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Princess Angelika wants Thai’s technical and commercial supports

PHOTO: Princess Angelika and Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tukuʻaho escorted by Thai’s security guards. Photo/Supplied

Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho witnessed great opportunities for Tonga while she visited Thailand’s Chitralada Royal Project Last month.

The Princess visited the kingdom as part of her role as the concurrent Ambassador-Designate to the Kingdom of Thailand.

The Princess met with key members of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in which she was briefed on benefits Tonga would commercially obtain from Thai markets.

Princess Angelica, accompanied by his sister-in-law Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tukuʻaho, visited His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Chitralada Royal Project.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej initiated the project to support his economic idea based on – Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy. It aimed at educating and encouraging people of Thailand to be able to manage limited natural resources available to them locally and advocate self-reliant attitudes among his people.

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Princess Angelica Tuku’aho feeding cows while visiting Chitralada Royal Project last month. Photo/Supplied

The project created various activities that ranges from livestock farming,  fishing to agricultural activities. It has been used as guidelines in providing assistance in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The United Nations recognised the project and announced it was suitable to be used in development of countries in dire need of assistance.

A statement from the Tonga High Commissioner’s office in Canberra said: “During the royal tour, the Princess fed cows, attended at a fish pond and explored various experiments, factories and productions with best practices that would be ideal at the village-level in Tonga. The Princess believes that one practical solution for Tonga is sustainable self-sufficiency; the realities of which she had witnessed at the royal project”.

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Princess Angelika at a fish pond while visiting His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Chitralada Royal Project. Photo/Supplied

“The Princess had hoped for technical cooperation in areas of disaster management and disaster mitigation in light of the natural disasters which continue to impact Tonga such as cyclone Ian of 2014 and the threats posed by sea-level rising”.

Princess Angelika is also Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. She is also ambassador to Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.

High Commissioner is the term used to describe ambassadors accredited to other Commonwealth countries.

Oceania Olympic body tells TASANOC to reverse move to sack Taumoepeau

PHOTO: Robyn Tuʻivakanō Kaho

Moves to sack the head of Tonga’s Association for Sport and National Olympic Committee are unconstitutional, according to the Secretary General of the Oceania National Olympic Committee, Ricardo Blas.

And he warned TASANOC President Robyn Kaho to follow his advice so the International Olympic Committee’s legal counsel did not get involved in the matter.

As reported recently by Kaniva News, TASANOC head Takitoa Taumoepeau was sent a demand from the organisation’s executive on March 30 asking him to resign or face the sack.

Blas has written to Kaho, saying her actions were not “supported by TASANOC’s Constitution.”

He advised Kaho to reverse the decision and reinstate Taumoepeau as elected General Secretary before the Tongan committee held its next general assembly.

Blas reminded Kaho he had advised her of the proper procedure to follow if the executive wanted a member of TASANOC to resign or be dismissed.

He referred to a similar incident in 2013 when he advised  Kaho on how to deal with a similar incident, but said it appeared she had ignored his advice.

Taumoepeau was entitled to defend himself against Kaho’s allegations, which Blas said must be supported with concrete evidence.

He told Kaho it was his responsibility as ONOC Secretary General to make sure TASANOC practiced good governance.

“Your letter to the General Secretary violates the framework of your constitution on what is allowable by TASANOC as a whole and not by the Executive,” Blas said.

Blas told Kaho “natural justice” was not followed when Taumoepeau was barred from the meeting of the executive at which the demand for his resignation was discussed.

This is not the first time Blas has become involved in a dispute between TASANOC and Taumoepeau.

In July 2013 the national sporting body announced it had it terminated its contract with Taumoepeau, citing an alleged mismanagement of office funds.

He was later told he could continue in the position as a volunteer.

However, he was restored to his post after Blas intervened and told TASANOC its termination of Taumoepeau’s contract was unconstitutional.

Taumoepeau told Kaniva News this afternoon he would not comment as he has taken legal action on the matter.

The  main points

  • Moves to sack the head of Tonga’s Association for Sport and National Olympic Committee are unconstitutional, according to the Secretary General of the Oceania National Olympic Committee, Ricardo Blas.
  • And he has warned TASANOC President Robyn Kaho to follow his advice so the International Olympic Committee’s legal counsel did not get involved in the matter.
  • As reported recently by Kaniva News, TASANOC head Takitoa Taumoepeau was sent a demand from the organisation’s executive on March 30 asking him to resign or face the sack.
  • Blas told Kaho “natural justice” was not followed when Taumoepeau was barred from the meeting of the executive at which the demand for his resignation was discussed.

Miss Appraxus New Zealand  contestants make their bow as competition nears

Seven Tongan beauty contestants will compete to represent New Zealand in the 2015 Miss Heilala Festival in July.

They will be taking part in the Miss Appraxus New Zealand competition in May and June and the winner will go on to the Miss Heilala Festival.

The festival will be held during His Majesty King Tupou VI’s coronation in Tonga.

The aspiring beauty queens were presented to the media last Friday in Mangere.

They appeared in their informal attire while practising their presentation before their first public appearance on April 25 at Nukuʻalofa Night Club in Panmure, Auckland.

The beauty contest has its roots in a competition started in Auckland by the then manager of Tonga’s government residence in ʻAtalanga, Simi Tekiteki to promote Tongaʻs tourism industry.

A committee was set known under New Zealand Tonga Tourism Association to promote the initiative.

When Tekiteki left, Immigration Appraxus coMpany director Salote Heleta Lilo kept the competition going under her company’s name.Seta Vaka

The Tongan government regularly seeks support from Tongan community in  New Zealand to promote tourism in Tonga. This opens doors in New Zealand for private companies to create their own initiative to promote tourism as Immigration Appraxus has done.

Lilo said she thought it would be a good idea for her to organise the competition to support Tonga’s tourism and promote her company.

The competition first ran under its new name in 2001. In 2003 Jessie Moala Philip was named Miss Appraxus.

Miss Philip was sponsored by Immigration Appraxus to join the Tonga Miss Heilala Beauty Peagent and went on to win the crown in 2003.

She then travelled to Apia, Samoa, the same year to join the Miss South Pacific and became the first runner-up.

The Immigration Appraxus beauty contest lapsed in 2008.

In 2013 Immigration Appraxus sponsored Rosemarie Fili of Leimatuʻa, Vavaʻu, who was studying at the University of Waikato, to compete in the Heilala Festival in Nukuʻalofa.

Miss Fili was crowned Miss Heilala 2013. She represented Tonga in the Miss South Pacific competition 2013 in Honiara, Solomon Islands and became the first runner-up.

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Gladys Elizabeth Guttenbeil, 20, Miss Makamaile ‘oe Hala Toaongo. Student at International Travel College. Hobbies: Model. Parents are: Albert and Corrina Gutteinbeil from Manurewa, NZ. She also comes from Kāmeli, Neiafu, Vavaʻu and ʻUiha, Haʻapai in Tonga. Photo/Kaniva Pacific

 

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Lavinia Telisa Fīnau, 23, Miss Siofia Hair Design. A student at Auckland University studying a BA programme in Sociology and English. Hobbies: Sports and Reading. Parents are: Pīsila and Vāhengatau Fīnau from Tatakamotonga and ʻEua. Photo/Kaniva Pacific

 

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Diana ‘Ahio, 18, Miss Vai-Ko-Latai. Student at M.I.T. Hobbies: Running and Reading. Parents: Samiuela Fuifuikueli and Kesaia Pua ‘Ahio from Mangere, NZ. She also comes from Kolovai, Hōfoa and Fuʻamotu in Tonga. Photo/Kaniva Pacific

 

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Pepetua ‘o lea ‘ae Tohi, 19, Miss Morena Hair Salon. Works at Langimālie Clinic and also a current student at AUT. Hobbies: Netball. Parents: Sione and ʻEmalata Tohi from Tofoa, Vaikotokomeaa, Lofanga Ha’apai, Lolopaongo and ‘Umutangata, Hihifo Tongatapu. Photo/Kaniva Pacific

 

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Stephanie. M.E. Johnson, 22, Miss C.A.W. Construction. Works at 31C Smiggle’s/Modelleing. Hobbies: Singing and Sports, Modelleing and Cleaning. Parents are William and Maiana Johnson. She comes from Papatoetoe, New Zealand and in Tonga she is from Matafonua,  Nukunuku and Ha’atafu Tongatapu. Photo/Kaniva Pacific
Miss Yvette and Mele Hahano
L-R: Mele Hahano-Ki-Tonga Napa’a Ongolea.  She lives in New Zealand. She comes from Faleloa, Lotofoa, Lofanga and Folaha, Tongatapu. RIGHT: Maria Eyvette Kolo, Sydney Australia. She also comes from Lapaha, Ha’ateiho, Ma’ufanga and Kolomotu’a. Photo/Supplied

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ʻĀnau Payne, Miss Fasi-Mo e-Afi. She is from Kolofoou and Fuʻamotu
ʻĀnau Payne, Miss Fasi-Mo e-Afi. She is from Kolofoou, Fasi-Mo e-Afi and Fuʻamotu

This year’s competitors are:

  1. Gladys Elizabeth Guttenbeil – “Miss Makamaile ‘oe Hala Toaongo”
  1. Lavinia Telisa Finau – “Miss Siofia Hair Design”
  1. Pepetua ‘o lea ‘ae Tohi – “Miss Morena Hair Salon”
  1. Stephanie Johnson – “Miss C.A.W. Construction”
  1. Diana ‘Ahio – “Miss Vai-Ko-Latai”
  1. Yvette Kolo – she’s from Sydney Australia – “Miss Sydney Australia”
  1. Mele Hahano ki Tonga Napa’a Ongolea
  2. ʻĀnau Payne – “Miss Fasi-Mo e-Afi”

This year’s competition will be held over two Saturday nights at the Allan Brewster Recreation Centre in Old Papatoetoe. The programme will be as follows:

Saturday, May 30, 2015.

  1. Contestants Introduction and Tongan Puletaha
  2. Contestants Sarong Swim Wear
  3. Contestants Solo Tau’olunga

Saturday, June 6, 2015.

  1. Contestants Talent Quest
  2. Contestants South Pacific evening gown
  3. Contestants Stage Questions and Answer.

Miss Appraxus New Zealand 2015 will be crowned on the final night.

The main points

  • Seven Tongan beauty contestants will compete to represent New Zealand in the 2015 Miss Heilala Festival in July.
  • They will be taking part in the Miss Appraxus New Zealand competition in May and June and the winner will go on to the Miss Heilala Festival.
  • This year’s competition will be held on May 30 and June 6 at the Allan Brewster Recreation Centre in Old Papatoetoe.
  • Miss Appraxus New Zealand 2015 will be crowned on the final night.

For more information

Heilala Festival

Lady ‘Ahomeʻe threatened with legal action over whale teeth by unhappy villager

PHOTO: Lady Tangikina ʻAhomeʻe. Photo/Supplied

Lady Tangikina ‘Ahomeʻe has been threatened with legal action after teeth removed by local villagers from a dead whale were taken away with promises they would be sold in the United States.

Lady ‘Ahomeʻe is the daughter of Lord Nuku, lord of the estate that includes Kolonga village, where the whale washed up.

As reported earlier in Kaniva News, villagers cut out the teeth and jaw bones of a dead sperm whale.

It is alleged that Lady ‘Ahomeʻe sent a request through one of the villagers saying she could sell the teeth for them in the United States.

It is claimed that she said that if she did not sell the teeth, she would return them.

The teeth have not been returned and the villagers could not make contact with Lady ʻAhomeʻe.

Sia Adams from Tonga’s Police Communication Unit in Longolongo said an unhappy villager had lodged a complaint at Mu’a Police Station. It is understood the villager was Kepu Noa.

Kaniva News understands that Noa’s legal representative has written to Lady ‘Ahomeʻe and threatened civil action.

Neither Lady ‘Ahome’e nor Kepu Noa could be reached for comment.

It now appears that the bones have been sold, but that Noa did not receive any of the money sent to the village.

Kepu Noa and locals removing teethe and bones from the sperm whale that had probably been dead for some time before washing ashore.Photo/Supplied
Kolonga villagers removing teeth and bones from the sperm whale that had probably been dead for some time before washing ashore.Photo/Supplied

Lord Nuku said he did not know anything about the allegations against his daughter.

He said he was at the beach while the villagers were removing the teeth and bones, but he did not know about anything involving Lady ‘Ahome’e.

Lord Nuku said he knew Noa, but denied that he had threatened to remove him and his family from Kolonga because of the action they had taken.

“Ask them where they got that information from,” Lord Nuku said.

Kaniva News understands that the bones were in fact bought by a Kolongan carver, Lafaele Folaumoeloa, who lives in Hawai’i, for TP$10,000 (NZ$6684).

Faka’osi Maama, the editor of Tonga Weekly, confirmed that the money was sent to the village through a niece of Folaumoeloa.

Folaumoeloa did not respond to our request for comment.

However, while the money was distributed in the village, it appears that Noa was not paid.

It has been suggested that this was because he was sick after the removal of the teeth and the bones from the carcass.

The teeth removed from the sperm whale washed up on Kolonga beach on March 22. Photo/Supplied
The teeth removed from the sperm whale washed up on Kolonga beach on March 22. Photo/Supplied

The main points

  • Lady Tangikina ‘Ahome’e has been threatened with legal action after teeth removed by local villagers from a dead whale were taken away with promises they would be sold in Hawai’i.
  • Sia Adams from Tonga’s Police Communication Unit in Longolongo said villager, understood to be Kepu Noa,  had lodged a complaint at Mu’a Police Station.
  • Neither Lady ‘Ahome’e nor Kepu Noa could be reached for comment.
  • It now appears that the bones have in fact been sold, but that Noa did not receive any of the money sent to the village.

For more information

Villagers remove jawbone and teeth from whale washed up on Kolonga beach

Did you know? Tonga’s first All Black

The first Tongan player to play for the All Blacks team was Walter Batty, who joined the New Zealand side 87 years ago in 1928.

Batty’s father was English, but his mother was a Tongan, Luʻisa Tupou,

Walter Batty was born in Tonga in 1905 and became an All Black in 1928.

Batty played six matches as a loose forward for the All Blacks, including three tests against the British and Irish Lions during their New Zealand tour of 1930, during which he scored a test try at Wellington.

He also played in a test match against Australia the following year.

An insurance agent by profession, Batty joined up and served as a sergeant in the royal New Zealand Artillery during the Second World War.

He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal after singlehandedly holding off an attack by Italian tanks in Libya until his unit could be reinforced.

He later became A Warrant Officer First Class.

And yet there have been questions about whether Batty should count as the first Islander to play for the all Blacks.

In a 2004 story, New Zealand Herald sports writer Chris Rattue said the first Polynesian player in the New Zealand side was Ponsonby loose forward Frank Solomon, who was born in American Samoa.

As an All Black he played three test matches against Australia in 1931, the same year as Batty.

A week later, Rattue ran a lengthy quote from Batty’s nephew, Richard Keyworth, who said:

“Walter Batty was definitely Polynesian. His father was English, but his mother Luisa Tupou was related to the royal family.

“Walter Batty was, certainly, the first Tongan All Black.

“Two other brothers played representative rugby, one played representative cricket and one sister played representative cricket.

“They most certainly paved the way for Polynesian sport in this country.”

So, what do you think?

Was Batty was the first Tongan to play  for the All Blacks or was it someone else?

And should he count as the first Polynesian to play for the New Zealand team?

Do you know Batty’s mother Luisa Tupou or more details about Batty’s Tongan connection? If so, please contact us at news@kanivatonga.co.nz.

Here is our list of Tongans who have played for the All Blacks. We have edited the list of Tongans who played for the All Blacks to include Arthur Jennings, Doug Charles Howlett and Carl Henry Hoeft. Players have been included if their player profiles mentioned Tongan nationality or descent. 

  1. Walter Batty – 1928
  2. Authur Jennings – 1967 (Fijian born, but of Tongan and English descent)
  3. Jonah Lomu – 1994
  4. Charles Riechelmann – 1997
  5. Carl Henry Hoeft – 1997
  6. ‘Isitolo Maka – 1998
  7. Pita ‘Alatini – 1998
  8. Kupu Vanisi – 1999
  9. Doug Charles Howlett – 2000
  10. Sam Tu’itupou – 2004
  11. Saimone Taumoepeau – 2004
  12. Sione Lauaki – 2005
  13. Anthony Tu’itavake – 2008
  14. Ben Afeaki – 2013
  15. Charles Piutau – 2013
  16. Frank Halai – 2013
  17. Malakai Fekitoa – 2014
  18. Augustine Pulu – 2015

Editor’s Note:

This is the first in what we hope will be a new series of feature stories highlighting aspects of Tongan history, the achievements of her people at home or in New Zealand or around the world. If you have a story idea, or know somebody or something you think we should write about, please contact us at Kaniva News at news@kanivatonga.co.nz.

For more information

The first Islands men to play for the All Blacks

Walter Batty’s military career (Auckland War Museum)

Bryan Williams lit the spark that ignited Polynesian fire (NZ Herald)

Whitaker has bided time long enough (NZ Herald)

Man hospitalised after Fonongahina machette attack

A  man was hospitalised after a savage machete attack  in Fonongahina last week .

The man, who was unofficially identified as  Samoa Latai of Fua’amotu, was attacked before he managed to escape the scene and allegedly got help from a passerby.

It was alleged two men on a pick up van arrived at Latai’s residence and picked him up before the incident happened.

A photo of Latai while in hospital obtained by Kaniva News shows Latai received wounds to both his rightand left hands.

Police in Tonga did not immediately respond to our request for comments.

Australian Minister announces AU$650,000 grant to help Tonga's health and private sector

PHOTO: Hon. Julie Bishop meets Primary School students in Tonga during her two-day official visit. Photo/Supplied.

The Australian Foreign Minister, The Hon. Julie Bishop during her visit in Tonga today has announced her government has given the kingdom AU$650,000 (TP$ 979014.94) in grant.

The Hon. Bishop is in Tonga on a two-day official visit to the Pacific and she has announced AU $400,000 out of the grant funding would be donated to two innovative private sector initiatives to support smallholder vanilla farmers to improve agriculture practices and boost economic development.

Australia has assisted Tonga’s ministry of health for years and the Hon. Bishop has announced a AU $200,000 to support a new partnership with the ministry.

“This funding will support the development of a new national strategy to control and prevent non-communicable diseases, a major cause of death in the Tongan community,” she said.

On her first visit to Tonga as Foreign Minister, Hon. Bishop met with Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and his Cabinet to discuss Tonga’s important economic and political reform agenda.

“Australia is a vital partner to Tonga in its defence and security and I will visit Mansfield naval base to inspect the three Australian-supported patrol boats. The Patrol Boats Program assists Tonga to protect fisheries, combat transnational crime and strengthen maritime security”, Hon. Bishop said in a statement.

She said she would take part in a roundtable discussion with government, business and industry stakeholders on how to encourage private sector development in Tonga.

‘I will also visit an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project which is helping revitalise Tonga’s pearl industry”.

“I will also launch the New Colombo Plan in Tonga, with 16 young Australians to study and work in Tonga this year. Ten nursing students from the University of Canberra will complete four week clinical placements in a health facility and six students from the University of the Sunshine Coast will complete psychology and tourism placements”.

The baby born without a nose

A baby boy was born without a nose at the South Baldwin Hospital in Foley, Alabama on March 4.

The 8.6 pounds (3.9kg) Eli was born to Brandi and Troy Thompson.

Eli also doesn’t have a nasal cavity or olfactory system.

His rare condition is known as congenital arhinia and there are only about 37 cases worldwide like his. The chance of being born with congenital arhinia is one in 197 million, reported AL.com.

For more information

Alabama family prepares to welcome home baby born with rare facial condition

PM baffled by call to sack Minister of Internal Affairs  

PHOTO: Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva . Photo/Supplied

Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says he is mystified by a letter pushing him to discipline Minister for Internal Affairs Fe’ao Vakata.

The letter was written by Tonga’s Former Minister of Justice Clive Edwards, who accused Hon. Vakata of corruption and misconduct while he was a minister in the former government.

Edwards claimed the Prime Minister would not act against Hon. Vakata because he was scared it would destabilise his government.

The allegations have never been heard in court or their validity examined.

Edwards called on the Prime Minister to dismiss Hon. Vakata, claiming he was not fit to continue as cabinet minister.

Hon. Pohiva said he did not understand why Edwards raised the accusation against Hon. Vakata, when his allegations dealt with matters that occurred during the previous government.

“I question the reasons behind raising the issue now and not when it is alleged to have happened, during the term of the previous government,” the Prime Minister wrote to Edwards.

“The accused was also a Minister then.

“You should have raised this in the previous government and make this known to the people.”

Hon. Pohiva told Edwards he had seen no evidence of misconduct since Hon. Vakata joined his government.

Hon. Vakata was elected as a Democratic Party candidate for Ongo Niua 17 in 2010, but withdrew his support and became an independent before agreeing to serve as Minister for Public Enterprises in Lord Tu’ivakano’s administration.

The Prime Minister has also been dealing with two other letters of complaint from two unsuccessful candidates in the last general election, ‘Isileli Pulu and ‘Eliesa Fifita.

They claimed the government’s decision to  approve the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was the result of a rushed and slipshod process.

The Prime Minister said it was a work in progress and was still open to further dialogue and consultation.

The  main points

  • Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says he is mystified by a letter pushing him to discipline Minister for Internal Affairs Fe’ao Vakata.
  • The letter was written by Tonga’s Former Minister of Justice Clive Edwards, who accused Hon. Vakata of corruption and misconduct while he was a minister in the former government.
  • The allegations have never been heard in court or their validity examined.
  • Pohiva told Edwards he had seen no evidence of misconduct since Hon. Vakata joined his government.

For more information

Hon. Fe’ao Vakata, Public Enterprises Minister (Ministry of Information)

http://www.mic.gov.to/appointments/new-ministers-/2010-hon-sosefo-feao-vakata-moteys-minister

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 

UN has reservations about Tonga’s CEDAW move (RNZI)

TASANOC General Secretary warns of legal action after executive demands his resignation

PHOTO: Takitoa Taumoepeau the General Secretary for Tonga’s Association for Sport and National Olympic Committee. Photo/Supplied

The General Secretary for Tonga’s Association for Sport and National Olympic Committee says he will consider court action after he was ordered to resign last week.

TASANOC head Takitoa Taumoepeau said he received a demand from the organisation’s executive on March 30 that he resign or face the sack.

Taumoepeau said he may take the matter to court because it involved defamation.

In July 2013 the national sporting body announced it had it terminated its contract with Taumoepeau, citing an alleged mismanagement of office funds.

He was later told he could continue in the position as a volunteer.

However, he was restored to his post after the General Secretary for the Oceania National Olympic Confederation, Ric Blas, intervened and told TASANOC its termination of Taumoepeau’s contract was unconstitutional.

Taumoepeau described the latest demand for his resignation as the result of the “personal agenda” of one member of the executive committee.

He told Kaniva News he would comment later because he was working on the upcoming Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.

TASANOC’s executive committee could not be reached for comment.

The main points

  • The head of Tonga’s Asssociation for Sport and National Olympic Committee has been told to resign or face the sack.
  • TASANOC General Secretary, Takitoa Taumoepeau, said he received the demand on Monday.
  • He was sacked from his position in 2013 following financial allegations.
  • He was reinstated after the General Secretary for the Oceania National Olympic Confederation, Ric Blas, intervened.