Home Blog Page 682

Tongan woman charged after providing illegal immigration advice in New Zealand

By
Kalino Latu
-

A Tongan woman has been charged and had appeared in court yesterday after providing immigration advice without a license.

The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) said today it had laid a total of 22 charges against Maria ‘Ilaisaane Valu-Pome’e.

Pome’e appeared in the Waitakere District Court yesterday following a thorough investigation by the IAA into her history of providing New Zealand immigration advice without holding a licence or exempt status.

She has been remanded on bail until 6 July.

Registrar of the IAA Catherine Albiston says the charges include four charges of providing immigration advice without a licence or exempt status while knowing she was required to be licensed, four charges of advertising herself as legally able to provide immigration advice, and four charges of receiving fees for the provision of immigration advice.

In addition to charges under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, Mrs Valu-Pome’e also faces 10 charges under the Crimes Act 1961.

“This case serves as a strong reminder the IAA will not tolerate those who provide unlawful New Zealand immigration advice,” warns Ms Albiston.

“The IAA ran a campaign earlier this year to raise awareness amongst Pacific communities in New Zealand, as well as in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, that unlawful immigration advice can cause significant stress and problems for visa applicants.

“Anyone seeking New Zealand immigration advice should use a licensed immigration adviser or someone who is exempt. A public register of all licensed advisers can be found on our website.”

The IAA investigates all complaints made by the public about poor or unlicensed immigration advice. Individuals found breaking the law can face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to NZD$100,000.

“Anyone can talk to the IAA about their experience without their immigration status being affected,” adds Ms Albiston.

More information on the IAA can be found at www.iaa.govt.nz.

Air passenger charges only go to Airport operator, says Customs and Revenue boss

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

The CEO of Tonga’s Customs and Revenue, Anisi Bloomfield,  said the air passenger tax only goes to Tonga Airport Ltd.

Bloomfield was responding to recent attacks from people saying the government was imposing too many charges.

Vava’u MP Akosita Lavulavu recently complained that passengers travelling on return ticket from Tongatapu to Vava’u was charged four times, making a total of $TP46.

Real Tonga said it added the tax charge of $11.50 (($10 airport levy plus $1.50 CT)per leg to passengers because they could not afford to pay Tonga Airport Ltd  (TAL) an annual airport charge as required by the law.

Kaniva News has asked Real Tonga to clarify why it charged the tax on each leg of the flight. We are still waiting for a comment.

TAL is the sole airport operator in the Kingdom and a wholly owned public enterprise of the government of Tonga.

TAL said it was not true that a fee was paid to the local airport authority on every domestic air ticket sold.

It said it had not imposed an airport charge separately for Real Tonga’s domestic services.

Airport charges were levied on users of airport services under the Civil Aviation (Airport Charges) Regulations 2008.

As Kaniva News reported last month, Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva recently responded to complaints about the cost of airfares to Vava’u by saying there should be another domestic airline to bring down fees.

Real Tonga CEO Tevita Palu said the Tongan market was too small to support another airline.

The main points

  • The CEO of Tonga’s Customs and Revenue, Anisi Bloomfield, said today the air passenger tax only goes to Tonga Airport Ltd.
  • Bloomfield was responding to recent attacks from people saying the government was imposing too many charges.
  • Vava’u MP Akosita Lavulavu recently complained that passengers travelling from Tongatapu to Vava’u was charged four times, making a total of $TP46.

For more information

Real Tonga CEO denies claims of cheap aircraft leases, says no room for second airline

Man threatens to “disturb” PM Pohiva over Games decision allegedly injured in altercation

By
Kalino Latu
-

The man who told Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva on Monday he would continue to “fakahohaʻasi” (disturb) him until he would revert his decision to withdraw Tonga from hosting the Games was allegedly injured in Nukuʻalofa today.

Kelekolio Tapueluelu told the Prime Minister he did not care if his plan would cost him his life.

In response Hon. Pohiva said he can go ahead and do what he wanted.

Tapueluelu was reportedly injured during an altercation with another man Onitulei Manu.

A Vaiola Hospital spokesperson said there was no record that Tapueluelu was treated at the hospital.

A reliable source said Tapueluelu was at the One Way road today in Nukuʻalofa with people who supported the push to bring back the Pacific Games to Tonga when the incident happened.

Tapueluelu was seen attending a meeting with Lord Sevele in Auckland last month where Sevele, the chair of the Pacific Games Organising Committee, met with Tongan sports representatives in New Zealand after Hon. Pohiva announced he has cancelled hosting the Games.

Tapueluelu, an ex-cop in Tonga before he relocated with his family to New Zealand was employed by Lord Sevele in his Molisi Tonga Ltd.

He is understood to be a great supporter of Lord Sevele in politics.

PM Pōhiva denies claims government destroys Popua historical site

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has vehemently denied claims the government has destroyed the historical site in Popua.

“That information is not correct”, he said in Tongan.

Hon. Pōhiva said the government was protecting the site and had developed the surrounding areas with new roads to allow public access.

He said if the king would like to visit the site he could drive there in his car.

The Prime Minister said it was the government’s duty to protect the site.

Known in Tongan as sia-heu-lupe, it hosted ancient royal pigeon snaring grounds which played a large part in Tongan mythology.

The Prime Minister was responding after reports Tonga’s Heritage Society is starting legal action in a bid to stop the government from developing the site.

Hon. Pōhiva said part of the site had been previously destroyed by settlers before the government stepped in last year to construct a recreational community park nearby.

He said the settlers used to get firewood from the site and that’s how they came to destroy it.

He said there were nine historical mounds altogether and one that had been destroyed. The government was working to upgrade and protect the remaining eight.

The golf course

The Prime Minister said during a press conference with the media last week that his government’s project in Popua included an 18-hole golf course.

He said the project was targeted at tourists and intended to attract millionaire golfers from overseas.

He said Samoa and Fiji had 18-hole-golf courses and they were lucky in terms of tourism.

“We are far behind than them,” the Prime Minister said.

Hon. Pōhiva said the late King Tupou IV had a similar plan for Popua and a team from overseas conducted a survey in the area and drew plans for a project there in 1990.

The plan included a marina and a golf course.

The plan was shown on a projector during the conference at the Fa’onelua convention centre on Friday.

It was not known how the late king’s plan was left untouched at the Ministry of Land and Surveys’ office until the Minister of the Ministry Lord Ma’afu found it recently.

Hon. Pōhiva said it was encouraging to see the plan matched their current project for Popua.

He said his government wanted to pursue the late king’s planning.

Reactions

The government’s project in Popua began in 2015 with a community recreational park in an area which was previously used as a landfill.

The Prime Minister said the development of the park and the golf course did not affect the area where the sia-heu-lupe is.

However the development project provoked a public outcry with critics saying it had destructed the royal historical site.

The opponents of the project complained that the Prime Minister ignored the loss of the heritage areas to development.

The Tonga Heritage Society was established in 2015  by people who believed the  historical site had been destroyed.

In the same year it submitted a petition to Parliament with more than 1000 signatures to stop the move.

Members of the society included Tongan academics such as former Minister of Education Dr Ana Maui Taufe’ulungaki, Dr Ana Koloto and many foreign scholars who conducted a number of researches in Tongan history such as Dr Wendy Pond.

Dr Pond said at the time the government seemed to have priorities other than protecting the site.

Recently a petition was lodged by Professor Hūfanga ‘Ōkusitino Māhina and Professor Tēvita Ka’ili calling on the government to protect the site.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has vehemently denied claims the government has destroyed the historical site in Popua.
  • Pohiva said the government was protecting the site and had developed the surrounding areas with new roads to allow public access.
  • The Prime Minister said it was the government’s duty to protect the site.

For more information  

Tukutonga: from hazardous landfill to new recreational park

Tevita Kava’s body recovered in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour

By
Kalino Latu
-

The body of the Tongan man who fell overboard on June 3 at Waitemata Harbour was recovered yesterday morning June 12.

Police have released the name this afternoon after a “formal identification” of the body.

He was Tevita Kava, aged 29, from Mangere.

Police have notified next of kin and the matter has been referred to the coroner.

The body was located near Te Atatu in the harbour around 9.30am. 

Kava, who was from Tonga and also had Samoan connection, was on an inner harbour cruise on Saturday evening and it is believed at some point during the night he has fallen over board.

NZ PM to meet Pohiva during three nation tour

By
Philip Cass
-

New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English will visit Tonga this week as part of a three country tour of the Pacific.

Mr English will meet with Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Deputy Prime Minister Sovaleni.

“New Zealand has deep links with Tonga so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to exchange views and discuss how we can continue to support our shared goals,” English said.

“The mission is a reflection of the close relationship we have with our Pacific neighbours and the high regard New Zealand places on these relationships.”

The New Zealand Prime Minister will be accompanied by a delegation of New Zealand Pasifika community leaders, iwi and business representatives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Pacific Peoples Alfred Ngaro and Members of Parliament will also accompany the Prime Minister.

New Zealand provided a total of NZS$21.1 million to Tonga in the 2015/16 year.

About 60,000 Tongans live in New Zealand, making up the country’s third largest Island community.

The New Zealand delegation will also visit the Cook Islands and Niue.

The main points

  • New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English will visit Tonga this week as part of a three country tour of the Pacific.
  • Mr English will meet with Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and Deputy Prime Minister Sovaleni.
  • He will also visit the Cook Islands and Niue.

For more information

PM to lead Pacific Mission to Cook Islands, Niue and Tonga

Phone calls using number with Tonga area code is latest scam

By
Kalino Latu
-

Authorities in Tonga are working to sort out what they believed were suspicious activities conducted using a Tonga Digicel number.

Guam News has reported this morning the number is 676 848 9003.

A spokesperson for the Tonga Communication Corporation said it was a Digicel number.

He said they were working to resolve the problem.

‘’There has been cases in the past but we will look into it properly’’, he said.

‘’If you’re getting calls from Tonga or other unfamiliar locations its probably part of a new scam’’, the Kuam News said.

‘’Many have reported missed calls from this number: 676-848-9003.  Local Telcom companies say to ignore it, and don’t call back. If you do, it may cost you more than a dollar per minute’’, it said.

”Apparently this is similar to a previous scam in Japan called “wangiri.”

”Callers unknowingly connect to an international premium rate service line, and can be charged extra. The scammers may also answer the call and try and trick you into giving out bank details and other personal information”.

The Federal Communications Commission advises against answering or calling back non-domestic numbers you’re unfamiliar with, as it will take a toll on your bill.

The FCC states that these one-ring, wireless phone scams could compel a caller to contact an international hotline that charges an expensive fee. The amount increases the longer the caller stays on the phone.

LDS leader in Tonga unaware of any plan to shut down Liahona high school

By
Kalino Latu
-

A senior leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints in Tonga said he was unaware of any plan to shut down the church’s largest high school in the kingdom this week.

Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu was responding after the unconfirmed report was uploaded and widely shared on social media today.

It has been claimed the school will be shut down because of its students’ repeated and ongoing involvement in fight with students from other schools.

Takaetali Maka who is understood to be living in the United States and a member of the church has made the claim on a video clip and uploaded to Facebook.

He claimed the LDS church’s First Counsellor President Henry B. Eyring is coming to Tonga on Tuesday 13 June to shut down the school.

He said the school authorities and parents had been warned before of a possible shut down.

He also reminded viewers the church had already closed down its school in Samoa.

Maka was emotional and tearfully ended his video with a message of love to the school and the students.

However LDS church leader in Tonga Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu told Kaniva News this evening he was unaware of a plan to shut down the school.

In Tongan he said: “Kataki kuo te’eki keu lave’i ‘e au ha fakaha ‘o felave’i mo e me’a ni”.

As Kaniva News reported last year the church’s authorities in Tonga had been warned by the church’s Commissioner of Education the school could be shut down if students will continue their involvement in fighting with students from other schools.

Elder Kim B. Clark has issued the warning while he visited the kingdom to give “advice to Tongan students, teachers and parents”.

He said if “violence and fighting” … “becomes the nature of these schools, then yes, the church will shut it down”

The 5.03 minute clip was posted on Facebook this morning where it has received more than 400 comments and more than 400 reactions.

Some viewers do not believe in Maka and said it was fake news.

One viewer wrote in a comment: “What is your position in the church that allows you to release this big news. Did you attend the meeting where this information was passed or you just heard it from others”?

Another added: “It is sad to hear about what would happen to the school”.

For more information:

Raw: Brawl erupts following school parades in Nukuʻalofa

One less seat at PACER Plus table as Vanuatu pulls out ahead of Tongan  ceremony

By
Philip Cass
-

Wednesday’s signing of the PACER Plus agreement in Nuku’alofa will be even smaller than expected, with Vanuatu the latest island nation to back out of the trade treaty.

The two largest Island economies, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, have already walked away from the negotiations.

Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers said it wanted to examine the 1000 PACER Plus page document in more detail before it signed.

Despite the absences, this week’s signing by regional heads of government will be a significant event for the Tongan capital.

Apart from Australia, New Zealand and hosts Tonga,  the countries expected to sign the Pacer Plus agreement are the Cook islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palaua, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

Negotiations over the trade deal have been going on for nearly a decade.

PACER Plus is meant to open up opportunities for trade in the Pacific.

The PACER Plus document says that it is intended to “avoid unnecessary barriers to trade, facilitate and liberalise trade and thereby promote integration between the economies of the parties.”

However, critics have warned that Australia and New Zealand will continue to dominate the region’s economy and that few ordinary people will receive any direct benefits from the agreement.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McLay said earlier this year that under the deal $55 million would be spent helping Pacific economies over the next five years.

New Zealand Green MP Barry Coates told Asia Pacific Report the money was less than one percent of the current level of NZ and Australian aid to the Pacific.

“A far more significant programme of skills training and infrastructure building is required to boost productive capacity in Pacific island countries,” Coates said.

There has been significant opposition to the deal in Vanuatu from NGOs, churches and members of Parliament.

Last month 60 civil society groups and 233 individuals signed an open letter in which they called for an independent study on the likely health and environmental effects of the deal.

However, critics have warned that Australia and New Zealand will continue to dominate the region’s economy.

The main points

  • Wednesday’s signing of the PACER Plus agreement in Nuku’alofa will be even smaller than expected, with Vanuatu the latest island nation top back away from the trade treaty.
  • The two largest Island economies, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, have already walked away.
  • PACER Plus is meant to open up opportunities for trade in the Pacific.

For more information 

Pacer Plus full text

Vanuatu not ready to sign PACER Plus

Trade advisors shocked by Vanuatu action on PACER-plus

Barry Coates: PACER Plus – how the Pacific Way is being undermined

Police release names of men arrested for meth possession

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga police have released the name of the men arrested on May 17 found with multiple packs of meth in their possession.

Tevita Soakai and Maʻati Lino were arrested at a home in Kolomotuʻa with 3.86 grams of methamphetamine also known as ice.

Lino, 45, of Nukunuku, was arrested after he was found with one 40gram pack of methamphetamine.

Soakai, 35, from Kolomotu’a was arrested in possession of  six packs of methamphetamine weighing 3.46 grams.

Police have charged them with possession of the illicit drug.

The duo have been released on bail.

1...681682683...953Page 682 of 953