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Community reacts to Lauaki’s death; concerns grow as kidney failure affects some Tongan players

By
Kalino Latu
-

Sione Lauaki’s death has rocked the Tongan community with concerns mounting as he is the latest Pacific Island rugby player to be affected by kidney disease.

Unlike Jonah Lomu, who died after suffering from a rare kidney disorder, Lauaki’s kidney failure issue was not widely known to many Tongans.

His death yesterday at 35 came as a huge shock.

Tongan All Blacks trialist and former ‘Ikaletahi chief coach Manakaetau ‘Otai said he was concerned that kidney failure problems appeared to have affected some Pacific Island players.

He said Lauaki’s death was “tragic news.”

‘Otai said Lauaki’s rugby talent was marred by his sickness which was discovered while he was playing in France.

He said Lomu and Lauaki were victims of the disease.

Lomu’s kidney problem was widely publicised while he was with the All Blacks.

Former All Black and Counties Manukau legend Joeli Vitiri was treated for kidney problems in 2015 and is currently receiving dialysis treatment.

Vidiri had one of his kidneys transplanted in Auckland City Hospital in 2015.

‘Ikaletahi player Sione Vaiomo’unga was suffering from life-threatening kidney failure and was reportedly treated in Romania in 2015.

L-R: Manakaetau ʻOtai, ʻEmosi Koloto, Feʻao Vunipola and William Sinali Latu

All Blacks

Lauaki played 17 games with the All Blacks from 2005-2008 and scored three tries.

He made his All Blacks debut against Fiji in 2005 and was part of the All Blacks team that went to France to contest  the 2007 World Cup.

His last game with the All Blacks was against Samoa in 2008.

He played for several domestic teams including the Chiefs and the Waitemata Rugby Football and Sports Club. He racked up 70 caps for the team, having scored 14 tries during his Super Rugby career.

Lauaki, who came to New Zealand from Tonga when he was eight, went to France and played for the ASM Clermont Auvergne in 2010 before moving to Aviron Bayonnais.

It was while playing with Bayonnais that he was diagnosed with renal failure and cardiovascular problems, causing the club to sign him off for the rest of the season.

He returned to New Zealand and played for club Waitemata again, as recently as 2014.

Colourful

Lauaki’s rugby career was a colourful one.

Apart from being banned from the field several times for incidents including dangerous high and lifting tackles he had appeared in court several times.

In 2006 he was offered police diversion after admitting assaulting a Hamilton security officer.

In 2007 he underwent an anger management course after appearing in court for damaging an Auckland motel unit.

However in 2005 his refusal to allow a Tongan criminal to hide behind his name showed he was a man with morality.

A Tongan man Toma Lauaki appeared in court for a hammer attack on a truck driver.

Toma fought to have his name suppressed, arguing he was a close blood relation of Lauaki and that revealing his name would affect his upcoming All Blacks games.

But Lauaki went public and said he was not related to Toma.

Community mourns

Lauaki’s death has been felt most deeply in his Tongan community.

New Zealand–Tongan former rugby league and rugby union footballer Emosi Koloto, who represented the New Zealand Kiwis five times during 1991, remembered Lauaki.

“We are deeply saddened at Lauaki’s death,” Koloto said.

“His involvement with our annual Siutaka rugby tournament was an inspiration not only to us organisers but for our Tongan talented rugby players who vied to get to All Blacks.”

He said he tried to bring Tongan rugby players who played for the All Blacks to talk or help with their tournament and it was fortunate Lauaki was one of them.

The three-times former Tongan World Cup rugby player for Japan, Viliami Sinalī Lātū, who is currently living in Japan said he bragged about how tough Lauaki was when he was in the All Blacks to his friends in Japan when they asked whether he was Tongan or Samoan.

Lātū said Lauaki’s death was a huge loss to the rugby community. Athough he did not know him personally he was proud of him because he was one of the few Tongans who played for the world’s best rugby union team.

Former ‘Ikaletahi captain and Chair of Tonga Rugby Union, Fe’ao Vunipola, said he regarded Lauaki as a “hero” in the field of rugby union.

He said any loss of life in family, friends and rugby colleagues was poignant.

He said he sympathised with Lauaki’s family and was praying for them.

Lauaki is survived by wife Stephanie and two children. They had married in 2014 in Rarotonga,  the place they had made home.

The main points

  • Sione Lauaki’s death has rocked the Tongan community with concerns mounting as he is the latest Pacific Island rugby player to be affected by kidney disease.
  • The announcement of Lauaki’s death at age 35 yesterday came as a huge shock.
  • Lauaki played 17 games with the All Blacks from 2005-2008 and scored three tries.
  • Former ‘Ikaletahi chief coach Manakaetau ‘Otai said he was concerned that kidney failure problems appeared to have affected a number of Pacific Island players.

For more information

Ex-All Black Sione Lauaki has died

Rugby world mourns Sione Lauaki

Government cautious over medical assistance for former Ikale Tahi flanker in Romania

Tongan convert to Islam in Sydney court on terrorist charges

By
Philip Cass
-

A 19 year-old Tongan convert to Islam will appear in court in Sydney next month on charges of planning a terrorist attack.

Alo-Bridget Namoa and her husband Sameh Bayda appeared in Sydney’s central Local Court last week.

They had been in custody over terrorism related charges, but these were upgraded.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that court documents showed they were allegedly planning to carry out a knife attack.

The charge is based on allegations levelled at them when they were arrested early last year.

Bayda has already been accused of collecting documents in Arabic containing instructions on how to make an improvised explosive device and how to carry out a stabbing attack.

Namoa  is accused of recklessly possessing a hunting knife and Islamic flag, as well as instructions in Arabic on how to make a detonator for an improvised explosive device.

They have been held since the beginning of 2016.

Namoa was also previously convicted for refusing to answer questions about her husband’s charges in the NSW Crime Commission.

The Guardian reported that Namoa’s solicitor had argued she was  a “terrified young woman” who refused to answer questions because she was scared.

In September, a court was told Namoa was infatuated with violence and could watch beheadings “all day.”

The Australian media has reported that Namoa referred to themselves as the ‘Islamic Bonnie and Clyde,’ a reference to a notorious American gangster couple.

According to court documents, she was also asked about Islamic State propaganda, whether her husband gave her a knife, and whether he was planning to carry out a suicide operation.

New South Wales police said the couple had their charges upgraded as part of an ongoing investigation known as Operation Chillon.

The charge carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

Bayda and Namoa will return to court on March 15.

The main points

  • A 19 year-old Tongan convert to Islam will appear in court in Sydney next month on charges of planning a terrorist attack.
  • Alo-Bridget Namoa and her husband Sameh Bayda appeared in Sydney’s central Local Court last week.
  • They had been in custody over terrorism related charges, but these were upgraded.
  • The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that court documents showed they were allegedly planning to carry out a knife attack.

For more information

Teenagers to face court over charges of planning terrorist attack in Sydney

Islamic ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ face Sydney court charged with planning a terrorist attack

PM Pōhiva given chance to respond against his vote of no confidence motion

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva could respond to the vote of no confidence submitted against him between now and next Monday when the vote will be dealt with.

This has been confirmed in a notice of vote of no confidence distributed by the Speaker Lord Tuʻivakano in Parliament before the House closed today.

It said:

The Notice for a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, and supporting documents were distributed to Members of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga today upon direction from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano. This direction was issued upon completion of the vetting of the motion by the Standing Committee on Privileges to ensure it complies with the requirements of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has advised that the motion will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Monday 20th February 2017. According to the Rule of Procedure of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, the motion shall be balloted within 5 working days from the date it was first tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. As such, the motion shall be balloted by end of business on Monday 27 February 2917.

Details on Members of the Legislative Assembly who signed the motion will be released when the motion is read in the Legislative Assembly

The Prime Minister was not in Parliament while the notice was handed out.

As Kaniva reported, Pōhiva had asked the House to schedule the  vote of no confidence against him.

Hon. Pōhiva said he wanted to make sure the vote did not clash with his upcoming meetings planned for overseas.

Lord Tu’ivakano said the actual vote of no confidence will have to take place by the end of Monday February 27.

READ MORE

Noble MPs vow to topple government with no confidence motion when Parliament resumes

kanivatonga.co.nz/2016/08/noble-mps-vow-topple-government-no-confidence-motion-parliament-resumes/

Government had already agreed to pay Lasike money before Supreme Court case

By
Philip Cass
-

The Tongan government had already accepted that it was obliged to pay Lord Lasike moneys owed to him before the recent court case, Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said today.

Kefu, who is also the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the Crown had offered to pay TP$$223,385 to cover the period from July 9, 2012 to November 24, 2014, without going to court.

However, Lord Lasike did not accept the offer and instead began a case in the Supreme Court where he sought a declaration that:

  • His removal as Speaker and as a member of the Legislative Assembly was unlawful and in breach of the Constitution;
  • He did not resign nor was he dismissed after impeachment as a member of the Legislative Assembly;
  • He remained a member of the Legislative Assembly from 9 July 2012 until the end of his term on 24 November 2014;
  • He was entitled to receive payment of his remuneration from 9 July 2012 until 24 November 2014, along with interest.

The Supreme Court did not grant the first three declarations for which Lord Lasike applied.

“It held that the removal and replacement of Lord Lasike in the Legislative Assembly was not unlawful simply because his conviction was subsequently quashed,” the Acting Attorney general said.

“This was because Court orders must be treated as valid and may be acted upon unless and until they are set aside.

“Therefore acts done in reliance upon a judicial order are protected in law, because they are acts done in the execution of justice which are compulsive.

“The Supreme Court also held that once the conviction was quashed Lord Lasike was entitled as far as possible to be restored to all things which by reason of the judgment he had lost,” Kefu said.

This meant he should be paid the money he would have earned had he continued in his position.

Lord Lasike had also asked for interest to be paid on the money owing, but the Supreme Court refused this.

The Supreme Court left it to the parties in the case to agree on costs or else apply for costs in writing within 21 days.

Either part can lodge an appeal by March 16 this year.

The main points

  • The Tongan government had already accepted that it was obliged to pay Lord Lasike moneys owed to him before the recent court case, Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu said today.
  • Kefu, who is also the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the Crown had offered to pay TP$$223,385 to cover the period from July 9, 2012 to November 24, 2014, without going to court.
  • However, Lord Lasike did not accept the offer and instead began a case in the Supreme Court.
  • The Supreme Court ruled that he should be paid moneys owing to him, but dismissed his other claims.

For more information

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

 

VIDEO: Terrifying road rage caught on video; Tongan passengers plea with attacker to stop

By
Kalino Latu
-

An infuriated driver threw punches through another motorist’s window while Tongan passengers in the vehicle queued behind can be heard pleading with him to stop.

One of the Tongan passengers, a woman who was seated in the front seat, appeared to have stuck her head outside the front left window as she begged the man to stop the attack.

“Be patient please boy! That’s enough! Be patient please!”, the woman pleaded with the attacker in Tongan.

But the assailant, whom the passengers can be heard referring to as a Tongan, kept throwing punches through the window as he stood outside the victim’s car.

The aggressor was about to return to his vehicle before he turned back and continued punching the victim through the window.

The Tongan driver of the car behind the victim’s car can be heard asking one of the passengers to sit in his seat so he could go outside to try and stop the man from continuing the attack.

But a woman can be heard stopping him from trying to interfere in the altercation.

“Is he Tongan”, the Tongan motorist asked as the responses from the passengers agreed and can be heard saying, “yes he is Tongan”.

It was not clear whether or not the person the assailant was punching had suffered injuries.

It appeared the victim did not attempt to fight back.

The attacker finally gave up and walked back to his car as the Tongan passengers can be heard sympathizing with  the victim’s devastating experience.

The incident was recorded on video apparently by one of the Tongan passengers whom can be heard talking about the incident in fluent Tongan.

The video has been widely shared on Tongan Facebook groups and pages since last week.

Kaniva News is not able to confirm its authenticity and origin, or where was the incident taken place.

It is unknown whether or not the incident was reported to Police.

Former Tongan All Black Sione Lauaki dies at age 35

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan  former All Black flanker and number 8 Sione Lauaki has died at the age of 35, Kaniva News has been told.

It is understood Lauaki was suffering from renal failure and cardiovascular problems in 2012.

Lauaki made his debut for the Chiefs in 2004 before earning an All Black call-up in 2005. He played 70 Super Rugby matches and was capped 17 times for New Zealand.

Waikato Rugby acknowledged his death on Twitter, “Our thoughts are with his family”.

 


More to come……..

Govt wants tourism to bring in US$90m a year, but tourism bosses say much to improve

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism says it wants to make the tourism industry generate $US90 million each year.

The government’s Tourism Roadmap 2014 set a goal of US$45 million a year by 2020, equivalent to 30 percent of GDP.

The Ministry says that figure has already been met, so it has ramped up the financial goal.

But while the Tongan Tourism authority’s website proclaims that there is “so much to see and do” in the kingdom, not everybody is so confident of the future of the industry in the Friendly Islands.

Speaking at a major tourism conference in  Nuku’alofa recently,  CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Christopher Cocker, told Radio Tonga News recently that tourists did not spend very much money in Tonga.

Cocker said Tonga was “blessed,” but that the industry had stalled.

“In terms of Tonga’s tourism arrival we’ve been quite stagnant from 1995,” he said.

“We’ve got an archipelago with different islands which can become a selling unique point for Tonga.

“Our greatest weakness is that we need to get our backyard right, particularly more collaboration between the industries itself.

“The average spending of tourists is quite low compared to the duration of stay.

“The reason is because there is not much to do here.”

And despite the industry’s financial achievements, Tongan Tourism CEO Fekita ‘Utoikamanu also described the industry as stagnant and told Radio New Zealand much could still be improved.

Despite the opening of a major new hotel next week, occupancy was below 50 percent and there have been concerns about the availability of quality accommodation.

‘Utoikamanu  said authorities were looking at strengthening niche markets rather than mass tourism.

Whale watching was an important niche market for Tonga.

“Then we are also looking at in the area of meetings and conferences,” ‘Utoikamanu said.

“We are also looking at destination weddings and some other water sports activities, including diving.”

However, he said the tourism authorities were not considering casinos or gaming.

“The government has made a firm decision about gaming resorts, so unless they change their policy on it but right now we are not focussing on it,” he said.

The  main points

  • Tonga’s Ministry of Tourism says it wants to make the tourism industry generate $US90 million each year.
  • But while the Tongan Tourism authority’s website proclaims that there is “so much to see and do” in the kingdom, not everybody is so confident of the future of the industry in the Friendly Islands.
  • Speaking at a major tourism conference in Nuku’alofa recently,  CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation, Christopher Cocker, told Radio Tonga News recently that tourists did not spend very much money in Tonga.
  • Tongan Tourism CEO Fekita ‘Utoikamanu also described the industry as stagnant and told Radio New Zealand much could still be improved.

For more information

Tonga tourism sector given ambitious targets

Tonga’s tourism sector raises goals

Tourism Industries to address weaknesses for a better change

Tonga Tourism authority

 

Stop defaming police and accept drugs were destroyed, Police Commissioner says

By
Philip Cass
-

Continually defaming the Tonga Police is undermining the respect and trust the police have built with the community, Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said this week.

Commissioner Caldwell was responding to allegations raised in Parliament on Monday about 204 kg of cocaine seized in Vava’u from the yacht JeReVe in 2012.

During debate on the annual report of the Police Minister Nobles Representative Lord Tu’ilakepa, asked what happened to the drugs found on the yacht.

Instead of defending the kingdom’s law enforcement officers, Justice Minister Vuna Fa’otusia said the question would not be answered until the Commissioner’s reports went to Parliament instead of the Privy Council.

The JereVe ran aground on a reef in the Luatafito atoll and the decomposed body of a dead European man was discovered on the yacht.

The dead man was identified as Milan Rindzak, 35, a Slovakian national.

Australian Federal Police said the yacht had sailed from Ecuador bound for Australia where the drugs would have had a street value of $116 million.

The Commissioner previously reported on his findings to the Tongan government on April 28, last year and recommended on October 3 to have the matter independently audited by the Auditor General and the Ombudsman.

Commissioner Caldwell said the drugs were properly receipted and analysed at an Australian drug laboratory, following a request from Tonga Police for Australian Federal Police assistance.

Commissioner Caldwell said the illicit drugs seized were destroyed by the appropriate authorities in Australia on March 6, 2013 after confirming it was cocaine.

“No prosecution was initiated in relation to this seizure because no person was found to be in possession of the illicit drugs and investigations did not identify persons responsible for transporting the illicit drugs on the yacht through Tongan waters,” Commissioner Caldwell said.

“Continually defaming Tonga Police and senior Police officers without any apparent foundation is highly detrimental to the reputation of the Tonga Police and undermines the respect and trust that we’re trying to earn with our service to the Community.

“The unfounded comments attack the reputation of all the good police officers who come to work every day to do their best, and are faced with dangerous situations and life’s tragedies that no one else has to deal with.”

Commissioner Caldwell said that like any other organisation in the kingdom, the Tonga, police force was not free from corruption, misconduct or criminal activities by its personnel.

However, there was zero tolerance for such actions in Tonga Police and Police officers would be held accountable with the full force of the law.

“If members of the public have specific allegations, I would encourage them to bring it to my personal attention,  Commissioner Caldwell said.

“I take matters of integrity and honesty very seriously.”

Uunder the Tonga Police Act, the Police Board, through recommendations from the Police Executive Committee, had terminated the employment of twelve (12) Police Officers in the past five years in relation to serious misconduct or loss of confidence in their performance.

Five officers had been convicted in the Supreme Court for serious criminal offences in the past five years.

There are 14 criminal investigations underway against Police officers conducted by the Tonga Police Professional Standards Unit, at the direction of the Commissioner.

There were also 28 disciplinary investigations underway at the direction of the Commissioner.

The main points

  • Continually defaming the Tonga Police is undermining the respect and trust the police have built with the community, Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said this week.
  • Commissioner Caldwell was responding to allegations raised in Parliament on Monday about 204 kg of cocaine seized in Vava’u from the yacht JeReVe in 2012.
  • During debate on the annual report of the Police Minister Nobles Representative Lord Tu’ilakepa, asked what happened to the drugs found on the yacht.
  • Commissioner Caldwell said the drugs were properly receipted and analysed at an Australian drug laboratory, following a request from Tonga Police for Australian Federal Police assistance.

For more information

Body found on Tonga drugs yacht identified

Tongan authorities seize $100 million of cocaine and find dead man after Australian bound yacht runs aground

‘Vital Connection.’ Platypus. Australian Federal Police magazine. (June-December 2014)

Tongan girl elatedly returns home after recovering from surgery to remove large facial tumour 

By
Todd Henry
-

Pulei Latu, the girl who we reported on back in August 2016, has now recovered from a major surgical procedure to remove the enormous facial tumour.

One of Latu’s surgeons, Dr. Will Blake said “because this is a benign tumour, we would expect her to have no problems with that throughout the rest of her life.”

Speaking to her team of surgeons as she presented them with a gift, Latu said “Thank you for everything, you changed my life back to normal.  I am out of danger and I’m looking forward to going home.”

Latu will return to Tonga in the coming weeks, and she plans on pursuing her dream of becoming an accountant.

Latu, 19, underwent radical surgery in August 2016 to remove the rapidly-growing benign tumour near her cheek – which was affecting her speech and had caused damage to parts of her mouth and teeth.

‘Sometimes I look in the mirror, and yeah, I think it’s grown bigger,’ Ms Latu told 7 News before the surgery.

‘It’ll be good because they change mine (sic) to my normal face.’

The teenager’s life-changing surgery was sponsored by Children First Foundation, a Melbourne based nonprofit organisation that specialises in providing medical treatment to children in developing countries.

It took five volunteer surgeons a total of twelve hours to reconstruct her face, with one team working on removing the bone from her leg and another team removing the tumour and resculpting her jaw.

Now that Ms Latu has completed her post-surgery care at the Children First sMiles retreat, she can return Tonga and begin her life without the physical and emotional trauma of a tennis-ball sized tumour on the side of her face.

– This story appeared on 7News Melbourne.

READ MORE

Tongan girl with enormous tumour undergoes surgery in Melbourne

Tonga has untapped potential, says Business Council leader

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga has plenty to offer investors, according to the head of the New Zealand Tonga Business Council.

Speaking ahead of a three day visit to the kingdom next week, NZTBC chair Sione Taufa said Tonga had much for people wanting to do business in the Pacific region.

“It has unique human capital, with well educated, English-speaking people and it boasts an economy with great potential,” Taufa said.

“Its industries are still growing, so there is a lot of room for development.

“Tonga has the untapped potential of a rapidly growing youth population and a special cultural heritage which is seen in all aspects of life – and in business.”

The New Zealand Business Council will send a delegation to the kingdom for three days on February 15.

The visit is intended to explore new investment opportunities and strengthening existing relationships.

More than 30 people will travel to Nuku’aofa.

Taufa said the delegation would include people from a wide range of industries, including infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, education, health care, the NZ Government, tourism and consumer goods.

He said a representative from Maori Iwi would accompany the group.

Delegates will attend business breakfasts, conference style presentations, one-on-one meetings, site visits, networking events and  a trade showcase.

They will also attend the opening of the Tanoa International Dateline hotel by His Majesty King Tupou VI.

“We want to work on set goals to help facilitate increased trade between Tonga and New Zealand,” Taufa said.

 The main points

  • Tonga has plenty to offer investors, according to the head of the New Zealand Tonga Business Council.
  • NZTBC chair Sione Taufa said Tonga had much for people wanting to do business in the Pacific region.
  • “It has unique human capital, with well educated, English-speaking people and an economy with great potential,” he said.
  • A 30 strong NZTBC delegation will fly to Nuku’alofa on February 15.

For more information

Pacific Cooperation Foundation

New Zealand Tonga Business Council

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