The Tongan community in Auckland has mourned the death of three family members who were killed in a fiery crash on SH2 near Tauranga Saturday night 9.
Tevunga Vaea, 71, her daughter Louina Vaea, 45, and daughter-in-law Takua Vaea, 32, died when the minivan they were in collided with a car in the Bay of Plenty.
The women, who were travelling in the van with six other relatives, were expected to join relatives in Tauranga during Mother’s Day.
The vehicles caught fire after they collided on State Highway 2, between Whakamarama and Te Puna.
The six other relatives in the van were treated and discharged from Tauranga Hospital.
They were two girls aged 2 and 15, two women aged 20 and 57, and two men aged 29 and 41 as well as the passenger of the car – 35-year-old Sam O’Brien.
The deceased close friends and family members were devastated by their death.
“R.I.P My beautiful aunty Tevunga, it was shocked to all of us. and to your daughter Louina very sad to see you go so young. an for your daughter in law” said Matelita Morgan on Facebook.
“O.M.G I can’t express the feelings that I have rite (SIC) now wat (SIC) a heart breaking news i received today…RIL my unforgettable grandma,aunty Louina Vaea,and Takua Shiryl Vaea….Really miss u…fly high till we meet again”. — feeling stressed,” Vunga Vaea wrote.
“Our family just lost 3 woman tonight all at the same time baddest news ever received Tonight! & it’s mothers day tomorrow mad love going out to my Vaitohi family. Please Lord give us the strength to get through what just happened. 2015 defitnly not our families year!” another Facebook user wrote.
The deceased were from Onehunga in Auckland and Kanokupolu in Tongatapu.
If the Russians need a new spaceship captain, they should look to the skipper of the Niuafoʻou ferry.
According to Russian tourist Maxim Chervyakov, who witnessed passengers being brought ashore at the remote island, the ferry skipper showed he had all the skills needed to dock a spaceship.
Chervyakov brought back photographs showing passengers gingerly transferring from the ferry MV ‘Otuanga’ofa, waves hurling the barge back towards the shore – and a tiny baby who slept through the whole process.
The Russian said he had been told that one passenger had broken an ankle while disembarking.
He said he had also been told that last year the barge had capsized, but nobody had been hurt. From what he had seen, he thought it was possible it would happen again.
He said it nearly capsized while he was watching from the ferry on March 20.
The ferry has to heave to in the open sea while cargo and passengers are offloaded into a barge.
The six metre long barge then conveys the passengers and cargo to land where they have to be cautiously helped ashore by local people.
One of the passengers is being helped out of the vessel into the barge. Photo/ By courtesy of Maxim Chervyakov
One of the photos, taken during the transfer of passengers, shows a baby being passed from the ferry to the barge. The baby appears to be fast asleep.
Chervyakov said some people jumped from the ferry into the barge. In one of his photos a man can be seen being helped out of the vessel into the barge.
He said the process took almost two hours, during which the weather got worse and the waves repeatedly threatened the safety of people at the jetty. Eventually the procedure was called off and the ferry left for Vava’u.
He said he saw people repeatedly trying to push the barge back out to sea, but the waves kept throwing it back before they finally got it underway.
The barge is being struck by waves at the jetty. Photo/By courtesy of Maxim Chervyakov
“The barge captain is just an ace. He could pilot and dock a spacecraft I think,” Chervyakov said.
He also said it appeared that the way the islanders handled the disembarkation was “normal routine.”
“I think the men are super skilful in such unloading.”
Chervyakov hailed the bravery of the people involved in the unloading and disembarkation.
“It was really epic,” he said.
“Tongans are the same crazy as us Russians when we are determined to do something.”
“I wish they had a safer wharf there. It is a real challenge to unload when the sea is rough.”
Chervyakov said he had encountered some difficult situations in the past, but nothing like this.
The barge is being tied to the MV ʻOtuangaʻofa ready to transfer passengers and cargo to the jetty. Photo/ By courtesy of Maxim Chervyakov
About Niuafo’ou
Niuafo’ou is regarded as one of the most isolated islands in the world.
Located in the north of the kingdom, it is the furthest island from the mainland, Tongatapu, where the capital city Nuku’alofa is located.
It is a volcanic island meaning there are no surrounding reefs around to protect the land from the sea.
We understand people from inland who do the unloading and disembarkation at sea must be experienced people who know how to read the patterns of the waves.
They have to count a certain number of big waves before allowing the barge to come on shore.
While at the jetty the barge has to be unloaded and passengers disembarked as quickly as possible and put out to sea or the next big waves strike it against the rocks.
A vessel from Tongatapu arrives at Niuafo’ou once a month with passengers, goods for the shops, petrol and mail.
Niuafo’ou is 574 km away from Tongatapu. According to the 2006 census it has a population of 650.
The barge arrives at the jetty and is being controlled by the people with mooring lines. Photo/ By courtesy of Maxim Chervyakov
The main points
If the Russians need a new spaceship captain, they should look to the skipper of the Niuafo’ou ferry.
According to Russian tourist Maxim Chervyakov, who witnessed passengers being brought ashore at the remote island, the ferry skipper showed he had all the skills needed to dock a spaceship.
Chervyakov brought back photographs showing passengers gingerly transferring from the ferry MV ‘Otuanga’ofa, waves hurling the barge back towards the shore – and a tiny baby who slept through the whole process.
“The barge captain is just an ace. He could pilot and dock a spacecraft I think,” Chervyakov said.”
PHOTO: Right – Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni during the launch ceremony. Photo/TRU
The Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) has launched a new website, www.tongarugbyunion.org , for the organisation today in Nuku’alofa.
In a statement it said: “The website is part of an ongoing development for the union, something that has never been done before to this extent, providing features such as international transfers and clearances, player profiles, staff and management introductions, adding a new and refreshed way for fans to connect with the team”.
“The website will compliment and tie together the existing media platforms, linking the Facebook and Twitter feeds along with the growing YouTube and Instagram feeds.
“Other features of the new site include a latest videos section, along with a view into the Tonga Rugby Union as a whole. Moving forward there is the opportunity for news about domestic competitions, and for news about the ongoing work being completed by the unions Regional Development Officer
“These media platforms present an opportunity for major stakeholders, fans and friends to gain a much deeper knowledge of who represents the Tonga Rugby Union at all levels. This includes players, staff, management and board members, increasing accessibility, accountability and transparency, something the union is wanting to promote.
As the team builds towards the Rugby World Cup the union expects to be able to utilise their developing media presence to form a real connection with its global fan base, and long term look to other ways to reach out to the local community and build strong links in Tonga and around the world”.
The 2015 Session of the Tonga Legislative Assembly will be officially opened on the 28th of this month, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office in Nuku’alofa says.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Parliament House, but the program has not been released.
The statement also says the current session will be officially closed on Thursday 21 May 2015 in a Soft Closing ceremony in Nuku’alofa by a commission of three nobles, in which one of the nobles will deliver the closing speech on behalf of His Majesty King Tupou VI.
The names of the nobles are yet to be confirmed by the Palace Office, it says.
“His Majesty approves the date for the State Opening of the Legislative Assembly through a proposal from the Prime Minister and Lord Speaker”.
Tonga has a freer press than the United States, according to a global survey.
According to the latest report from the international journalists’ organisation Reporters Without Borders, Tonga ranked 44th in the World Press Freedom Index for 2015, while the United States came 49th.
The kingdom rose 19 places from 63 in 2014. In contrast, the United States dropped from 46th to 49th place on the new listing.
The Index was released to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
This year’s theme was ‘Let journalism thrive.’
The international body said the democratic election Tonga held in 2010 contributed strongly to the best position ever it has in its World Press Freedom Index 2015.
It said Tonga had an independent press, which had established its role as a counter-weight to the government.
Last year Tonga was placed 63rd, the same position it had in 2012 and 2011.
In 2007 the then government reacted angrily against Reporters Without Boarder after ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s newspaper reported on its front page that Tonga had placed 119th.
The story cited the lack of transparency and government aggression against democracy supporters.
In February 2003 Reporters Without Borders protested against the Tongan government’s ban on the independent biweekly paper Taimi ’o Tonga. The paper had a long history of denouncing corruption and failed projects by King Taufaʻahau Tupou IV.
In December 2003 Reporters Without Borders again criticised King Taufaahau Tupou IV for signing constitutional amendments and reintroducing press laws that allowed his government to maintain a ban on Taimi ʻo Tonga.
The international body said the king’s actions posed a serious threat to free expression and represented a huge step backwards for press freedom.
In March 2005 Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrest of pro-democracy activist Alani Taione for distributing 20 copies of Taimi ’o Tonga on his arrival on February 18 from New Zealand, where he was a resident.
Tonga’s ranking in the past 10 years:
2015 – 44
2014 – 63
2013 – 66
2012 – 63
2011 – 63
2010 – 87
2009 – No place
2008 – 82
2007 – 119
2006 – 53
2005 – 64
The main points
Tonga ranks 44th in the latest World Press Freedom Index for 2015, five places above the United States.
The kingdom rose 19 places from 63 in 2014, while the United States dropped from 46th to 49th place on the new listing.
The Index was released by the international journalists’ organisation Reporters Without Borders to mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
The international body said Tonga had an independent press, which had established its role as a counter-weight to the government.
A strong wind warning remains in force for all of Tonga land areas and coastal waters, Fua’amotu Weather Forecasting Centre says this evening Tuesday 5.
It says a heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.
Situation:
An east to south east wind flow prevails over the group, meanwhile a weak trough lies slow moving over north of the Niuas.
Associated clouds and light showers may affect parts of the Niuas.
Forecast to midnight tomorrow for Tonga :
For all Tonga:
Fresh to strong east to southeast winds.
Mainly fine apart from cloudy periods with isolated showers about the Niuas.
Marine weather bulletin:
A strong wind warning remains in force for all of Tonga coastal waters.
A heavy damaging swell warning remains in force for all Tonga coastal waters.
Forecast to midnight tomorrow for all Tonga coastal waters:
For all Tonga coastal waters:
Rough to very rough seas. A heavy south east swell.
Tonga has been identified by the Ethical Traveller Organization as one of the World’s Ten Best Ethical tourism destinations for 2015.
Three other South Pacific Island destinations are Palau, Samoa and Vanuatu.
The organisation said it selected the 10 top destinations after studying their respective positions on environmental protection, social welfare, human rights as well as animal welfare.
“For each of these categories, we look at information past and present so that we understand not only the current state of a country, but how it has changed over time”, it says.
“This helps us select nations that are actively improving the state of their people, government and environment”.
The organisation studied various international sources in its attempt to assess the status of its selected destinations including Reporters Without Borders, UNICEF, World Bank and reviews of local English language media.
The Ethical Traveller Organisation said these governments have taken over the past years to improve policies and practices in their countries.
World’s 10 best ethical tourism destinations list according to their alphabetical order:
Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the government had spent millions of paʻanga on campaigning and consulting the community in Tonga about the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The Prime Minister was responding to a statement by Cardinal Mafi of the Catholic Church who said he wanted the government to give more time for the public and churches to discuss whether Tonga should sign CEDAW or not.
Pohiva said he respected Cardinal Mafi’s point of view and said the cardinal was doing his job as a religious leader.
However, the government had already made it clear that Tonga had reservations about CEDAW’s position on the right to abortion, same sex marriage and the status of Tonga’s Land Act regarding the succession to the throne and nobility.
Hon. Pohiva said the government funded non-profit organisations in Tonga such as the Women and Children Crisis Centre Tonga, The Tongan family support organisation Ma’aFafine and Tonga’s Civil Society Forum and had asked them to consult with the public about CEDAW.
He said the campaign and consultations had lasted several years, which was enough time for the Tongan public to understand the CEDAW convention.
The Prime Minister’s Private Secretary, Poʻoi Pohiva, said the leaders of these non-profitable organisations were members of the local Catholic and Free Wesleyan churches.
The Prime Minister said previous governments had spent millions on the information and consultation campaign.
Cardinal Mafi said he feared the government’s move to sign CEDAW would open the door for Tonga to accept same sex marriage and abortion in the future.
The Prime Minister recently told Kaniva News in Auckland that Tonga could not stay by herself when most countries had adopted conventions like CEDAW.
The Tongan government has agreed to sign CEDAW convention and is now processing it through the United Nations.
The main points
Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akihisi Pohiva said last night the government had spent millions of pa’anga on consulting the community in Tonga about the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.
Pohiva was responding to a statement by Cardinal Mafi, who said he wanted the government to give more time for the public and churches to discuss the issue.
He said the government had made it clear it had reservations about CEDAW’s position on the right to abortion, same sex marriage and the status of Tonga’s Land Act regarding the succession to the throne and nobility.
The campaign and consultations had lasted several years, which was enough time for the Tongan public to understand the CEDAW convention.
Tongan Police said they have arrested the fugitive accused for unlawful imprisonment of a 20-year-old woman from Vaini in a hut in a plantation in the village of Puke in February.
Police said they have arrested Sione ‘Afa Teisina, 28, of Navutoka last week Friday, May 1 at 10pm at Mataki’eua in Tongatapu after working on a tip off.
He is now in Police custody and he was charged with causing serious bodily harm and more charges are expected after he would appear in court today according to Police Media & Communication Officer, Sia Adams.
Teisina allegedly beat and held Tapaita Finau captive for several days without giving her any food.
She managed to free herself while in captivity and fled to neighbours for help.
She was taken to hospital where she receive medical assistance before she was released.
The former President of TASANOC, Lord Tupou was honoured with the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the Welcoming Ceremony of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) General Assembly at the Grand Pacific Hotel held in Suva, Fiji last Friday evening May 1.
The Order was awarded by IOC President Hon. Tomas Bach in recognition of the work and contribution carried out by Lord Tupou through sports during his involvement in the past 40 years.
The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is awarded particularly for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.
The ceremony was special for four members from our region, Oceania, and they were Rosie Blake (Cook Island), Joe Carlo (Vanuatu), Lord Tupou (Tonga) and Helen Brownlee (Australia).
According to Secretary General, Takitoa Taumoepeau, the “ceremony was very warming and uplifting, especially it is the first for Tonga and TASANOC, as Lord Tupou is a former President and a Life Member. He is the first Tongan to receive such prestigious award.
Takitoa added, “it was also fitting for Lord Tupou who had been instrumental in the drive and changes to TASANOC, particularly with his legal background and experience in Government circle as well”. Also presence and join at the ceremony was wife, Saane and eldest son, David Jnr.
The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was Chief Guest and he was proud with the achievements by the four recipients from Oceania.
