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“Lack of patience” mars good work after Mailefihi Siuilikutapu college fundraising in NZ

By
Kalino Latu
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The President of the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college ex-students in New Zealand said lack of patience and understanding had marred the good work they did using money they raised in December.

The money was raised during a tour of New Zealand by the college’s brass band. They raised more than NZ$600,000.

The fund raising tour was marked by tragedy when three people died and 52 others were hospitalised when the tour bus crashed.

One of the survivors had a leg amputated and now uses an artificial limb.

An e-mail from the Chair of the Vava’u Free Wesleyan Church District Advisory committee told the former students in New Zealand the college had been trying to get their share of the money raised since they returned to Tonga, but to no avail.

The church owns the college.

The committee said it needed the money to prepare for the college’s 70th anniversary in June.

However, because the committee had not been able to obtain its share of the money, the committee had agreed to tell the New Zealand alumni to keep the money as they no longer wanted it.

It is understood the letter was circulated in an e-mail to some of the ex-students in New Zealand including some Tongan church leaders.

The Principal of the college, Liuaki Fungalei, told Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper the New Zealand fundraising raised NZ$654, 775.

He said that according to their agreement NZ$200,000 was to be deducted from the money raised and donated to the New Zealand alumni.

It was intended the money would be handed over by the New Zealand chapter to the college as their contribution during the celebration of the 70th anniversary, he said.

The balance would then be divided in half and be used to buy items for the college.

The balance had to be forwarded in cash to Tonga for the college.

Fungalei claimed that since the college’s brass band returned they had not received the college’s share and attempts to obtain a financial statement had been unsuccessful.

Response:

When Kaniva News contacted the president of the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college ex-students in New Zealand Rev. Mele Suipi Latu last night she was unhappy to find out that we were enquiring about the fundraising and the letter from Vava’u.

She asked us why we were trying to tell the public about an in-house issue.

The editor of Kaniva News told her it was because they invited the public to help them in their fundraising. When there was an issue about that fundraising it was our responsibility as media to investigate and report it back to the public.

Rev. Latu said she understood, but would not go into details.

She said she had the financial statement and a report ready to be sent to Tonga this week.

She said everything was in order and all monies were accounted for.

Rev. Latu said they had bought brass band instruments for the college and sent them to Tonga.

She said some people had “lack of patience and understanding.”

She said she would send the report to Vava’u and leave it for them to make their own decision.

In a letter released by Rev. Latu to the New Zealand alumni on 12 December 2016 in her capacity as president of the New Zealand alumni, she said:

“’Oku i heni ‘ae ki’i fanau Ifi mei he Kolisi Mailefihi/Siu’ilikutapu i Nu’usila ni ke fai ha feohi moe kautaha Ako Tutuku pea mo tatanaki ai pe ‘etau lukuluku (pa’anga uakilu) ki he teu fakamanatu ‘oe ta’u 70 ‘oe Kolisi he 2017. Ko hono melenga ‘oe tatanaki koi ia ‘e fakapulupulu ‘aki ia ‘ae ako lolotonga”.

Translated: “The brass band students from Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college are here in New Zealand to socialise with the Ex-students association and to collect our contribution ($200,000 pa’anga) for the 70th anniversary of the college in 2017. The balance after the collection of our contribution will be given to the college.”

The Secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga Rev. Dr Tevita Havea said he regretted what had happened.

He told Kaniva News whatever the Advisory Committee for the Vava’u district church had decided it was a final decision because the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu alumni came under the committee.

He said the Vava’u and New Zealand alumni should have continued working together as they did at the beginning.

The main points

  • The President of the Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu college ex-students in New Zealand said lack of patience and understanding had marred the good work they did using money they raised in December.
  • She was responding to a letter from the Chair of the Vava’u Free Wesleyan Church District Advisory committee complaining that they had been unable to obtain their share of the money.
  • The school’s brass band raised $600,000 during a tour of New Zealand.
  • The committee said because it had not received its share of the money, it had decided to tell the New Zealand alumni to keep the money as they no longer wanted it.

 

Judge condemns vigilante behaviour as he lays down sentences for assault, illegal detention

By
Philip Cass
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Nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands, the Supreme Court has  been told.

Mr Justice Cato made the remarks in handing down a three year sentence to Sosefo Langi Kautai, who beat and shot two of his workers he thought were stealing from him.

The judge said no civilised society could tolerate oppressive and vigilante conduct.

“The sentence I impose must reflect  the  seriousness of  his  actions  and  act  as  a deterrent to others who chose to take the law into their own · hands and exact punishment  for perceived  wrongdoing.

“No citizen has the right no matter what he conceives may be the seriousness of crimes committed against him to take the law into his own hands and punish others without due process and trial.”

The court was told that on May 29, 2016 Sosefo Langi Kautai and one of his employees, Tu’a Tavake, detained and assaulted  two men, Fine Lasike and his uncle, Nofomuli  Lasike.

The events occurred in the area of Lavengatonga, a village on the eastern side of Tongatapu where Kautai  owned and operated allotments of crops used for tapa bark.

Kautai had noticed that bark and items from his house had been taken and was frustrated at his inability to catch the culprits.

He suspected the Lasikes of being responsible for the thefts.

Tavake caught Fine Lasike entering Kautai’s house during the night. He punched him and held him until Kautai arrived. Kautai then beat Lasike repeatedly and detained him until the following afternoon.

He then lured Nofomuli Lasike to the house and after pointing a gun at him and accusing him of theft, shot him near the knee.

After this he took the men, who are relatives of his wife, home and then to hospital.

Mr Justice Cato said this must have been a terrifying experience for both men.

“I make no finding as to  whether  Fine  and  his  uncle were  involved  in  theft,” Mr Cato said.

“Whether  they  were  responsibleis irrelevant.

“Tavake and Kautai had no right to   take the law into their hands and administer punishment to Fine or Nofumuli.”

The judge said Tavake took no part in the assaults after Kautai arrived. He was sentenced to 60 hours community work.

Kautai was found guilty of multiple charges of unlawful imprisonment, assault and causing serious bodily harm.

He was sentenced to a total of three years’ imprisonment.

The  main points

  • Nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands, the Supreme Court has been told.
  • Mr Justice Cato made the remarks in handing down a three year sentence to Sosefo Langi Kautai, who beat and shot two men he thought were stealing from him.
  • The court was told that on May 29, 2015 Sosefo Langi Kautai and one of his employees, Tu’a Tavake, detained and assaulted two men, Fine Lasike and his uncle, Nofomuli
  • The events occurred in the area of Lavengatonga, a village on the eastern side of Tongatapu where Kautai owned and operated allotments of crops used for tapa bark.

Court orders money owed to Lord Lasike must go to ANZ to reduce million paʻanga debt

By
Philip Cass
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The Supreme Court has ordered the government to hand over money it owes Lord Lasike to the ANZ.

The bank had sought an order to garnishee the money owed to the former Speaker of Parliament after he failed to pay back more than $TP1 million he owed.

On July 9, 2012, Lord Lasike was convicted in the Supreme Court of possessing ammunition  without  a  license.

He lost his hereditary title and estates of Lasike, his seat in the Legislative Assembly and his  position as  Speaker.

The former Speaker successfully appealed his conviction in the Supreme Court in October 2012 and regained his title and estates, but not his seat in Parliament or position as Speaker.

As Kaniva News reported in February, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen ruled that Lord Lasike was entitled to recover pay he would have received from the moment he lost his seat as an MP and the Speaker’s Chair to the end of that session of Parliament.

He ordered that the government pay Lord Lasike TP$223,385.

The ANZ told the court Lord Lasike owed it TP$1,147,191.

The ruling means it will be entitled to the money owed to Lord Lasike.

However, the court ordered that Lord Lasike’s lawyer was entitled to be paid for services first, with the rest of the money going to the bank.

His lawyer is owed TP$62,810.

The court also ordered that ANZ was entitled to costs.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has ordered the government to hand over money it owes Lord Lasike to the ANZ.
  • The bank had sought an order to garnishee the money owed to the former Speaker of Parliament after he failed to pay back more than $TP1 million he owed.
  • In 2012, Lord Lasike was convicted on firearms charges and lost his seat in the Legislative Assembly and his position as
  • In February the Supreme Court ordered that the government pay Lord Lasike TP$223,385 in lost wages.

You may also like to read this:

Supreme Court declares Lord Lasike entitled to compensation for wages lost after dismissal

 

Eleven cases of typhoid confirmed in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Eleven people in Tonga have been hospitalised with typhoid in an outbreak which began since January.

Radio New Zealand said Tonga have temporarily banned kava drinking in public halls to control an outbreak of typhoid.

The Ministry of Health has also imposed a month long ban on making food for public gatherings such as funerals, the radio said.

The Chief Health Inspector, Sela Fa’u, told Tonga Broadcasting five of those with typhoid were from one village, Veitongo.

Sela Fa’u said several factors had constrained the ministry in controlling the spread of the disease including people providing inaccurate information for lab tests.

Typhoid

Typhoid is an illness caused by infection with a specific bacteria called Salmonella typhi.

It is found in the faeces of infected persons and spreads to others through faecal contamination of food and water.

This occurs in situations where there is poor hygiene related to food preparation, where there is poor sanitation with inadequate ablution facilities and where drinking water is drawn from sources like wells and streams.

The symptoms mimic those of other infectious diseases. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, cold shivers, hot sweats and loss of appetite.

NZ Tongan student leaders meet in Dunedin

By
Kaniva Staff
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Leaders of Tongan student bodies from tertiary institutions around New Zealand recently met in Dunedin for its second Leadership Weekend, which was sponsored for the second time by the University of Otago.

The idea was initiated last year by the New Zealand Tongan Tertiary Students Association President Mary Jane Kivalu, who was re-elected in the Annual General Meeting at the Amatakiloa Conference and will continue as President for this year.

Those who were present at the AGM also moved to pass that the Leadership Weekend must occur every year, and is now a part of the association’s constitution.

Attendees included representatives of Tongan student associations from Auckland Institute of Studies, Auckland University of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Unitec Institute of Technology, University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Waikato and Victoria University of Wellington.

Mary Jane Kivalu is very happy with the outcome of this year’s Leadership Weekend and also with the effort that was contributed from each participant.

“We want the Tongan tertiary students in New Zealand to come together and recognise the great things we can achieve if we work together, and that won’t happen if the leaders don’t lead the way”.

The University of Otago MBA student has a strong vision for the association that includes being able to provide more opportunities for Tongan tertiary students in New Zealand.

“This country has so much to offer, especially for Pacific people, but we have to do our part in utilising those opportunities.

Our annual conference has been around for 25 years, first known as Aofangatuku and then later renamed as Amatakiloa, and it is up to today’s generation to take things a step further.

There is so much we can do but it begins with providing a strong platform of networking – whether we like it or not, we live in a world where social capital can take you a long way.”

Kivalu admits that her team had an intense weekend but trusts that in good time, they will see the benefits.

 

Tongan church leaders in NZ search for fruit picker who absconded from airport

By
Kalino Latu
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Samuela Manuofetoa is still at large in New Zealand. Photo/Supplied

Tongan church leaders in New Zealand are searching for absconding fruit picker Samuela Manuofetoa and hope to persuade him to return voluntarily to Tonga.

Manuofetoa is already classified as an overstayer and if caught by Immigration New Zealand he will be deported.

The deportation will make things worse for his employer in Hastings because it will have to pay for the costs of deportation.

Manuofetoa arrived in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme last month to work at the Mr Apple orchard in Hastings but he absconded from the airport instead of going to his employer.

His disappearance caused Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to fly to New Zealand because he was concerned the case could cost Tonga the opportunity to work in the horticulture and viticulture industry in New Zealand.

The President of the Tongan Methodist church in New Zealand, Rev. Tevita  Finau, said he would talk to Tongan Methodist church ministers in New Zealand and ask them to enquire about the whereabout of Manuofetoa.

He said it was not clear which church Manuofetoa belonged to, but he would also raise the matter with the Takanga ‘o e Kau Taki Lotu Aotearoa, an association in which leaders from different churches were members.

The move came in response to a plea by Hon. Pohiva at a meeting in South Auckland last week for Tongan church and community leaders to help return Manuofetoa.

Hon. Pohiva told the meeting he had information some Tongan families whose relatives were still at large were  harbouring them.

A total of 16 Tongans, including Manuofetoa, who came through RSE programme overstayed their visas and are still on the loose in New Zealand.

The Prime Minister said their families advised them to stay in New Zealand instead of returning to Tonga after their contracts ended.

Rev. Finau said the churches had a huge impact in the Tongan community and it was important for them to help, otherwise Tonga would lose the opportunity to send more employees to New Zealand.

An Example

He said a few years ago he received reports that a Tongan athlete who was part of an athletic team to Wellington was planning to flee after the competition.

Rev. Finau said he found out the man belonged to Free Wesleyan Church. At the time the then President of the church Rev. Dr. Alifaleti Mone was in New Zealand.

He said he contacted the President and told him about the case. Rev Finau said after Dr. Mone  spoke with the family of the man he returned to Tonga without any incident.

He said he believed the churches would do the same thing for Manuofetoa.

Rev. Finau said it was important for whoever was harbouring Manuofetoa to advise him prudently. He said the Immigration rules were extremely strict and there was hardly any opportunity for those like Manuofetoa to gain a legal status in New Zealand.

Immigration consultant Salote Heleta Lilo told the Prime Minister during the meeting she had reliable information that could lead to the whereabouts of Manuofetoa.

She said she could not release it at this stage because of the nature of her work, but she told Hon. Pohiva she could help persuade him to return to Tonga.

Lilo said there was a privilege she had through her profession that could allow her to negotiate with the Immigration New Zealand to not penalise Manuofetoa if he would voluntarily return to Tonga.

Deportation

Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan RSE coordinator in New Zealand said: “Mr. Apple has not cancelled the return portion of Samuela’s ticket so he can still use it if he wants, in case the cost of the return is an issue for him.  He just needs to rebook with Air NZ.”

Hao’uli told Kaniva News he was happy to help anybody who was looking for Manuofetoa.

“He’s already an overstayer and if caught by INZ he will be deported and that will make things worse for Mr Apple who will pay for the costs of deportation,” Hao’uli said.

“Samuela cannot be replaced until he leaves the country and Mr Apple will replace him from Tonga if allowed by MBIE.

“As you heard from Mr Apple’s Labour Manager, he will not turn his back on Tonga because of the good work done by the majority of the workers – but this statement leaves room for him or for any other employer to change their minds if circumstances changes.”

The main points

  • Tongan church leaders in New Zealand are searching for absconding fruit picker Samuela Manuofetoa and hope to persuade him to return voluntarily to Tonga.
  • Manuofetoa is already classified as an overstayer and if caught by Immigration New Zealand he will be deported.
  • He arrived in New Zealand through the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme last month to work at the Mr Apple orchard in Hastings but he absconded from the airport instead of going to his employer.
  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was concerned the case could cost Tonga the opportunity to work in the horticulture and viticulture industry in New Zealand.

For more information

Tongan PM seeks forgiveness from RSE employers after employee fled at airport 

Crash involving police officer under investigation

By
Alpha Latu
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An investigation continues into a Telekava crash yesterday morning that allegedly involved a male Police officer.

A car driven by the officer crashed into a fence and a power pole at around 2am, Police said.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai told local media that no other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Police said there is no further information available for release at this time

Gov’t fisheries officer’s road death case adjourned

By
Alpha Latu
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Ministry of Fisheries Head of Aquaculture Poasi Ngaluafe has had his case adjourned to 26 April.

He is being charged with offence of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol causing death in May 2016.

The 49-year-old appeared at the Supreme Court on April 4 after he was accused for the death of Uini Kava, 46, of Tofoa at the By-Pass Road in Longolongo.

At the trial before Mr Justice Cato, the court was told an eyewitness alleged that the victim was sitting in the middle of the left lane of the road towards Tu’atakilangi before he was hit by the vehicle which Police believed driven by Ngaluafe.

PM Pohiva has something he forgot to tell Chinese ambassador after their meeting

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan government believes some Chinese businesses in the kingdom might be hiring hitmen to harm their rivals.

But Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said he forgot to tell Chinese Ambassador Huang Huaguang about their concerns at their last meeting.

Hon. Pohiva said a government taskforce investigating crimes against Chinese in Tonga was trying to confirm reports about hitmen being hired.

He said even there was no hard evidence yet, the matter was important and if he had remembered to talk about it at their meeting with the Chinese community last month people attending might have been able to help.

He said Minister of Police Mateni Tapueluelu had mentioned it to him after the meeting was finished.

Hon. Pohiva said he would raise the issue with the Chinese community at their next meeting.

The Prime Minister met with the Chinese Ambassador and a group of Chinese community leaders and members at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nuku’alofa on March 30.

The Prime Minister told Kaniva News in Auckland last week he had publicly apologised to the Chinese community after it had been proved some of them had been victims of violent crimes.

“The Tongan Government does not tolerate such violence whether it is against members of the Chinese community or any other community,” the Prime Minister told the Chinese ambassador.

“The Government and the people of Tonga greatly and sincerely appreciate the enormous and ongoing assistance of the Chinese Government and people to Tonga.

“However it is obvious that a minority within Tongan society do not appreciate such assistance. On behalf of the Government, I would like to apologize to each and every person against whom violence was committed and to the Chinese community as a whole.”

Ambassador Huang said he was happy with the Prime Minister’s remarks.

“The Chinese in Tonga still faced many difficulties and challenges,” Ambassador Huang said.

“Crimes against the Chinese community happened frequently in 2016 and some brutal cases remained unsolved.

“The criminals have not been brought to justice and the reasonable compensation claims by the victims were not earnestly responded [to] or implemented. The impact of the overseas deportees to the social security of Tonga made the situation even worse.”

“The Embassy is looking forward to working closely with the Tonga Government and Tonga police to create better safety environment for all the Chinese living and working in the Kingdom.”

Just 24 hours after the Prime Minister met with the ambassador and the Chinese community, Police arrested two men and charged them with theft, after snatching a purse from a Chinese shop owner in Nuku’alofa on April 1.

The Tongan government has set up a sub-committee to investigate crimes against Chinese and other expatriates in Tonga.

The subcommittee is chaired by Hon. Fa’otusia and also includes the Minister of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Tonga Defence Force and the Commissioner of Prisons.

The Chinese in Tonga have been a target of criminal activities because of their businesses.

TVNZ reported last year that the kingdom’s Chinese community was feeling under siege following a spate of violence against shop owners in the capital, Nuku’alofa.

It reported that there had been several armed robberies and violent attacks during 2016.

In November last year Chinese Tongan Ellen Yu, 58, was left in a serious condition and unable to speak after an assault. She was later discharged and recovered at her home.

A 21-year-old man  from Pahu appeared in court last month on charges related to the attack.

It was reported at the time that the brutality of the assault heightened fears in the Chinese community in Tonga that their safety and protection were at risk.

Justice Minister Sione Vuna Fa’otusia  said attacks on foreigners were a grave concern to the government.

As Kaniva News reported in February, the Police established Operation Great Wall with the aim of reducing crimes against the Asian community in Tonga.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said that while Chinese made up three percent of victims of crime, the offences committed against them were quite serious.

The  main points

  • The Tongan government believes some Chinese businesses in the kingdom might be hiring hitmen to harm their rivals.
  • But Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said he forgot to tell Chinese Ambassador Huang Huanga about their concerns at their last meeting.
  • Pohiva said a government taskforce investigating crimes against Chinese in Tonga was trying to confirm reports about hitmen being hired.
  • The Prime Minister told Kaniva News in Auckland last week he had publicly apologised to the Chinese community after it had been proved some of them had been victims of violent crimes.

For more information

Police working hard to find solutions to crimes against Chinese community

Shocking images emerge of Chinese victims viciously beaten in Tonga

PM Pohiva’s visits electrify Hawkes Bay’s Tongan fruit pickers and community

By
Kalino Latu
-

One of the group leaders of the Tongan fruit pickers in Hastings told Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva he felt he could not sleep that night because of how exhilarated he was after meeting him at his work place.

Mateaki Kivalu was tearful when he spoke during the reception for Hon. Pohiva and his entourage on Monday night.

He reminded the Prime Minister that while he was visiting Mr Apple’s orchard that afternoon in the rain he was the one who held the umbrella over him.

He said he would never forget that incident in his life.

A Tongan manager at the Moffett orchards, Misiteni Fameitau, was so emotional that he repeatedly forgot to describe Hon. Pohiva as the Prime Minister to his Tongan workers.

Instead he repeatedly asked to pose for photos with “this man.”

“This man is coming here for the first time, please come over and let’s pose for photo with the man,” he said in Tongan.

When Kaniva News asked him whether he knew Hon. Pohiva was the Prime Minister of Tonga Fameitau said he was lost for words after he shook hands with him.

After the photos he thanked  the Prime Minister tearfully and said he has been in the orchards with his family for about 28 years now. He said it was the first time they had met a leading figure like him.

Mr. Apple’s Labour Manager Allister Jamieson could not withhold his sentiments and at one stage he stood up and danced happily to the music played by the band during the reception for the Prime Minister.

It rained throughout the Prime Minister’s visit to Hawkes Bay and was still raining when he left on Tuesday morning back to Auckland.

Jamieson welcomed Hon. Pohiva at the dinner reception at his workplace and said there was a Maori saying that when the rain falls there are tears of happiness.

“Heaven is so happy that you are here Mr Prime Minister that it is going to rain for the next two days”, Jamieson laughed.

Hon. Pohiva’s CEO ‘Ana Bing Fonua was emotional and tearful when she was speaking to the more than 200 hundred fruit pickers, community leaders and members as well as Tongan church ministers at the reception.

Fonua told Jamieson she was emotional when she came into the building and saw that it was decorated with Tongan mats and ngatu.

The building was full and many were standing outside in the rain watching and listening during the two hour event.

Fruit picker’s musical talent

The Tongan fruit picker’s acoustic band performed on the night.

One new song was composed in Tongan by group leader Sepuloni Fe’ao about the way they pick apples, the difficulties they had faced after leaving their families in Tonga and come to New Zealand to work in the orchards.

The name of the Mr Apple company and the Prime Minister were included in the lyrics.

When the song was played it triggered euphoria in the gathering. One of the fruit pickers stood up, bowed his head with his hands stretching out in front of him and instantly lowered his body down. Jeering and calling out, he performed the tu’ulafale.

Another man jumped up and joined the tu’ulafale and this time the crowd cheered and some walked in and performed the fakapale, sticking dollar notes on the dancers’ body, as a show of mafana (warmth).

After having his dinner the Prime Minister left his seat and walked past some of those fruit pickers sitting on the floor at the side and sat with those in the middle.

Jamieson also joined him on the floor.

The guests began vying to have their photos taken with the Prime Minister.

It was clear from the speeches during the reception, the facial appearance and conversations at the end of the function that the visit had an unprecedented impact on the Tongan community in Hastings.

The Tongan coordinator in Hawkes Bay, Tevita Niulata, said he could see the reception was exceptional compared with any receptions they had before.

He said it was the Prime Minister’s easy going and light hearted attitudes that added to the brilliant mood they had during the reception.

The main points

  • One of the group leaders of the Tongan fruit pickers in Hastings told Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva he felt he could not sleep that night because of how exhilarated he was after meeting him at his work place.
  • Pohiva was welcomed to a reception on Monday night.
  • The building was full and many were standing outside in the rain watching and listening during the two hour event.
  • The guest began vying to have their photos taken with the Prime Minister.
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