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New Zealand increases number of seasonal migrant workers to 10,500

By
Philip Cass
-

Another 1000 places will be available next season under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme.

The RSE allows workers from Pacific Islands to work on New Zealand farms picking fruit and vegetables for a number of months each year.

Kaniva News understands that New Zealand’s Minister of Trade, Todd McClay, will write to Island Ministers to tell them the number of places has increased to 10,500.

Last year the cap for the 2015-16 season was raised from 9000 workers to 9500.

Speaking before a major conference on the seasonal employment schemes in Nuku’alofa last month, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ana Bing Fonua, said the RSE scheme has been in operation now for 10 seasons.

About 4000 workers left the kingdom to work off shore every year.

Fonua said the schemes were set up to address unemployment in the Islands and help deprived families lift their standard of living.

Tongan workers employed under the RSE scheme generally earn a minimum rate of $NZ16.50 an hour, but some can earn more than $200 a day in peak season.

A similar scheme, the Seasonal Workers’ Programme, operates in Australia.

However, according to Radio New Zealand, it operates at a much lower level and has been plagued by reports of migrant workers being exploited, with a Queensland labour company being convicted of ripping off ni-Vanuatu workers earlier this year.

According to the Tongan government, the schemes have been worth TP$400 million to Tonga, with most of that money being sent home.

According to a report from Tonga’s Reserve Bank released last month, remittances were above TP$20 million per month up to July, with most of the money being private transfers.

The World Bank says Tonga depends more on money sent home by migrant workers than any other country in the Pacific a new report says. In 2015 remittances made up more than a third of the kingdom’s GDP in 2015.

The increase in the number of places came in response to demands from Island nations involved in the PACER Plus negotiations.

PACER Plus is a wide ranging set of trade negotiations involving the Pacific’s Island nations and Australia and New Zealand.

However, as Kaniva News reported earlier this year, the negotiations have hit several roadblocks, with Fiji and Papua New Guinea, the two largest Island economies, and Vanuatu, voicing doubts about the value of the proposal.

A report funded by the Australian government said no matter what was agreed, Australia and New Zealand would continue to dominate the Pacific economy and very few benefits would flow to ordinary Islanders.

The main points

  • Another 1000 places will be available next season under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme.
  • The RSE allows workers from Pacific Islands to work on New Zealand farms picking fruit and vegetables for a number of months each year.
  • Kaniva News understands that New Zealand’s Minister of Trade, Todd McClay, will write to Island Ministers to tell them the number of places has increased to 10,500.
  • Last year the cap for the 2015-16 season was raised from 9000 workers to 9500.

For more information

Recognised Seasonal Employer cap raise (2015)

Remittances

Chief Trade Adviser: “PACER Plus Offers a Unique Opportunity for Pacific Island Countries” (Islands Business)

Game changers: Pacific RSE workers in NZ

Van overturns in Halaleva

By
Kalino Latu
-

A van overturned on a road in Halaleva this afternoon at around 1.30pm.

An eyewitness said Police and an ambulance vehicle were at the scene.

Photos provided to Kaniva News showed a crowd of onlookers apparently watching the incident.

Distressed family see Tangi’s body first time after death, three bodies to be buried tomorrow

By
Kalino Latu
-

Brokenhearted relatives of Tevita Tangi who died in a boating tragedy on Saturday, bewailed his loss as his body was released to them this evening.

They were told to bury it tomorrow.

Tangi was one of four Tongan fishermen killed when the charter boat Francie capsized crossing the sandbar in Kaipara in New Zealand’s north island.

They were among 11 men on board the Francie. Seven bodies have been recovered, but one is still missing.

The family of Tangi and relatives of his friends Sunia ‘Ungo’unga and ‘Alipate Manumu’a were holding wakes for the men tonight before they are buried in Auckland tomorrow.

The family of Fonua Taufa will hold prayer vigils for him tonight and continue until Sunday. His body will be flown to Tonga on Monday, a cousin confirmed today.

manumua-and-ungounga
Sunia ʻUngoʻunga and ʻAlipate Manumuʻa coffins. Photo/Sisilia Leone Manumuʻa

Tevita’s brother Sione Tangi told Kaniva News they planned to hold his wake next Tuesday before burying him on Wednesday morning.

He said family members from Tonga and overseas were expected to arrive for the funeral during the weekend.

But this afternoon they were told by the authorities they could only see Tevita’s body this evening and that it had to be buried tomorrow.

His ʻāpō (wake)  was being held at 3 Korma Ln, Panmure, Auckland.

Sione said they rushed everything to make sure it was done before the failotu at 7pm.

Peni Tangi, Tevita’s uncle, said his body would be buried at a cemetery in Remuera.

He said a prayer service would be held at the Mormon church in Panmure at 10am tomorrow before the body was escorted to the cemetery.

Tevita is survived by his wife and four children, Peni said.

Sisilia Leone Manumu’a who goes by the name Takiama Manumu’a on Facebook, said the wake for Sunia and ‘Alipate’s bodies was being held tonight at the Tokaima’ananga Church at Otara Parish on 3 Ormiston Rd.

The cousins would be buried at the Manukau Memorial Garden in Papatoetoe tomorrow morning.

Search continues

Police now think that Taulagi Afamasaga, 56, may still be on the boat after the formal search and rescue operation was suspended at midday yesterday.

In a statement released to media today, Inspector Mark Fergus of Waitemata Police said the search for Francie was still going on.

“Police, along with Coastguard and the Navy, are out on the water today in the area where the boat is believed to have capsized,” Inspector Fergus said.

“Specialist search equipment belonging to the Navy is being used in the search. This is a slow and meticulous process.

“We have met with the family of Mr Afamasaga this morning to discuss what the search involves. We can confirm that it is possible that their loved one is still on board the vessel.

“In the event that the boat is found, the Afamasaga family will be informed first before Police release any details publicly. Police specialists will then assess options to search the wreckage, which may involve Police divers or video.

“This will however require a risk assessment. The area is notoriously dangerous and will be dependent on the sea conditions, tides and currents”.

The main points

  • Brokenhearted relatives of Tevita Tangi, who died in a boating tragedy on Saturday, bewailed his loss as his body was released to them this evening.
  • Tangi was one of four Tongan fishermen killed when the charter boat Francie capsized crossing the sandbar in Kaipara in New Zealand’s north island.
  • They were among 11 men on board the Francie. Seven bodies have been recovered, but one is still missing.
  • The family of Tangi and relatives of his friends Soane ‘Ungo’unga and ‘Alipate Manumu’a were holding wakes for the men tonight before they are buried in Auckland tomorrow.

For more information

Family reunion colours change to black as plans are made to fly Tāufa’s body home to Tonga

 

Liahona high school says claims student marks altered to benefit dux “untrue”

By
Kalino Latu
-

Liahona High School has denied claims that examination marks of students sitting their final year examinations at the school were altered to benefit the student who became captain for 2016.

A complainant alleged the student who was officially announced as dux of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ largest school, Fe’ofani-‘a-Kakau Huni came third when the students’ final marks were finalised.

Following questions from Kaniva News, the principal of the school Fatafehi Fifita issued this one sentence response in Tongan: “Fakamalo atu ho’o fetu’utaki mai.  Fie fakamahino atu pe ‘oku ‘ikai mo’oni ‘a e ngaahi tukuaki’i ko ‘eni na’e kakaa’i Dux ‘a Liahona”. (translated) Thank you for contacting us. Just wanted to clarify the claims that the school dux for Liahona was cheated is untrue”.

Makeleta Langi Ahome’e Embry claimed the real school dux for this year was her nephew Kukuna ‘Ahome’e who was awarded second in the prize giving day.

She claimed the school altered the marks when the final grades were computerised.

She also claimed there was a breach of students’ right to confidentiality of information while the grading of the students’ marks was processed.

She claimed Kukuna’s marks were discussed by one of the teachers and the dux without Kukuna knowing about it.

She said her brother, Kukuna’s father and mother “challenged” the school and asked them to allow Kukuna and Huni to exchange marks to see if they were really the marks the gradings were based on.

She claimed the school declined the request on the grounds of confidentiality.

Embry claimed the school apologised to Kukuna’s parents and told them to be happy as Kukuna was the only one to be picked on a scholarship to go to  Utah or Hawaiʻi.

Embry claimed in the last four years there were discontents about Liahona’s duxes.

“They need to stop robbing these kids of the dreams and goals they set and work so hard for in many years”, Embry said.

At the prize giving day two weeks ago Huni thanked students and guests who attended the prize giving day for their support, which she said greatly assisted her in her endeavour to become dux of Liahona.

She said the pathway she went through while studying was not easy.

She said she grew up in Niuatoputapu and studied at Hihifo primary school.

Her family struggled and faced many problems including the tsunami that struck one of the most isolated and furthest island in Tonga.

The main points

  • Liahona High School has denied claims that examination marks of students sitting their final year examinations at the school were altered to benefit the student who became captain for 2016.
  • A complainant alleged the student who was officially announced as dux of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints school, Fe’ofani-‘a-Kakau Huni,came third when the students’ final marks were finalised.
  • Following questions fromKaniva News, the principal of the school Fatafehi Fifita issued this response:  “Thank you for contacting us. Just wanted to clarify the claims that the school dux for Liahona was cheated is untrue”.
  • At the prize giving day two weeks ago Huni thanked fellow students for their support, which she said greatly assisted her in her endeavour to become dux.

Warning as fake $50 paʻangas are found in Tongatapu

By
Kalino Latu
-

The public are warned to be on the lookout for fake $50 paʻanga notes being used in the kingdom.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has received three $50 paánga notes of the new design currency confirmed to be counterfeit notes.

The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $50 counterfeit notes in circulation.

These counterfeit notes lack the following security features present in every genuine $50 pa’anga note:

  1. the watermark of the King’s effigy which can be clearly seen when it is held up to the light, and
  2. a shiny silver thread as a clear window visible in the center of the note (obverse side) and a wider more solid silver (reverse side) showing images of the national medal.

The public is hereby advised to check all notes particularly the $50 new design note before accepting them.

Counterfeit notes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the banks or the Reserve Bank.

The Public is urged to take any counterfeit notes to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

Makers and distributors of counterfeits are breaking Section 59 and 61 of the Criminal Offences Act 1988.

Civil servant loses fight to have investigation halted until defamation case completed

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by a senior civil servant to have an investigation of his behaviour by the Commissioner for Public Relations halted until a defamation case against Kele’a newspaper has been completed.

In   June   2015   Member of Parliament Hon. Mateni   Tapueluelu  made   a number of allegations against  the Chief Executive Officer of the Tonga Communications Corporation, Rizvi Jurangpathy, which were reported in Kele’a newspaper.

The newspaper alleged that  Mr. Jurangpathy had  committed indecent acts upon, and was having affairs with, staff  members, was misusing TCC funds and dismissing employees for improper reasons.

Mr. Jurangpathy denied the allegations.

On  July 13 last year Prime  Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, wrote to express his serious  concerns about Mr. Jurangpathy’s conduct  as  CEO  of  TCC and recommended that he resign.

Mr. Jurangpathy refused and launched a suit for defamation against Kele’a in the Magistrates’ Court. That case is still going on.

The defamation suit includes Hon. Tapueluelu, the publisher of the  Kele’a,  Mrs. Laucala Tapueluelu and the editor of the Kele’a, Mr. Ofa Vatikani.

The Prime Minister is Mrs Tapueluelu’s father.

Hon.  Tapueluelu referred the allegations to the Commissioner, who decided in August 2015 to begin his own investigation. Following a request from Mr. Jurangpathy’s lawyers, the Commissioner to put his enquiry on hold until the defamation action was completed.

In his report on the case, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen wrote:

“There the matter might have rested but that on 15 July 2016 the Prime Minister wrote to the Commissioner advising that he had received a complaint against the plaintiff from more than 60 employees of the TCC and asking the Commissioner to consider the matter.

“The complaint from the TCC employees listed seven specific issues of concern including disrespectful and inappropriate conduct towards female staff, inappropriate touching, kissing and texting of female staff, buying a car for a staff member the plaintiff was dating and buying an air ticket at the request of a female staff member he was dating. “

The Commissioner wrote to Hon. Pohiva on July 29 his consenting to an investigation. He suspended Mr. Jurangpathy, who was questioned on September 1.

So far more than 70 people have been interviewed.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Mr. Jurangpathy’s lawyer, Clive Edwards had argued  that  it  was “all  a  little  too  convenient” that when Mr. Tapueluelu and his wife were served with the defamation proceedings  the  Prime  Minister  should receive the same complaints from TCC employees and  require  the Commissioner to investigate the  plaintiff.

“The plaintiff considers that  the  making  of the  complaints  and  the referral of them to the Commissioner has been driven by Mr. Tapueluelu and others close to the Prime Minister who have their own agendas and interests to protect. It is unfair, he says, that he should have to fight the allegations on two fronts,” the judge wrote.

“The plaintiff also argues that because of the procedures adopted by the Commissioner, where there is no hearing and he has no right to call witnesses or cross-examine, it is highly likely that the Magistrate and the Commissioner will reach different conclusions on common issues of fact which will undermine the function  of the judiciary.”

Mr. Jurangpathy asked the court to order the Commission to halt its investigation until the defamation case was completed.

However, Lord Chief Paulsen said the Supreme Court did not have the jurisdiction to order  a  stay of the  Commissioner’s  investigation.

He said the Commissioner  was  not  exercising’ a judicial  function and in any case, for the Supreme Court to exercise such power would be contrary to the law which said that proceedings before the  Commissioner  could not be challenged in any  court except  on the ground  of a  lack of jurisdiction. Mr. Jurangpathy had not argued for a stay on these grounds.

Finally, he said that if Mr. Jurangpathy had wanted to apply for a stay on these grounds, he would have had to first seek the permission of the court to begin such proceedings.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said he did not accept Mr. Jurangpathy’s argument that the   defamation case and the Commissioner’s investigation were between the same  parties and  concerned the  same issues.

“None of   the defendants  in  the  Magistrates’  Court  action  are  involved  in the  investigation  before  the  Commissioner,” he said.

“I do not accept the submission Mr.  Edwards  made  that  I should  regard  the Prime  Minister  (or the TCC  employees)  as  doing  the  bidding of  Mr.  Tapueluelu.   There  is  nothing  at  all  to  suggest  to  my mind that  the  Prime  Minister  is  motivated  by  anything  other than the  best  interests of the TCC.

“The proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court and the investigation before the Commissioner  are of a very different nature, involving different enquiries, utilising fundamentally  different processes and ultimately will  result  in    very different outcomes.”

Mr. Jurangpathy’s application was dismissed.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by a senior civil servant to have an investigation of his behaviour by the Commissioner for Public Relations halted until a defamation case against Kele’a newspaper has been completed.
  • In June   2015   Member of Parliament Hon. Mateni   Tapueluelu  made   a number of allegations against  the Chief Executive Officer of the Tonga Communications Corporation, Mr. Rizvi Jurangpathy, which were reported in Kele’a.
  • Jurangpathy denied the allegations and launched a defamation suit against the newspaper and Hon. Tapueluelu.
  • An investigation by the Commissioner was launched following separate complaints.

Three charged after attack in Fungamisi leaves victim hospitalised

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have arrested three men in relation to the serious assault of a man in Fungamisi, Vavaʻu last week.

We have learnt through a local correspondent the name of the victim is Soane Siasau.

The accused had been charged with assault causing serious bodily harm, Vavaʻu Police Superintendent Netane Falakiseni said.

He said the men were drinking before they got into physical altercation.

The injured man was given intravenous pain relief at Ngu Hospital, Falakiseni said.

He said the intravenous was removed yesterday.

Police investigation continues, he said.

READ MORE:

Fungamisi man in hospital following brawl

Fungamisi man in hospital following brawl

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man from Fungamisi, Vava’u was in hospital last week after a brawl.

A local correspondent told Kaniva News yesterday the man was attacked by some men at Fungamisi.

He said the man was still in hospital.

A Police spokesperson has confirmed the incident but  said they are investigating it before they could release to us any information.

Tonga’s Common Utilities Board pays record dividend

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga’s Common Utilities Board (CUB) has paid a record dividend in a result it says reflects the benefits of having one common board to control more than one companies within the government.

Revenues collected by the Tonga Power Ltd, Tonga Water Board, Waste Authority Ltd and Tonga Gas Ltd/Home Gas Ltd for the year ended 30 June 2016 were $7,118,028 pa’anga.

This means the chairman of CUB Board of Directors, Carl Sanft had paid the Tongan government a cheque of TOP$4,345,262.00.

The Government of Tonga, being the sole shareholder of power, water and waste utilities and the subsidiary companies Tonga Gas/Home Gas, is the sole beneficiary of this dividend.

This dividend declaration was presented during the Common Utility Board’s Annual General Meeting on the 29th of November 2016 at the Tano’a International Dateline.

“This year’s dividend sets a record compared to previous years from all of the Public Utility Companies. It is highest dividend to be paid on top of a record Net Profit from all Utilities.

This also marks another record for the amount of tax payable to Government for

$1,361,658 with is the collective tax payable from all three utilities including Tonga Gas and Home Gas Limited. The Tax Payments are being paid individually to the Ministry of Inland Revenue from each utility’s annual return.

The total payment to Government for the year 2015/2016 from the dividend presented today ($4,345,262) PLUS Tax Payable ($1,361,658) is $5,706,920.

All companies are fully self-sustaining with no budgetary injections from Government, showing an average of 10% Return on Equity which exceeds that set by the Public Enterprises Act.

The record dividend payment is among the major achievements of the common utilities and the gas companies. This portrays the positive outcome of having one Common Utility Board that enable and encourages the Companies to use excess capacity to share services, improve efficiencies and reduce costs with a strong emphasis on improved service delivery and profitability.

The success is undeniable evidence of the benefits of having one Common Board for similar operating type companies within the industry. It also shows how the success of one company can be leveraged and utilized to help another.

This strong performance from the utilities highlights good governance, good policies implemented by the Common Board with clear guidelines from the Shareholding Ministry (Ministry of Public Enterprises) and its staff lead by the Hon Minister Poasi Tei.

The record financial results emphasize the vast experiences that the Hon Minister, Poasi Tei has brought to the Ministry through the Governments reform agenda and the structural changes put in place which has proven to be a financial success today.

It shows how a business sensitive and determining Board can help empower and install confidence on CEOs to utilize the best skills available from managements and staff.

The establishment of the combined Board of Directors was successfully implemented in October 2015, an initiative identified as world class practice by the Ministry of Public Enterprises and Cabinet, the results of which are highly evident in today’s dividend presentation.

  • Press Release from CUB

Supreme Court grants PIC leave to appeal closure, but awards costs to Reserve Bank

By
Philip Cass
-

The Supreme Court has granted the Pacific International Commercial Bank leave to   apply   for judicial review of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga decision  to revoke its banking  licence.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen gave the PIC 21 days to make the application.

The Reserve Bank made the decision on July 26 this year.

Radio New Zealand reported at the time that the Reserve Bank warned people not to do any business with the Chinese-Tongan business.

The Supreme Court threw out an application by the PIC to stop the court awarding costs to the Reserve Bank.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the PIC Bank’s action was legally worthless and it should have been clear to those bringing it that it was completely hopeless.

He said the manner in which the case had  been conducted had wasted a great deal of time and criticised the behaviour of the PIC bank’s counsel, Mr. S. Tu’utafaiva.

After seeking an adjournment of an earlier hearing on the grounds of Mr Tu’utafaiva’s ill health, the PIC sought another hearing. At the last moment the PIC said it could not proceed.

In his report on the case. Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said:

“In my view the case as it is presently presented was hopeless.

“The actions of the plaintiff in failing to instruct counsel in a timely manner and then advising the court and the defendants that it could not proceed with the hearing at the eleventh hour was, in the circumstances of this case, completely  unacceptable.”

He ordered the PIC to pay costs be paid to the Reserve Bank.

The main points

  • The Supreme Court has granted the Pacific International Commercial Bank leave to   apply   for judicial review of the Reserve Bank ‘s decision  to revoke its banking
  • However, the Court threw out an application by the PIC to stop the court awarding costs to the Reserve Bank.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the PIC Bank’s action was legally worthless and it should have been clear to those bringing it that it was completely hopeless.
  • He ordered the PIC to pay costs be paid to the Reserve Bank.

 

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