President-elect Donald Trump has publicly voiced his concerns over the decision to lower U.S. flags to half-staff for days, including his inauguration on January 20.
Trump perceived this act as a move that overshadowed the celebration of his inauguration, which he believed should be a moment of national pride and unity.
It is customary to lower the national flag when a US president dies.
Trump perceived this act as a move that overshadowed the celebration of his inauguration, which he believed should be a moment of national pride and unity.
Trump, who has announced plans to attend Carter’s memorial service in Washington on 9 January, took issue in a Truth Social post on Friday with the flags remaining in the mourning position during his swearing-in ceremony.
He argued that the sombre gesture was inappropriate for the occasion, suggesting it detracted from the significance of the day when he was officially taking office as the 45th President of the United States.
“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration,” Trump reportedly said.
“They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves.”
Swimmers say they chased away a boatload of fishers from Goat Island, north of Auckland.
Call for help after suspected illegal fishing inside NZ’s oldest marine reserve
A group of swimmers say they disrupted suspected illegal fishing inside the protected Goat Island Marine Reserve north of Auckland, prompting the Department of Conservation to call for the public’s help.
The group from Leigh Swimming were in the water at the Reserve last Sunday.
“We came around the corner and at the back of Goat Island saw fishermen with lines in the water fishing in our precious marine reserve,” said swimmer Kaye Mueller.
A smaller group of swimmers swam up to the boat and called out those on board.
“I think they were quite surprised to see swimmers around the back of the island. They were almost in shock, I think,” a swimmer who did not wish to be identified told 1News.
“‘No, no, you can’t fish. You’ve got to put that fish back. This is a marine reserve’.”
She said the fishers started pulling up their lines and prepared to leave. However, one of the swimmers didn’t want them to leave with their catch. They estimated there were up to a couple of hundred fish on board, many of them undersized.
“One of our group did get on board and was very angry that these people were fishing,” she said.
“He got their chilly bin off them and tipped the fish overboard.”
Footage filmed by Mueller shows some of the swimmers leaving the boat and heading back to shore with the chilly bin in tow.
Swimmers with a chilly bin taken from a boat of fishers in Goat Island Marine Reserve. (Source: Supplied / Kaye Mueller)
She was doubtful the fishers were simply looking to put food on the table.
“Not 200 undersized fish,” she said. “Sure, get one or two or whatever to feed the family, but not just wholesale harvesting like that.”
Mueller contacted the Department of Conservation (DOC) following the incident.
‘Pretty shocking’
Goat Island Marine Reserve north of Auckland. (Source: 1News)
Marine scientist Nick Shears, who works at Goat Island for the University of Auckland, called the standoff “a pretty shocking incident – the scale of it, the number of fish”.
But he said cases like this are not unheard of.
“We do have poaching occurring within the marine reserve periodically. DOC do their best with the resources they have to patrol the reserves.”
He said Goat Island Marine Reserve – the oldest in the country – plays a vital role in science and conservation.
“It’s a fully no-take marine reserve. No one is allowed to take anything. And it’s one of the few areas on our coast which is like that,” he said.
“So it means the fish here are able to thrive. They’re not continually being chased and harassed by fishermen. So it allows the ecosystems to naturally recover.”
A Department of Conservation sign. (Source: 1News)
In a statement, DOC said it was investigating the incident and could not provide details.
DOC issued a call for the public to be its “eyes and ears”.
“People are our greatest resource when it comes to managing marine reserves,” a spokesperson said.
Anyone who sees illegal or suspicious activity has been urged to report it with supporting evidence – such as vessel names, registration plates, and descriptions of the boat and people involved – to DOC.
DOC also called on people not to put themselves at risk by intervening when they see illegal fishing.
But the group from Leigh Swimming were undeterred and said if a similar incident happened again, they would try to record better evidence.
Mueller called the Goat Island area the group’s “blue backyard”.
“We just love it, so we want to preserve it and make sure that people respect that.”
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A Tongan health physician who characterized the significant rise in cancer rates within the Pacific region as a “hidden epidemic” has been promoted to professor.
Professor Sunia Foliaki
Professor Sunia Foliaki was promoted from the rank of associate to full professor by Auckland’s Massey University, effective January 1, 2025.
The promotion underscored the significance of his contributions to the health field and the urgent need for greater awareness and action regarding cancer prevention and treatment in the Pacific.
Dr Foliaki reportedly said cancer is one of the region’s biggest killers, but little is known about it and efforts to understand it are under-resourced.
“Cancer is the probably second-leading cause of death, and what’s concerning to me is I’d probably say that at least just over a third of these cancers are very, very much preventable, affordable, but people are dying from these,” he told a previous interview with RNZ Pacific.
His doctoral dissertation addressed the significant gap in global research regarding asthma’s prevalence and time trends in the Pacific region.
The study aimed to explore the underlying causes of asthma and evaluate the effectiveness of various control measures employed over time.
Dr Foliaki was awarded $300,000 from the Health Research Council in 2015 to look into the palliative health care of Pacific people in New Zealand.
“Sunia is a very talented Pacific health researcher and a highly deserving recipient. His work will contribute to improved health in Pacific people in New Zealand. It is urgently needed given the significant health inequalities Pacific people face”, said Professor Jeroen Douwes, the director of the Centre for Public Health Research, after the fellowship award.
A woman attempting to smuggle meth-soaked clothing through Auckland Airport is among three alleged drug couriers arrested this week in operations that netted drugs worth more than $10 million, authorities say.
Methamphetamine soaked clothing (Source: Customs Service
The 59-year-old was arrested last night when border officers allegedly discovered clothing items stiff with absorbed methamphetamine in her baggage.
The estimated weight of the suspected meth found, including the clothes, was 6.87kg.
Over the past two days, Customs officers have seized an estimated 27kgs of meth from two separate smuggling incidents.
Auckland Airport customs manager Paul Williams said the unrelated incidents highlighted ongoing attempts to exploit the busy holiday travel period.
“Day three into the new year and Customs has already stopped approximately NZ$10.2 million worth of methamphetamine from causing harm in our communities,” he said.
“This is a result of the hard work of our frontline officers, supported by intelligence and targeting experts who have been working throughout the holiday season to identify and stop potential drug couriers.”
Canada flight linked to first seizure
The woman’s arrest followed a seizure on Wednesday where officers discovered 20.44kg of methamphetamine from a suitcase, which allegedly arrived on a flight from Toronto.
An estimated 20.44 kilograms of methamphetamine was found concealed in a suitcase (Source: Customs Service)
“A 33-year-old man and a 39-year-old man arrived in Auckland on a flight originating from Toronto, Canada, on Wednesday January 1,” a spokesperson for the agency said.
“Customs officers conducted questioning and a search of their baggage, and the 33-year-old was found in possession of an estimated 20.44 kilograms of methamphetamine in his checked-in suitcase.
“The bag tag on this suitcase was linked to the 39-year-old man.”
An estimated 20.44 kilograms of methamphetamine was found concealed in a suitcase (Source: Customs Service)
The two men are due to appear in Manukau District Court today charged with importation of a Class A controlled drug. The 33-year-old will also be charged with possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.
Woman arrived on flight from Honolulu
In the other unrelated seizure of methamphetamine in the past week, Customs said the woman arrived on a flight from Honolulu, Hawaii.
The woman was referred to border officers for questioning.
“Customs officers also searched her baggage and found clothing that was stiff to the touch. Border testing indicated the presence of methamphetamine, which had been soaked into the clothing,” a spokesperson for the agency alleged.
“The woman was arrested and charged with the importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.”
She is due to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
A judge has ordered that President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced on 10 January in his hush-money case in New York – less than two weeks before he is set to be sworn in as president.
The hearing is scheduled 10 days before Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington DC on 20 January.
Judge Juan Merchan signalled he’d sentence Mr Trump to a conditional discharge, in which a case is closed without jail time, a fine or probation, and that the president-elect could appear in person or virtually for the hearing.
A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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The case stems from Trump being convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump’s defence had argued the case would hang over him during his presidency and impede his ability to govern.
The Judge had been advised there were several measures he could employ that could assuage Mr Trump’s concerns about being distracted by a criminal case while serving as president that fell short of the “extreme remedy” of overturning the jury’s verdict.
Mr Trump had initially, and unsuccessfully, argued the case against him ran afoul of a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity in his first motion to dismiss the case.
In July, the country’s top court ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for “official actions” they take while in office.
However, last month Justice Merchan ruled Trump’s hush money conviction was valid.
His sentencing on 10 January will make him the first felon to serve in the White House.
The president-elect was initially scheduled to be sentenced on 26 November, but Justice Merchan pushed the date back after Trump won the presidential election.
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The MP for Tongatapu 2 Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Pingi Fasi has raised alarming claims about evidence of dishonesty within government ministries.
Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi
In Tongan he said “ko e ngaahi fakamo’oni ko ia’ ‘oku fu’u fakailifia ‘aupito ia ‘i he’eku sio ki ai ‘i he fehū’aki holo ‘a e ngaahi me’a ta’efaitotonu ‘i he loto’i potungāue”.
In English, he said: “Those evidence are quite alarming in the way I look at it and how dishonesty pervades the ministries”.
MP Fasi mentioned the Ministry of Education in particular.
The former head of the Ministry’s Examination Unit commented during an interview with a US-based Tongan podcaster.
It comes in the wake of the new government’s vow to review all ministries as part of its to-do list within its first month in office.
As Kaniva News reported this week, Dr Fasi has been provisionally nominated as the Minister for Education, according to a leaked preliminary document.
MP Fasi used the Tongan proverb “Matamata Lelei Fakafa’itoka”, which literally translates to “beautiful like a cemetery,” to articulate the troubling circumstances. However, he did not provide further details about the dishonesty claims.
The proverb figuratively means something may appear attractive or pleasant on the exterior but hide a darker reality inside.
MP Fasi claimed that the ongoing development of new infrastructure at the Ministry has attracted a sense of intrigue and appreciation among the public.
However, he pointed out a significant concern regarding the state of affairs within the classrooms.
Despite the investment in modern facilities, he alleged that the learning environment has become chaotic, with issues such as inadequate resources, lack of organization, and ineffective classroom management disrupting the educational experience for students.
He is worried that the gap in educational outcomes raises important questions about the balance between improving school facilities and the quality of teaching and learning.
MP Fasi said that Tongan education has achieved great results in the past, which has made it outstanding in the Pacific. He feared that past successes would be at risk without equal attention to school improvements and effective teaching.
The Ministry of Education could not be reached for comment.
The former Minister of Education Hon Hu’akavameiliku responded to accusations made against him in Parliament about complaints about his leadership. He claimed that his government operated within the framework of the constitution.
He challenged the Opposition to pursue legal action against him if they had any evidence of wrongdoing.
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Tonga’s Prime Minister Designate is expected to arrive in New Zealand this weekend to meet King Tupou VI for his appointment as Tonga’s new Prime Minister, according to reports.
Dr ‘Aisake Eke
The constitution stipulates that the king must appoint the Prime Minister elected by the majority of the Parliament.
Dr Eke was elected last month after the former Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku resigned ahead of his vote of no-confidence motion.
According to Radio New Zealand Pacific, “King Tupou VI has asked Eke to meet him in New Zealand this weekend to receive royal approval for his appointment”.
It is understood that the king is currently in Auckland after departing Tonga last week for medical checkups.
“This is strange; I have never heard of a prime minister having to travel overseas to receive the King’s approval,” Veteran Tongan Journalist Kalafi Moala was reported by the radio as saying.
As Kaniva News reported, an unofficial preliminary list for the new Cabinet has emerged, revealing that three nobles have been nominated, while the remaining proposed ministers consist of Members of Parliament from the People’s bench.
Meanwhile, the public is left in the dark, with no clear information from the new government regarding the nominations for ministerial positions.
A major biosecurity operation is underway in South Auckland after an Oriental fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard.
Oriental fruit fly Photo: Supplied / MPI / Justin C. Smith
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed a “single male” fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in a suburban backyard.
As a result, restrictions are set to be enforced on the movement of fruit and vegetables with trapping and testing stepping up around the Papatoetoe and Mangere areas.
Checks of the other 187 traps within this zone did not find any fruit flies.
The insect is considered one of the most “destructive and widespread” of all fruit flies, that can jeopardise the country’s produce exports if found in New Zealand.
Biosecurity NZ spokesperson Mike Inglis said details of the controls and the “exact area affected” will be outlined on Sunday, once an initial investigation had been completed.
“In the meantime, we ask that people who live and work in the suburb not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of your property.”
Inglis said previous experience when eradicating different fruit flys suggested other insects could be found.
“It is important we move quickly, look for any others and eradicate them,” he said.
“We will be ramping up trapping and testing, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and three daily testing in a second zone out to 1500m.”
The Oriental fruit fly is native to Asia but has now spread to many warmer countries, especially as the climate warms.
Adult flies lay eggs into fruit and the young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable.
The Oriental fruit fly maggots can feed on 300 different fruit and vegetables, particularly apple, guava, mango, peach, and pear.
There have been 12 incursions of different fruit flies across Auckland and Northland since 1996 and had all been successfully eradicated courtesy of the work of Biosecurity New Zealand, the horticulture sector, and local communities, Inglis said.
MPI’s lure-based surveillance trapping network involves about 7900 throughout the country.
“By setting traps for these pest insects, we are able to find them early, know exactly where the problem is, and respond quickly and effectively,” Inglis said.
The fruit fly poses no human health risk, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here.
“The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak. However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread,” Inglis said.
“As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found.”
Biosecurity staff will be out on Saturday providing local residents with information.
“You may notice increased activity in the neighbourhood as we go about inspections and trapping.
“Our field officers may ask to look at fruit trees on your property.
“They will always show you a form of official identification and will only enter your property with your permission.”
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A local grower has showcased what appeared to be the longest manioc root ever grown in Tonga, capturing the attention of many.
Kepueli Hafoka (L) and the impressive manioc root
Kepueli Hafoka of Veitongo posed for a photo with the vegetable and his family today at their residence in Tonga, showcasing the impressive approximately 10-foot root crop.
Footage of the crop was shared on Facebook.
The root crop has a normal length of between one – and three feet long.
It’s known by several names, including cassava and tapioca.
It matures between 8 to 12 months after planting.
The root crop is a staple food of Tongans around the world.
Manioc or manioke in Tongan, is an essential part of the daily diet in Tonga, and it is shipped from the kingdom to Tongans in the diaspora.
A New Catholic Church report revealed that the vegetable appeared to have been first brought to Tonga by a French missionary from French Polynesia in the late 1800s.
In Latin America, it is one of the most important crops for indigenous populations.
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A Tongan health expert has provided a piece of important advice amid Tongans’ struggle with an alarming death rate that is attributed to non-communicable diseases.
Assistant Professor Pakieli Kaufusi
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Tonga, accounting for 79.4 per cent of deaths in 2019.
Tonga is one of the top countries in the world with the highest obesity rate.
Various reports indicate that obesity has serious implications, potentially leading to excess body fat that can trigger inflammation, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.
Assistant Professor Pakieli Kaufusi recommended that Tongans adopt a more proactive approach to healthcare by scheduling regular health screenings rather than only visiting doctors when feeling unwell.
The session was one of his ongoing series aimed at providing comprehensive guidance on various health topics specifically tailored for individuals with diabetes.
The professor, at the University of Hawai’i’s Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, delved into the main parts of the body that diabetes can significantly impact, including the liver, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and pancreas.
He said the liver plays a crucial role in detoxification, metabolism, and overall health.
He also said it’s a common practice in European cultures to see a doctor consistently, whereas Tongans typically only visit when they are unwell.
He believed this approach could be detrimental to overall health.
Tonga and obesity
A recent health study revealed that nine out of 10 countries with the most number of obese people in the world are from the Pacific.
The research published inThe Lancetranked American Samoa as the most obese nation in the world, followed by Tonga, which has the highest number of obese women.
As Kaniva News reported previously, there was an upward trend of Tongan children being orphaned in New Zealand due to their parents dying young because of diabetes-related conditions, according to another Tonga health expert.
Some Pacific Islanders, who were in their 40s, have died of diabetes, while others ended up on dialysis treatment at Middlemore Hospital.
Dr Viliami Tūtone, a Tongan nephrologist at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital, said some Tongan orphans have been as young as 10 years old.
These children “have no mothers and the number is expected to grow”, he told Kaniva Tonga news in an exclusive interview.
“When patients are brought for dialysis their bodies have already been hugely affected by the damage to their vascular system and problems with the kidneys,” he said.
Tongan foods
Professor Kaufusi said Tongan foods are good but must be wisely managed and reduced.
He was referring to root vegetables such as yams, taro, and cassava, which have a lot of carbohydrates. Various reports say carbohydrates (carbs) can be part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes, but it’s important to choose the right ones and eat them in the right amounts.
Professor Kaufusi said that nutrients in food consumed daily by Tongans are roughly 90 per cent sugar or glucose. However, he pointed out that the body only requires 10 percent of that amount.
The remainder can pose a challenge for the body’s organs to digest, potentially leading to significant damage over time, he said.
