A Tongan family in South Auckland can now enjoy the rest of the weekend after their boy returned home safely.
Korotangi Lalahi, 6, was reported missing yesterday after he failed to return after playing in a friend’s house.
His family became worried for his well-being and they contacted Police.
Korotangi was found at a friend’s address on Saturday morning and the cause of his disappearance was a miscommunication of addresses, Police said.
Concerns are growing for a 6-year-old boy in South Auckland after he failed to return home from a friend’s place in Mangere yesterday, police say.
A search and rescue team’s being called out this morning to search for Korotangi Lalahi in south Auckland after he failed to return from playing at a friend’s house last night.
Korotangi Lalahi was last seen around the Yates Road, Tennessee Ave area.
He is described as of Tongan and Maori decent, of average build, 100cm tall and with short dark hair.
He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and shorts, and riding a blue and black scooter.
“Korotangi’s family are concerned for his safety due to his age and vulnerability and want him to return home,” police said.
Anyone with information that could assist in finding Korotangi was asked to contact Counties-Manukau police 09 2632700, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
Lavina was last seen near Goldsmith Avenue, Delahey about 3.20pm on Tuesday.
Police and her family were concerned for her welfare as it was out of character for Lavina not to come home.
Lavina was described as Pacific Islander in appearance with long black hair. She was identified on Facebook as Tongan.
Lavina was last seen near Goldsmith Avenue, Delahey about 3.20pm on Tuesday.
Police and her family are concerned for her welfare as it is out of character for Lavina not to come home.
Lavina is described as Pacific Islander in appearance with long black hair.
She was last seen wearing a school uniform.
Police have released an image of Lavina in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information regarding her whereabouts.
Dr Sione Lavenita Vaka has become the first Tongan male nurse to acquire a doctorate in nursing.
He was awarded his PhD from Massey University.
Dr Vaka said the sacrifices he made to complete his doctorate had paid off because he achieved his goal.
He was one of Tonga’s first male nursing recruits in 1993 when the Ministry of Health opened the profession to men.
He said he and a friend at Tonga High school decided to become nurses because they thought it might be a good way to meet girls.
In the beginning it was just for fun because in Tonga nursing was regarded as women’s work and male nurses were ridiculed.
However, he soon discovered he had a talent for nursing and was awarded a full scholarship to study in New Zealand.
He obtained a Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing and a Master of Nursing from Auckland University. He also has a Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching from AUT.
Challenges
Dr Vaka said one of the most challenging things he came across while doing his doctorate was that nobody had done similar work so there was no example of research or writing for him to follow.
His field was psychology and psychiatry.
Having English as a second language meant he faced many challenges in writing up his thesis.
He said he did his research in Tongan and translated his work into English.
The problem was that when Tongan was translated into English the meaning and the context of the words were not fully maintained.
“It was long and difficult work, but I did it,” he said.
Dr Vaka said he managed to persuade the University to accept some Tongan ways of doing things that he thought would work for his research.
One of these was the Tongan way of talanoa (talking or dialogue).
Talanoa replaced the western way of using interviews and questionnaires in research.
“In talanoa there is a chance to talk [with the interviewees] about different areas and not just focus on what the interviewer or questionnaires want,” he said.
Speaking in Tongan, Dr Vaka said: “After gathering all the information I would pick only the most important things and reconstruct them to fit what the university required.”
“It was a long process, but it enabled me to engage effectively with our Tongan people and get to the core of the issue. Sometimes, our people are put off by interviews and questionnaires.”
Commitment
Dr Vaka had to balance work on his doctorate against his commitment to his family, his church and community.
However, he also plays the acoustic guitar and music always became a temptation during the week when he was required to do assignments and study.
He sings Tongan hiva kakala and plays with his group during kava sessions.
“I stood by my philosophy in times like this and used my hobbies such as kava drinking and music to reward my study during the week,” Dr Vaka said.
“I strictly dedicated my time during the week to my study and determined that if I achieved my weekly plan, say, to finish reading certain chapters of a book before the weekend, I would spend Saturday drinking kava and playing music and would return home almost at daylight.”
Dr Vaka said he wanted to encourage anybody who wanted to follow his footsteps.
He said he believed one of the best way to become successful in study was to have everything as simple as it could be and not pretend to be someone else.
He said the English language he used for his thesis was simple to understand. He did not believe in using technical words and terms to impress examiners or lecturers.
“I did almost everything in my own way,” Dr Vaka said.
“I did not want to imitate our Tongan scholars in the way they write things and express their thinking.”
He said he used the Tongan way of thinking and practices in his research and arguments and only used western theories and practices to back up his reasoning.
Dr Vaka said his thesis was returned twice by his supervisors for changes, but he had heard some theses were sent back for corrections up to nine times.
Study meant the scholar would have to go through many challenges, but that would be for a short time and the rest of his life was to share the joy his success in education has provided him, he said.
Background
Dr Sione Lavenita Vaka studied at Longolongo Government Primary School and continued his secondary school at Tonga High School.
He completed Form Six in 1991, Tonga National Form Seven in 1992 and was recruited as Tonga’s first male nurse in 1993.
Dr Vaka’s father was Malakai Vaka from Neiafu, Vai-ko-Lelea, Vava‘u Lahi, and Lōfanga, Tokomea, Ha‘apai Veu.
His mother is ‘Asilika Fifita Vaivai Tātuila Vaka from Lapaha, Kolokakala, Mu‘a, Tongatapu. His wife is Olaka‘aina Tupouniua-Vaka from Vava‘u Lahi and Sia-ko-Veiongo from Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu.
They have a son Ma‘afu Tu‘i Lau Vaka.
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His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu’s coronation celebrations will begin on June 27 at a cost of TP$1 million.
Details of how the coronation budget will be spent have not been revealed.
Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva officially announced the coronation yesterday. The celebrations will run from June 27 until July 7.
The 11 days’ celebration will begin with the Royal Kava Ceremony on Saturday, June 27.
The coronation will be held at the Centenary Chapel in Kolomotu’a on Saturday, July 4.
King Tupou VI, 55, assumed his title in March, 2012, after the death in Hong Kong of his brother, King George V.
His Majesty King Tupou VI is the 24th Tuʻi Kanokupolu (King of the Kanokupolu royal line).
The budget for King Tupou’s coronation is a 10th of the money spent on George V’s ceremony, which cost TP$10 million (NZ$6.6 million)
The government has allocated TP$5.46 million (NZ $3.6 million) budget for the king in its financial estimates for 2014/15. It says the money is for His Majesty’s “leadership” and “advice”.
The Minister for Finance, Dr ʻAisake Eke, would not tell Kaniva News how the TP$1 million coronation budget would be spent.
Hon. ‘Eke would only say that it had been included in the 2014/15 government’s estimate.
He said the government would check from time to time to make sure it was covering the costs of the celebrations.
The announcement of the coronation by Hon. Pohiva was a historical event in itself, according to the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr Palenitina Langaʻoi.
Dr Langaʻoi said that traditionally the announcement of coronations was entrusted only to members of the royal family and the nobility.
She said the coronation of King Tupou VI was the first to be announced by a commoner.
Speaking on Radio and Television Tonga, the Prime Minister said he wished that in God the kāinga and the houʻeiki of Tonga would share the joy of the celebration in a gathering marked by prayer, happiness, peace and unity.
Details of the celebrations
On Wednesday July 1 a cultural performance including various Tongan dances will be performed by school students at Teufaiva Stadium Park.
On Thursday, July 2, a Tongan cultural performance has been organised to celebrate Their Majesties’ coronation. It will be followed by a royal luncheon for invited guests prepared by the nobles of the realm.
On the evening of Friday, July 3, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa has organised a royal reception to welcome overseas and distinguished guests.
On Saturday, July 4 there will be a royal luncheon at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa and a Royal dinner at His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ headquarters at Touliki in Maʻufanga.
There will be a tupakapakanava or traditional torch lighting ceremony after sunset. Students will light bark torches to create a line of fire around the coastline and there will be fireworks displays later in the evening.
On Sunday, July 5, the programme will begin with a prayer service followed by a royal luncheon prepared by Princess Angelika Latūfuipeka Halaevalu Mataʻaho.
On Monday, July 6, there will be a military parade by His Majesty’s Armed Forces at Pangai Lahi followed by a royal luncheon prepared by the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers.
The main points
The Coronation Programme
Saturday 27th June 2015
10:00 am – Royal Kava-Ceremony (Taumafa Kava)
Venue: Pangai
Wednesday 1st July 2015
10:00 am-12:00 noon– Education Day
Host: Minister of Education
Venue: Teufaiva Stadium
Thursday 2nd July 2015
12:30 pm– Welcome Luncheon
Host by Nobles of the Realm
Venue: Pangai Seaside
2:30pm– Traditional Entertainment
Venue: Pangai
Friday 3rd July 2015
6:30 pm-8:00pm– Official Welcome Reception
Host by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala
Venue: Fa’onelua Convention Centre
Saturday 4th July 2015
10:00 am- Coronation Service and Ceremony
Venue: Free Wesleyan Church Centenary Church,
1:00 pm– Coronation Luncheon
Venue: Fangatapu: Royal Palace
7:00 pm– Formal Dinner
Venue: Masefield Naval Base
Followed by the Traditional Torchlight ceremony (Tupakapakanava)
and Fireworks
Sunday 5th July 2015
10:00am – Thanksgiving Service
Venue: Free Wesleyan Church Centenary Church
12:30pm – Luncheon
Host: HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho
Venue: The Villa
Monday 6th July 2015
10:00am– Coronation Military Parade
Host: Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces
Venue: Pangai
12:30pm – Royal Luncheon
Host by Hon Prime Minister
Venue: Pangai Seaside
Tuesday 7th July 2015
7:00pm – Military Tatoo
Host: Chief of Defence Staff
Venue: Pangai
Tonga’s Supreme Court has cleared two Police Officers of a manslaughter charge after ‘Inoke Pepa, 20, of Vaini died in 2012.
Justice Charles Cato acquitted Sosefo Masalu, 27, and Samisoni Taufa, 32, of all their respective charges of manslaughter, the alternative charges of causing grievous bodily harm and common assault.
The Supreme Court held that the Crown was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had caused the death or severe injury suffered by the deceased on the morning of 16 November 2012.
The Supreme Court rather held that the accused had used reasonable and proportionate force under section 100(1) of the Tonga Police Act, when they were exercising their lawful duties to arrest the deceased and some other boys, who were very intoxicated and disturbing the general peace at Vaini village.
The Court also held that it was satisfied that the accused Masalu was trying to grab hold of the deceased whilst the deceased was running away, and this had caused the deceased and Masalu to both fall on the road, and the deceased’s head hitting the hard surface of the road, causing the skull fracture which he eventually died from.
The Court also held that the evidence on the alleged kicking of the deceased’s head by the accused Taufa left the Court in some doubt as to the credibility of the evidence, given the uncertainties and inconsistencies in the evidence, and so it could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the Accused Taufa had kicked the Deceased’s head.
After delivering his judgment the Hon Justice Cato commented that the Crown had done the right thing in bringing these charges against the Accused, especially when there was prima facie evidence of the allegations that an individual had died due to excessive use of force by the Police.
The Court stated that it is in the public’s interest that such allegations are tried in an open and transparent manner before the Courts.
The Court commented that the public has seen situations overseas where there has been civil distraught due to the non-transparent handling of allegations of excessive use of force against the Police.
The Court also stated that this was a difficult trial which involved difficult issues to determine, and also evidence being heard for three weeks, and he commended both the prosecutors and defence counsel in conducting the trial.
The Crown was represented by Mr ‘Aminiasi Kefu and Mrs Susana Fineanganofo, and the accused were represented by Mr Siosifa Tu’utafaiva and Mr Sione Havea Taione.
A portable kidney machine may offer affordable dialysis treatment in Tonga.
The prototype device, known as the Wearable Artificial Kidney, was cleared for human testing in the United States last year.
The recently established Tonga Dialysis Foundation wants to bring the Wearable Artificial Kidney (WAK) treatment to the kingdom.
The foundation’s president, Saia Moehau, said the WAK fitted Tonga’s economic situation, was easy to use and cheaper than conventional dialysis machines.
Moehau said dialysis was not carried out in Tonga because it was very expensive.
He said the foundation was co-ordinating its work with a number of Tongan committees in the United States.
Moehau was in the United States last week to attend a national symposium of nephrologists (kidney specialists) in Orlando, Florida.
The WAK was presented at the gathering and was described as being more convenient and effective than conventional machines.
Moehau said nephrologists from Cedar Sinai Hospital and UCLA and the Davita Dialysis Centre in Century City in Los Angeles had offered to act as advisors to the Tongan Dialysis Foundation.
The initiative for the Dialysis Foundation came from Crown Prince Tupouto’a, who is its patron and chairman.
Moehau said the Prince wanted to involve Tongan international communities.
He set up Tongan dialysis committees in Salt Lake City led by Reverend Sione Tukutau, in Los Angeles led by President Tuita Tu’i’asoa and ‘Oloka Fifita, in Long Beach led by Latu Takapu and Bruce Reichenbacher and in San Francisco led by Kalatini ‘Ahio.
Moehau said the foundation wanted to engage as much community help as possible to ensure the organisation was successful and sustainable.
He said more Tongan community committees would be soon established in New Zealand and Australia.
Moehau said the organisation has been registered in the United States and Tonga as a non-profitable organisation.
The members of the foundation are:
Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa (Patron and Chair)
Hon Saia Piukala (Minister of Health)
Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu (Minister of Infrastructure)
Hon Poasi Tei (Minister of Public Enterprises)
Siosaia Moehau (President)
Ratu Rokorui (Deputy President)
‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi (Secretary General)
Tanusia Paea (Assistant Secretary)
Soane Ramanlal (Treasurer)
Sangster Saulala (Public Relations and former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Forestry)
Members of the foundation’s steering committee elected by the Crown Prince are: Dr. Sione Latu, Dr. Lisiate ‘Ulufonua from the Ministry of Health, ‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Sangstar Saulala.
A new website for the foundation is being created by a website developer company in the States and is expected to be launched two weeks from now.
“I Thank the Prime Minister of Tonga and the government, especially the Minister of Health and his staff, for making people’s lives a priority and being willing to work together with the Crown Prince to achieve the purpose of the initiative,” Moehau said.
“We cannot just rely on our government to do everything for us. We have to stand up and do it before we ask government for help.”
What is the Wearable Artificial Kidney?
The Wearable Artificial Kidney (WAK) is a device that reproduce the components of a stationary dialysis system, but with a few modifications.
It is battery powered and does not use a large external source of pure water. Instead, it continuously filters and recycles only 400cc of water.
The entire package weighs about 4.5 kilograms, but its developers believe it can be made even lighter.
It is claimed to allow greater mobility for dialysis patients, reducing the time needed for treatment and improving their quality of life.
The device was invented by nephrologist Dr Victor Gura from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles.
The device is at the prototype stage and has undergone limited human clinical trials in the United Kingdom and Italy.
It was approved for human testing by the United States Food and Drug Administration late last year.
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Tonga’s Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva has told Kaniva News last night in Auckland he was not perturbed by the fact some of his legal documents prepared for a court case were not found after a house he was living in was gutted by fire on Thursday morning.
Hon Pōhiva said courts in Tonga have copies of those documents and his long-time legal counsel Dr Rodney Harrison in Auckland also has some of them.
“I just want to stay calm in situation like this I do not want to allow such situation to strongly influence me while I have to stay focus on my role as leader of the nation, ” Hon. Pōhiva said.
The Prime Minister said he had talked to his daughter Laucala in Tonga and he was satisfied some of his important files were able to be saved during the blaze.
He was thankful no one was injured in the fire.
The Prime Minister was in Auckland with his wife First Lady Neomai for medical care.
He will leave for Tonga tonight Saturday 25 while his wife was staying in Auckland for her medical treatment.
Hon. Pōhiva said he is expected to return to Auckland shortly on his way to Fiji next week to take part in a meeting.
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* Court documents missing after fire cuts PM’s house while he is New Zealand
* Prime Minister pays for family to travel with him on medical trip to Auckland
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva told Kaniva News in Auckland he paid for three family members to accompany him to Auckland, where he has received medical care.
The three other family members who are currently in Auckland with the Prime Minister are his wife, First Lady Neomai, his private secretary Po’oi Pohiva and a cousin of Neomai.
The Prime Minister also paid for their stay in ‘Atalanga, the Tongan government’s residence in Epsom, Auckland.
Hon. Pohiva and his wife flew to Auckland for medical check-ups.
The Prime Minister said he caught a cold when they arrived and he was admitted to hospital during the weekend. He was later discharged.
He said this was due to the changes in warm and cold weather conditions between Tonga and Auckland.
PM’s healthcare budget
When asked whether the government had any budget for his medical care as Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. Pohiva said he had not asked for it.
“It’s up to the government to look at that, but part of the plan for our trip was for me to pay for everything while we are here in Auckland,” the Prime Minister said.
It is understood the Tongan government has a health care budget for the king and the royals, nobles, Prime Ministers and parliamentarians.
The Prime Minister looked fine and eager to talk and he said he was happy to visit New Zealand and stay in ‘Atalanga.
“This is our home in New Zealand and I am proud to come here and stay in this house,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he paid NZ$60 (TP90) a night for their stay and food.
“It supposed to be NZ$40, but I told the Tongan consul I would pay NZ$60 to help with the upkeep of the property,” Hon. Pohiva said.
“I feel at home here at ‘Atalanga because the staff here looked after me well.”
‘Atalanga
‘Atalanga is 1.58ha property at 183 St Andrews Rd bought by the late Queen Salote in 1952 to house Tongan scholarship students studying in Auckland.
In 2010 the Late King Tupou V listed the property for sale with Bayley’s real estate agent in Auckland and it was due to be auctioned on October 28 that year.
Tongans in Auckland protested against the sale and legal action was taken in Auckland and Nuku’alofa.
The legal action in New Zealand was led by the late Tongan legal counsel Mataitini Fotu and Sione Fonua, while in Tonga it was led by ‘Akilisi Pohiva and ‘Ofa Fakalata.
The protesters argued the then NZ$9 million (TP13.4 million) property belonged to the state and not the king and that His Majesty should not try to sell it.
The king finally withdrew the sale after his legal team failed to prove that Queen Salote bought the property with her own money after the protesters’ legal team submitted to court evidence that ‘Atalanga was purchased with state money.
The Prime Minister did not say whether his government had any plans for the property, except to say: “This is our home in New Zealand.”
While he was in opposition Hon. Pohiva repeatedly argued the residence should be used for something that could generate money to cover its costs and upkeep.
The upkeep and staffing are paid from Tongan taxpayers’ money. The property is used to house the Tonga consul and his staff who deal with diplomatic matters in New Zealand and issue Tongan passports.
The king used to stay there while he was in Auckland.
The main points
