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King expresses concern over increasing alcohol and drug related deaths

By
Kalino Latu
-

His Majesty King Tupou VI has spoken about his concern about the recent  increasing rate of deaths caused by the abuse of alcohol and prohibited drugs.

He said it was unfortunate that after Tonga survived tropical cyclone Gita without many fatalities, people had been killed on road accidents and alleged murder cases.

As Kaniva News reported, there had been 13 deaths in Tongatapu and Vava’u since February 4.

Of the 13 fatalities, six were suspected murder cases while seven had been deaths in road accidents.

One woman reportedly died in cyclone Gita.

Several other road accidents were reported on social media within this period.

The king said these incidents had affected all sectors of the Tongan community.

His Majesty’s statement was delivered live on air from Tongan Parliament in Tofoa by Lord Vaea.

He said if the community worked together to fight against these problems it would bring hope to the nation while it recovered from Cyclone Gita.

He said Tonga should appreciate the assistance from overseas countries and donors to help its people after the cyclone.

The main points

  • His Majesty King Tupou VI has spoken about his concern about the recent increasing rate of deaths caused by the abuse of alcohol and prohibited drugs.
  • He said it was unfortunate that after Tonga survived tropical cyclone Gita without many fatalities, people had been killed on road accidents and alleged murder cases.
  • As Kaniva News reported, there had been 11 deaths in Tongatapu and Vava’u since February 4.

For more information

Alcohol use in the Pacific region

Suspected drunk driver charged after Vainī Sunday crash

By
Kalino Latu
-

An allegedly intoxicated man has been charged after a crash on Taufa’āhau main road in Vainī on Sunday 11.

The Ma’ufanga man was allegedly speeding while driving east on Taufa’ahau road before his van veered off and crashed into a power pole.

The driver and a female passenger were injured.

As Kaniva News reported on Sunday, photos taken at the scene by an eyewitness showed the man and the woman lying motionless outside the van by the roadside.

The photos also showed bystanders, mostly in church attires, gathered to watch and help.

The crash came after a fatal road accident the previous Sunday in Fo’ui which claimed a 36-year-old man’s life.

Drivers urged to avoid part of Great South road after serious crash

By
Kalino Latu
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NEW ZEALAND: Drivers are asked to avoid a stretch of Great South Road, Papatoetoe following a collision involving a truck and a car.

One person is trapped.

Emergency services were called to the crash at 5.29am, between Carlie St and Allenby Rd.

The road is closed in both directions in that area and local diversions are in place.

Parliament closes after 10 days

By
Kaniva Staff
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His Majesty King Tupou VI will close the doors on Parliament this morning after a 10-day sitting since March 5.

The closing was scheduled after the Speaker Lord Fakafanua announced the parliamentary sittings last month.

“The Legislative Assembly of Tonga’s current sitting will conclude on Thursday 15 March 2018 with a Soft Closing ceremony 10:30am,” a statement from the Office of the Legislative Assembly said.

“His Majesty, the King, has commissioned three Nobles of the Realm, Lord Vaea, Lord Tu‘iha‘ateiho and Lord Luani, to deliver the Speech from the Throne.

“The Legislative Assembly of Tonga opened on the 11 January 2018.

The Soft Closing ceremony on Thursday will be the first held at the Legislative Assembly’s temporary location in Tofoa.”

Talks to allow Tongan overstayers on dialysis to receive same benefits as New Zealanders

By
Kalino Latu
-

Talks are underway to allow Tongan overstayers who are on dialysis treatment in New Zealand to receive the same benefits as New Zealand citizens receiving the treatment.

An inquiry is being conducted in Auckland to collect information on the number of Tongan overstayers who need treatment for kidney failure.

The move has been organised by Tongan community leader in Mangere, Makalita Kolo.

Kolo told Kaniva News a proposal was being written up to be presented to the Minister for the Pacific Peoples Hon. Aupito William Sio before he could talk to the New Zealand and the Tongan governments to see if the idea could be taken further.

Kolo said she was investigating whether part of New Zealand’s annual grant to Tonga could be allowed to help the Tongan patients.

“It would depend on what the minister would come up with after he talks to the two governments,” Kolo said.

Kolo said at the moment there were six patients in Auckland alone who were Tongan overstayers.

She said if they returned to Tonga it would be like giving them a death sentence because there was nothing there to treat them.

Kolo said she organized a fundraising in Auckland in 2012 to help the dialysis treatment of a Tongan church minister, Rev. Sione Malamala Vaea who arrived in New Zealand on a visitor’s visa. She said the fundraising was successful.

Unlike its neighbours, Samoa and Fiji, Tonga has no dialysis unit.

As Kaniva News reported, a young Tongan man, Tamahanga Tukunga who has kidney failure, has been pleading to stay in New Zealand, knowing he will face a painful death if deported to Tonga.

As we reported last month, Tonga’s Ministry of Health has refused to support a move by the Tonga Dialysis Foundation (TDF)  to establish a national dialysis unit in the kingdom.

Health authorities said the Ministry could not support the project because TDF had failed to show it had links with kidney specialists, had not submitted a financial plan, proved the project would be sustainable, or addressed issues of financial transparency.

TDF president Saia Moehau told Kaniva News they had met with Minister of Health and two doctors a number of times to discuss the proposal for a joint venture.

Moehau claimed the medical authorities were supportive during the meetings, but said different things in public.

Last year Ministry of Health CEO Siale ‘Akauola told Radio New Zealand said most cases of kidney disease cases developed from diabetes.

Health authority believed there were 200 patients in Tonga with chronic kidney disease.

‘Akauola said the government was focussed on prevention and management of diabetes rather than dialysis.

“That’s the focus, to promote good healthy living so that people do not develop diabetes in the first place and then the second one of course, if you have diabetes, then aggressively manage diabetes to a very good level you will never develop renal disease. We’ve had diabetics who are well managed, they live healthy lives even into their 70s and 80s.”

For more information

Health authorities demand Tonga Dialysis Foundation prove project viable

Judge in underage sex case says ‘age could be deceptive’

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Justice Charles Cato said age could be deceptive when he discharged an 18-year-old man who admitted having sex with an underage teen who was just over 14.

The accused, Sione Siliva Pohiva Tatakamotonga, was charged with one count of carnal knowledge of a young person under the age of 15 contrary to sections 121(2) and 123 of the Criminal Offences Act.

The court was told the complainant first met the accused when she went to a fair at Lapaha in 2016 which belonged to her uncle.

Later that week the pair met outside the complainant’s home where they had sex before the accused left.

The complainant told the court the accused did not ask for her age or what level she was in at school.

As a consequence of the intercourse she became pregnant . She did not tell the accused.

Her family found out about her pregnancy and they filed a complaint with Police.

The victim gave birth on April, 23,  2017 to a child who died. The accused, she said, did not contact her until after the birth.

“I have considered all the evidence on the issue of age. Age can be deceptive,” Justice Cato said.

“I am left in a reasonable doubt on this issue and accordingly, the Crown has not discharged its onus of proof.

“I also note that my reasoning would be the same should a higher standard than honest belief be required, that is one that is based on reasonable grounds. I consider his belief was in the circumstances based on a reasonable foundation, for the reasons I have given and he should be acquitted.”

Tonga tells PM Ardern it no longer wants Caldwell; PC’s committee and cabinet clash after advice to extend contract

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government’s attempts to terminate Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell’s employment contract appeared to be deadlocked.

It has been revealed that the Privy Council’s Judicial Appointment and Discipline Panel has processed a recommendation to the king to extend the Police Commissioner’s contract.

The Minister of Police, Hon. Māteni Tapueluelu, said the recommendation for extension was made days after he tendered his resignation to Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva last month.

But the king’s Panel’s decision appeared to be in trouble because it is the government’s duty to pay Mr. Caldwell according to clause 51 of Tonga’s constitution, the Minister said.

Hon. Tapueluelu, who returned to office days after Hon. Pōhiva refused to accept his resignation, said the panel had not finalised its decision, but had asked the government to ask New Zealand for more money to pay Mr. Caldwell. He said the panel will meet with Privy Council soon to make a final decision.

Hon. Tapueluelu said the government told New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her delegation during a bilateral meeting last week in Tonga that it did not want the  Police Commissioner’s contract extended.

He said Ms. Ardern was told the problem in the Tongan Police force grew bigger under Mr. Caldwell’s leadership.

Hon. Tapueluelu also said he was greatly concerned at how the Ministry’s disciplinary process was being carried out.

He said he has sent a letter to New Zealand’s High Commissioner in Tonga and informed her on the Tonga government’s move.

The Police Commissioner, who has been caught in the middle of fighting between Cabinet Ministers, government officials and different factions of the police force, has been unable to defend himself against any of the allegations made against him.

Mr. Caldwell, whose contract ends next month, told Kaniva News he was restricted by his employment contract on what he could say publicly.

Change of heart

The government’s change of attitude towards Mr. Caldwell came after the Minister of Police agreed to extend Mr. Caldwell’s appointment in September 2017.

Hon. Tapueluelu claimed he agreed to extend Mr. Caldwell’s contract last year after he was told by Mr. Caldwell that the passport scandal investigation had been completed and that arrests would take place starting in December 2017.

This did not happen. The Minister said he received complaints from some Police officials against the Police commissioner. His office also found out Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa unlawfully approved the importation of 400,000 ammunitions and weapons by His Armed Forces from New Zealand and Australia.

On November 22 Hon. Tapueluelu submitted a proposal to Cabinet to cancel his submission to extend Mr. Caldwell’s contract.

The Minister said Cabinet, which funded the passport inquiry, frequently asked him to report on the passport investigation, but nothing appeared to take shape.

Hon. Tapueluelu claimed he repeatedly told Cabinet the investigation was continuing and that he was reliably informed by Mr. Caldwell about it stage by stage, although the conversations between him and Mr. Caldwell were made in general because of the nature of the investigation.

When the Police move to make arrest did not go ahead as planned it disappointed Hon. Tapueluelu.

As Kaniva News reported, Police arrested former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakanō on March 1 and charged him with numerous crimes including making a false statement for the purpose of obtaining a passport. The arrest was made after Hon. Tapueluelu tendered his resignation in February.

A Cabinet decision on March 2 seen by Kaniva News recommended the Privy Council’s Judicial Appointment and Disciplinary Panel to terminate Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell’s contract.

Response

Hon. Tapueluelu made his comments after the Office of the Attorney General accused him last week of making allegation against the arrests of Tonga politicians.

As Kaniva News reported, the Minister of Internal Affairs Akosita Lavulavu and her husband, former Minister of Infrastructure ‘Etuate Lavulavu, were arrested and charged with fraud on March 3.

Hon. Tapueluelu alleged in an interview with local station FM87.5 that Mr. Caldwell ordered the arrests in an attempt to win favour with the government so his contract could be extended.

Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said Hon. Tapueluelu’s allegation implied that these arrests and laying of criminal charges were conducted with improper motives and methods.

“The Attorney General’s Office wishes to state that this allegation is absolutely incorrect and untruthful,” Hon. Kefu said.

“The allegation has been made without the full knowledge and appreciation of the process or the contents of the Tonga Police investigation, and the support provided to the Police investigation by the Attorney General’s Office.”

Hon. Tapueluelu said his claims were based on what he knew about the Police commissioner, the meetings they had from time to time regarding the investigations including some he could not release to public because of their private nature.

He said he thought it was important for him to give the public his opinion during the interview.

For more information

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the king

Police charge Lord Tu’ivakanō with passport offences, money laundering and bribery

Hon Lavulavu denies he told mechanical supervisor to fake TP$1 million valuation, threatens legal action

It’s never too late to study says MIT graduate who left school 23 years ago

By
Kalino Latu
-

Studying does not stop when you get older says Melenau Lino, who was awarded a Certificate in Cross Cultural Supervision last week.

The award came after she obtained her Bachelor of Applied Social Work last year.

Lino, who obtained her qualifications from Manukau Institute of Technology, said she was now looking for a Master of Arts programme.

“I am working full time as a Social Worker in Schools after my degree and still pursuing further studies,” she told Kaniva News.

“It is never too late. I am hoping our young people do not give up.

“Studying does not stop when you get older,” said Lino, who left school 23 years ago.

“It continues into adulthood and a little life experience goes a long way in tertiary study.”

Lino said the work her father did for the community influenced her.

“My influence came from the work that he did and also from older brother Unaloto who graduated with a Social Work in Bi-Culturalism degree from Te Wananga o Aotearoa in 2014.

“That influenced me to study and this field is my passion, working with young people.”

She said she struggled, but her musical talent helped her a lot while studying.

Lino, a notable singer in the Tongan and Samoan communities in New Zealand, said her musical talents helped her financially.

“It also kept me focussed and with my self belief that I could achieve my goals.

“My father worked in the Tongan community in the Maungakiekie area till he passed away in 2009.

“My children have watched me struggle and overcame so many barriers.  That will build their resilience to hopefully push them to one day pursue tertiary studies in their field of choice.”

Last week staff at MIT held a 2018 MIT Pasifika Graduation Thanksgiving Celebration to mark the Pacific student’s achievements.

The event was held at the Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre at the Vodafone Event at Great South Road in Manukau city.

Successful students came from a variety of Island backgrounds, including Niueans, Fijians, Tuvalauans, Cook Islanders, Tongans and Samoans.

Speaking in their own languages, community leaders praised their achievements and encouraged them to never give up.

The event was accompanied by islands entertainments performed by each ethnicity.

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Royal tipped to become Minister in PM Pōhiva’s cabinet

By
Kalino Latu
-

A member of the royal family could become Tonga’s new Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Lands and Survey.

The Minister of Police, Hon. Māteni Tapueluelu told Kaniva News: “Me’a pee ko u ‘ilo ‘oku ‘iai e feinga ki he fale’alo ke kau mai ke ‘afio’i ‘e he Tu’i me’a kotoa he Kapineti pea ke confident ai. Kohai pau, I don’t know and we all leave it to PM to do that.”

This translates into English as: “What I only know is that there is an attempt to get one of the royal children so that the king would know everything that is being discussed in cabinet and that he could be “confident” as he would know about it. But who in the royal children, I don’t know and we all leave it to PM to do that,” Hon. Tapueluelu said.

The king has three children, of whom Princess Lātūfipeka Mata’aho Jr Tuku’aho, 34, is the eldest. The second is Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala, 32, and the youngest is Prince Ata, 30.

The Princess is currently Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia.

She recently visited Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva in hospital. The Prime Minister told Kaniva News he felt very humble to have Her Royal Highness visiting him.

The ministerial posts became vacant after Lord Ma’afu resigned last month, citing lack of co-operation with Hon. Pōhiva.

Hon. Pōhiva, who is a blood relation of Lord Ma’afu, said he selected the noble to help him in steering the government after the electons in 2014 and again in 2017.

“Sadly, it is obvious that we disagree on a number of things.”

The two ministerial posts were of special importance to Hon. Pōhiva because of their link  to the king and the nobles.

He said the nobles owned a great deal of land while the king was the Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Hon. Pōhiva said he did not want the king and the nobles to be worried if one of his party members became Ministers and controlled these ministeries.

The attempt to make one of the royal children a Minister could be interpreted to mean that Hon. Pōhiva no longer trusts members of the nobility after Lord Ma’afu’s resignation.

This would also mean there was no chance for his party members, MP Vātau Hui for Niua 17 and Tongatapu 5 MP Losaline Mā’asi to be given a ministerial post.

Meanwhile, the governor for Ha’apai, Party Member Mo’ale Fīnau has announced on Facebook yesterday that his tenure has ended.

He said the government was looking for a new governor for Ha’apai.

Transparency

The move to show that cabinet has nothing to hide from His Majesty was echoed in a statement by the Minister of Justice Vuna Fa’otusia last year.

Hon. Fā’otusia said the government proposed to amend the constitution so that Cabinet members became members of the Privy Council.

He said this would allow the ministers to talk and discuss directly with the king any laws or any amendments to the constitution right from the beginning to the end before the king chose to sign it or not.

He said it was a good idea to get the king involved in the process right from the start so he could really understand why MPs wanted to make or amend those laws.

It is understood this was one of the proposals that concerned former Speaker of Parliament Lord Tu’ivakanō who advised the king to dissolve Parliament last year.

Vainī serious crash shocks churchgoers

By
Kalino Latu
-

A serious crash on Taufa’āhau main road today Sunday 11 has shocked churchgoers and passers-by.

An eyewitness told Kaniva News a van veered off the road and crashed into a power pole.

A man and a woman could be seen in a photo purported to show the incident lying motionless outside the van by the roadside.

Bystanders, mostly in church attires, gathered to watch and help.

Halatoa Tāufa, who returned from a church service, took the photo of the incident. He said the man and the woman were from the van.

Police have yet to release a report on the crash.

The crash came after a fatal road accident last Sunday in Fo’ui which claimed a 36-year-old man’s life.

Police suspected alcohol was a factor in that crash.

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