A man who threw a pot of boiling water over his wife will serve four years in jail.
Siosaia Langi Naufahu was convicted by Hon. Justice Cato, who said the attack was pre-meditated and had left his wife mentally and physically scarred.
The attack occurred around daybreak on August 24 last year when the wife was preparing breakfast at their house in Sopu.
In his report on the case, the judge said Naufahu drank, was controlling and there had been domestic violence in the past. The couple had been married for 30 years and had nine children.
The marriage had deteriorated over the years, particularly since she returned from a course in Vanuatu in 2009. The judge said the marriage was unhappy and violent. The court was told that the wife had conducted a number of extramarital relationships.
Hon. Justice Cato said Naufahu had at one time run a reasonably successful business. He said the prisoner appeared to present one image to the public, but was another person at home.
The judge described this as “a Jekyll and Hyde personality” and occurred “particularly… where alcohol has been involved.”
As a result of the attack his wife received burns to 35-40% of her body and was on life support for five days. One hand and eye have been permanently damaged.
“A victim impact report states that she was in hospital for a month after that,” Hon Justice Cato said.
“She was obviously in great pain and the report indicates that not only she has residual physical effects from the incident but she has suffered understandingly marked psychological effects as well.
“It must have been a terrifying experience for her. Sadly, it would seem some of the children in the large family of nine seem to taken the side of the father despite the cruel nature of their father’s offending”.
The judge said the family still had four children who needed support. The wife has not returned home and plans to file for divorce.
Naufahu was sentenced to five and a half years in jail, with 18 months mitigated. He was also sentenced to 10 months for domestic violence, to be served at the same time as the main sentence.
The final part of his sentence was suspended on condition that he be of good behaviour for two years following his release, that he attend a course on drug and alcohol addiction run by the Salvation Army, that he attend a course on domestic violence run the Women’s Crisis Centre and that he have no contact with his wife unless she indicates to his probation officer that she is willing to see him.
The main points
A man who threw a pot of boiling water over his wife will serve four years in jail.
Siosaia Langi Naufahu was convicted by Hon. Justice Cato, who said the attack was pre-meditated and had left his wife mentally and physically scarred.
As a result of the attack his wife received burns to 35-40% of her body and was on life support for five days. One hand and eye have been permanently damaged.
Naufahu was sentenced to five and a half years in jail, with 18 months mitigated. He was also sentenced to 10 months for domestic violence, to be served at the same time as the main sentence.
The government of Tonga has announced June 22, 2016 a special public holiday to mark Tupou College’s 150th anniversary.
The oldest boys boarding school in the kingdom is celebrating its anniversary next month with the first event on June 17.
The six-day celebration will be concluded on June 24 with an evening prayer service organised by the college and representatives from Newington College in Sydney.
The two colleges have a long history of connection since the founder of Tupou College Late Dr James Eagan Moulton was a lecturer at Newington before he was approached by Late King Tupou 1 to come to Tonga and started the college in 1866.
Paula Bennett’s offer of $5,000 to get homeless families out of Auckland is just a cynical, desperate ploy to look like she’s doing something about the housing crisis, says Jenny Salesa, MP for Manukau East.
You’d think she would have learnt from her previous attempt to push South Auckland Pacific people out and drive them to small South Island towns that had only six or so spare houses state houses and insufficient support for employment placements.
“There was strong push-back from the regions then, which hadn’t been consulted and didn’t have spare houses or support infrastructure for these families.
“Many of the people desperate for a home are working. They have children at local schools. They are part of communities. Paying them to walk away from a job and their support networks here and shift to a distant town is just not an option for many families.
“The Minster’s recent emergency-housing-fund announcement was more of the same. She was forced to admit that the 3,000 “new” places for emergency accommodation she’d promised were not actually new at all, just existing beds.
“Emergency accommodation in Auckland is so full that vulnerable, homeless families are being put up in motels, which is plunging them into unmanageable debt. They must eventually pay back to Work and Income the costs of their emergency housing stay at motels, which could be thousands of dollars.
“Neither of these “answers” is going to get desperate families out of sleeping in cars or overcrowded garages before winter sets in. These ill-conceived, knee-jerk reactions, are not well considered plans to address Auckland’s runaway
Labour MP Jenny Salesa Latu
housing crisis.
“This is yet more evidence this Government’s housing policy is a shambles and is failing many New Zealand families. In eight years they’ve barely dented the more than 40,000 house shortfall which Auckland is facing let alone kept up with the extra 13,000 new homes needed each year just to keep up with population increases. Their new budget doesn’t address the housing crisis either.
“A society is judged by how it looks after and cares for its most vulnerable citizens. In this respect, in the area of housing, the national Government has failed our poor and vulnerable children.
“This out-of-touch Government must realise that the obvious thing to do in a housing crisis is to stop selling state houses and to build more homes. This is what Labour would do,” says Jenny Salesa.
The Tongan government has announced the termination of the South Pacific Games Chairman Lord Sevele-‘O-Vailahi on May 27, 2016 at 4.30pm.
The government has appointed Tonga’s Solicitor General Sione Sisifā as the Interim CEO and Chairman of the Organising Committee (OC) until further notice.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said: “This decision is based on the significant downgrade of the role of the OC CEO/Chairman since 5 February 2016.
“This occurred when the Government Facilities Committee (GFC) took over the majority of the OC’s role and having inherited over 60 percent of the responsibilities of the OC CEO/Chairman.
“The position is currently being re-evaluated by the Remuneration Authority before it will be re-advertised in due course”.
The news came after the Pacific Games Council chair Vidhy Lakhan warned the kingdom could lose the international tournament.
Lakhan told Tonga’s Audit and Governance Committee which is headed by the Prime Minister that if its proposal to ask for Lord Sevele’s resignation as chair of the Games’ organising committee went ahead, the Pacific Games Council would start looking at the termination clauses of the host country agreement signed by Tonga.
The government however said in its media statement today Tonga is a sovereign state and it has the right to decide what is best to do to make sure the Games will be successful.
“The decision is in line with Tonga as a sovereign state, Tonga’s Public Financial Management Act for frugal and prudent utilization of its public funds, and the Pacific Games Organization Act 2013 aimed for the successful implementation of the PG2019 in Tonga”, the statement said.
“The PG2019 belongs to the Pacific Games Council (PGC) but its successful implementation depends to a larger extent in the hosting country – the recipient of their product. The Government of Tonga, as a sovereign state, is not to submit to the PGC to decide for Tonga on who to employ to facilitate the PG2019”.
They taught children how to perform Tongan dances and sing Tongan songs. They also taught them how to speak and write in Tongan.
These are some of the reasons why the Tongan Society South Canterbury (TSSC) in the South Island of New Zealand was established in February.
The membership is open to any ethnicities and anyone who would like to join.
Based in Timaru, the president of the organisation Sina Latu “hoped the society would help the community connect with their heritage”.
“Some came and left because of the cold weather, but some like it here because Timaru is small enough to raise children,” Latu was quoted by Timaru Herald as saying.
“We can maintain our traditions and be connected.”
“A lot of Tongans come over for rugby and bring their families.”
Tongan composer, broadcaster and orator Tauʻatevalu has died, aged 78.
Known for his good voice and composition of lyrics, he had a long involvement with the Tongan media.
He died on May 23 at his Falengameesi residence in ‘Utulau.
He composed many Tongan songs which were played by different string group bands including the Fōfōʻanga, Vākaunahu, Mosimosi Koula and Fotuelongo.
Among his songs played most frequently by Tonga Broadcasting Commission radio since the 1970s were the songs played by the Vākaunahu, in which the first line of the first verse begins “Tulou mo e Pangai ‘o Ha’a Vavanga by Vākaunahu.” ‘Ōnia, played by Fōfōʻanga club, was also played many times.
In the 1990s he composed several songs for the annual Tongan National Music Competition Week. They were played by the Mosimosi Koula from Maʻufanga and Fotuelongo from Tofoa.
He wrote a paper, ‘Ko e Pule’anga Tonga’ (‘The Tongan Government’) which was published by the Ministry of Education in volume two of the journal Tala ‘o Tonga in 1990.
In the paper, which was written in Tongan, Tauʻatevalu said religion had always had a great influence on how the Tongan governing body formed and operated even before the arrival of Christianity and the establishment of modern government.
Various sources who spoke to Kaniva News about Tauʻatevalu’s composition ‘Ōnia said that he expressed his reaction to an incident which caused him to leave his position at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Tauʻatevalu was one of the first Tongans to be sent to New Zealand to study in this field and there were high hopes he would one day hold one of the top positions in the Ministry. However, this was not the case and he ended up at the media industry for most his life.
The word ‘Ōnia was a Tongan word coined from the English word onyx.
Born as Siosiua Holitei Fonua, he was appointed to the chiefly title Tauʻatevalu in 1988.
His career with the Ministry of Agriculture began with his appointment as an Agricultural Assistant Grade 2 in April 1959, before he was promoted as Senior Agricultural Assistant in 1964.
His competency in translating Tongan and English languages came to light in 1966 after he was appointed as an Interpreter for the Council of Agriculture in Vava’u.
He was appointed as Audio Visual Officer in June 23, 1971 and was the first Tongan to become the editor of the government-sponsored newspaper, the Chronicle from 1973 – 1976.
He started working for the Tonga Broadcasting Commission(TBC) on November 11, 1975.
In the 1980s he was the acting General Manager of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.
As a member of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga Tau’atevalu worked as a Communication Officer at the church’s office before he became the Public Relations Officer at Tongasat in 1996, a position he held before he retired.
Tau’atevalu was buried on May 26.
He is survived by his four children with grandchildren.
Editor’s note:We have edited this story to change what we said before as the English word used by Tau’atevalu to coin the Tongan word ‘Ōnia. The English word was onyx according to Tauʻatevaluʻs daughter Lākai Fonua. “The black onyx is a powerful spiritual stone that has many meanings and applications. It is known as the “stone of protection” because it wards off negative energy and attracts good luck. It is also believed to be a protective agent against psychic attacks”.
The main points
Tongan composer, broadcaster and orator Tau’atevalu has died, aged 78.
Known for his good voice and composition of lyrics, he had a long involvement with the Tongan media.
He composed many Tongan songs which were played by different string group bands including the Fofo’anga, Vakaunahu, Mosimosi Koula and Fotuelongo.
He was the first Tongan to become editor of the government-sponsored newspaper, the Chronicle in 1973.
Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, on behalf of West Papuans
Words, photos, and interview by Todd Henry.Â
EDITOR’S NOTE: Todd Henry is a photographer and writer currently based in Auckland, New Zealand. He is originally from the USA, but has spent the past decade travelling extensively around the Pacific, and he has a great deal of interest in the past, present, and future of this region. When Todd isn’t covering stories from around the Pacific as a correspondent for the Kaniva Pacific, he enjoys studying the Tongan language, spending time with family, reading books about anthropology, and planning his next overseas trip.
Archaeological evidence tells us that the indigenous Melanesian people of the island of New Guinea have lived in these lands for over 40,000 years. In more recent times however, the nation of Indonesia has claimed sovereignty over the western half of the island, now known as West Papua. Indonesia obtained control of this region in 1969 through what has been described as a rigged voting initiative where a carefully selected group of West Papuans were essentially tricked into giving Indonesia lawful jurisdiction over the land. Indigenous West Papuans are currently subjects of Indonesia, a country that they share next to nothing in common with. There are increasing calls for West Papua to be granted independence, but this is not something that the Indonesian government is willing to negotiate at this point in time.
Relatively little information has made it out of West Papua due to an official ban on foreign journalists by the Indonesian government, but reports coming out describe a situation that is overwhelmingly dire for the West Papuans. Local accounts of unwarranted arrests, rapes, shootings, torture, murdered children, and even genocide at the hands of the Indonesian military and police are far too common.
Fortunately for the people of West Papua, the news of their plight is spreading through the help of concerned foreign leaders (including Tongan PM, ‘Akilisi Pohiva), a growing number of grassroots movements in various countries, and exiled West Papuans who make great sacrifices in order to raise international awareness for their cause. International support for the West Papuan people has been steadily gaining momentum, but many say that positive change must come before it is too late.
Reverend Socratez Yoman is a member of the indigenous Lani tribe of West Papua. He travels the world to speak on behalf of his people, and he is a pronounced representative of the West Papuan independence movement. Socratez recently visited New Zealand to give a series of presentations on the plight of the West Papuan people, and he was nice enough to take the time to answer some of my questions.
Socratez pictured with Labour Party MPs Carmel Sepuloni (left) and Jenny Salesa (right)
Todd: Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman, nice to meet you and I would like to thank you for doing this interview today. Can we just fill the readers in on who you are with some background information? Where are you from, and what is your personal story?
Socratez: Thank you Todd for your time, and for wanting to interview me. I was born in the highlands in West Papua on the 6th of June 1967. I grew up and went to primary school in my village, and for senior school I went to Nabire (a town in West Papua). After I finished senior high school I went to continue my studies at university, Cenderewasih University in Jayapura. I finished in 1994.
When I was back in my village I looked at my people’s situation, and saw the Indonesian military and police arresting my people. They were torturing and even killing. This is when I was in primary school. This is my own experience. When I went to the secondary school, it was a similar situation. I understood what was happening, and when I went to university I understood even more what is happening to my people in West Papua. I saw everyday how the Indonesian military and police attack my West Papuan people, arrested and tortured and then put them in prison, or killed them. I asked the question “why is this happening?†I realise that the Indonesians have occupied, or colonised West Papua. They are teaching Papuans everything Indonesian, Indonesian language, history, names, mountains, and heritage but they never teach about West Papuan cultures and history. I think they undermine West Papuans, they are killing all Papuan cultures and properties. This has been going on since 1963 until today, 2016, almost 53 years. We see also Indonesian military brutality on the people, on the behalf of the Indonesian territory’s insecurity.
This experience made me want to make it better. When I was in university I was always thinking about what we can do to help our people. I don’t know about the other students at university but this is what I was always thinking. This is an abnormal situation that is not good, and then I decided that I would go to study theology in West Java for one and a half years. After I finished, I went back to West Papua and I was elected as the General Secretary of the Fellowship Baptist Church of West Papua. I thought this was an opportunity to protect my people and speak out for my people because the church has values such as justice, peace, harmony, and respect for human dignity and human rights. The Bible says not to kill people, undermine people, or make people have a bad life. When I became secretary (in1998) I spoke out to oppose the human rights abuses, violations, and other atrocities happening in West Papua. In 2002 I was elected as the President of the Fellowship Baptist Church, and I got more chances to speak out for my people. Doing this is high risk, you know, because the Indonesian government is unhappy when we speak out and protect our people we go against them. Today I speak out to protect my people and make their lives better, better healthcare, education and economy.
Another problem faced by the Papuan people is that they have become marginalised on their own lands. They are hopeless and landless. Today, Indonesian migrants come in flocks and they are increasing in West Papua to become to majority in all sectors. They own all the businesses, shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, and public transportation are all owned by Indonesian migrants. The West Papuans are the owners of the land but they have become marginalised, and powerless. The people have been removed from their own lands for palm oil plantations. When they try to protect their lands they are stigmatised as being against the government, and against the law, and the people are arrested or shot and killed. Then the transmigrants from Indonesia settle these places. This is happening in West Papua.
It’s happening right now?
Yes, it is happening now. This is an atrocity.
I know a lot of countries in the Pacific region currently struggle with their own issues, but what makes the present situation in West Papua relevant? Why should the governments and the people of other Pacific nations worry about what is going on in West Papua?
 Yes, thank you. We get a lot of attention from our brothers and sisters in Melanesian and Pacific communities. For example, Vanuatu is a strong supporter of West Papua. The Solomon Islanders support West Papua, as well as the Tongans and the Kanaks (the indigenous Melanesian people of New Caledonia) because they are part of the Pacific community. They cannot be silent anymore when their brothers and sisters are dehumanised and colonised, and under the brutality of the Indonesian government. Now a lot of Melanesian and Pacific communities are concerned, especially Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. They are with us 100%, the communities, church leaders, universities, and governments support West Papua. A lot of these groups in Vanuatu are united under one umbrella, The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) https://www.ulmwp.org/. The people of Fiji and Papua New Guinea, not the governments, but the people support West Papua and they have formed grassroots movements to help us. Recently 20 bishops from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands visited West Papua, and they could see what is happening to their brothers and sisters in West Papua. They support us.
‘Akilisi Pohiva, the Tongan Prime Minister, is the only Polynesian leader who has publicly shown support for West Papua. He raised his concerns for the people West Papua at both the UN General Assembly in New York in 2015, and also at the House of Parliament in London in May of this year. What does this kind of support mean to the people who are currently being victimised in West Papua?
 Yes, I believe that the Tongan Prime Minister sees people as a humanitarian. These are humanitarian issues and he is concerned. He sees with his heart and knows it is not a good situation. As the leader of an independent state he should support West Papua and I think he is a good person and made a good decision. I am very happy. On behalf of my people I would like to say thank you to ‘Akilisi Pohiva. I think other countries should follow his example in speaking out for us. This isn’t just a problem of Melanesia, or Polynesia, we see the human beings, and humanity. West Papua’s humanitarian issues are a global concern.
You are currently in New Zealand giving talks in order to tell the story of the West Papuan people and raise awareness of the human rights issues there. What can people do right now, even people in Pacific nations such as Tonga, to show their support for the people of West Papua?
They should support the ULMWP, as they represent the West Papuan people. People can also put pressure on their own governments to speak out, and they can put pressure on the Indonesian embassies in each country by sending letters to encourage the Indonesian government and president to engage in genuine dialogue and peaceful negotiation with the ULMWP and Indonesian representatives. This can be mediated by a third party. The voices of people and their solidarity is very important because West Papuan people today understand that they aren’t alone anymore. They have solidarities and friends, brothers and sisters all over the world. I came here to build awareness, not only in Pacific communities, but in all of the communities, Maori people, church leaders and communities, universities, and parliament.
I was last in New Zealand 10 years ago, and the human rights issues (in West Papua) have only become worse than they were before. More people are still being killed. We need support and solidarity from the people all over the world, not only from Melanesian and Polynesian communities. These are humanitarian issues, and human rights issues. Peace and dignity of the people must be respected.
A Tongan man in the United States was sentenced to 25 years in prison and his driver license has been suspended for a lifetime.
The sentencing came after the court found Siosaia Fonua, 30, was driving under influence (DUI) at the time he killed a man with a vehicle in Sarasota.
He was sentenced by Judge James Stroker on Thursday last week for his involvement in a 2012 fatal crash in which he fled the scene with a broken hip and hid. Residents turned him in 45 minutes later, according to States of Florida media.
Police said Fonua was driving while his license was suspended for two prior DUIs.
“Crash reconstruction experts estimated he was driving in excess of 87 mph in a 45 mph zone. His blood alcohol level an hour after the crash was .182”, the media reported.
Scott Parker, 55, a former clown with the Ringling Brothers’ Circus, was killed in the accident upon impact.
Siosaia Fonua
This was Fonua’s third DUI, second leaving the scene of a crash, and fourth driving on suspended license.
He recently had been released from prison for robbery.
The state sought enhanced sentencing for Fonua as a habitual violent felony offender, which carries a 15-year minimum mandatory.
“Unfortunately, the defendant did not learn from his past mistakes, for which Scott Parker and his family paid the ultimate price,” said Assistant State Attorney Shanna Hourihan.
“When you continue to drink and drive, tragedy happens. Judge Stroker sentenced the defendant appropriately, finding him to be a danger to the community, and finding that lengthy incarceration the only mechanism to protect that community from him,” Hourihan added.
