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Samoa citizenship bill passes second reading

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

The progress of a bill that will, if ultimately passed, provide a pathway to citizenship for a group of Samoans, is another step towards Pasifika justice, the Green Party says.

There was some surprise support from the opposite side of the chamber for Green MP Teanau Tuiono's Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill as it passed its first reading, 10 April 2024.

There was some surprise support from the opposite side of the chamber for Green MP Teanau Tuiono’s Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill as it passed its first reading, 10 April 2024. Photo: Johnny Blades / VNP

Its spokesperson for Pacific Peoples Teanau Tuiono’s Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill has just passed its second reading in Parliament on Thursday morning.

The Bill was supported by all parties, including the National Party which did not support it during the first reading.

National supported the Bill this time on the provision that only those born between 1924 and 1949 will be offered citizenship and not the descendants of the group.

Tuiono said it marks another momentous step on the journey towards justice in Aotearoa.

“The progress of this Bill so far couldn’t have been achieved without the inter-generational efforts of the Samoan community who shared their stories with the select committee,” he said.

“Among those in the public gallery today were members of the very community whose right to citizenship was removed. I hope the passage of my Bill goes some way to atoning for past wrongs by the state.”

About 25,000 public submissions were made during the select committee process, with about half of those coming from Samoa.

Person dies following assault on Onehunga bus, manhunt underway

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

A person has died following an assault on an Auckland bus and a manhunt is now underway.

Police officers, some in white forensic suits, collecting samples from the area.

Police officers, some in white forensic suits, collecting samples from the scene of the assault. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia

Hato Hone St John said one ambulance and three rapid response units responded to reports of an assault in Onehunga at 2.30pm today.

Police confirmed that a person had died following the incident.

They said they were trying to locate the offender who had been identified through CCTV footage.

A senior detective at the scene told RNZ a weapon was involved.

Earlier, the person was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

Police have closed parts of Captain Springs Road and Church Road after an assault on the number 74 bus service in Onehunga.

The number 74 bus service in Onehunga. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia

A police spokesperson said they were working to figure out the circumstances surrounding the assault.

In a statement, police said parts of Captain Springs Road and Church Road remain closed while emergency services respond.

“Motorists are asked to avoid the area and expect delays while the incident is resolved.”

Police have closed parts Church Road in Onehunga after an assault onboard the number 74 bus.

Police have closed parts of Captain Springs Road and Church Road after an assault on the number 74 bus service in Onehunga. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia

Auckland Transport confirmed the assault took place on board the number 74 bus service in Onehunga.

AT director of public transport Stacey van der Putten said: “We are working with our bus operator to provide support to the bus driver who witnessed this incident as well as our other customers who were onboard at the time.

“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and bus drivers is our top priority and we are engaging with police and our bus operator to fully understand this afternoon’s incident.”

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One dead after boat capsizes on Manukau Bar

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

A person has died after a boat with seven people on board capsized on Auckland’s Manukau Bar.

Coastguard

Photo: Supplied / Coastguard

Police were alerted just before 10am.

“Several nearby boaties responded without hesitation, helping to recover seven people from the water,” Coastguard said in a statement.

Six people were pulled out of the water and were treated by ambulance staff.

Coastguard volunteers from Waiuku, Papakura, and Auckland and the Coastguard Air Patrol took part in the rescue.

Coastguard

Photo: Supplied / Coastguard

“Volunteers from Coastguard Waiuku met the assisting vessels at Little Huia to provide first aid and check the wellbeing of those rescued,” they said

Coastguard Auckland Air Patrol searched the South Channel for the overturned boat, while Coastguard Papakura checked the front of the bar.

The vessel is believed to have sunk and could not be located.

“As bars like the Manukau Bar can be unpredictable and dangerous, we encourage all boaties to refresh their knowledge by attending one of our Bar Awareness seminars, held across the country and online,” the Coastguard said.

Air NZ plane lands in Sydney after bomb threat – reports

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

An Air New Zealand flight has landed at Sydney Airport following reports of a bomb threat on board.

A screeshot from Seven News

9 News said flight NZ247 arrived from Wellington about 5.40pm local time (7.40pm NZT), with a tactical operations unit, paramedics and firefighters all called to the scene.

The plane had 154 staff and passengers on board, the channel reported.

Multiple Australian news outlets said the huge emergency services response was due to a bomb scare on board the plane.

Journalist Brian Wilson said the plane stopped on a utility taxiway, away from the airport terminals, and remained there for more than an hour.

It then taxied to the international terminal, where it was met by Federal Police.

Air New Zealand was “aware of a security incident” on board the flight, the airline’s chief operational integrity and safety officer Captain David Morgan said in a statement.

“We are working with the local authorities and following standard protocols established for such incidents.”

7News said no-one had been seen coming in or out of the A320 plane since it landed.

Up to 40 emergency services vehicles were at the scene, including bomb squad cars and armed police, the outlet said.

It appeared planes at the airport briefly entered a holding pattern while the aircraft landed, 7News said.

9News reported about 9.15pm that emergency services were starting to be stood down.

The incident comes just one day after King Charles III and Queen Camilla touched down at Sydney Airport for a tour of Australia.

An Australian Federal Police spokesperson said the force had “responded to an incident on board an aircraft that was en route to the airport”.

Investigations were ongoing, they said.

“There is no threat to the community.”

New South Wales Police said the federal police was the lead agency for the incident, but “considerable NSW Police resources” responded to the airport.

“Most have now been stood down,” a spokesperson said about 10pm NZT.

Sydney Airport has been contacted for comment.

Arrest in human trafficking sting in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Law enforcement officials in Tonga said they have arrested a person and recovered a victim during a human trafficking bust last week.

The report comes after the US State Department raised concerns about the lack of a prevention plan in Tonga to combat all forms of trafficking and support and protect victims.

The following year, Tonga launched its first action plan to combat human trafficking.

The victim is being assisted to return to their home country while the accused trafficker was remanded to be held in police custody.

Reports have revealed that Tonga’s Technical Working Group (TWG) for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) has uncovered a human trafficking case, resulting in the arrest of the accused.

Tonga police had been involved.

The TWG, with support from USAID Pacific RISE-CTIP, coordinated efforts to assist the victim, offering meals, temporary shelter, transportation, counselling, and ensuring the victim’s safe return to their home country.

As Kaniva News reported in 2022, Tonga has not done enough to combat people trafficking and would remain on an American watch list, according to the US State Department’s annual report.

Since convicting its first trafficker in April 2011, the government has not prosecuted or convicted any traffickers, the State Department said.

Sex workers

Tongans working overseas were vulnerable to labour exploitation. However, it also said that Asian workers in Tonga were vulnerable to labour exploitation and being forced to become sex workers.

East Asian women, especially those from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), who were recruited from their home countries for legitimate work in Tonga were vulnerable to sex trafficking

They often paid excessive recruitment fees and sometimes ended up as sex workers in clandestine establishments operating as legitimate businesses.

Reports indicated that Fijians working in the domestic service industry in Tonga experienced mistreatment typical of labour trafficking.

Tongans working overseas, including in Australia and New Zealand, were vulnerable to labour trafficking, including through withholding of wages and excessive work hours.

Police investigate drowning after pulling toddler from a Tongatapu flooded pit

By
Kaniva Staff
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 UPDATED: A toddler is dead after drowning in a flooded pit at Popua on Sunday, police said.

Vaiola Hospital Ambulance. Photo/Kalino Lātū

The Police responded to a report received on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at approximately 1.45pm.

“The preliminary investigations indicated that the incident involved a little boy, aged 1 year and 8 months old, who was playing with his siblings near an unfinished ground hole filled with rainwater”, a police statement said.

“When his older brother noticed he was nowhere to be seen, they began searching for him.

“It was explained that about half an hour later, he found his brother’s body floating in the water hole just behind their home.

“Efforts were made to pull him out and call for help, but it was too late.

It said emergency services and an ambulance arrived at the scene around 2.15PM.

“The medical personnel confirmed the little boy’s death and was transported to Vaiola Hospital.

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic suspected drowning incident.

“Tonga Police would like to remind and advise the community to be safe in their surroundings. It is important for parents and guardians to stay alert and ensure the safety of your children during bad weather. It is also advised to say away from flooded streets and encourage your children to stay indoor during a heavy rain”.

Three people taken to hospital after gas leak at Auckland early childhood centre

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Three people have been taken to hospital after a gas leak at an early childhood centre on Auckland’s North Shore.

Caterpillars to Butterflies Early Learning on Auckland's North Shore.

Caterpillars to Butterflies Early Learning on Auckland’s North Shore. Photo: Maia Ingoe / RNZ

Emergency services were called to the Caterpillars to Butterflies centre in Hillcrest just before noon.

One person in a moderate condition and two patients in a serious condition were then transported to North Shore Hospital by ambulance.

A teacher at the daycare says no children were injured and the centre remains open.

Hato Hone St John sent two rapid response units, four ambulances, and one operations manager to the scene.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said two fire trucks and one hazmat command vehicle were also sent to assist.

A Ministry of Education incident team was at the centre about noon.

Police say enquiries are under way into the exact circumstances.

Another crash within 24 hours near spot where airport worker was killed in Tongatapu collision

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A car has crashed on the same stretch of main road a double cab ute collided with a tree and killed a man yesterday Saturday 12.

Three different car crashes today, Sunday 13, all caused power outages

Tongan correspondent Faka’osi Maama shared a livestream video of the incident on his Facebook account.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, Penisimani Tu’ungafasi, an employee at Fua’amotu airport, died after the ute he was in crashed on the roadside of Taufa’āhau Rd in Pelehake.

The Pelehake crash this afternoon was the third of three vehicle crashes that occurred within hours today. All three hit power poles, causing various outages on Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu.

The crashes have kept Tonga Power electricians busy since this morning.

The company said that about three separate crashes into power poles had occurred in Kolomotu’a, Longoteme, and Malapo.

No injuries were reported in the three Sunday crashes.

In its alert following the first accident, the company said a vehicle hit a power pole in Longoteme.

“Please be advised that there is currently a temporary power outage affecting your areas due to a vehicle hitting one of our power poles in Longoteme”, it said.

“Our technical team is currently addressing the situation, and we anticipate restoring power within the next two hours.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to resolve the issue.

Thank you for your patience and understanding”.

In its second alert, it said a vehicle crashed into a power pole at Kolomotu’a.

It said: “Please be advised to customers in the areas of kolomotua including areas of sopu and isileli due to an accident to one of our power poles at sopu area we will turn off power to your areas to allow for repair and maintenance to the broken power pole. The emergency power outage is planned for 1:30pm to 5pm today”.

The third accident in Pelehake caused an outage starting from Malapo to Fua’amotu.

“Please be informed that power supply to your areas will be temporarily interrupted today, Sunday, 13th October 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m. This outage is necessary to allow our linesmen to replace a damaged power pole caused by an accident in Pelehake.

“Once the repairs are complete, power will be restored without further notice.

“We once again apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding”.

Pelehake fatal crash: Heartbreaking moment as wife struggles to see her husband lying dead in hospital

By
Kaniva Staff
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The wife of the man who tragically lost his life in a car crash yesterday had to face an incredibly heartbreaking moment when she struggled to meet her husband’s lifeless body in a hospital bed.

The wife of Tu’ungafasi struggles to accept that her husband is dead, as she is being led to see his lifeless body. Photo/Screenshot

As Kaniva News reported on Saturday, Penisimani Tu‘ungafasi died after a double cab ute crashed into what appeared to be a tree at a roadside of Taufa‘āhau Rd in Pelehake.

He apparently died at the scene before his body was rushed to the hospital.

Speeding and weather conditions were believed to be contributing factors in the crash.

Two persons injured in the crash were still in hospital with reportedly critical injuries.

A live-streamed video seen by Kaniva News this afternoon purportedly shows what appeared to be a male relative leading a woman to a hospital bed where a deceased person was lying.

The visibly devastated woman clung to the man’s body as she appeared to be struggling not to accept the fact that it was her husband lying dead in the bed.

With the man’s help, the tearful woman was finally able to see her husband.

Commenters on the video said the woman was Tu’ungafasi’s wife.

“Oh my, I am crying with her as I had experienced the same situation”, a commenter wrote.

Penisimani Tu’ungafasi (inset)

“Poor woman she struggled to face it I can wear her shoes and it is of course so difficult and indeed heartbreaking”, another commenter wrote.

“Let us extend our love and support to the widow and her children during this challenging time. May they find solace and contentment through the grace of God.”

Power cuts in Tongatapu after two car crashes

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Some residents in the Tongatapu’s  Kolomotu’a and Kauvai districts are without power after vehicle crashes.

Tonga Power said the two separate outages were caused by vehicles hitting power poles or other electrical equipment in the areas.

A photo of a brown car, posted on the Tonga Power Facebook account, purportedly shows that it crashed into a power pole at Kolomotu’a, causing a power cut.

A photo of two men, apparently electricians, standing by a power pole was accompanied by the authority’s announcement of the Kauvai’s Longoteme outage.

“Please be advised to customers in the areas of Kolomotua including areas of Sopu and ‘Isileli due to an accident to one of our power poles at Sopu area we will turn off power to your areas to allow for repair and maintenance to the broken power pole.

The emergency power outage is planned for 1.30pm to 5pm today”.

In its Kauvai alert, the company said the outage started from Vaini after a vehicle hit a power pole in Longoteme.

“Please be advised that there is currently a temporary power outage affecting your areas due to a vehicle hitting one of our power poles in Longoteme.

“Our technical team is currently addressing the situation, and we anticipate restoring power within the next two hours.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to resolve the issue”.

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