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NZ invests $112 million development assistance  in Tonga  

By
Kaniva Staff
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The New Zealand government will spend  TP$112 million (NZD75 million) in developing Tonga’s energy resources, law and justice, education and skills development, and economic development.

It said a detailed strategy for New Zealand’s support will be formally agreed between New Zealand and Tonga later this year.

In a statement from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon it said: “New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary for International Development, Jonathan Kings, visited Tonga from 9-10 March to participate in high level consultations with the Government of Tonga on New Zealand’s development assistance to the Kingdom”.

Mr Kings stated “New Zealand remains a long-standing and close partner of Tonga.  It has been excellent to engage in constructive discussions with the Government of Tonga on the immediate and longer term areas of development cooperation. It is pleasing to see the results that New Zealand assistance is bringing to Tonga, particularly in the areas of energy and law and justice.”

Minister of Finance, the Honourable ‘Aisake Eke, commented “The Government of Tonga welcomed the opportunity to reconvene high level dialogue on development assistance with the Government of New Zealand and to consider Tonga’s priorities of education, renewable energy and economic governance.”

The New Zealand Aid Programme is currently supporting Tonga Power Limited to upgrade the village electricity network on Tongatapu, and has funded new police stations, search & rescue boats and police training.  New Zealand also supports the Tonga courts and has reconstructed Ha’apai schools following Cyclone Ian.

New Zealand and Australia finally release aid funding for private high schools in Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Australian and New Zealand funding for non-government secondary schools has been released by Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training (MET).

The money was held back for two years after an audit revealed some of it had been misapplied.

A spokesperson from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said MFAT approved the release of the funds to MET in December last year and they were paid out by MET in February.

The money was part of a joint Australian-New Zealand programme to supplement the pay of  high school teachers at non-government schools so their wages were comparable with those of government teachers.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has contributed TP$30,554,487 (Aus$18.5 million) since 2009 and MFAT has provided TP$12 million (NZ$9 million) to cover the period 2013 to 2016.

Kaniva News raised the issue in January after it received information the money was being withheld and that the Free Wesleyan Church schools in Tonga had complained about funding being held back since 2014.

MFAT told us in January the funds were held back after it was discovered some of the grants had not been used according to its purpose by schools in Tonga.

“In late 2014, it came to the attention of MET and MFAT that some of the grants were being diverted into school operational budgets, which is not their intended purpose,” an MFAT spokesperson said.

“MFAT and DFAT asked MET to clarify with non-government secondary schools how the school grants should be spent. As a result, MET put secondary school grant distribution on hold for the programme until an agreement between the Government and the schools was reached.”

Editor’s Note:

We received an updated statement from MFAT and MET yesterday regarding our story published on March 7 under the headline ‘NZ and Aust high school funding for Tonga withheld after funds misspent.’

It said the information used in our story was out-of-date and asked us to update it

Kaniva News is always happy to bring our readers the latest news, but it would have saved a lot of time and energy if the authorities involved had responded in time and made their responses crystal clear.

We e-mailed the Tonga Ministry of Education and Training on February 24 and 26 asking them to tell us whether or not the money had been released to the schools in Tonga. The e-mails were sent to Prime Minster ‘Akilisi Pohiva, who is also the Minister of Education, the Acting CEO and a senior official at MET and copied to the kingdom’s Chief Secretary.

We received no response from them before publishing the story, based on the most up-to-date information available to us, on March 7.

Had MET responded to us in February, they would not have had to ask us to update the story.

Unfortunately, journalists are used to the Tongan authorities not being transparent and reluctant to respond to media.

Sadly, the other governments involved have not been completely helpful either. As detailed in our story of March 7, the director of the Free Wesleyan Schools in Tonga said she had written to the New Zealand and Australian authorities asking them, unsuccessfully, to release the money.

Kaniva News e-mailed MFAT in January and the money was released in February without the Ministry updating us, even though they knew we were working on the story.  

In that exchange of e-mails, we asked MFAT to tell us the reasons the money was withheld and how long it had been held back.

In response, MFAT said: “In late 2014, it came to the attention of MET and MFAT that some of the grants were being diverted into school operational budgets, which is not their intended purpose. MFAT and DFAT asked MET to clarify with non-government secondary schools how the school grants should be spent. As a result, MET put secondary school grant distribution on hold for the programme until an agreement between the Government and the schools was reached.”

Kalino Latu, Editor Kaniva News.

The main points

  • The Australian and New Zealand funding for non-government secondary schools has been released by Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training (MET).
  • The money was held back for two years after an audit revealed some of it had been misapplied.
  • A spokesperson from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said MFAT approved the release of the funds to MET in December last year and they were paid out by MET in February.
  • They money was part of a joint Australian-New Zealand programme to supplement the pay of  high school teachers at non-government schools so their wages were comparable with those of government teachers.

For more information

‘NZ and Aust high school funding for Tonga withheld after funds misspent’ (Kaniva News) 

Red cross holds disaster training in Vavaʻu

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga’s Red Cross held disaster relief volunteer training in Neiafu to make sure the communities are better prepared to respond to future local, area or national disasters.

Sixteen volunteers from ʻEua, Haʻapai, Tongatapu and Vavaʻu responded to invitations to attend the training which started on February 29 to March 4.

Participants were trained about “facilitation skills, disaster cycle, assessments and relief distribution”.

It was held at the conference room of Tonga Red Cross Vavaʻu Branch. Among the guests were town officers and District Officers of Vava’u Group and partnership stakeholders.

PoliceMagistrate  and Government Representative Mr. Paula Tatafu officially opened the training and he thanked Tonga Red Cross for the work it conducted to respond to emergency situations including the spread of Zika virus in the kingdom.

“Opportunity to teach people in risk reduction minimize the effects and impacts disasters such as Cyclone Ula, with all our support we will make a better Tonga to face any situation of disaster”, he said.

Mr. Sione Taumoefolau, Secretary General of Tong Red Cross said: “Tonga Red Cross in its capacity and auxiliary role to government, helps and alleviate suffering of people in many disaster response, equipping trainers with essential skills will help to minimize sufferings.

The training was led by Disaster Management Officer, Mr. Inoke Taufa and assisted by Ms. Petra Mackay of the Australian Red Cross.

Laʻita
Those who attended the training. Photo/Tonga Government

Two toddlers poisoned after eating hotdogs in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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Two toddlers ages one and two-year-old were rushed to hospital in critical condition after eating hotdogs last night, but the children are now doing okay, a health official in Tonga said.

The officer at Vaiola Hospital said the Ministry of Health is investigating whether or not the poison was linked to  hotdogs  served as part of a refreshment at a funeral service in Ma’ufanga, Radio Tonga news reported.

Medical officer Lisiate ‘Ulufonua said about 10 people were also received at hospital last night after the report of food poisoning.

The Ministry of Health investigatiion continues.

Engaging women to contribute to safer communities in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Through its first Open Day to promote a greater understanding of various services police departments and specialists do in serving the community women and students were urged to work in police force.

March 8 is International Women’s Day and the theme for the special event was “Tonga Police women connecting with youth of Tonga for a safer place”.

Senior college students and community leaders were invited to the event which it showcased demonstrations and exhibits from the Dog Section, Search and Rescue, Crime Scene Investigation with the Forensic Investigation Team and Cyber Security.

The idea was to give the public an insight of what Police do.

“Today we are not only marking International Women’s Day but we are opening the door because we are the people’s police, we come from the people and we must serve and keep you safe to the best of our ability,” Tonga’s Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell told guests during the marking ceremony of the Women’s Day.

Dr ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki a Former Minister of Education told guests Police wanted to employ more women in Police force.

The United Nations 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.

“It will equally focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights”.

Tongan woman chosen for oceania rugby board

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tongan distinguished business consultant ‘Aloma Johansson has been elected to the board of Oceania Rugby.

A statement from the organisation said Johanson was one of two independent board members elected “to continue the growth and development of the organisation at a time when membership and playing numbers continue to flourish in the region”.

Aloma
Aloma Johansson

She has been appointed to the position of non-elected independent director.

An accountant and former Tonga Chamber of Commerce President, Aloma was also the first woman to sit on the Tongan Rugby Union Authority and was interim CEO in 2011/2012.

Oceania Rugby is one of six Regional Associations of World Rugby. It is responsible for representing the interests of its 16 Member Unions and 1 Associate Member to promote the growth of Rugby throughout Oceania.

Tonga A to face junior japan at world pacific rugby challenge

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga A and Junior Japan are set to open the World Rugby Pacific Challenge tomorrow afternoon  March 8,  2016 at 3:30pm at ANZ Stadium Suva, Fiji.

The team consists of all local players selected from the Lavengamalie Local Competition, a composition of mostly young players under age 25.

The team for tomorrow:

1. Loosehead prop Vakaolafehi Pole’o
2. Hooker Taimikovi Fangatua
3. Tighthead prop Sailosi Malimali
4. Left lock Vainanuma Manu
5. Right lock Charlie Pahulu
6. Left flanker Timote Paseka
7. Right flanker Bruce Folau
8. Number eight Sione Lolohea (c)

 

9. Scrum half Sosefo Ma’ake
10. Fly half Patelesio ‘One’one
11. Left wing Tu’ihakavalu Ika
12. Left centre Alfred Hausia
13. Right centre Siosaia Palei
14. Right wing Atelea Moa
15. Full back Samuela Fiefia
16. Front row Sione Vaea
17. Front row Isitolo Tuumotoa
18. Front row ‘Aisea To’a
19. Solomone Lavaka
20. Joji Tu’ipulotu
21. Mateo Malupo
22. Fe’ofa’aki Kaumavae
23. Lemeki Moala

 

The Coaching Officials are;

Head coach – ‘Isileli fatani

Assistant coach – Eufemio Taholo ‘Anitoni and Soane Havea

Scrum Coach & S & C trainer – Kuata Tokolahi

Team Manager – Manu Mataele

Physio – Siosaia Vakasiuola

Schedules:

Tues 8 March      Japan A V Tonga A ANZ Stadium 3.30pm

Fiji Warriors V Samoa A ANZ Stadium 6.00pm

Sat 12 March        Samoa A V Tonga A ANZ Stadium 3.30pm

Fiji Warriors V Japan A ANZ Stadium 6.00pm

Thurs 17 March   Samoa A V Japan A ANZ Stadium 3.30pm

Fiji Warriors V Tonga A ANZ Stadium 6.00pm

Mon 21 March     3rd V 4th ANZ Stadium 3.30pm

1st V 2nd ANZ Stadium 6.00pm

Van collides with car in Pea

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A car and van collided on a road in Pea this afternoon.

The van smashed into the rear of the car.

Further details of what had happened were unavailable.

Crown signs settlement with Kali Fungavaka’s widow

By
Kaniva Staff
-

After about four years when Kali Fungavaka was killed in Tonga the Crown has signed a deed of settlement, acknowledging breaching of constitutional rights to life, liberty and freedom within Tonga.

The details of the settlement were intended to be kept secret however the agreements  entitled Fungavaka’s five children with his former wife  to some of the settlement provided by the Crown.

Tonga’s Acting Attorney General  said on Thursday 3, the Supreme Court has declared the actions of certain Police Officers as servants of the Kingdom of Tonga towards Kali Fungavaka on the night of 17 August and morning of 18 August 2012 were wrongful.

Kali Fungavaka was of Tongan origin and a police officer in New Zealand while he visited Tonga in 2012.

The Acting AG said the  declaration made by the Supreme Court under clause 103A of the Constitution was the final outcome of the civil case lodged against the Crown by Fungavaka’s widow, Ms Audra Watts, who was also the Administrator of the estate of the late Kali Peaua Fungavaka.

The Crown then entered into a deed of settlement with the estate of the deceased to compensate them for their loss, related out of pocket expenses and legal costs.

That deed of settlement is confidential between the parties, but it was based on achieving justice for both parties.

Ms Watt’s  legal counsel Mr Frank Hogan of Auckland New Zealand said his clients acknowledges the entitlement of 5 children of Kali Fungavaka to some of the settlement provided by the Crown, and so she will within one month take steps to set up an appropriate trust or trusts for the children.

Fungavaka died on August 23, 2012 in Nuku’alofa after he was assaulted by certain Police Officers and a civilian in cells at the Nuku’alofa Central Police Station on the night of August  17 and the morning of August 18,  2012.

The five Police Officers and civilian involved in the assaults were charged and prosecuted in 2014.

Two Police Officers were convicted of manslaughter and one Police Officer was convicted of common assault.

The civilian was convicted in a separate trial by a judge and jury with causing grievous harm to Mr Fungavaka.

The two Police Officers convicted of manslaughter were sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, with one year suspended, and 9 years imprisonment, with one year suspended, respectively.

The other Police Officer convicted of common assault, and the civilian, received fully suspended imprisonment sentences.

NZ and Aust high school funding for Tonga withheld after funds misspent

By
Kalino Latu
-

Australian and New Zealand funds for non-government high schools have been withheld by the Tongan Ministry of Education and Training.

The Ministry withheld the money after it was discovered that some of the grants had not been used according to the purpose of the funding programme.

New Zealand and Australia co-fund a multi-million dollar programme for secondary schools in the kingdom.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has contributed TP$30,554,487 (Aus$18.5 million) since 2009 and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) provided TP$12 million (NZ$9 million) to cover the period 2013 to 2016.

“In late 2014, it came to the attention of the Ministry of Education and MFAT that some of the grants were being diverted into school operational budgets, which is not their intended purpose,” an MFAT spokesperson said.

The money will continue to be withheld until an agreement is reached with Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training and the schools.

MFAT and DFAT asked the Ministry to make clear to non-government secondary schools in Tonga how the school grants should be spent.

The Ministry has put distribution of the moneys on hold until an agreement between the Government and the schools has been reached.

“MFAT understands the agreement is now awaiting final approval,” the MFAT spokesman said.

The programme provides school grants to non-government secondary schools to supplement teachers’ salaries so they compare with government secondary school pay.

A spokesperson for the Australian High Commission in Tonga told Kaniva News they were “aware MET has been working very closely with representatives from non-government schools to overcome programme issues and that positive progress has been made on this.”

It said Australia had committed $Aus13 million to the Tonga Education Support Programme, which is managed by the Tongan Ministry of Education.

It said all DFAT scheduled payments under this agreement were up to date as per the current agreement.

“While DFAT provides support to MET in accordance with our agreement, DFAT doesn’t fund schools directly and is not withholding school grant funding,” the spokesperson said.

He said Australia also supported Tonga’s post-secondary education sector through skills development that responded to labour market demand.

We sought comment from the Minister of Education, ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, but to no avail.

Free Wesleyan Church schools

The Free Wesleyan Church Schools’ Director of Education, Dr Mele’ana Puloka, told Radio FM 87.5 in January it had been two years since New Zealand and Australian funding was held back from the church’s schools.

She said she knew there were good reasons why the funding had been withheld, but the church could not only pay its teachers and disregard other staff working outside the classrooms.

In 2011 the grant paid TP$400 per head for each non-government school student, made up of TP$100 from Australia, TP$100 from New Zealand and TP$200 from the Tongan government.

The money was intended to top up non-government school teachers’ pay to match the equivalent of high salaries offered by the government to its teachers.

Kaniva News has seen a letter sent by former Ministry of Education Director Emily Pouvalu to Dr Puloka in December 2014 asking for details of how the grant awarded to the church’s schools were being used during 2011, 2012, and 2013.

“The information you will provide will allow MET to make available to the donors what they like to know on how the grant is assisting to reduce the disparity of the salaries received by teachers in the government schools and those of the non-government schools,” the letter read.

Dr Puloka reportedly said she had written to New Zealand and Australian authorities clarifying things she thought might satisfy them and allow them to release the funds, but they still withhold the money.

The main points

  • Australian and New Zealand funds for non-government high schools have been withheld by the Tongan Ministry of Education.
  • The Ministry withheld the money after it was discovered that some of the grants had not been used according to the purpose of the funding programme.
  • New Zealand and Australia co-fund a multi-million programme for secondary schools in the kingdom.
  • The money will continue to be withheld until an agreement is reached with Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training and the schools.
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