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Tonga tourism hosts farewell reception for outgoing CEO Fekita ʻUtoikamanu

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga tourism hosted a farewell reception this afternoon in honour of outgoing CEO Fekita ʻUtoikamanu, who was recently appointed as UN’s new High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The reception was attended by Tourism Minister Semisi Sika along with other senior officials of the ministry.

Members of tourism stakeholders and businesses also attended.

The three-year term of ʻUtoikamanu comes to an end today, just three months after she began working for the Ministry on January 3, 2017.

‘Utoikamanu of Kolomotu’a began her civil service career in 1983.

She was previously Acting Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (2015); Deputy Pro-Chancellor and Deputy Chair of the Council of the University of the South Pacific (2009-2016); Deputy Director General and Director of Education, Training and Human Development of the Secretariat of Pacific Community (2009-2015); Permanent Representative and Ambassador of the Government of Tonga to the United Nations, United States of America, Cuba and Venezuela and High Commissioner to Canada (2005-2009); and Secretary for Foreign Affairs and European Commission’s National Authorizing Officer for Tonga (2002-2005).

Born in 1959, Ms. ‘Utoikamanu holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics (1980), and a Masters in Commerce in Economics (1983) from the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

74-year-old man with suspicious injuries dies in Vaiola hospital

By
Kalino Latu
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A 74-year-old man from Longolongo was rushed to Vaiola hospital with critical injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later.

A Vaiola Hospital spokesperson has confirmed this to Kaniva News this afternoon. He said he would get back to us with more information.

It is believed the deceased inflicted the injuries on himself.

Paramedics were called to the Longolongo home after receiving reports of a man suffering severe injuries.

The identity of the man has not yet been released.

Police could not be reached for comment.

Japanese language gains popularity among Tongan students

By
Kalino Latu
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The Japanese ambassador to Tonga His Excellency Yukio Numata said studying Japanese is becoming increasingly popular among Tongan students.

Mr Numata was speaking at the award ceremony for Tongan students who competed during the Japanese Speech Contest 2017 in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday 10.

Twenty four students from Vava’u High School, ‘Eua High School and Tailulu College in Vava’u competed at this year’s competition. Twenty two students competed last year 2016.

Mr Numata said Tonga is unique in that the Ministry of Education has created text books of its own to help teach students understand the language in the Tongan context.

Since its introduction to Tonga in 1986, the Japanese language is now taught in seven high schools including trainee teachers at the Tonga Institute of Education.

The Minister of Education Penisimani Fifita said he was thankful for the People of Japan in assisting the Kingdom’s education with the Japanese language programme.

The competition

Milika Fifita of Tonga High School won the Open Category. She will be Tonga’s nomination to participate in the Japanese Language Program for overseas students (Outstanding Students) in Osaka, Japan, in September.

Arial Sanchez also from Tonga High School won the Form 6 Category while Tangimotia Havea from ‘Eua High School won the Form 5 Category. Salome Po’uli of Tonga High School won the Form 4 Category.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Sione Vailala Matoto who obtained his doctorate in philosophy  under a Japanese Government Scholarship.

Dr. Matoto spoke during the ceremony and encouraged the students to study their Japanese hard.

Also attended were Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki and Dr. SitiveniHalapua, Mr. Claude Tupou CEO for the Ministry of Education and Training and members of the Japanese Language Teachers Association in Tonga.

Minister Brownlee reflects positively on visit to Tonga.

By
Kaniva Staff
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Minister Gerry Brownlee concluded his first trip to the Pacific since taking on the role as New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and described it as a resounding success.

Minister Brownlee said “I’ve been humbled by the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me by the people of Tonga and have found learning more about this beautiful kingdom both rewarding and informative.

I’ve managed to pack a lot in to my two days here – I’ve met with His Majesty King Tupou VI and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, as well as several ministers, representatives of the Nobles, local business leaders and exporters.

A highlight for me was seeing the New Zealand-funded Tonga Village electricity upgrade project in action. Not only will projects like this make daily life a little easier for communities, but with resilient infrastructure comes more resilient economies.

I believe Tonga has many opportunities to grow its economy – through enhanced export trade, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.

As with any nation trying to grow its economy, I’m aware Tonga faces many challenges and I’m eager to see how New Zealand may be able to help Tonga overcome some of them.

The reason I chose to visit Tonga so early in my tenure as Foreign Minister is because I value the close and cooperative relationship between our two nations. My predecessor placed particular emphasis on the Pacific over the last eight years and I would like to assure people that I intend to do the same.

I believe maritime security should be an essential focus for both New Zealand and Tonga as illegal ocean activity undermines all Pacific nations.

Tonga and New Zealand have close ties in the Defence, security, justice and energy sectors and I look forward to building on the already strong relationship between our two countries”.

Lord Nuku will keep title, estate after court case says Attorney general

By
Kalino Latu
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Lord Nuku will not be stripped of his title and estates despite being ordered by the courts to pay TP$5 million to Lord Luani.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the Land Court has ordered Lord Nuku and a Chinese mining company to pay the current Lord Luani TP$5,556,000 in compensation for a dispute over a block of land in Malapo.

Since the story appeared, Tongans have been using social media to speculate about whether rules that can be used to strip nobles of their title and estate if convicted of a crime could apply.

There has been some confusion about how the rules apply.

Under Clause 23 of the constitution, no civil servant or Member of Parliament convicted of a criminal offence shall hold office under the government or shall be qualified to vote for nor to be elected a representative of the Legislative Assembly, unless he has received from the King a pardon, together with a declaration that he is free from the provisions of this clause.

The Land Act section 37 also states that if a noble has been convicted in the Supreme Court, he can be stripped of his title along with his estate.

READ MORE:

However, Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said Clause 23 of the constitution and section 37 of the Land Acts only applied if the noble was convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offences that entailed a jail sentence of two years or more.

He said Lord Nuku was not convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offence. He was convicted and sentence in a civil court case and so he would retain his title and estate.

Lawyer Sione Fonua, who represented Lord Luani in court, said that according to Tongan law, Lord Nuku could file an appeal, but he must convince the judge he has good grounds to do so.

In 2012 Lord Lasike’s title and estate were stripped of after he was convicted for illegal possession of 2.22 ammunitions.

His conviction was overturned by a Court of Appeal decision and his title and estates were restored.

It was his case that triggered a move by nobles in Parliament to pass a law to reduce the penalties for the illegal possession of firearms from seven years imprisonment to only one year, as well greatly reducing the fines that can be imposed.

Akilisi Pohiva, then leader of opposition, said the law had been passed by parliament only to serve the interests of two of its noble representatives.

He referred to Lord Tu’ilakepa and Lord Tu’iha’ateiho who at the time face court cases after they were charged with possessing ammunition and firearms without licenses.

The main points

  • Lord Nuku will not be stripped of his title and estates despite being ordered by the courts to pay TP$5 million to Lord Luani.
  • Since we carried a story about the court case, Tongans have been speculating about whether provisions that can be used to strip nobles of their title and estate could apply.
  • Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said Clause 23 of the constitution and section 37 of the Land Acts only applied if the noble was convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offences that entailed a jail sentence of two years or more.
  • Lord Nuku was not convicted in the Supreme Court of criminal offence. He was convicted and sentence in a civil court case and so he retain his title and estate.

For more information

Land Court finds Lord Nuku and mining company were trespassing

Siotame Drew Havea honoured with the 2017 Harris Wofford Global Citizen award

By
Kaniva Staff
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National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is pleased to announce that the 2017 Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award will go to Siotame Drew Havea.

Nancy Gehron (Peace Corps Tonga country director) noted in nominating him that Havea “is a well-known Tongan citizen for his work supporting youth, democracy, civil society and leadership in Tonga.”

Havea has spent his life striving to eradicate poverty through a ‘community first’ approach to development and to create safe spaces to voice opinions for the historically underrepresented groups of young people and women in Tonga.

In the Kingdom of Tonga’s recent transition to democracy, Havea was instrumental in ensuring that common people – not just nobility and royalty – held leadership positions in the fledgling democracy.

He has worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone can realize their full potential.

Havea has long been heavily involved in leadership roles with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs) that relate to Tonga and the Pacific Island community at large.

Havea currently serves as the chairperson of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, the umbrella organization for all NGOs and CBOs in Tonga.

He is also president of the Tonga National Youth Congress, chair of the Tonga National Leadership Development Forum, and member of the board of Tonga Red Cross Society.

The Peace Corps Connection

For Havea, the Peace Corps connection is a lifelong one. His father, a ministry of education officer, was instrumental in Peace Corps coming to Tonga in 1967, when Havea started junior high school.

At that time there were five Peace Corps volunteers teaching at his school.

His father also likely helped arrange housing for Peace Corps staff, because Havea’s family lived between the Peace Corps country director on one side and the Peace Corps medical officer on the other.

He recalls that Peace Corps staff were always passing through his living room.

After attending college and graduate school in the United States, the opportunity arose for Havea to become Peace Corps staff in Tonga.

He was an Associate Peace Corps Director (APCD) for twenty years, from 1985-2005.

His whole approach on life and development was vastly influenced by his experience with the Peace Corps.

He gained an appreciation of community-based development after seeing how countless volunteers immersed themselves in their communities.

He also credits Peace Corps Volunteers with instilling in him a sense of idealism as well as showing him the importance of equality, gender sensitivity, and volunteerism.

About the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award

The Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award honors an outstanding global leader who grew up in a country where Peace Corps Volunteers served, whose life was influenced by the Peace Corps, and whose career contributed significantly to their nation and the world in ways that reflect shared values in human dignity and economic, social, and political development.

It is the highest honor bestowed upon a global leader by the NPCA. For more information, visit NPCA’s award page, and to attend the awards ceremony, register for Peace Corps Connect, NPCA’s annual conference taking place in Denver, Colorado August 4-6, 2017.

Nanisē Fifita’s dismissal was legal; government does not persecute media, TBC chair says

By
Kalino Latu
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The government dismissed former Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanisē Fifita on legal grounds and not as an attempt to persecute media, the new chairman of TBC said.

‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi said the government has the right to terminate Fifita’s job according to the law governing the selection and appointments of its chief executive officers.

He said the law was updated in 2015 to require that all government chief executive officer posts must be publicly advertised and as many applicants as possible attracted before the selection of the successful candidate.

The government had fired Fifita based on good reasons and not because the government was trying to obstruct media freedom, Fusimalohi said.

In Tongan he said: “Koe mo’oni kuo tuku ‘ehe poate ‘a Nanise ki tu’a meihe ngaue ka ‘ i he ‘uhinga kehe ia meihe pehee tokua ‘oku feinga e pule’anga ke fakafaingata’a’iai e tau’ataina e ongoongo.”

Fusimalohi vehemently denied reports on local media quoting him as saying the decision by the government to dismiss Fifita was illegal. He said he did not say that.

He said the Public Enterprise Act stipulated the Minister of Public Enterprise must agree in principle to the person who had been chosen to take up the job before formalising their appointment.

Fusimalohi said the TBC board disregarded this part of the law and went ahead and renewed Fifita’s contract without seeking the Minster’s consent.

It is understood the renewal of Fifitaʻs contract by the former TBC Board chairman relied on a clause on her contract that said it would automatically be renewed once it expired.

Fusimalohi said his Board had no choice but to terminate Fifita’s contract as it would not be “legally binding” to keep her while at the same time the government disagreed with her appointment.

The government and sacked TBC boss saga has attracted international interest.

The president of the Public Media Alliance, Paul Thompson, said his organisation had been following the moves in Tonga.

Thompson reportedly said he wrote to the Prime Minister and the King of Tonga asking them to protect the integrity of the TBC.

The main points

  • The government dismissed former Tonga Broadcasting Commission CEO Nanisē Fifita on legal grounds and not as an attempt to persecute media, the new chairman of TBC said.
  • ‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi said the government has the right to terminate Fifita’s job according to the law governing the selection and appointments of its chief executive officers.
  • He said the law was updated in 2015 to require that all government chief executive officer posts must be publicly advertised.
  • The government and sacked TBC boss saga has attracted international interest.

For more information

Bringing fairness to Tonga’s state broadcaster

Pohiva declares war on TBC, declares it an obstacle and constraint on gov’t

Government trying to intimidate state broadcaster, Edwards claims

Teen’s chest injured in accidental shooting in Vava’u

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 16-year-old teenage boy was critically injured after he was shot in the chest near Taoa.

He was flown to Vaiola hospital in Tongatapu and is currently in a stable condition, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said this afternoon.

The incident happened in a tax allotment, Kaniva News has learnt.

The cause of the shooting is under Police investigation, but health authority believed it was accidental.

The spokesperson said he could not release further details of the victim and any of the information they get in relation to the incident citing Police ongoing investigation.

TBC boss responds to claims he threatened to throw sacked TCC CEO out of window

By
Kalino Latu
-

The new chair of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission board said this week he was ready to respond in court to claims he and a colleague threatened to throw the former CEO of the Tonga Communication Corporation out of a window.

‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi also said he would refute claims that they threatened to beat up  Rizvi Jurangpathy while they questioned him during an internal investigation.

Fusimalohi reportedly said Jurangpathy was not helpful during the investigation and his behaviour had drawn them into an argument which escalated to a point where language used was interpreted by Jurangpathy and his lawyer as threatening.

Fusimalohi was responding to claims by Jurangpathy’s lawyer made in Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper that his client had secretly taped the interview and would submit the recording in court if the government refused to settle their civil action.

Fusimalohi and TCC board director Saia Fonua were questioning Jurangpathy as part of an internal investigation into allegations of misdemeanour and corruption by TCC staff.

He told Kakalu anyone who was interested needed to listen to the whole of the recording and what had happened before the interview began to understand what he said to Jurangpathy.

Jurangpathy’s employment contract was terminated on April 21 after the TCC alleged he deliberately and incorrectly declared the company’s net profit for 2014-15 financial year as TP$2.2 million.

This caused the TCC to pay its shareholder, the government, a dividend of TP$1.5 million.

The Corporation said Jurangpathy failed to declare that the TCC still owed TP$600,000 to creditors, allowing him to incorrectly receive a TP$20,000 bonus.

The TCC demanded he repay the bonus and vacate his Corporation-provided housing in Tofoa.

Jurangpathy’s lawyer filed a civil action against the TCC in the Supreme Court on April 28.

They demanded the corporation pay more than $TP400,000  for damages of salary, other financial benefit entitlements including breach of natural justice, procedural impropriety and failure to take into account relevant factors.

Jurangpathy is also awaiting a Supreme Court decision on a lawsuit he took against Kele’a newspaper after the paper alleged he had committed indecent acts upon, and was having affairs with, staff members, was misusing TCC funds and dismissing employees for improper reasons.

He denied the allegations.

The main points

  • The new chair of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission board said today he was ready to respond in court to claims he and a colleague threatened to throw the former CEO of the Tonga Communication Corporation out of a window.
  • ‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi also said he would refute claims that they threatened to beat up Rizvi Jurangpathy while they questioned him during an internal investigation.
  • Fusimalohi was responding to claims by Jurangpathy’s lawyer made in Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper that his client would submit a recording of the interview in court if the government did not settle his claim.
  • Jurangpathy’s employment contract was terminated on April 21.

Turmoil in media industry as three senior leaders dismissed

Former CEO of TCC suing the company for terminating his employment contract

Tonga welcomes New Zealand new foreign affairs minister with a hāʻunga in ʻAlakifonua

By
Kaniva Staff
-

New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Gerry Brownlee was formally welcomed in Tonga with presentation of the traditional hāʻunga.

The baked food and Tongan gifts given to welcome the New Zealand delegation was held at ʻAlakifonua.

Hon. Brownlee arrived in Tonga today Wednesday 10 on his first visit to a Pacific Island country in his new role.

He had a wide ranging conversation on security and policing issues when he met with the Minister of Police, the Honourable Mateni Tapueluelu.

“The Ministers spoke openly about the working relationship between the two countries”.

He also met with Tongan Minister for Defence Lord Ma’afu and Chief of Defence Brigadier Fielakepa to discuss the long-standing and strong relationship between the New Zealand and Tongan Defence Forces.

“Minister Brownlee observed the military workshop and training facilities at Taliai Military Camp, Fua’amotu, where training is supported by New Zealand Defence Adviser, Warrant Officer Roger Middleton”.

Her Excellency New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh and Hon. Brownlee were accompanied by Officer in Charge District Commander Tevita Vailea and New Zealand Police Superintendent Ged Byers to view the refurbishment of the Central Police Station in Nuku’alofa.

“The long-awaited refurbishment was made possible through funding provided by the governments of New Zealand and Australia under the Tonga Police Development Programme”.

Hon. Brownlee also had the opportunity to view the solar panels at the Police Headquarters in Longolongo.

“Installation of solar panels at police stations across the Kingdom of Tonga through the Tonga Police Development Programme is reducing Tonga Police’s operating costs and contributing to Tonga’s renewable energy targets.

“The New Zealand Government has been working in partnership with Tonga Police for ten years to develop the leadership and core policing skills of Tongan Police Officers, reduce domestic violence, provide the necessary infrastructure to support efficient policing, and strengthen opportunities for Police and community engagement”.

‘Alakifonua villagers presented the ha’unga for Hon. Brownlee to show their appreciation for New Zealand’s support in improving the safety and reliability of electricity in their homes.

“Between 2010 and 2018, New Zealand will have invested NZ$28m in the project to help 50 rural villages in Tongatapu, giving Tongan residents greater access to safe and reliable electricity”.

Hon. Brownlee congratulated four of the 17 trainees from Tonga Power Limited on their achievement of becoming the first NZQA qualified line mechanics outside of New Zealand after completing the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution).

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