Home Blog Page 730

Massey graduate returns to Tonga, glad to be giving back to his community

By
Kalino Latu
-

Massey University graduate Semi Hausia has returned to Tonga to begin a career as a quarantine officer.

He joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Forests and Fisheries after completing his degree and taking a summer internship organised by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation.

He spent the summer with Auckland Council’s Environmental, Monitoring, Research and Evaluation team.

He was one of 15 graduates picked for the internship.

His job with MAFF involves tracking what happens to commodities from Tonga when they are exported.

This means ensuring that they can be traced in a way that complies with international market requirements.

Hausia said his experiences had helped him obtain his position with MAFF.

“The most significant lesson I have learnt is about the levels of management, the linkages and boundaries,” he told the PCF Newsletter.

“Knowing my position and my responsibilities will enable me to work both effectively and efficiently.”

He said he was delighted to be home and giving back to his community.

“I’m feeling confident in myself and my ability in my field of work and expertise.”

The main points

  • Massey University graduate Semi Hausia has returned to Tonga to begin a career as a quarantine officer.
  • He joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Forests and Fisheries after completing his degree and taking a summer internship organised by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation.
  • He spent the summer with Auckland Council’s Environmental, Monitoring, Research and Evaluation team.
  • He said he was delighted to be home and giving back to his community.

For more information

Summer Internship opens doors in Tonga

http://pcf.org.nz/summer-internship-opens-doors-in-tonga/

Information on PCF internships

http://pcf.org.nz/summer-internships

VIDEO: Tongans urged to help people who need a hand

By
Kalino Latu and Philip Cass
-

Nuku’alofa resident Jason Takitoa Fangupo Heimuli has urged Tongans to share their good fortune with people who need help.

Heimuli was talking after he came across a woman lying by Sālote Road on Tuesday night.

He had been out to buy a takeaway meal about 7.30pm.

Vehicles and pedestrians went past the woman, but nobody stopped to help her.

Heimuli said when he arrived the woman appeared to be unconscious and was lying helpless on the sidewalk.

Jason Takitoa Fangupo Heimuli. Photo/Supplied

He helped resuscitate the woman and then, with the help of a security guard at the Post Office, helped the woman to Heimuliʻs car.

Heimuli took the woman to hospital. When she said she had no food he stopped and withdrew money to buy food.

The woman was checked by the nurse and seen by the doctor.

He said he was told the woman was staying in the area at Sopu.

Heimuli said the woman thanked him and said: “Thank Jesus for your love. If you did not pick me up the vehicles would run over me.”

“My life has no negative intentions on anyone, I am the happiest person and a happiest son to my lovely parents and a happiest brother to all my siblings,” Heimuli said.

“Sometimes in our life, when someone needs your help you’re facing away and don’t help.

“Someday you see people who need a hand, but you just ignore them and walk away.

“We need to help and share what we have both spiritually and physically.

“You will never became popular or famous when you help someone, but you are winning a million of hearts.

“There will be no crowd, but He is watching you.”

The main points

  • Nuku’alofa resident Jason Takitoa Fangupo Heimuli has urged Tongans to share their good fortune with people who need help.
  • Heimuli was talking after he came across a woman lying by Salote Road on Tuesday night.
  • When he arrived the woman appeared to be unconscious.
  • He helped resuscitate her and took her to hospital.

Evacuated Fonoi residents return home after devastating flooding

By
Kalino Latu
-

Clean-up efforts are well underway in the island of Fonoifua in Ha’apai after last week’s devastating flooding.

Residents used chilly bin and empty containers to get out of residences after floodwaters following heavy rains left people trapped in their homes.

Small rowing boats were also used to carry their belongings and young children during the evacuation.

Pictures uploaded to Facebook showed the aftermath of the floods and how the torrential rain caused the devastating damage on March 4 – 5.

Watermarks can be seen half way up the walls of houses at low lying areas and in some areas the water was waist-high.

The residents fled and took shelter in the Government Primary School, the only building that was not affected by the floods.

Reports from Fonoi said six homes have lost all their furniture and contents.

Several government officers from NEMO office had been deployed to help in the emergency response and recovery after the floods, reports said.

NEMO said yesterday there were no casualties and the flooded areas had completely dried out.

King Tupou VI approves new appointment and reshuffle of ministerial posts

By
Kalino Latu
-

His Majesty King Tupou VI has granted request by Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva to appoint a new minister and reshuffle some of the government portfolios to be effective from March 6.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s office said Hon. Māteni Tapueluelu became the new Minister of Police and Fire.

Hon. Tēvita Lavemaau became the new Minister of Finance while his Revenue and Customs portfolios go to Hon. Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, the former Police and Labour and Commerce Minister.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been shifted from the Prime Minister’s portfolios and brought under the control of the Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni.

The Prisons Department has been also shifted from Police and brought under the control of Justice Minister Vuna Fāʻotusia.

The move is part of a wider cabinet reshuffle following the resignation of Dr. ‘Aisake Eke as Finance Minister.

According to the statement this is how the restructure stands after it was granted by the king according to the constitution.

“The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni continues as the Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications and will also be the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

“The Hon. Tēvita Lavemaau, ceases to be the Minister for Revenue and Customs and is reassigned to the ministerial portfolio of the Minister for Finance and National Planning.

“The Hon. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa:

(a)   has ceased to be the Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services;

(b)   continues as the Minister of Commerce, Consumer, Trade, Innovation and Labour; and

(c)    will also be the Minister for Revenue and Customs.

“The Hon. Sione Vuna Fa’otusia continues as Minister for Justice and will also be the Minister responsible for Prisons.

“The Hon. Māteni Tapueluelu, People’s Representative of Tongatapu No. 4 Constituency, is appointed as the Minister for Police and Fire Services”.

Diver, 72, found floating off Pātangata

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 72-year-old man was pulled from the ocean near Pātangata on Tuesday 7.

The diver was found floating near the coast by villagers at about 10pm.

His family said the man went for a dive off the coast.

He was confirmed dead when his body arrived in hospital

An inquest into his death was underway, Police said.

Man electrocuted while using washing machine in ʻEua

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 52-year-old man was electrocuted while using a washing machine at his house in ʻEua on Monday.

A family member found Lopeti Touliki ‘Aholahi unconscious near the machine at around 4:00pm, Police said.

Health authority reportedly said ʻAholahi died at scene.

His autopsy report has confirmed he died from electrocution.

In March 2013 Suliasi Tonga Maʻasi , 22, of Haʻavakatolo was killed by the electric current from a washing machine he was using.

Tonga A players wear armbands to honour Queen Mother

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan rugby players who were in Fiji to play in the World Rugby Pacific Rugby Challenge (PRC) this Friday will wear black armbands to honour Queen Mother.

Queen Mother Halaevalu Mataʻaho, 90,  died in Auckland on February 19 and she was the mother of Tonga’s current king.

The team were planning to win the tournament as part of their show of respect to the matriarch.

The team is made up of 19 local players and nine overseas players, four from Australia and five from New Zealand.

After playing against the Fiji Warriors this weekend they will face the Samoa A on 14 March, then against the Junior Japan on 18 March.

Coach Isi Fatani told Fiji media they were expecting the weekend’s game to be a tough one.

“The team has been preparing for the past two months for the competition. We have only six players who played for Tonga last year while the others are new to the team,”  Fiji Times has reported.

“We are looking forward to the tough competition as we know Fiji has always been a tough team to beat, especially playing at home.”

“This team is better prepared for the challenges ahead. We have a number of quality players compared with last year,” he told Fiji Times.

Tonga A and Fjii Warriors match will kick off at 5.30pm on Friday half and hour after the match between the Junior Japan and Samoa would begin.

Tonga A:

  1. Sione Lolohea
  2. Leiataua Kilifi
  3. Roy Pome’e
  4. Sailosi Malimali
  5. Sosaia Masima
  6. Duane ‘Aholelei
  7. Siaosi Nginingini
  8. Charlie Pahulu
  9. Vainanuma Manu
  10. Katilimoni Tu’ipulotu
  11. Timote Paseka
  12. Frederick Kei
  13. Halafo’ou ‘Akau’ola Laula
  14. Topui Sekona
  15. Constantin Nova Kauvaka
  16. Samiu Muna
  17. John Ika
  18. Sosefo Fahiua
  19. Fe’aomoeuasi Hui
  20. Christino Manuolevao
  21. Fe’ofa’aki Kaumavae
  22. ‘Oleni Ngungutau
  23. James Faiva
  24. Vai Hausia
  25. Tu’ihakavalu Ika
  26. Paki afu
  27. Sione Loseni
  28. Alfred Hausia

‘Isileli Fatani, Head Coach
Sione Fetuani, Assistant Coach – Backs Coach
Sione Lino, Team Manager
Duke Mataka, Team Doctor
Siosaia Vakasiuola, Team Physio
Semisi Fonua, Trainer
Joh Fifita, Performance/video Analyst

Tongan leader recognised at US awards

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Civil Society leader Siale ʻEmeline ʻIlolahia has been named as one of the four recipients of the Jose Edgardo Campos Collaborative Leadership Award 2017 in Washington yesterday.

The Awards showcased individuals who have made a meaningful impact and contribution to their organisation and community.

The Pacific Leadership Program nominated Mrs. Ilolahia for the Oceania region, for her efforts in building and supporting coalitions for change in Tonga.

As the Civil Society Forum of Tonga reported ʻIlolahia was the Executive Director and co-founder of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga.

It said she has been instrumental in bringing together and supporting coalitions working on issues as diverse as women’s access to finance, women’s leadership and political participation, and deep sea mining.

Siale ʻEmeline ʻIlolahia. Photo/Facebook

Mrs. Ilolahia was also a founding member of the Tonga National Leadership Development Forum, a group of leaders from a range of sectors who developed a National Leadership Code for Tonga.

The Leadership Code defines Tonga’s vision for good leadership and reflects progressive leadership norms of accountability and transparency.

In developing the Leadership Code, Mrs Ilolahia helped facilitate nationwide community conversations on leadership and what it means in to the Tongan people.

More than 20,000 people have now signed up to the code and committed to uphold its values (a significant figure in the context of a total population of just over 100,000), including King Tupou VI, the Queen, Crown Prince, Princess Mata’aho, the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet.

The Pacific Leadership Program’s Team Leader, Georgina Cope, confirmed Mrs. Ilolahia was a worthy recipient of the Award.

“We are thrilled that Siale’s hard work and talents have been recognised internationally.

Over the past decade, she has worked tirelessly with civil society actors and government to encourage collaboration for policy and other reforms in Tonga”, Ms Cope explained. “Under Siale’s leadership, Tonga’s civil society has become a force for development change which is helping everyday Tongans build a strong voice that is being heard by government and the nobility”.

The Awards were instituted in the memory of Jose Edgardo Campos, who used collaborative leadership to drive successful reform programs, including in his home country of the Philippines.

Mr. Campos was a Practice Manager for Leadership and Governance at the World Bank Institute and passed away in 2014.

The Jose Edgardo Campos Collaborative Leadership Awards were presented by the Global Partnership on Leadership for Development at the Global Leadership Forum currently underway in Washington, DC.

Other Awards recipients are Sir Fazle Abed, Bangladesh (Asia), Paula Gaviria Betancur, Colombia (South America) and Sofiane Ben Mohammed Sahraoui, Tunisia (MENA, Africa).

Tongan student’s killer sentenced, will walk free after two years

By
Kalino Latu
-

Nauruan national Julian Henrich who had been found guilty for the killing of Tongan student Sione Tufui will walk free after two years, a Fiji High Court Judge said.

Justice Salesi Temo said Henrich was a first time offender and he did not start the fight.

“I will not impose a non-parole which means you can be released after two years”, Justice Temo was quoted by Fiji Sun as saying.

The three year sentence came after two years of a brawl that involved Tufui and Henrich inside the Dragon Night Club in Suva.

Fiji Broadcasting News report said, “….some Tongan boys had thrown a broken beer bottle at Henrich, which hit his head”.

The fight continued outside the night club.

Fiji Village reports said Tufui was rushed to hospital where he later died.

Four other Nauruan nationals who were charged with Henrich had their proceedings terminated by the high court in March 2015 after the prosecution filed a formal notice of abandonment by the plaintiff or nolle prosequi.

The pathologist, Dr Kalougivaki told the court the cause of death was a result of brain haemorrhage which was caused by a blunt force trauma from the alleged assault and the presence of multiple traumatic injuries.

Henrich has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

VIDEO: Young Hon. Lavinia ‘Ahome’e was tearful as Princess Pilolevu cut her hair in honour of Queen Mother

By
Kalino Latu
-

Scroll down to watch the video

The only daughter of late Lord ‘Ahome’e and Lady Tangikina, Hon. Lavinia Veiongo ‘Ahome’e, was tearful and emotional while Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu cut her hair to honour the Queen Mother.

The late Lord ‘Ahome’e was a nephew of the Queen Mother. He married Lady Tangikina, the daughter of Lord Nuku and they had three children who were all at Matahiva during the ceremony.

Princess Pilolevu also cut the hair of some members of her maternal family to honour the matriarch.

The traditional ceremonial haircut of females who had a subordinate blood relationship  to the deceased was also performed on the Queen Mother’s Blake and Tangulu families at Matahiva’s residence yesterday.

Princess Pilolevu also performed haircuts at her Māhinafekite residence.

The ceremony was followed with the presentation of Tongan handicrafts and gifts.

1...729730731...971Page 730 of 971