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World rugby review good and satisfactory says Tongan rugby boss

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan Rugby Interim Chief Executive Officer Feʻao Vunipola said a review by the World rugby on rugby in Tonga “was good” and the “overall performance was very satisfactory”.

The meeting last month in Tonga also looked at the condition of a renovation of Teufaiva national stadium to determine whether it could be completed  before Fiji, Samoa and Tonga tests in July.

Vunipola said they were happy with the information provided to them by a Turf Consultant from New Zealand who was assessing the condition of the stadium.

“He sees no reason why the matches should not be held at Teufaiva”, Vunipola said.

“We pray and thanks God for the blessings that he has given allowing all these things to happen for Teufaiva plus the assistance from the government”.

“All eyes are now on Wales in NZ with Samoa and Fiji at home in Tonga”, Vunipola said.

“We are trying all we can to qualify for the 2019 RWC so it’s all system goes to maximise our home advantage.

“People are looking forward to these Ikaletahi home games after 8 years of being in exile. Huge thanks to God Almighty for still giving us life and something to do together with our PM, DPM & Legislative Assembly for their full support with regards to these matches.

“We look forward to our people’s strong support in Auckland on 16th June”.

Meanwhile, the drainage work at the stadium starts this week after shipments of building materials form contractor Field Drainage Specialists Ltd from New Zealand arrived in Tonga .

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said the government has started the work to upgrade the toilet facilities.

This part of the project is funded through a development initiative from the Government of New Zealand.

The Papua New Guinea government has committed over US$15 million for the construction of the stadium and the tracks.

The ‘Ikale Tahi rugby team have not played on home soil since 2009.

A scheduled home test against Wales in June has been moved to New Zealand, after World Rugby said it was unfit for play.

Tonga signs regional pledge to work for a safe future for region’s whales

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga, which took a world lead in banning whaling, has signed the Pacific Islands Year of the Whale Declaration 2016/17.

The declaration commits Tonga to working with other Pacific islands and territories to ensure a safe future for whales in the region.

The kingdom was one of 11 Pacific nations which sent delegates to the  ‘Whales in a Changing Ocea’n conference in  Nuku’alofa.

Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries, Hon. Semisi Fakahau, signed the declaration on behalf of the Government of Tonga.

The declaration asked specialists who attended the conference to help SPREP draft a Whale and Dolphin Action Plan for review at the regional body’s next annual meeting.

The declaration will remain open for signature until December 31, 2017.

Other countries at the conference which signed the declaration included Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Palau, Fiji, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

Tonga banned whale hunting in 1978 under a royal decree issued by His Majesty King Tupou IV. This was four years before the international ban on whale hunting. All Tongan waters are considered a sanctuary for whales.

The 1989 Fisheries Act 1989 called for the ban of killing cetaceans (the group of mammals that includes  whales and dolphins).

Whale breeding populations in Tongan waters have increased from 50 to 2000 since the ban.

In ancient times Tongans hunted humpbacked whales. Now whale watching is a  major part of the tourist industry, with Vava’u and Ha’apai popular destination.

The declaration in full:

“Conscious of the deep cultural relationship, including traditional knowledge, between whales and Pacific peoples;

Recalling that many species of large whales that overwinter in Pacific islands breeding grounds were reduced to near-extinction by industrial whaling fleets in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries;

Aware that some populations of these species are now recovering in numbers, thanks to the global moratorium on commercial whaling imposed and maintained by the International Whaling Commission;

Grateful that many Pacific island countries and territories have established legislation, whale sanctuaries, and other commitments which add to the regional protection of whales;

Noting that for many Pacific island countries and territories, the presence of whales in their waters is an important cultural resource, and that well-managed whale-watching activities can promote sustainable economic benefits;

Aware also that recovering populations of whales in the Pacific island countries and territories are now at risk from an emerging range of new threats, including climate change, entanglement in marine debris, by-catch in fishing operations, noise and pollution;

Endorsing the Year of the Whale theme that whales are living sentinels that reflect and contribute to the health of our oceans;

Gratefully acknowledging the generous hospitality of the Government of Tonga and the excellent arrangements provided to host the Whales in a Changing Ocean conference;

Acknowledging the contributions of regional and international agencies, IGOs, NGOs, private sector and others to promote the recovery of whale populations;

Now therefore [we]

Recognise that lost and abandoned fishing gear is one of the most harmful forms of marine debris for whales, and that accelerated action to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution is needed;

Commend SPREP’s commitment to the production of a Whale and Dolphin Action Plan to provide a framework for conservation activities in the Pacific islands region 2018-2023;

Request the experts at the Whales in a Changing Ocean conference to work with SPREP to develop a draft Whale and Dolphin Action Plan for their review and endorsement at the SPREP Annual Meeting in September 2017;

Request SPREP to engage with Pacific islands and territories and others to identify key capacity development needs for the conservation of whales, for consideration in the 2018-2023 Whale and Dolphin Action Plan;

Commit our governments to collaborations with other Pacific islands and territories to provide a secure future for whales in the Pacific islands region;

Welcome the engagement and contribution of all stakeholders in this endeavour, including IGOs, NGOs, academia, the private sector, civil society and local communities;

Welcome new partnerships including multilateral organisations, to implement voluntary commitments by Pacific islands and territories to meet the aspirations of this Declaration.”

The main points

  • Tonga, which led the world in banning whaling, has signed the Pacific Islands Year of the Whale Declaration 2016/17.
  • The declaration commits Tonga to working with other Pacific islands and territories to ensure a safe future for whales in the region.
  • The kingdom was one of 11 Pacific nations which sent delegates to the ‘ Whales in a Changing Ocean’ conference in Nuku’alofa.
  • Tonga banned whale hunting in 1978, four years before the international ban on whale hunting.

For  more information

Pacific countries sign Whale Declaration in Tonga

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme

Tonga signs Pacific Islands Year of the Whale Declaration 2016-2017

Princess selects Hala Kuo Papa as she formally releases Lomipeau new album

By
Kalino Latu
-

Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Fotofili has selected the popular Tongan song Hala Kuo Papa and it was played to mark the formal release of Lomipeau Fika ‘Uluaki ‘o Aotearoa album.

The Princess implied that it was her favourite music in which the lyrics were composed by her grandmother late Queen Salote and was set to music by late Vili Pusiaki.

Pusiaki’s great-great-grandaughter Milika Aleva asked the princess to select a song from the album to be played and so formally released it.

The Princess was tearful and said this was a vision that had been created after 30 years.

The Princess said she was emotional and told the organisers she could not wait to listen to the album.

Understanding that it was refreshment time for the guests and everyone was looking forward for the buffet lunch which was ready outside the hall, the Princess joked and said: “Let’s just play music and dance as that was what Lapaha people used to do. No more meal for today”

There was a murmur of approval from the 100 guests who attended the event.

The formal release began this morning at Auckland Council’s Mangere Arts Centre with a powhiri and ouau kava.

A group of Maori performed the powhiri before they met and shook hands with Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu.

The kava ceremony was conducted by the heralds from the Falefa.

Lord Kalaniuvalu’s herald Malupo introduced the ceremony and reminisced about  some of the historical places in Lapaha and their ancestors who started the singing group Lomipeau.

Today’s ceremony was organised by the Pusiaki’s great great-grandchildren.

Pusiaki was a poet and choreographer whom Queen Salote used to give music and choreographised  some of her poetries.

Some of the dances and songs Pusiaki had set to music and choreographed were performed by his own great great-grandchildren during the ceremony.

Free education for Tongan fruit pickers, PM asked to help on import container tariffs  

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan fruit pickers in Hastings happily told Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva they were lucky to get free educational courses while working at the Hawkes Bay’s orchards.

Group leader Sepuloni Feʻao who works at Mr Appleʻs orchards said he has been in New Zealand now for 10 years through the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.

When he first came to Hawkes Bay he said he did not know how to speak English. He said he can now speak the language after Mr Apple enrolled them in a free educational and training courses.

He said that through this programme the Tongan fruit pickers can study English language, computer technologies, carpentry and many others depending on what courses the students wanted.

Feʻao said in May every year the Tongan groups in Mr Apple’s orchards send 10 container of goods to their families in Tonga.

He asked the Prime Minister on behalf of his co-workers if he can do something to help them in paying the import tariffs imposed on their cargoes.

He said they spent more than NZ$5000 to have their containers shipped to Tonga before they would return and they could afford it.

But when they had arrived in the kingdom and went to the wharf to clear their containers most of them could not afford the TP$3,000 custom duty.

The Prime Minister was in Hawkes Bay on Monday as part of his 5-day visit to New Zealand to meet the RSE Employers in Hastings and Kerikeri.

Response

The Prime Minister replied and said he could not promise he can do something about their request as there is a Minister who is responsible for the country’s Ministry of Custom and Revenues.

But he said he will talk to the Minister when he returns to Tonga and ask him to consider their requests.

His response was loudly applauded.

Hon Pohiva said the government struggled to get money to pay for its services and part of the annual budget relied heavily on overseas budget supports.

He said the tariff imposed on import cargoes is one of the significant sources of revenue which helped the government to be able to provide its services for the people.

He said there are duty-free goods such as building and educational materials.

He encouraged the pickers to send most of the duty-free materials.

The Ministry’s CEO Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield said food classified by the government as healthy is also duty-free.

He said the government has no control over other charges on import container goods such as freight, insurance, delivery and brokerage fees.

Queen Salote’s vision will be made real in performance of song and dance tomorrow

By
Philip Cass
-

The poetry of the late Queen Sālote Tupou III will be brought to life in a performance at Auckland Council’s Mangere Arts Centre tomorrow.

Dance group Pukepuke ‘o Tonga will give the first New Zealand performance of  Lomipeau Fika ‘Uluaki ‘o Aotearoa, an album based on the work of the late queen.

The album was developed as part of Auckland Council’s Taonga Pasifika pilot project to create an archive of Pacific music and dance.

Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siuʻilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili will be a guest of honour on the day.

The Queen’s poems  were originally translated into music and dance by one of her composers, Lapaha Punake Vili Pusiaki.

Sesilia Pusiaki, the composer’s great-great-granddaugher ,told Radio New Zealand the late Queen had a vision of preserving the kingdom’s myths and legends through traditional song and dance.

“We’ve kept the songs and dances alive in our family for four generations, and this is the first time these historically significant songs have been professionally recorded and produced,” she said.

Pusiaki, who leads the Pukepuke ʻo Tonga group, said the album was created after the project received Lord Kalaniuvalu’s blessing.

The album launch will be part of what is expected to be one of the biggest gatherings of Auckland’s Tongan community to celebrate their community’s arts and culture.

It will begin with a kava ceremony followed by the live performance, talks and a film about how the album was made.

Pukepuke ʻo Tonga means to hold onto or uphold Tongan culture through dance and music.

The main points

  • The poetry of the late Queen Salote Tupou III will be brought to life in a performance at Auckland’ Council’s Mangere Arts Centre tomorrow.
  • Dance group Pukepuke ʻo Tonga will give the first New Zealand performance of Lomipeau Fika ‘Uluaki ‘o Aotearoa, an album based on the work of the late queen.
  • The album was developed as part of Auckland Council’s Taonga Pasifika pilot project to create an archive of Pacific music and dance.
  • Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siuilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili will be a guest of honour on the day.

For more information

Album with royal connection shares stories of the ancestors

Tongan royal blessing makes music history

As PM turns 76, he talks about political life and religious inspiration

By
Kalino Latu
-

On the eve of his 76th birthday, Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said his chronic asthma had been so bad that at times he thought he could bear it no longer.

But despite the illness he never gave up.

In an exclusive interview with Kaniva News this evening Hon. Pohiva reminisced about his political career and how he fought to bring democracy to Tonga and finally became the Prime Minister of Tonga.

He said looking back at the past 40 years when he and others began the democratic reformation in Tonga was something that could give him strength.

Hon. Pohiva said he was really happy with what he had achieved so far in his fight to bring a better political system for Tonga.

“I have come through so many problems,” the Prime Minister said.

He said his asthma had  been so serious that he did not think he would live long.

“When I was in my 40s I thought I will not reach 50s. When I was in my 50s I thought I would not reach my 60s,” Hon.Pohiva said.

“Now I am 76 tomorrow I do not know where are all these lives come from,” he said smilingly.

The Prime Minister said he knew his government and how he led it was not perfect.

He was elated at what he had done for Tonga in politics.

He said he compared his government to former governments and how they were operated and he could tell the difference. He said he had achieved most of what his political supporters wanted and he knew they were happy.

He said the most difficult situation in any successful political change like what Tonga has gone through was the transitional period.

“It is because we have to do a lot of things to change the mindset of the people from what they used to in the old ways and how they were led so they could live and get used to the new system”, he said.

He said his government was through that period.

During the interview he mentioned two church leaders who he said were vital in his political battle. Without them he thought he might not be at this stage and position he has today.

They were the late Bishop Patelesio Finau of the Catholic church and the late Dr ‘Amanaki Havea of Free Wesleyan church.

The Prime Minister’s revelations about his religious inspiration follow an incident during a reception in Hastings on Monday night when he shared verses from his favourite hymn with Tongan fruit pickers.

He asked a minister who was about to say the closing prayer at the reception in Hastings if he could share his favourite hymn with the Tongan fruit pickers who attended the event.

Hon. Pohiva then read out three verses of the Free Wesleyan Hymn 550 known as ‘Eiki ke ke me’a mai.

He told the Tongan fruit pickers to think of the hymn whenever they struggled.

He said the hymn always helped him whenever he struggled and needed help.

The revelation of his favourite hymn was significant as he has sometimes been accused by his critics as being unreligious.

A letter released on internet last month, which police now are investigating, accused Pohiva of being anti-religious.

In the letter, the authenticity of which has been denied, he supposedly told Chinese authorities that “in Tonga The church has too much  power and  the people  are too religious as a result. They listen to the church, the King and the monarchy,  who are  the “protectors” of  the  church. They hold  on  to outdated beliefs that only serve to hurt Tonga.”

‘Eiki ke ke me’a mai in Tongan and English

Eiki ke ke me’a mai e anga ‘eku nofo

Ko e fili ‘oku tu’u takai ‘o loki au ‘i loto

Lord look at how I live

The enemy stands and surrounds me

Po ko enau ngahele mai na’a ‘ikai te te le’o

Pe ha’u he aho  kuo ‘ai ‘a e anga ‘angelo

Every night they crawl in to see if I am not watching out

And at day time they come pretending like an angel

Eiki ke ke fakatupu ha  atamai vavalo

Ke u le’o pea tali tu’u ‘o teke ke mama’o

Lord create in me a pondering mind

So I can guard and resist the enemy

The main points

  • On the eve of his 76th birthday, Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiova said his chronic asthma had been so bad that at times he thought he could bear it no longer.
  • But despite the illness he never gave up.
  • In an exclusive interview with Kaniva News this evening Hon. Pohiva reminisced about his political career and how he fought to bring democracy to Tonga and finally became the Prime Minister of Tonga.
  • He said looking back at the past 40 years when he and others began the democratic reformation in Tonga was something that could give him strength.

PM Pōhiva reaffirms his “no casino” for Tonga stance to church leaders

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva this evening reaffirmed to a group led by church leaders in Auckland, New Zealand that he will not allow casinos to be built in Tonga.

Pōhiva said he made a public statement early this week that there was no room for a casino in Tonga and he still stood by it.

His statement was made to Kaniva News in Hastings on Monday night.

The peaceful meeting with the group was held in the Holiday Inn’s lobby in Mangere after the Tongan delegation tried to secure a room, but was told the hotel was full.

The group, which was led by Rev. Tevita Finau of the Methodist Church, community leader Salote Heleta Lilo and Rev. Tevita ʻIloa Tuʻineau of the Church of England petitioned the Prime Minister to not allow casinos to be built in Tonga.

Also in attendance were former Tongan solders Sione Tosi Kelekolio Tapueluelu, Tamale Faleafa and Melino Maka of the Tonga Advisory Council.

After they presented their petition, the Prime Minister said in Tongan: “I would like to make it short. I will never allow a casino to build in Tonga.” The group members nodded in approval.

Hon. Pōhiva told the petitioners he would take their letter back to Tonga for his cabinet to discuss.

He told the group his cabinet would make a formal reply to their petition.

Before the group arrived Kaniva News told the Prime Minister that after we released his statement on Tuesday quoting him as saying no to a casino in Tonga  a reliable source sent us documents including a letter that appeared to contradict his stance on casino.

The letter has also been widely shared on social media.

The letter, which appeared to have been written by Finance Minister Tevita Lavemaau on November 24, 2016 while he was then Minister of Custom and Revenues said the government has already approved the application by the Red Warrior company to build casinos in Tonga.

In that unconfirmed letter, the Minister wrote:

“I refer to His Majesty’s cabinet decision No. 1104 made on the 4th November 2016 whereby the proposal from the Tavake Tamafua Tourism Investment Project was approved and given full support by the Government of Tonga,” the letter said.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Government of Tonga will grant and guarantee an exclusivity right for a casino and gaming license to the Red Warrior Group LLC under the precondition that an appropriate infrastructure is being built in Tonga within the next two years.”

But the Prime Minister denied it and said his cabinet had never approved any application to build a casino in Tonga.

He said the first time he looked at the application from the Red Warrior and its Tongan stakeholder, the Tavake Tamafua the wording was vague and it appeared the applicants were trying to hide their intention to indirectly trick the government into approving the proposal to build a casino.

He said he told the Minister in charge to review the application to make sure anything they approved did not include a casino.

Kaniva News also talked to his Chief Secretary who joined the meeting shortly after it began and asked her about the Finance Minister’s letter.

Dr Palenitina said whether the letter was written by the Finance Minister or not, the only thing she could confirm was that there had been no cabinet decision to allow a casino.

Suspicious letter

We have asked Hon. Lavemaau to confirm whether or not he was the one who wrote and signed the controversial letter. He has yet to respond.

But Kulu ‘Anisi Bloomfield, his CEO at the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, at which Lavemaau was the former Minister, and a member of the Cabinet sub-committee screening the Red Warrior Entertainment’s application, said he was suspicious of the unconfirmed letter.

He said he was the one who supposed to write such a letter according to the Ministry’s procedure.

He also said the government seal in the letter head was not centred on the page, but was aligned to the left.

Dr Langaʻoi reiterated what Bloomfield told Kaniva News yesterday, that the cabinet only approved the Red Warrior Entertainmentʻs application to build a hotel and shopping mall “in principle.”

Bloomfield said before they could be approved the developers had to provide a map of the projects in compliance with the building code.

They were also required to deposit money required by the government for the project. When these were completed the government would consider the application.

“As far as I know the company has yet to complete any of these requirements,” Bloomfield said.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister Ê»Akilisi Pōhiva this evening reaffirmed to a group led by church leaders in Auckland, New Zealand that he will not allow casinos to be built in Tonga.
  • Pōhiva said he made a public statement early this week that there was no room for a casino in Tonga and he still stood by it.
  • His statement was made to Kaniva News in Hastings on Monday night.
  • The group, which was led by Rev. Tevita Finau of the Methodist Church, community leader Salote Lilo and Rev. Tevita Ê»Iloa TuÊ»ineau of the Church of England petitioned the Prime Minister to not allow casinos to be built in Tonga.

For more information

Is the devil really coming to Tonga? Confusion reigns as pastors and soldiers prepare protest

Thieves target homes around Kolonga in spate of break-ins

By
Alpha Latu
-

Five properties in Kolonga were broken into between the evening of Sunday March 26 and yesterday Wednesday 5.

Fakaʻosi Maama of the Talaki newspaper said two church missionaries were also allegedly assaulted at the town.

It was not immediately clear whether or not the robbers were linked to the alleged assault.

Maama, who is from Kolonga, said it was a bizarre.

He warned neighbours to watch out for each other.

“If you see any strangers in Kolonga ask why they are coming there”, Maama warned.

We need to stop this odd incidents as fast as possible, he said.

NZ$350 for top picker, but PM hints changing selection criteria

By
Kalino Latu
-

Fruit picker ʻOnisena Kohinoa, 57, can earn NZ$350 a day, an amount that amazed Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva when he visited some of the orchards in Hastings on Monday.

This means Kohinoa can put more than NZ$1000 in his pocket on pay day every week after deductions for his insurance, accommodation and taxes are made.

There were older Tongans at the orchards than Kohinoa including Taʻofi Liutai, 63, but he was employed as one of the group leaders, who they no longer picked fruits.

Letiō ʻAho, 47, was one of the best pickers among the Tongan fruit pickers at Mr Apple.

He could earn about NZ$1200 – 1400 a week after making his deductions.

“Picking apples is the most hard picking work but that’s where they could earn the most money if they work hard”, Tongan co-ordinator in Hawkes Bay, Tevita Niulata said.

“Last year ʻAho earned about NZ$35,000 cross in six months”, Niulata said.

Hon. Pohiva said after he heard about these people he could see an opportunity that increasing the number of Tongan employees in that age group could have potential.

He said they worked hard compared for their ages, but they hardly caused any social problems such as drinking and violence.

Anyone in Tonga who is 18 can apply to come to New Zealand through the RSE programme.

But the employers mostly wanted to employ those who are 20 – 45.

The Prime Minister was told while meeting with the Taylorcorp officials on Monday that a Tongan employee in the company had to appear in court the following day for assault charges.

In the apple orchard Kaniva News talked to some of the Tongan fruit pickers, including Fa’aoa Save and Mateaki Kivalu.

Save said he was happy with the money he earned, which was NZ$350,  the maximum he can get a day.

When asked about the accommodation he said it was in a very good condition.

The Prime Minister also visited the accommodation at Mr. Apple and was happy with it.

Kivalu who has been in and out of New Zealand through his RSE contracts for 10 years, was a group leader.

He conceded there were problems in the past regarding the Tongan employees’ pay and accommodation, but there had been a big change now.

He said his group was happy with what they earned and their accommodation.

The Prime Minister did not have time to visit one of the accommodations in Hastings but Kaniva News was told that Tongan employees were living and sleeping in a dormitory-like building, implying the employees did not enjoy the comfort their colleagues at other orchards enjoyed with their Individual rooms.

In the last five years it was estimated that TOP$12 million pa’anga was sent to Tonga by the RSE employees in the form of cash and domestic materials, Sefita Hao’uli, the Tongan RSE Coordinator in New Zealand said.

Selection of Tongan employees

During a press conference at the Scenic Hotel in Napier the Prime Minister and his CEO at the Ministry of Internal Affairs were questioned about how they selected fruit pickers that had caused social problems in New Zealand.

Hon. Pohiva said the process was dependent on the church leaders’ and the town officers’ reference letters supporting the potential employees.

When he got such letters supporting RSE applicants from his constituency he would, as an MP according to the policy, sign the contract allowing them to come to New Zealand.

But he said after a Tongan fruit picker arrived and absconded from the Auckland international airport early this month without going to his employer he thought the selection process should be “reviewed”.

He said he was thinking of extending the process from relying on the town officers, district officers and church ministers’ references to arranging interviews with the employees and their parents if they are still young before signing their contracts.

CEO Ana Bing Fonua said the Ministry was looking at the selection process.

The main points        

  • Fruit picker ʻOnisena Kohinoa, 57, can earn NZ$350 a day, an amount that amazed Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva when he visited some of the orchards in Hastings on Monday.
  • This means Kohinoa can put more than NZ$1000 in his pocket on pay day every week after deductions for his insurance, accommodation and taxes are made.
  • There were older Tongans at the orchards than Kohinoa including Taʻofi Liutai, 63, but he was employed as one of the group leaders, who they no longer picked fruits.
  • Pohiva said after he heard about these people he could see an opportunity that increasing the number of Tongan employees in that age group could have potential.

As Easter approaches, concern over typhoid outbreak in wake of funeral

By
Philip Cass
-

More information about the Auckland typhoid outbreak is needed before Easter services and gatherings  begin, the Labour Party says.

The call for more information comes after the death of a Samoan woman from an outbreak of typhoid that appears to have originated in a Samoan church in Auckland.

Auckland District Health Board Chief Medical Officer Dr Margaret Wilsher said the woman was extremely unwell when she was taken to hospital.

“It was soon apparent that she had some sort of severe infection on top of pre-existing important medical problems,” Dr Wilsher said.

The patient died 24 hours after  being admitted.

“I’m saddened for this family’s loss and extend my condolences. I particularly want to reassure the fanau that she got the very best treatment possible, and that no one who visited her in hospital was at significant risk of infection.”

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said it was checking people who had been in contact with the church group.

The number of cases of typhoid has risen to 16, with 12 people still in hospital and another two probable cases awaiting test results.

Typhoid is spread by human faces in contaminated water where there is poor hygiene around food preparation.

Samoan lawyer Olinda Woodroffe said she wanted to know who prepared the food for the funeral in Manurewa, as knowing the leftovers would have been taken home.

Woodroffe said people who attended the woman’s funeral may return home with the disease.

“This woman would have had relatives from throughout New Zealand,” Woodroffe told Radio New Zealand.

“She would have had relatives from Samoa. She would have had relatives probably from Australia.

“The issue is that we also need to get this story to Samoa to try and get people who may have been here. They may not be, but prevention is better than cure.”

The Labour Party’s spokesperson for Pacific Island affairs, Su’a William Sio, echoed her concerns.

“We have a case of people who have travelled from outside Auckland have met have embraced have been in contact with those with typhoid, and they’ve left,” Sio said.

“We don’t know how fast the health services are able to track that number of people. But my concern is, if we don’t contain this, it will spread.”

Typhoid is present in several Pacific countries. Several outbreaks of typhoid were reported in Tongan villages last month.

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.

The main points

  • More information about the Auckland typhoid outbreak is needed before Easter services and gatherings begin, the Labour Party says.
  • The call for more information comes after the death of a Samoan woman from an outbreak of typhoid that appears to have originated in a Samoan church in Auckland.
  • The number of cases of typhoid has risen to 16, with 12 people still in hospital and another two probable cases awaiting test results.
  • Typhoid is spread by human faces in contaminated water where there is poor hygiene around food preparation.

For more information

Fears typhoid may spread after funeral

Treatment of typhoid patient

Villagers in typhoid hotspot banned from sharing food until end of month

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