Sunday, August 3, 2025
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 790

Two people seriously injured during Vaimalō night attack, Tuʻanekivale invaders appeared in court

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Two people sustained serious injuries Saturday night 22 and were rushed to hospital after an alleged attack in Vaimalō, Vavaʻu Islands.

Police said the duo, in the ages of 21 and 39, were  asleep while they were injured at about 3 – 4am and they are recovering in hospital.

Police have yet to make any arrests in connection to the incident, Vavaʻu Superindentent Netane Falakiseni told Kanva News.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Vavaʻu Police station.

Meanwhile three people appeared in court yesterday and pleaded guilty after Police charged them with illegal home invasion at Tuʻanekivale , wilful damage and possessing prohibited alcohol.

Falakiseni said the three men smashed windows of a house in the residence.

They were arrested in relation to the crime and  after Police found home brew in the van they were driving.

Falakiseni said the trio will reappear in court tomorrow 27 for sentencing.

Two separate car crashes in Vavaʻu, two passengers fight for life in hospital

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 45-year-old man remains in a critical condition at Ngu hospital after the truck he was driving collided with a big horn van on Utulangivaka Rd Saturday 22.

Vavaʻu Police have arrested the 20-year-old female driver of the van and charged her with reckless driving causing bodily harm and causing structural  damages, Police Superintendent Netane Falakiseni told Kaniva News. 

Police investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile a 38-year-old man who was involved in a horrific crash involving his younger brother yesterday morning outside Longomapu is fighting for his life in hospital.

The man was a passenger in the van while his 22-year-old brother was driving.

Police have arrested the younger brother and charged him for reckless driving causing bodily harm and he remains in Police custody .

Falakiseni said further details regarding the incidents will be released when they become availabe.

St George’s palace design revealed at today’s foundation ceremony at Pangai Si’i site

By
Kalino Latu
-

The designs for what could be the largest government building ever built in the kingdom were officially unveiled in Nukuʻalofa today in a formal ceremony attended by King Tupou VI and government leaders.

His Majesty laid the foundation of the new Chinese-funded building today.

Construction of the complex, to be known as St George’s palace, has already generated controversy, with many people upset by the fate of a historical building and calls for a war memorial to be safeguarded.

The project was initiated by the late King George VI in 2010 after the Chinese government donated TP$25 million (NZ$18 million) to its costs. The Chinese Northeast Architectural Design and Research Institute Co. Ltd worked on the conceptual design.

The four storey building, which will house the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, is being built at Pangai Siʻi in Nuku’alofa.

The structural details of the building have yet to be released.

Ceremony

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva welcomed His Majesty King Tupou to the foundation laying ceremony.

Crown Princess Sinaitakala and Queen Nanasipau’u also attended.

In his speech welcoming His Majesty, the Prime Minister said  the palace would help connect most of the big government ministries, which would make their work easier.

He thanked the Chinese government for funding the project.

The Chinese Ambassador to Tonga, Mr Huang Huaguang, said the project strengthened Tonga’s relationship with China.

Critics

Some people became emotional last week when photos emerged showing the demolition of the band stand that had been in Pangai Si’i for many years.

Overseas Tongans who were in Tonga when it was built suggested it should have been saved and reinstated somewhere in the new compound as it was a historical building.

At times when there were hardly any instrumental entertainments in the country in 1960s and 70s Police and Military bands used to play at the band stand for entertainment purposes and welcoming of those who visited Nukuʻalofa or  for Police or the military marching practices.

Many remembered when they arrived at the capital Nuku’alofa for shopping or selling their products and visited the band stand to listen to the bands.

Some women remembered it as a place where they met their boyfriends before going home after school.

A petition was sent to government last week asking that the Armed Forces be allowed to remove the Memorial Stone in Pangai Si’i.

The memorial was built to remember those who served in both world wars.

The petition said the memorial stone should not be disturbed during the construction of the new palace as a sign of respect to those soldiers who went to war.

The main points

  • The design for what could the largest government building ever built in the kingdom were officially unveiled in Nuku’alofa today in a formal ceremony attended by King Tupou VI and government leaders.
  • His Majesty laid the foundation of the new Chinese-funded building today.
  • Construction of the complex, to be known as St George’s palace, has already generated controversy, with many people upset by the fate of a historical building and calls for a war memorial to be safeguarded.
  • The four storey building, which will accommodate the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, is being built at Pangai Si’i in Nuku’alofa.

For more information

Pangai Si‘i green bulldozed to make way for new Tonga Government building

War monument at Pangai Si’i to be relocated

Church overflows as mourners farewell student killed in mystery car crash

By
Kalino Latu
-

About 1000 people packed into a Central Auckland church yesterday (August 24) to farewell Waikato University student Keleiola Pifeleti who was allegedly killed in a car accident in Trafalgar St in Onehunga on August 17.

Police have no record of an accident and a spokeswoman from the Wellington Police call centre said the accident may not have been reported to Police. A search of the New Zealand Police website found no record of an alleged accident.

However, family members and friends of the deceased who did not want to be named told Kaniva News Ms Pifeleti was a passenger in a car that crashed on Trafalgar St in Onehunga. She died in hospital on August 20 after fighting for her life for three days.

They believed Police did not have any record of the accident because she did not die at the scene and that no one reported the accident to them.

There were too many mourners to fit into the church. Those who came to pay tribute to the 19 year-old sister, friend and school mate, included community leaders and many young people.

At least 40 of the mourners at the church yesterday were schoolmates of Ms Pifeleti when she was a student at Marists College. Also attending in school uniform schoolmates of hers youngest brother from Mt Roskill Grammar School.

The church’s youth group, Lātaki, wore tauangaʻa (black clothes and taʻovala) and t-shirts with Keleiola’s name and photo on them.

Her mother, Fiesola Pīfeleti, broke down and fell to her knee at the Waikaraka cemetary in Onehunga where Keleiola was buried.

She appears to have been overwhelmed by emotion while her daughter’s coffin was lowered into the grave.

Ms Pifeleti’s father, ‘Akeiti Pifeleti, died in an accident in 2000.

Tearful tributes were made in English and Tongan on Facebook. Keleiola was described as an inspiration and compassionate.

Her cousin, Karina Angela Lavakeiaho Filitonga, wrote: “I promise you this is not the end sis, All im asking is please do visit me in my dreams, i will see you soon eh. Tala atu eku ofa (Send my love) to Dad and the rest of our loved ones up there. I couldn’t bare the fact that aunty Sola was such in so much pain, you left with no explanation sis frown emoticon. Iaueeeeeeeeeh (Keleiola  I love yooou till the day I take my last breath.

“When they lay you down to your grave it hit me so hard that I cried so hard, seeing hundreds of people showed up made me realised how important you are to them and how much you meant to them, Staying up Sunday night just stairing [sic] at you was worth it, I love you endlessly sis, no words can explain how still hurt i am”.

Keli Peau wrote: “Today the Lord needed you more than we did.  I will always be thinking of you, my love and my prayers go out to your family and your friends. You will always have a special place in my heart Keleiola. Thank you for getting me through Marist. You played such a huge role in so many people’s lives and I am beyond grateful that you were a part of mine. We have so many memories together, ones that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I love you unconditionally and I will forever be missing you. Rest in peace my beautiful”.

“Thoughts and prayers going out to the Pifeleti family as they farewell another angel. Rest in peace keleiola xx im sure your dad will be delighted to have you home. ‪#‎gonesosoon”

The main points

  • About 1000 people packed into a Central Auckland church yesterday (August 24) to farewell Waikato University student Keleiola Pifeleti who was allegedly killed in a car accident in Trafalgar Rd in Onehunga on August 17.
  • Police have no record of an accident. A spokeswoman from the Wellington Police call centre said the accident may not have been reported to Police.
  • However, family members and friends of the deceased who did not want to be named told Kaniva News Ms Pifeleti was a passenger in a car that crashed on Trafalgar St in Onehunga.
  • She died in hospital on Thursday 20.

Heavy rain and strong winds for Tongatapu and ‘Eua

By
Kaniva Staff
-
Rainy day in Nuku’alofa in November 2013. Photo/Loumaile Lodge (Facebook).

Heavy rain and strong wind warnings are in place for much of Tongatapu and ‘Eua  as the stormy weather slowly moving from west over the islands.

MetService however said the raining would be heavy at time this evening but would ease off from midnight tonight and slowly clearing early tomorrow morning.

It also warned that flash flooding was expected in low lying areas.

For the rest of Tonga light to moderate north to northeast winds fresh at times. Overcast with rain developing tonight, possibly heavy at times especially about Vava’u and Ha’apai.

A strong wind warning remain inforce for Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal waters.

For Tongatapu and ‘Eua coastal waters, Metservices said East to Southeast winds 25-30 knots and gusting up to 35 knots at times.

Rough to very rough seas. Poor visibility in areas of heavy rain and a moderate southeast swell.

Tsunami threat for Tonga ‘extremely high’, authorities say

By
Kaniva Staff
-
L-R Front Row,  Leveni ‘Aho Director of NEMO, Dr. Laura Kong Director of the International Tsunami Information Centre, ‘Alifeleti Tu‘ihalamaka Acting CEO MEIDECC, Rajendra Prasad Programme Officer for UNESCO/IOC Risk Reduction and Tsunami, Kepu ‘Ioane and ‘Ofa Fa‘anunu Director of Meteorology with participants of the Tsunami Warning and Emergency Response Workshop. Photo/Supplied

Tonga’s director of NEMO, Lēveni ‘Aho  told trainees in Nukuʻalofa today that tsunami threat to the kingdom is “extremely high” and it would hugely destroy the environments if it hit.

Lēveni was not alone in his remark. The Acting CEO for MEIDECC ‘Alifeleti Tuʻihalamaka also told the training the natural disaster is a “real threat” to Tonga.

The remarks were made during a one week training in Nukuʻalofa which was also attended by representatives from the outer islands.

The training discussed tsunami standard operating procedures for first responders, early warning and coordination, tsunami evacuation, awareness and response.

“As we have seen from the Tsunami that caused the loss of 9 lives in Niuatoputapu in the 2009, tsunami is a real threat to Tonga,” Tu’ihalamaka was quoted as saying in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Tonga must be prepared for tsunami. From knowing vulnerable areas to coastal inundation, detection of earthquakes and ensuring that warning information reaches all citizens and visitors to Tonga in a timely manner and the people know what to do…..We must be ready,” Tu’ihalamaka said.

The Director of the National Tsunami Warning Centre, Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu was also quoted by the press statement  as saying “Since October 2014, Tonga is now responsible for issuing its own tsunami warnings.

“This training is very timely to address gaps that currently exist in the early warning system, standard operating procedures and coordination”.

“It is vital that all parties are working together at the national level to ensure that things like public education are carried out to ensure that the public are able to respond in a timely manner to a tsunami threat”.

Dr. Laura Kong, Director of the International Tsunami Information Centre based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi said  that “we do not know when and where a tsunami will occur so we must be prepared”.

Director of NEMO, Mr. Lēveni ‘Aho also said “the tsunami threat for Tonga is extremely high, and the impact of such an events on our islands could be devastating. We therefore must be pro-active in ensuring that we build community resilience to tsunami”.

Canterbury students assist Tonga develop renewable energy system

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Five University of Canterbury (UC) electrical engineering students from New Zealand have returned from Tonga after assisting the local power company to investigate various renewable energy projects.

Supervisor Dr Andrew Lapthorn from UC’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said the most novel approach sought to produce biofuel from coconuts, which, although technically possible, was determined by the students as not economically viable for electricity generation.

The five final year students are Aaron Ang from New Plymouth, Andrew Berry from Levin, Mitch Graham from Havelock North, Ben Mulholland from Christchurch and Peter Whyte from Whakatane.

Different options including wind power, tidal energy and solar power were modelled for three different island groups: Ha’apai, Vava’u and Tongatapu. The trip allowed the students to present their research findings and project modelling to representatives from Tonga’s state-owned electricity company, Tonga Power Ltd.

“It’s vastly different from New Zealand in terms of the resources available,” Dr Lapthorn says.

“Up until a few years ago, all the electricity generated in Tonga was from diesel power generators, but this is uneconomical due to the cost of shipping fossil fuels and generator maintenance. Adding more renewable generation can help insulate the community from oil price changes.

“People look at renewable energy and they think things like wind and solar and there’s an abundance of that in the Pacific, but there are the challenges such as how to store electricity for use when it is not windy or sunny.

“Our students looked at various storage options, as well as gauging how much energy each different option could produce,” explains Dr Lapthorn.

One location tested for tidal generation gave good levels of energy, but again the economics of producing it meant it wasn’t a feasible option. The most efficient method is solar power, and the UC students were able to help make recommendations about size and location of panels as part of UC’s continuing relationship with Tonga Power.

Diversifying energy sources became an even greater priority for Tonga after Cyclone Ian struck the Ha’apai group of islands in January 2014. It affected more than 80 percent of the infrastructure, including the power system supplied by two 186kilowatt diesel generators.

The students’ research findings will help Tonga further develop an energy road map.

“Tonga relies heavily on external aid from other countries such as New Zealand and China, so the students findings can help inform funding applications to implement chosen power systems,” Dr Lapthorn says.

The week-long trip was mainly funded by UC’s College of Engineering as part of the University’s developing reputation for engaging in projects that are useful for businesses, communities and natural environments.

The University of Canterbury has led a number projects in Tonga over the past few years, including installing solar systems on six school rooftops to help reduce expensive diesel-fuelled power bills.

— Canterbury University

Vigil held for Tongan teen girl allegedly killed in car accident

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The life of a Tongan student at Waikato University is being remembered by peers, family and churchgoers tonight in a religious vigil at the Onehunga Catholic chapel.

Keleiola Pifeleti died in Hospital Thursday 20 after suffering serious injuries following a car accident on Monday

New Zealand Police were unable to immediately provide details of the accident to Kaniva News when they were contacted today Sunday 23.

Close friends of the deceased’s family who did not want to be identified said Ms Pifeleti would be laid to rest tomorrow.

Friends and family have expressed their sorrow and loss for the 19-year-old on social media.

Her cousin Helena Tauelangi wrote on Facebook: “You’ve been such an inspiration to many, shared your love, talent, and your humor….I still can’t believe your [sic] gone… Miss you to the end of the world….you’ve touch our heart and we all know that God needed you more than we needed you…..just hearing your voice at the end just makes me smile coz [sic] all you ever did was smile……we love you endlessly Rest In Peace cuzzy [sic] Kei”

A friend wrote: “God has other plans for you KJ, fly high little Angel, love to you and your family especially your mum and your brothers”.

Pifeleti’s death comes after Tongan 22-year-old Lavi Taimani was recorded as New Zealand’s  first road crash victim for 2015 in January.

Constituency visits a waste of money says Speaker as he blames MPs for lack of action

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Lord Tuʻivakanō, has told the House that Parliament’s annual visits to its constituencies were a waste of public funds.

Lord Tuʻivakanō also moved to postpone the next Parliamentary visit until 2017.

Speaking to the House last Monday (August 17) he said that every year Members visited their constituencies and returned with the same list needs from their constituents because no serious action was ever taken from year to year.

The Speaker revealed that the Minister of Finance had increased the funding each member can take with to their constituency from TP$100,000 to TP$150,000 (NZ$70,000-105,000), starting with this year’s Parliamentary visit.

Lord Tuʻivakanō said there should be a well-planned project for the next Parliamentary visit to each constituency, which would be funded by the visiting fund.

The Speaker believed the project would make sure the visiting funds were used wisely and effectively for the benefit of the constituents.

The Speaker’s motion to postpone the visits was seconded by Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, who said they should be made biannually.

Hon. Pōhiva reiterated the Speaker’s claims that nothing new was being done for the benefit of the constituents with the money set aside for the visits.

In his statement supporting the Speaker, the Prime Minister said he believed people had started to notice that MPs reported on the same things after every visit, but that nothing was ever done about it.

He said MPs should use Parliament’s holidays to visit and talk to their constituents about their needs and report to the House when it reconvened.

Hon. Pōhiva then seconded Lord Tuʻivakano’s motion to conduct the visits every second year.

Opposition

However, Lord Nuku told the House he believed the visit should still be done annually. He said the visit was part of Parliament’s accountability to the people.

Lord Nuku said he believed the visit enabled the people of the constituencies to talk to their MPs about what they most needed.

He also mentioned clause 62 of the Constitution  to support his statements.

MP Sāmiu Vaipulu told the Speaker he agreed with what he had raised in regard to the visit, but he moved to leave the proposed changes until next year for further discussion.

The Speaker agreed with Vaipulu to leave the motion for next year.

Parliamentary visit

Once every year Members of Parliament visit their constituency and discuss what the people need. Recently the government allocated funding for MPs to take to the constituents on the visits.

They give the money to the constituents to use it for what they think will benefit their community like road maintenance and water supply.

One of the reasons the visits are made is because MPs do not have constituency offices in their electorates where people can visit them, as happens in other Parliamentary democracies like New Zealand and Australia.

The main points

  • The Speaker of the Tongan Legislative Assembly, Lord Tuʻivakanō, has told the House that Parliament’s annual visits to various constituencies were a waste of public funds.
  • He said that every year Members visited their constituencies and returned with the same list of needs from their constituents because no serious action was ever taken on what they needed from year to year.
  • Lord Tuʻivakanō said there should be a well-planned project for the next Parliamentary visit to each constituency, which would be funded by the visiting fund.
  • The Speaker was supported by the Prime Minister, Hon. ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

‘Nice guy’ first road victim of 2015 as police ask public to help curb unlicensed drivers

By
Kalino Latu
-

Family and friends of the first road-crash victim for 2015 in Vava’u are reeling over the death of a “nice guy” known to have had no trouble at all with anyone.

Tikisinali Kena, 29, was the driver of a mini-bus that was involved in a collision with a rental car on Wednesday.

Kena was thrown out of the van and lay unconscious at the scene of the accident near his village of Leimatu’a. He died in hospital soon afterwards.

Kena, who lived in New Zealand, was in Tonga to visit his parents in Vava’u.

Vava’u Superintendent Netane Falakiseni said Police had charged the driver of the rental car, Vaka Fanua, with reckless driving causing death.

It is understood that Fanua, 22, from Leimatu’a, was not licensed at the time of the incident.

Superintendent Falakiseni said unlicensed drivers were becoming a big problem in Vava’u.

There was fear that the increasing availability of rental cars on the main island of Vava’u would put more unlicensed drivers into the road.

Falakiseni said people who did not hold a driver’s licenses asked family members or friends who had valid licenses to hire them rental cars.

Once rented, the cars were given to whoever in their family wanted to drive but did not have a license.

In January this year the Minister for Land Transport, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu, said 95 percent of drivers in Tonga were unlicensed and only a quarter of the kingdom’s vehicles were registered.

Of the 4000 vehicles operating in the northern islands of Vava’u, only 200 vehicles were registered.

No plate numbers

Falakiseni said many road users in Vava’u were found by Police to be driving vehicles without registration plates on the road.

Road users pay for the registration plate number and have to wait for a few days before they arrive. Apparently many people cannot wait and take to the road without registration plates.

Falakiseni took to Facebook this week to call on the people of Vava’u to help keep unlicensed drivers off the streets and to make sure people follow traffic and road transport laws.

He said Police fined people driving without licenses on the road, but given the size of the force, its officers could not do the works all by themselves. He said they had other commitments and they were asking the public to help.

One respondent to his post on Facebook suggested that Police could work in partnership with district and town officers to crack down the problem. He said even clergy could be contacted to discuss the matter with their congregations.

One Vava’uan from New Zealand who had been to Vava’u recently commented on Falakiseni’s post and said that after renting a car on the island he realised the registration was expired.

He told the rental agency operator about the expired registration, but he was told to take the car and promised that if the Police caught him, the operator would pay the fine.

Falakiseni did not respond to the comments.

The Superintendent mentioned Kena’s death, saying people were dying on the road and the community had to work together to stop it.

Tribute to Kena

Since Wednesday, Facebook has been flowing with tributes to Kena, who moved to New Zealand to study and stayed on to raise a family.

His niece Lataisia Tamale wrote: “Our (heart felt) the lost [sic] of a dear uncle Tikisonali Kena a.k.a Tiki Kena (cry emoticon).  It was so saad [sic]  to see the pain that you’ve been through, Si’i mate ofa atu ki ho mata Tiki lahi. God has gained another angel from Pese Hall Kuila Great Grandchildren. Rest In Peace Nali”.

Another family member wrote: “I can’t stand to see my sister and your babies in pain so I pray that God may look over your little family and comfort them”.

“Tiki will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his heart.  Twice as big as the state of LEIMATZ (Leimatu’a).  Tiki gave it all every day to each and every one of us and our lives have forever been hollowed without him. You will be missed and remain in our hearts. Rest in peace brother Tiki Kena,” Eshe Kuila wrote.

One of his close friends wrote that Kena was one of the nicest guys he had ever met.

The main points

  • Tonga’s main island of Vava’u has suffered its first road death of the year.
  • Tikisinali Kena, 29, was the driver of a mini-bus that was involved in a collision with a rental car on Wednesday.
  • Vava’u Superintendent Netane Falakiseni said Police have charged the driver of the rental car, Vaka Fanua, with reckless driving causing death.
  • It is understood that Fanua, 22, from Leimatu’a, was not licensed at the time of the incident.

For more information

Unlicensed driver arrested (Kaniva News)

Most vehicles in Tonga unregistered (RNZI)

1...789790791...903Page 790 of 903
© Copyright 2025 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment