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VIDEO:Tongan Olympian receives warm welcome

By
Kaniva Staff
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A pōhiva kakala performed by the Tonga High School students produced a euphoric mood in the crowd as the school welcomed Tonga’s Olympic Taekwando star Pita Taufatofua.

During the welcoming event a stirring song was performed by the students while Taufatofua and others were sitting at the front facing the singers.

“Do a little dance”, Taufatofua was overhead as saying on a video purported to record the event.

He then left his seat and walked towards the students before he started dancing to the song. This was met with a tremendous cheer and laughter from the audience.

He later wrote on Facebook and said: “I gave them a 15 minute speech about relentlessly pursuing your Dreams and they gave me something soo much more memorable!”

I gave them a 15 minute speech about relentlessly pursuing your Dreams and they gave me something soo much more memorable! #TongaHighSchool-KiheLeleiTaha #SpecialCheer

Posted by Pita Taufatofua on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The 32-year-old from HaÊ»apai won gold in the over 80kg class at last month’s Oceania Qualifying tournament to seal his place at the Rio Olympics and he is the first Tongan to qualify for the Rio Olympic in August.

IRB freezes Tongan funding, TRU struggles financially

By
Kaniva Staff
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The International Rugby Board (IRB) has suspended all direct financial support to the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) with immediate effect because the union did not adopt administrative demands.

The Tongan authorities held an urgent meeting in an attempt to resolve the problems after it was revealed the union was in deep financial debts, could not pay its staff and its main office in Nukuʻalofa will be closed.

It was also claimed TRU could not provide rugby kits and pay Tonga’s national rugby team players  who are currently competing at the Pacific Challenge Cup in Fiji.

IRB could not be contacted.

However the interim chair of TRU, Feʻao Vunipola  has confirmed to Kakalu ‘O Tonga Newspaper this week IRB has withhold the funding.

The paper claimed TRU owed TP$700,000 in arrears and will close its office soon.

Talaki newspaper has reported  TRU owed TP$300,000 to Carinat Sport Marketing company after a court decision was made against the national body.

Vunipola reportedly said the union owed this money before he took over as chair last year.

Kakalu claimed  TRU staff worked without pay for about two weeks.

It also claimed Tonga A players who are now in Fiji representing the country in the Pacific Challenge Cup were not paid. The players were normally paid TP$500 each in the past when they went on overseas tournaments, Kakalu said.

It also claimed Tonga A players asked Ikale Tahi player Hale.T.Pole to help buy them white shorts for the tour.

According to the local media, Vunipola summoned an urgent meeting last week with board members in his attempt to resolve the problems faced with TRU.

In his agendas Vunipola moved to sell some of the union’s assets to Carinat Sport Marketing company, lease out TRU’s property in Fasi or for the union to arrange  a match test for the ‘Ikale Tahi in Hong Kong, Talaki reported.

TRU former CEO ‘Epeli Taione told the paper the union owed money when he was in charge of the national body but they still could be able to run it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We have updated this story and removed what we have written about TRU’s former High Performance Manager. We have learnt his contract was expired and not terminated as we said before. 

Tonga’s sporting teams need fair treatment

Tongan Rugby Union has no money to pay its players an allowance, it was claimed this week.

Tension in Tongan Rugby looms large

Tongan athletes dumped at the airport Deputy Prime Minister steps in

Princess taught the nation must take priority over her family and personal life

By
Kaniva Staff
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Princess Angelika Tukuʻaho told an audience in Australia when she grew up she was taught to understand her nation must take priority over any other matter. 

She said she was taught to know about her three main fatongia (duties) and their importance. She must put her role for the nation first before her role for her family and her personal life.

The Princess made the statement in Tongan and in English languages while she was presenting a speech at Cowra in NSW, Australia last week.

The Tongan community in NSW actively participated in Cowra’s 2016 Festival of International Understanding day after the kingdom was invited to host this year’s event.

The Master of Ceremony who said he held the position for about the last 15 years told hundreds of guests at the celebration the host country was exceptional.

“So I can tell you I don’t think in that 15 years’ time I have ever seen an enthusiastic group of people representing their guest nation as the people from the kingdom of Tonga,” he said.

The Princess expressed her sincere thanks for the Tongans who attended the events.

“As I have mentioned last night the invitation for us the Tongan community to come to Cowra and showcase what Tonga and Tongan culture is all about”, the Princess said.

“And that’s what exactly what we are here for.

“We have Tongans from Sydney, Canberra, New Castle, Melbourne and various places in Australia and even an artist from Tonga, an entertainer who traveled from the United States to participate in today’s event,” said the Princess.

HRH Princess Angelika Latūfuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Napua-Okalani Tuku’aho, 32,  is presently the High Commissioner of Tonga in Australia since August 2012.

She is number five in succession to the throne.

‘RIP to my favorite teacher’ – Tributes flow in for mother killed in school electrocution

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tributes have been pouring in for the mother of three who was electrocuted on March 15 when she unplugged a power extension cord at Tupou College where she was a teacher.

Mele Lausiva Felemi Manu, 41, and her family lived in a house the power they used came through an extension cord wire from a neighboring residence.

Police said the incident happened at about 7:00am after the deceased allegedly disconnected the cord outside their house.

It has been revealed the victim was a teacher at Lavengamalie College before she moved with his husband and became a teacher at Tupou College.

The students she taught at both colleges, her colleagues, relatives and friends have posted heart-breaking messages on Facebook.

Sifa Tupa said:” Awww…just got word that our Beautiful Aunty Mele Lausiva Felemi Manuhas gone to be with the Lord… Rest in Paradise Aunty ….ofa Atu Grand Uncle Hone Felemi and Family…Heaven has gain another Angel , the question is , Why so soon ? We will never know why, we just gotta keep living Our life until God calls us back home”.

ʻEniti ʻAmelia Latu said: “Still thinking of u my cuz Mele Lausiva Felemi Manu fly high Mele and make the star shiny like ur smile all da time miss ur face mate ofa atu kihe fofonga kii fanau pehe kihe hoa Raymond Manu ofa lahiatu kihe ogomatua Mafi mo Hone R.I.P SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE SIVA”.

see you tomorrow sis Mele Lausiva Felemi Manu󾍅󾍅󾍅󾍅

Posted by Pou Felemi Tooa on Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Still thinking of u my cuz Mele Lausiva Felemi Manu fly high Mele and make the star shiny like ur smile all da time miss…

Posted by Eniti Amelia Latu on Tuesday, March 15, 2016

ʻEueiki launches new boat on the water

By
Kalino Latu
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A new boat to serve the people of ʻEueiki had been proudly launched in Nukuʻalofa last week.

The boat was funded through the Japanese Project for Improvement of Sea Transportation Infrastructure for ‘Eueiki Island Community.

His Excellency Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga said:  “By investing in a collective and safer mode of transportation, we invest in not only human resources but also in safeguarding the future.”

A statement from the Tongan government says the launch ceremony included the traditional welcoming ceremony, the “hāʻunga” which was presented to the Ambassador by Makamapu, herald of ‘Eueiki, and Mr. Sinipata Muli, the Town Officer on behalf of the people of ʻEueiki.

The new boat was named “Sea ‘o Nua.”

“This assistance epitomizes Japan’s commitment to support efforts by the People and the Government of Tonga to ensure Human Security and also hope to strengthen the warm and close relations between the people and the Government of Japan and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga”, it said.

NZ Chief of Army visits Tonga ahead of major disaster exercise involving five big nations

By
Kaniva Staff
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The New Zealand Chief of Army, Major General Peter Kelly is in Tonga this week on preparations for an upcoming humanitarian and disaster relief exercise, ‘Tropic Twilight’, in Ha’apai later this year which involves defence forces from Tonga, Australia, the US, China, Britain, and France.

The New Zealand Navy will also be conducting ‘Exercise Calypso’ which will involve coordinated fisheries patrols throughout the Pacific, including Tongan waters.

Major General Kelly will be meeting with Brigadier Fielakepa, Chief of Defence Staff of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Minister of Defence Lord Ma’afu, and senior officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.  He will also tour Masefield Navy base and Taliai Army camp.

“Tonga is one of New Zealand’s longest and closest defence relationships, dating back to the First World War, and it is great to be able to visit and discuss the ongoing relationship with the Brigadier and his staff,” Major General Kelly said.  “Our Forces have served alongside each other in peace time and at war.  In fact, our two Forces are serving alongside each other right now in Fiji helping with the clean-up following Tropical Cyclone Winston.”

New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga, HE Sarah Walsh, commented; “The defence relationship is one of the strongest strands of the bilateral relationship between Tonga and New Zealand.  The New Zealand Defence Force has had a technical adviser based in Tonga for decades, even before the New Zealand High Commission was established in Tonga.”

Tongan $50 paʻanga  nominated as best for international award

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s new $50 paʻanga note is in the running for the International Banknote of the Year award 2016.

The 50 Paʻanga notes with a portrait of  King Tupou VI was released last year along with new other pa’anga notes including the $2, $5, $10, $20 and $100 to mark His Majesty’s coronation in 2015.

The new prints came after the $50 pa’anga note along with the  $100 paʻanga note were first printed in 1988.

The winner will be announced in April.

The other nominated notes for International Bank Note of the Year include New Zealand’s $5 and Singapore’s $50 note.

“The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) Banknote of the Year award is an initiative of the IBNS to recognize an exceptional banknote issued each year”.

Last year IBNS announced that it has selected the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to receive it prestigious “Bank Note of the Year Award” for 2014.

Deceased in Ha’apai fatal car crash named

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police have released the name of the 26-year-old man who died in a fatal crash after a car he was driving in hit a coconut tree over the weekend.

He was Sione Matakaiongo Kava. Police said the accident happened at 7am when the driver allegedly  lost control of the vehicle along Holopeka Rd.

The car was heading southbound before it crashed in Pangai.

Police said an inquest was expected to be held on Tuesday 14.

Etuate Lavulavu appeals disqualification decision

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Ministry of Justice has confirmed Tuesday that ‘Etuate Lavulavu  has filed an appeal of his conviction of bribery and spending over the legal limit on his 2014 election campaign.

Because the appeal has yet to come before the court, a spokesperson from the Ministry said the appeal notice could not be released to us.

In January the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court declared Lavulavu had spent more than TP$10,000 (NZ$6574) on his election campaign in breach of section 24(1).

According to Section 24 (5) of Tonga’s electoral law, it is an offence for any candidate to spend more than TP$10,000 on an election campaign or to fail to deliver the statement referred to in subsection (4) or to deliver a false statement, and any person found guilty shall be liable to a fine not exceeding TP$10,000.

READ MORE:

Supreme Court finds Lavulavu guilty of bribery and calls his evidence ‘untruthful’  

PM says claims his son-in-law’s company won Teufaiva construction bid “absolutely wrong”

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has denied  that his son-in-law’s construction company in Hawaiʻi was given the task of building the Teufaiva Stadium for the South Pacific Games in 2019.

The Prime Minister was responding after a letter circulated on social media last week, asking whether it was true he had won the contract.

The letter was claimed to be from Tonga’s Media Council, but the name of the letter’s writer was not shown on the part of the document uploaded to Facebook. The Council has not claimed responsibility for the letter.

Hon. Pohiva said his son-in-law recently helped with the construction work for the Va’epopua National Park while he was holidaying in Tonga with his family.

The Prime Minister said this was part of his effort to contribute to the building of his country before they returned to Hawaiʻi.

Hon. Pōhiva said his son-in-law was doing the work voluntarily. He was not being paid by the government and had not asked to be paid.

The Prime Minister’s daughter told Kaniva News this evening her husband did not own a construction company in Hawaiʻi.

ʻAna Fifita Koli said her husband was a stonemason and worked for his brother in Hawaiʻi.

The letter circulated on social media last week was addressed to the Acting CEO of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Pesalili Tuiano, asking him to hold a press conference with the Tongan media.

“I wish to ask you on behalf of the Tonga Media Council for a press conference pertaining to the following issues,” the letter said.

“Is it true that the Prime Minister’s son-in-law’s construction company from Hawaiʻi got the reconstruction of Teufaiva Stadium?”

“If it’s true, was it advertised to the public? And how many construction companies bid for the reconstruction of Teufaiva? And who pick the company of the Prime Minister’s son-in-law?”

The letter also asked Tuiano whether it was true or not same company will conduct that construction work as well?

“What do you think if the above questions are all true? Do you think it’s a conflict of interest?”

“Looking forward to your available time for the requested press conference as we all want to inform the public with the truth but not hearsay or rumours.”

In a press statement this afternoon Hon. Pohiva said the rumour that his son-in-law would lead the building of Teufaiva Stadium for the Pacific Games was “absolutely wrong.”

He said the reconstruction of Teufaiva would be led by a team from the government of Papua New Guinea and the requirements for the work were still being discussed.

The Prime Minister said the construction of the first part of the Va’epopua National Park was jointly funded by all government’s ministries and businesses.

The budget and planning for the rest of the work had been finalised and the government was seeking funding from stakeholders and overseas donors.

The government was optimistic funding from donors, businesses and stakeholders would be enough to complete the Va’epopua National Park.

The Prime Minister has donated TP$10,000 for the project and that money and funds from donors who had pledged financial support would be deposited into a new vote opened at Treasury.

The government  said money could be allocated from the 2016-17 budget towards the work.

The Prime Minister said Tongans who had the talent and experience should be given the opportunity to contribute to the building of Tonga.

“We ask the people of the nation and stakeholders to work together and help what the government do to keep our environment beautiful,” he said.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has denied that his son-in-law’s construction company in Hawai’i was given the task of building the Teufaiva Stadium for the South Pacific Games in 2019.
  • The letter was claimed to be from Tonga’s Media Council, but the name of the letter’s writer was not shown on the part of the document uploaded to Facebook.
  • In a press statement this afternoon Hon. Pohiva said the rumour that his son-in-law would lead the building of Teufaiva Stadium for the Pacific Games was “absolutely wrong.”
  • The Prime Minister’s daughter told Kaniva News this evening her husband did not own a construction company in Hawai’i.

For more information

Tonga will host the Pacific Games 2019

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