The Tongan constitution does not allow His Majesty King Tupou VI to sack Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva as Minister of Education and Training without asking his advice, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued the statement in the wake of an attempt by former Education Minister Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki and former CEO Emily Pouvalu to persuade His Majesty to remove Hon. Pohiva from his role as Education Minister.
Taufe’ulungaki and Pouvalu led a group who presented a petition to the Palace Office in Nuku’alofa last month calling on His Majesty to revoke Hon. Pohiva’s ministerial appointment and that of acting Minister Hon. Etuate Lavulavu.
The Prime Minister’s Office advised them to take their grievance to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Pouvalu was quoted by local media as saying there was “a clause in the Constitution that talks about how the King can revoke the appointment of a minister on the grounds that he is ineligible for the role – so that’s the ground we are standing on.”
Pouvalu claimed there was evidence Pohiva did not uphold the rule of law and said that some staff at the Ministry were not confident in working under his ministership.
In response, Hon. Pohiva called on Taufe’ulungaki and Pouvalu to let him do his job as Minister of Education and said their time was over.
Hon. Pohiva said there were complaints by parents about the marks received by students who sat national examinations while Pouvalu and Taufe’ulungaki were leaders of the Ministry of Education.
He said they could not resolve the issue, leaving it unresolved until he was appointed as the minister.
The Prime Minister said the first step to resolve the problem was to change the marking system for student exams from using standardisation to raw marks using a software developed by Tongan computer programmer Piveni Piukala.
It has been revealed that Dr Taufe’ulungaki and Pouvalu agreed in 2014 to hire the local office of Indian-based company Triesten Technologies to upgrade the Ministry of Education’s computer assessment programme.
Hon. Pohiva said he was not aware of the deal before he hired Piukala.
What the Prime Minister’s Office said:
“With reference to a petition submitted to His Majesty The King to remove the Minister of Education & Training, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Acting Minister of Education & Training, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu, on 20 October, 2015, the Prime Minister’s Office wishes to inform the petitioners that His Majesty is not empowered in law to require the Minister to divest himself of the Education & Training portfolio as the Sovereign must act on the advice of the Prime Minister in the appointment of members of the Legislative Assembly to ministerial office or in respect of the Minister’s removal from office.”
The main points
The Tongan constitution does not allow His Majesty King Tupou VI to sack Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva as Minister of Education and Training without asking his advice, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued the statement in the wake of an attempt by former Education Minister Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki and former CEO Emily Pouvalu to persuade His Majesty to remove Hon. Pohiva from his role as Education Minister.
Taufe’ulungaki and Pouvalu presented a petition to the Palace Office in Nuku’alofa last month calling on His Majesty to revoke Hon. Pohiva’s ministerial appointment and that of acting Minister Hon Etuate Lavulavu.
The Prime Minister’s Office advised them to take their grievance to the Office of the Ombudsman.
A public memorial service is set to take place at Eden Park next Monday afternoon for Jonah Lomu who died on Wednesday, Prime Minister John Key has announced.
Key said the service will be held on November 30 from 1pm to 3pm.
“Jonah touched people’s lives across the country and around the world,” Key said.
“This service will be open to all members of the public who want to remember the significant contribution Jonah made, not only to rugby here and overseas, but also to the wider community through his work with charities such as UNICEF and Kidney Kids NZ.
“The service will be a celebration of Jonah’s life and I expect a large number of people will want to be there.”
Key also announced a special event at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau for the Pacific community to pay their respects in a traditional manner.
A private funeral for Lomu will be held on December 1.
A sombre religious service in memory of Jonah Lomu in Mangere this evening started with a prayer in which the presiding Rev Tevita Finau expressed his grief over the superstar’s death and told the congregation that God has taken the “maeakafa” from them.
The use of the poetical term was unusual, even though it was not culturally prohibited, as it can only be used publicly to refer to the Late King Tupou I of Tonga to denote his exceptional wisdom, size, strength and success in freeing commoners from the rule of the monarchy and nobility and uniting Tongans under his leadership.
The service was held at Lotofaleʻia Tongan Methodist Church, where Lomu worshipped when he was young.
The memorial service was the first to be conducted since Lomu died on November 18.
As people sat in silence in the church, the service began with hymn 391 from the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga hymnal, ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua.
Many people in the congregation began to cry as Lomu’s mother Hepisipa and her family were invited to the front of the church to light the candles.
Jonah Lomu’s mum, Hepisipa whom most of the speakers, paid tribute to her during the ceremony. Photo/Kaniva Pacific News/ Kalino Latu
More other people were also invited to the front to light candles.
Thousands of Tongans and people from other Pacific Islands attended, including the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Sam Lotu Iga, MP for Mangere Sua, William Sio, and the Tongan MP for Manaukau East, Jenny Latu Salesa and the Cook Islands General Consulate, Her Excellency Mrs. Rossie Blake and Tuvalu Community Leader Fala Haurangi as well as Vijendra Prasad, the Fijian/Indian Community Leader.
Tongan dignitaries, local community board members, members of parliament and friends and family gathered at the church to remember the rugby legend on Sunday. Photo/Kalino Latu/Kaniva Pacific News
Church leaders who attended included Rev. Leomaisini Lea, Former Free Wesleyan Church President ‘Alifeleti Mone and Rev. Sekope ‘Uhila.
All speeches made during the service paid special tribute to Lomu’s mother for her attendance and for the loss of her son.
Hon. Iga told the audience there “will be no more Jonah Lomus” on the rugby field.
Former All Black ‘Isitolo Maka lights candles during the memorial service for Jonah Lomu. Photo/Kalino Latu/ Kaniva Pacific News
Sioeli Motu’apuaka, one of the Tongan community’s leaders in New Zealand, spoke on behalf of Lomu’s paternal side.
He said people from Lomu’s maternal side always compared Lomu’s success to his maternal uncle Peni Kiole of Holopeka. Kiole played prop for Tonga’s national rugby team and he was locally famous in his times because of his size and toughness in the rugby field, just like Lomu.
But Motu’apuaka told the congregation Lomu’s talent came from his paternal side from the village of Te’ekiu in Tongatapu where his father’s mother came from. This was met with an applause and laughter mid-way through.
Hon. Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga told the church of seeing Lomu not long before his death and he was shock when he heard about the news. Photo/Kalino Latu/Kaniva Pacific News
He said Te’ekiu’s rugby team once won the national championship while one of Lomu’s great uncles who were rugby players, Tevita Sitani played prop for the team.
MP Sua William Sio said Lomu might have made millions from his talents after he proved to be a rugby superstar.
Sio said one of his nephews once had his eyebrows shaved in the shape of the number 11 on Lomu’s jersey.
“I said Jonah probably got $1 million for that, but I think your mum is going to smack you,” Sio said to much applause and laughter.
Service organiser Salote Heleta-Lilo spoke about Jonah and said “You have taught our children to dream and to believe the non achievable, achievable indeed.” Photo/Kalino Latu/Kaniva Pacific News
Former Wesleyan President Rev. Alifeleti Mone from the Free Weslyan Church thanked everyone for attending.
“God bless you all,” he said. “Thank you very much.”
Rev. Mone, who served as Superintend of the Auckland-Manukau Wesleyan community from 1988 – 94, said Lomu’s sister asked him to celebrate her wedding.
Tongans were wearing ta’ovala and watch in silence while speakers delivered their speeches. Photo/Kalino Latu/Kaniva Pacific News
After getting permission from the Lotofale’ia Methodist church pastor Rev Mone officiated at the service. He said Lomu signed as father for his sister’s wedding on behalf of their late father Semisi Lomu.
Rev. Mone said he believed Lomu had lived his life according to what he learned by heart from the Bible and that was why he was greatly successful.
Drawing a link between Lomu’s sporting abilities and his faith, Rev. Mone quoted 2 Timothy, verses 4-7: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”
Here is the order of speakers for tonight’s service:
1. Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
2. Former President of Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Dr Rev ‘Alifaleti Mone
3. Tongan Community Leader, Sioeli Motu’apuaka.
4. Su’a William Sio, MP for Mangere
5. Mrs Rosie Blake, Cook Islands General Consulate.
6. Vijendra Prasad, Fijian-Indian community leader.
7. Fala Haurangi, Tuvalu community leader.
8. Sinipata Kaufononga, a childhood friend of Lomu.
9. Nalesoni Tupou, Barrister
The main points
A sombre religious service in memory of Jonah Lomu in Mangere this evening started with a prayer in which the presiding Rev Tevita Finau told the audience that God has taken the “maeakafa” from them.
The service was held at Lotofalei’a Tongan Methodist Church this, where Lomu worshipped when he was young.
Many people in the congregation began to cry as Lomu’s mother Hepisipa and her family were invited to the front of the church to light the candles.
Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Sam Lotu Iga told the congregation” “There will be no more Jonah Lomus” on the rugby field.
Locals at the beach before divers recovered the body of the deceased. Photo/ʻIlaisaane Taumoepeau Matau (Facebook).
Local divers have recovered a body at Fatumu beach last night believed to be that of the 32-year-old man who was reported missing in the area earlier during the day.
Police have yet to identify and confirm the deceased but photos uploaded to Facebook this morning which purported to share the tragic incident showed locals, police and divers were at the beach while a body was laid in a white sheet in the sand.
ʻIlaisaane Taumoepeau Mataʻu wrote on Facebook and said her brother Salesi Tapui, Rev Taufoʻou Fusikata and a man from Haʻasini by the name Angai were divers who found the body.
Lomu’s family and friends gathered outside his Auckland home on Friday morning where his old coach John Hart spoke on their behalf, announcing there would be a public service for Jonah, followed by a private funeral at the family’s church. Photo/Fairfax Media (Video)
Jonah Lomu’s family have received Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s Letter of Condolence yesterday at their Epsom residence and were formally informed Prince Ata would attend the All Blacks legend’s memorial services.
The family were greatly pleased with what they were told in a meeting they organised to meet with the Tongan consul in Auckland, Stafford ‘Aho.
‘Aho told Kaniva News this morning he was warmly welcomed by Lomu’s wife Nadene and her family and he appreciated how they reacted when he presented them the Prime Minister’s letter and told them about the Prince’s coming.
According to ‘Aho, the family were really happy about the letter and the fact the Prince would be here to be with them at this very diffcult time.
Hon Pohiva’s letter
“In learning of the passing of All Blacks and Hall of Fame Rugby Union Star, Jonah Lomu, the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, conveyed a message of condolence to the wife and family of Jonah Lomu, on behalf of the Government of Tonga on 20 November, 2015”, the Letter of Condolence by Hon. Pohiva says.
“The message highlighted Jonah Lomu as the ‘greatest rugby player in the world’ and “a true beloved son of Tonga.
“The Government of Tonga recognizes the valuable contribution of Jonah Lomu to sports in Tonga and the Pacific, especially towards the professional development and superb performance of rugby internationally.
During this time of mourning, Lomu’s legacy will not be forgotten, and the Government of Tonga would like to express its profound sorrow and heartfelt sympathy, for the loss of a young shining star, that will remain a vivid pillar of hope and inspiration for all Tongans, home and abroad”.
Former All Blacks head coach John Hart comforts mother of Jonah Lomu, Hepi Lomu with father of Lomu’s wife Nadine, Mervyn Kuiek
His mother Hepi
Lomu’s mother, Hepi, broke down in tears during the press conference on Friday about her son’s death, as it was revealed it was her birthday.
She clutched two white roses while former All Blacks coach John Hart stood near to her, speaking on behalf of the rugby hero’s family.
Hart announced there would be a public service for Jonah, followed by a private funeral at the family’s church and confirmed Lomu had died from a heart attack related to the kidney disease he had battled for years.
ʻEpeli Taione has resigned as chair of Tonga Rugby Union it has been reported in an exclusive interview with One News today.
The details of why he resigned had not been revealed.
One News said: “… a proposal is with the Tonga Rugby board for the Prime Minister to take on the role of president – a similar structure to the Samoa Rugby Union”.
Taione told Kaniva News in a previous interview he did not accept the outcome of how the Ikale Tahi performed in the Rugby World Cup 2015.
He said it was the best ever paid team Tonga had but the result was unacceptable.
Tonga won only one game against Namibia during the tournament and lost the rest to Georgia, Agentina and the All Blacks.
In picture: Fehoko Fifita authority believes he was hiding in Auckland. Photo/Supplied
A Tongan seasonal worker who was sponsored by his employer to come privately to New Zealand to have his injured knee operated on has repaid this generosity by absconding just as his flight was due to depart.
Nelson orchardist, David Easton who has employed workers from Vava’u each year for the last 9 years, is going to have a black mark against his name at Immigration New Zealand and is likely to fork out more money to meet the cost of finding his former employee.
He is asking the Tongan community to help persuade Fehoko Fifita and his family in Auckland to go home or his accreditation as an employer under the RSE scheme will be affected.
Twenty-four year old Fehoko Fifita from Vava’u was booked to return to Tonga on Friday last week, the day that his visa expires but after being checked in at Nelson airport, he managed to get his luggage off-loaded when he got to Auckland and did not board the flight.
Airport CCTV footage showed that Fehoko was with a woman when he asked for his luggage to off-loaded at the international terminal in Auckland and has since gone to ground suggesting that he is being aided by family members in Auckland.
RSE liaison officer in New Zealand, Sefita Hao’uli says that when he called Fehoko’s mobile phone and asked to speak to him, the phone was hung up. He got a text message saying that Fehoko was away temporarily.
He said there was a hint that something like this was on the cards because the family approached Ministry of Internal Affairs staff in Tonga a few days prior and asked if Fehoko’s visa could be extended so that Fehoko could be with his mother who now lives in Auckland.
They supplied a contact number for Mr Tevita Fakaʻata who is a used car salesman working for Tarnica Cars Limited in South Auckland.
“I told Faka’ata that the 30-day visa for Fehoko could not be extended as the sponsor, David Easton had told Immigration New Zealand that Fehoko will return within the 30 days and that if they want to bring him over, they should make a separate arrangement and he said he accepted it”, he said.
Fakaʻata told Kaniva News he only knew about Fehoko and his family through a friend of his in Auckland. The family asked him if he can help them find a way to extend Fehoko’s visa.
“It’s probably because of how I connected with the Tongan community here in Auckland and I told them I have to talk to Tonga’s Ministry of Labour and Commerce”, Faka’ata said.
“In fact I do not know the family personally and even Fehoko. After I found out he was sponsored by an RSE employer here in New Zealand I told them I could not be able to help and that was it,” Faka’ata said.
Sefita said he was asked by David to meet Fehoko off the connecting flight from Nelson but Fehoko managed to evade him at the domestic terminal.
“You can imagine how hurtful this has been for David Easton and his wife Maryanne, and frankly, I find it incredibly embarrassing to deal with this level of ingratitude”, said Sefita.
“David told me over the phone, he didn’t have to do this but decided to do so because he felt sorry for the worker so and he forked out for his visa costs and airfares and looked after him in all the time that he was here.
“I thought that at the very least, Fehoko should have got better advice from those of his family here in New Zealand who are obviously looking after him now.
“It isn’t too late to do what I think would be the right and proper thing to do. They should pack him off to Tonga as that will go some distance to putting this right.
“He has breached his visa conditions. He has no regards to the generosity towards him. He risks the livelihood of 50 families from Vava’u who rely on the Eastons for work every year.
“The reputational cost to many is huge and I think that this family will know that”.
Anyone with information they think might help locate the wherebout of Fehoko can contact Sefita at 027 4531 000.
Moala Sia Foʻou Tātola, 40, and Tāfolosa Haisaane Tātola Mahe, 47, accused of negligently killing their mother after her decaying body was found lying in filth in their home two years ago,pleaded not guilty in a San Mateo court last Friday
According to US media prosecutors filed charges against the sisters after concluding they criminally neglected their 73-year-old mother while they lived together for about two years, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Monday.
The siblings were living with their mother as caregivers in a home in the 1600 block of East Third Avenue in San Mateo from sometime in 2011 until her death in early 2013, prosecutors were quoted by US media as saying.
They reported their mother’s death on March 9, 2013, and when police arrived, they found the mother lying nude on the bed, already decaying with faeces all around her. Her back and legs were nearly black from filth, gangrene and dying flesh, prosecutors said.
An autopsy revealed the woman died of pneumonia. The sisters told investigators they tried to care for her but she refused to go to a doctor despite suffering from diabetes. However, they said they didn’t notice the squalid condition she was in before her death, prosecutors said.
Wagstaffe said that after a lengthy investigation and review process, it was clear the woman could not have ended up in the condition she did if the daughters were not criminally neglectful.
For example, if she refused to go to the doctor, the sisters could have sought assistance from San Mateo County Adult and Aging Services, he said.
While the pathologist was unable to pinpoint exactly when the woman died, it’s possible the sisters continued living with her for some time before reporting her death, Wagstaffe said.
The woman “couldn’t be in that condition without being totally ignored,” Wagstaffe said.
The sisters remain in custody on $150,000 bail and are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 25.
