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Those who say we must have the Games don’t care if the country suffers, Dr Tu’i’onetoa says

By
Kalino Latu
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Minister of Customs and Revenue Dr. Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said people who insist Tonga must have the Pacific Games do not care whether the people suffer.

Those who wanted to bring the Games to Tonga just wanted to look for themselves and what they could get, he said.

In Tongan he said: “‘Oku i ai etau lea Tonga oku pehe, Tangi ke vikia ka e ʻau e kainga. Oku úhinga ki ha taha oku vivili ke lava hono loto, pea tokoni hono fangatokoua mo hono kainga ofi ke lava é ne katoanga mo hono loto, ka e ikai tokanga ia ki he faingataáia óku fuesia é hono kainga ofi neongo a e masiva, he feinga ka tauhi vahaá mai ke lava hono loto. “

Translated: “We have a Tongan saying ‘You insist on being praised by the kāinga but they will suffer as a result.’ This refers to some one who insists on doing what he or she wants and seeks the help of his or her siblings and immediate relatives to help stage his or her celebration. He or she knew they were poor, but he or she did not care about it as long as his or her celebration is done”.

Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa was responding to questions from Kaniva News, about his views on calls from sport bodies for Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to reverse his decision to withdraw from hosting the Games.

The Chair of the Organizing Committee for the Pacific Games, Lord Sevele, held a meeting in Auckland on Sunday evening to get supports from sports agents in New Zealand for his attempt to negotiate with the government to bring back the Games to Tonga.

Lord Sevele was supported by Lord Vaea, the former Minister of Internal Affairs when Tonga bid to bring the Games to the kingdom in 2012.

They also held a meeting in Tonga recently and it was attended by 40 delegates from 17 National Federations.

The Pacific Games Council has offered the Tongan government an olive branch, giving it to the end of June to make up its mind before it passes on the hosting opportunity to another country.

Tonga will not host the Games

Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa, who is also the Minister of Labour, Commerce and Tourism said he did not think the Pacific Games Council would be able to change the decision made by the government.

His statement was confirmed this afternoon after Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva assured the nation in a televised and live broadcasting press conference in Nukualofa, Tonga would not host the Games.

Dr tuʻiʻonetoa said the words that fitted the decision by the government was “fakapotopoto” which indicated prudence and good governance and not feastings.

He said the Pacific Games Council did not have money to give Tonga for the Games.

“If they come, they can only tell us to cut this and leave that like cutting down costs to education, agricultures, fisheries and road maintenance,” the  Minister said.

“These services are running with the financial support of foreign donors and soft loans from the World Bank and the ADB as our taxes are not enough to pay for them.”

While loans had to  be paid back it would be unwise to spend any money on the Games, Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa said.

He said the government of Lord Sevele and his supporters began processing the bid to have Tonga host the Games in 2010-2011 and it was successful in the 2012- 13 fiscal year. At the same time the shortfalls in government’s revenues in the years up to 2015 – 16 financial year were millions of dollars, Dr Tu’i’onetoa said.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa, who was Tonga’s Auditor General for more than 20 years, said the estimates by the Minister of Finance and it was the same with that by the outgoing Finance Minister indicated the poor financial outlook for the Games would stay the same.

The government spent more than the revenues it would be able to collect, Dr Tu’i’onetoa said.

The government’s survival relied on budget support from foreign donors, he said.

“There are good signs for our economy since we came to power,  but the rate of the government’s expenses still exceeded the amount of revenues collected,” Dr Tu’i’onetoa said.

The main points

  • Minister of Labour and Commerce Dr. Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa said people who insist Tonga must have the Pacific Games do not care whether the people suffer.
  • Those who wanted to bring the Games to Tonga just wanted to look for themselves and what they could get, he said.
  • Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa was responding to questions from Kaniva News about his views on calls from sport bodies for Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to reverse his decision to withdraw from hosting the Games.
  • The Chair of the Organizing Committee for the Pacific Games, Lord Sevele, held a meeting in Auckland on Sunday evening to get support for his attempt to persuade the government to bring back the Games to Tonga.

For more information

Lord Sevele holds meeting in Auckland amid push to reverse decision on Games host cancellation

Task force set up to deal with Aussie and NZ concerns over Tongan seasonal workers

By
Kalino Latu
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The government has established a task force to deal with New Zealand and Australian employers’ concerns over Tongan fruit pickers who have worked in their farms.

The task force included staff from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and some district and town officers.

Their jobs included making sure only the reliable and trustworthy employees were picked for the programmes, the Prime Minister told Kaniva News.

Tongan workers have the worst record of any group of Pacific Islands employees for absconding in New Zealand and overstaying their visas.

A total of 16 Tongan employees are still at large in New Zealand after fleeing when most of them were due to return to Tonga.

In March eight Tongan employees who worked for Turners and Growers in Kerikeri were sent home after being accused of drinking alcohol, being violent and being unable to carry out their tasks.

These incidents triggered a mission for the Prime Minister to come to New Zealand last month to mend the kingdom’s relationship with New Zealand’s orchard employers.

Two weeks after Hon. Pohiva returned to Tonga two more workers went awol the following week.

A search by the company and Tongan authorities in New Zealand found them in south Auckland and they were immediately put on a flight back to Tonga the same day.

Hon. Pohiva said the task force was set up in response to what he told the New Zealand employers that his government will review the recruitment process in order to address discipline issues among the Tongan workers at the site.

While in New Zealand the labour manager of New Zealand’s biggest apple supplier Allister Jamieson, promised Hon. Pohiva his company will continue to bring Tongan employees to New Zealand.

Mr. Apple has employed more than 400 Tongan employees.

However, it was not guaranteed during the meetings in New Zealand with the Prime Minister whether the employers would continue to keep the number of Tongans they had employed or they would reduce it.

Assault at Rugby Sevens match leads to conviction in Supreme Court

By
Philip Cass
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An assault at a rugby sevens match led to a conviction in the Supreme Court.

It was alleged that on Christmas Eve 2016 at Pangai, Ha’apai Fakatouola Lafo’ou wilfully and without lawful justification caused harm to Taufu’i Tohi when he punched him causing injuries to his face and collarbone.

Lafo’ou was found guilty of seriously causing bodily harm in a trial before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen.

On December 24, 4016, Tohi was refereeing a sevens rugby match between Ha’ato’u and Faleloa at Lea­’aetohi field as part of the Fekitoa Sevens Tournament.

During the match a fight broke out between the players of the two teams.  Supporters of  the teams ran onto the field.

Lafo’ou  was seen  to punch Tohi, causing him to fall to the ground. He was then seen to slap the referee while he was on the ground.

Afterwards he was seen demonstrating how he had punched Tohi.

These events were witnessed in whole or part by a number of spectators.

Tohi was unconscious for a short time and removed from the field.  He took himself to the Niu’ui Hospital where he was examined  by Dr.  Puniani.  Tohi suffered cuts to his face and a broken collarbone.

Mr. Tohi lodged a complaint with the Police the same day.

In his statement to the Police, Lafo’ou said that there had been a fight during the game and that “We ran inside to stop the fight,” but  he  denied any knowledge of punching or slapping Mr. Tohi.

Lafo’ou’s defence rested largely on the argument that he was not responsible for the broken collar bone.

After considering evidence from Dr. Puniani and video of the incident, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said that in the absence of any evidence to suggest otherwise, the only  reasonable inference to be drawn was that Mr. Tohi’s collarbone was broken in the fall.

“I am satisfied that all elements of the offence have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” the judge said.

The judge said he would consult with counsel on sentencing.

The main points

  • An assault at a rugby sevens match led to a conviction in the Supreme Court.
  • It was alleged that on Christmas Eve 2016 at Pangai, Ha’apai Fakatouola Lafo’ou wilfully and without lawful justification caused harm to Taufu’i Tohi when he punched him causing injuries to his face and
  • Lafo’o was found guilty of seriously causing bodily harm in a trial before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen.

For more information

“I’m out!” says Fekitoa after criticism of confrontation with referee

King Tupou VI appoints church minister and former government minister to Privy Council

By
Kalino Latu
-

His Majesty King Tupou VI has appointed the Free Wesleyan General Secretary and a former government minister to His Privy Council.

Rev Dr. Tevita Koloaʻia Havea and Lord Tangi of Vaonukonuka were commissioned into the Council last week.

Rev Dr. Havea told Kaniva News their roles were to advise the king.

“Our supports are needed”, Dr Havea said in Tongan.

The new appointees have joined seven members of the Judicial Appointments and Discipline Panel which were led by Lord Chancellor Harry Waalkens Esquire QC.

Lord Tangi, a surgeon specialist and was appointed Health Minister in 1999 ran as candidate for Parliament in the 2010 election but he was unsuccessful.

The king has the constitutional power to appoint members of the Privy Council.

Two men arrested and charged after ammo, cannabis and cash seized in Vainī

By
Kalino Latu
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Two men, aged 30 and 53, were arrested and had been charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and ammunition in Vainī, Police said.

The men were remanded in custody to appear at the Magistrate court today Monday 29 May.

Deputy Commissioner Viliami ‘Unga Fa’aoa said: “On Saturday morning 27 May 2017, search warrants were executed in the Vaini area, one at a residential property and one at a tax allotment”.

Police also seized electronic devices, cash and assorted drug paraphernalia.

“There is absolutely no place in our communities for illegal drugs and Police will continue to prosecute those who grow, sell or use illegal drugs,” says Deputy Commissioner Fa’aoa.

Information about drug offending can be passed on to your local Police station or can be made anonymously by phoning 23417 or 25147.

Lord Sevele holds meeting in Auckland amid push to reverse decision on Games host cancellation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lord Sevele, the chair of the executive committee for hosting of the 2019 Pacific Games in Tonga met with some Tongan sports representatives in Auckland this evening as some sports bodies pushed for Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva to reverse his decision not to host the Games.

Kaniva News understands the meeting was attended by members of the Tonga Aotearoa Amateur Sports Association (TAASA).

TAASA describes itself on Facebook and how it operates as “an administrative sports organisation in junction with TASANOC Tonga”.

It held a meeting earlier on in Otahuhu in which members passed a decision to launch a petition against the governmentʻs stance on the Games.

Lord Sevele wanted to solicit the representatives’ views on what they could do to bring back the Games to Tonga.

The latest statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday last week said the government had considered all possible options before deciding to withdraw from hosting the 2019 Pacific Games.

It said it was a “very difficult” decision.

Lord Sevele arrived in New Zealand this week after he met with 40 delegates from 17 National Federations the week before.

The delegates wanted Lord Sevele to talk to the government about reversing its decision.

Meanwhile the decision by the government to pull out has divided the online Tongan community.

Many stood by the government’s decision describing it as “smart” while others disagreed saying it was “embarrassing”.

Tonga soldiers who abused recruits dismissed and demoted

By
Kalino Latu
-

New recruits at His Majesty’s Army Forces had been left traumatised and some refused to return to the military after they became victims of illegal practices.

The Army Forces has dismissed two military officers and demoted two others after they were found guilty of the physical abuse.

The abuse ranges from using an iron rod to burn someone’s back, using a machete, batons and boots, as well as verbal assaults.

Tonga Broadcasting Commission reports said: “A Press Release from HMAF says this was a breach of Law and they do not support such practice”.

The revelation of the misuse of power came to light after complaints from parents.

Bloomfield’s family in US to bring his body home to Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

The paternal family of William Taufa Volomohea Bloomfield, 24, who died in hospital in the United States after he was struck by a car on Sunday night, May 21, were on their way to bring his body back to Vava’u, Tonga.

William died after he ran into the roadway near 8455 California Avenue – where there is no crosswalk – before the fatal incident happened, US authorities said.

His aunt Fehoko Bloomfield Okusitino said this morning she has arrived in Hawai’i heading to Los Angeles to see her nephew.

They hope to return with the deceased on Thursday next week.

William’s uncle ‘Anisi Bloomfield said he was shocked when he got the news his nephew has died few hours after he left San Francisco for Los Angeles on Friday last week.

‘Anisi, the CEO of the Ministry of Customs and Revenue was in the United States on a government mission.

He said he did not have time to meet with William.

‘Anisi, the eldest brother of William’s father, Richard,  said the family planned to bring William’s body home.

‘Anisi said William was a US citizen because he was born in the United States but spent most of his life in Tonga with his parents.

He went to Tonga Side School and Tonga High School. He ended up studying at Tonga College because he loved playing brass band instruments, ‘Anisi said.

He studied a Diploma at Community Development and Training Centre in Tonga before he went to the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.

“After all these he left for the United States to start a new life”, ‘Anisi said.

“Although the tragedy has struck the family pretty hard we are not grumbling or complaining we accept it despite its difficulty”, ‘Anisi said.

William was married but they had no children.

Man, 22, jailed for carnal knowledge of 7-year-old girl

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 22-year-old man who ­raped a 7-year-old girl has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Petuliki Lave pleaded guilty before Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen on May 17 after he committed the crime on 17 November 2016.

The court was told Lave took the child by force and led her to a nearby bush area near her home before he raped her despite her crying out in pain and said she wanted to go home.

Lave told her to wait until he finished. He finally took her back to her house.

The victim’s mother noticed her missing and her younger child pointed to the bush area. Police were called and Lave was arrested.

Justice Paulsen said: “It is the Court’s duty to protect children from this kind of conduct”.

He said the victim was only 7 and she had been “distressed” and “seems to be very adversely affected in her academic performance at school”.

“She seems to have distanced herself from others and become reclusive”.

Justice Paulsen said Lave’s sentence has been made “to adequately reflect Parliament’s concern for children with the maximum sentence being life imprisonment, the age of the victim and the injurious effect this conduct has had which may last indefinitely”.

He said he considered “an appropriate discount to be one of three years imprisonment meaning the sentence I impose upon conviction is one of eight years imprisonment for carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 12 backdated to the date of his remand in custody”.

Justice Paulsen said Lave was remorseful and accordingly he suspended the final year of his sentence on the following:

  • He is not to commit any offences punishable by imprisonment during the period of his suspension.
  • He is placed on probation for the period of his suspension to live where directed by his probation officer.
  • He is not to reside in any residence near the victirn and he is not to reside in any accommodation where girls or young woman are present during his suspension.
  • He is to attend the following courses under the direction of probation; a course on sexual abuse and a course on drugs and alcohol abuse.

On the night before the incident Lave was drunk and was watching pornographic films, the court was told.

“He woke up and saw the victim playing with her sister on the swing. He was sexually aroused. He admitted deceiving the child and taking her into the bush area to have sex with her”.

The court judgement said Lave, a first offender,  is single and his  parents separated when he was about three.

He was adopted by his maternal aunt and lived in New Zealand.

At about 15, he was sent to Tonga and lived with his adopted father. His adopted father and his wife were separated about ten years earlier.

Junior Fa wins against former Aussie champ in unanimous decision

By
Kalino Latu
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Junior Fa beat Hunter Sam by unanimous decision in their six round bout in Auckland on Thursday night.

The win at the ABA stadium means Junior Fa now holds an undefeated record of 12 wins with 7 knockouts.

Fa and Sam fight was the main event at the Shane Cameron-promoted Indian Motorcycles Fight Night.

This makes 12 wins out of 12 fights for Fa.

Seven of those wins were knockout.

Fa has described his performance as “disappointing” and said he would review the fight footage to figure out what went wrong.

Fa – who is signed with Lou DiBella Promotions in the US, will likely defend his NZPBA title in Auckland in July before heading to the US to fight under the Dibella banner.

In February the New Zealand-Tongan based boxer won his debut fight in the United States after he defeated Keith Barr with a knockout in the third round of a scheduled six round fight.

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