u and Ha’apai families following cyclone Ian.
  2. Most employers either advanced and/or subsidised the workers contribution to the consignment e.g Mr Apple who employs over 300 workers paid $NZ30,000 to subsidise their workers contribution.
  3. The freight costs were met by MBIE, Horticulture New Zealand and Tonga Development Bank.
  4. Tongan government’s decision to waive tax and duty for 6 months after Gita has helped to make this more affordable for the workers and their families. Agencies NEMO and the Ministry of Internal Affairs played key roles to make all this possible.
  5. ‘Oku laka hake he toko 1600 ‘oku nau ngāue RSE ‘i Nu’usila he ta’u kotoa pe pea ko ‘enau tokoni pa’anga mo e koloa ki he mo’ui faka’ekonomika ‘a Tonga ‘oku ‘i he $TOP12m – 15m fakata’u.

Supreme Court allows appeal against sentence

By
Philip Cass
-

A man convicted of common assault has had his appeal upheld in the Supreme Court.

On September 20 last year Siosiua and his brother Fonua Tauelangi attacked  Fatai Lavaka. Last month they pleaded guilty and were  convicted  for the  attack in the Magistrate’s Court and  sentenced  by  Principal  Magistrate Mafi.

Siosiua was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with the final  six months suspended.

Fonua was convicted of serious bodily harm and sentenced to six months imprisonment fully suspended on the condition that he performed 40 hours community work. The Crown is appealing against Fonua’s sentence.

Last week Siosiua appeared before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen to appeal against his sentence.

In his report on the case, the judge said Mafi said he had taken into account all of the mitigating factors presented on Siosiua’s behalf, but that Siosiua had initiated the assault and had an appalling record.

Counsel for Siosiua argued that the Magistrate imposed the maximum sentence upon  Siosiua for the offence of common assault when this could not be regarded as the most serious offending of its kind.

Secondly,  the Magistrate  failed  to  take account of the  mitigating  factors.

Thirdly,  there was an unjustified inconsistency between the sentences imposed upon Siosiua and his brother Fonua.

Mr Justice Paulsen said the Magistrate had erred in his sentencing and he would allow the appeal.

He declared that Siosiua was convicted and sentenced to six  months imprisonment. He was to be given credit against the sentence for any time served.

The main points

  • A man convicted of assault has had his appeal upheld in the Supreme Court.
  • Siosiua Tauelangi appealed against a sentence of 12 months for common assault, with the final six months suspended.
  • Mr Justice Paulsen declared that Tauelangi was convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment. He was to be given credit against the sentence for any time served.
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