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

By
Kalino Latu
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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.

Police release name of fugitive, believe may be hiding in Vavaʻu

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Tongan Police have identified the fugitive that allegedly held a young woman captive in a hut in a plantation in Puke for several days without giving her any food as Sione Teisina ‘Afa, 28, from Navutoka.

Kaniva News understands the woman was 20-year-old Tāpaita Fīnau of Vainī.

She managed to free herself while in captivity and fled to neighbours for help.

She was taken to hospital where she received medical assitance before she was released.

After a month since Teisina was on the run on February 27 Police could not be able to locate him.

He was believed to have escaped the mainland, Tongatapu and was hiding in places in Vava’u Islands.

Police have warned that anyone found harbouring the fugitive will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

New music software launched in Nuku'alofa

By
Alpha Latu
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PHOTO: L-R. Victor Mataele, Kik Velt, PM ‘Akilisi Pōhiva and Sione Langi. Photo/Supplied

A musical software that has been launched in Nukuʻalofa last week saw a dramatic change in instrumental music, notation and composition.

It has been claimed the work was a result of a 15 years research and study by Tongan musician and composer Victor Mataele.

With the ordinary music system that use the Italian notes, clefs and scale, Mataele used sets of Arabic numbers in which he claimed the “easiest music notation for use”.

In his speech during the ceremony, the Guest of Honour,  Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the new innovation would be introduced to the Music Committee of the education community in Tonga.

The founder of the Tau’olunga Computer, Kik Velt together with his work colleague, Sione Langi assisted Victor’s work in programming his music notation software making it available to be used in computer and internet.

Vainī doves win 2015 rugby league nines first tournament

By
Kalino Latu
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PHOTO: Tonga national rugby league chairman Hon. Semisi Sika presenting TP$1000 to Vainī Dovesʻ captain. Photo/Supplied

Vainī Doves have won Tonga’s rugby league nine-a-side first tournament for 2015 after beating Matahau Storm 14-6.

The final between the two teams went into five minutes’ overtime after the scores were levelled by a try from Sione ‘Alatini of Matahau and a successful conversion.

However, Doves came out on top after scoring two tries in the extra time.

Solomone Lavaka and Setefano Nau both went over the line with the ball. Their last minute tries meant Doves took home the TP$1000 (NZ$673) first prize while Matahau took TP$800 (NZ$539) as runners-up.

Vainī won a place in the final after beating last year’s champion, Ha’akame Broncos 14-16 in the semi-final.

Opponents Matahau Storm got their chance after beating Havelu Bulldogs 16-10.

A second nine-a-side tournament will start next month.

The tournaments have been set up as opportunities to select Tonga’s team for the Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea in July.

Final placings in the tournament were:

  1. Vainī Doves
  2. Matahau Stormers
  3. Havelu Bulldogs
  4. Ha’akame Broncos
  5. Ha’ateiho Crusaders
  6. Navutoka Cowboys
  7. Mu’a Saints

Powerful earthquakes strike near Niua Toputapu and Samoa

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A 6.4 earthquake has hit close to the island of Niutoputapu in Tonga at 6pm after a 7.6 magnitude earlier struck Samoa.

But there were no immediate reports of injury or destruction and no tsunami warning has been issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the first quake had a magnitude of 6.4 and a depth of 11 kilometres (7 miles), striking 109 kilometres (68 miles) northeast of Tonga’s Hihifo district Monday night. It was followed 30 minutes later by a magnitude-6.5 quake that had a depth of 15 kilometres (9 miles) and struck 99 kilometres (62 miles) northeast of Hihifo.

Leveni Aho, Director of Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office, reportedly said his staff was trying to make contact with officials on the islands near the epicenter, but had not received any reports of damage. No tremors were felt on Tonga’s main island, located about 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of Hihifo, he said.

“I think if there was anything significant, it would have been reported by now,” Aho said.

Prime Minister’s injuries caused by accident, not an attack, Pohiva’s office says  

By
Kalino Latu
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PHOTO: Elder O. Vincent Haleck of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (right)  presented Prime Minister Pohiva with a letter from the Church’s First Presidency congratulating him on his election on 29 December. Photo/Sione Langi Folau and Siniva Fotu

Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has not been attacked, his office said last night.

The Prime Minister’s communications unit was responding to speculation that a photograph of an injured Hon. Pohiva  proved he had been attacked at home.

The photo first appeared on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ news website in New Zealand and has been widely circulated online.

In the photograph, which was taken at an award ceremony in Ha’apai recently,  Hon. Pohiva’s nose and lips appear to be bruised.

Some commentators have linked it to reports in some Tongan  newspapers that Hon. Pohiva had said he was attacked at home.

However, Kalafi Moala, from the Prime Minister’s office communication unit, told Kaniva News this evening the Prime Minister had been trying to save a pig which was attacked and bitten by his dog at his residence.

It was still dark and the Prime Minister, who was not carrying a torch, stumbled and injured his face and hand, Moala said.

This happened shortly before he travelled to Ha’apai for an award ceremony, where he was photographed with his injuries.

The award was initiated by the government of Tonga and the Mormon Church in appreciation of apprentice builders who helped in the rebuilding project for the Ha’apai group.

Parts of the Tongan press also appear to have misinterpreted a statement Hon. Pohiva made in Ha’apai last month during the appointment of the new governor, Ha’apai Mo’ale Finau.

Hon. Pohiva  urged Finau to be courageous in his new job and said he had met with a number of incidents in his political career where his life was at risk.

The Prime Minister said one night he dreamed that he had been attacked by his window. He raised his hand to protect himself as he was waking up and injured himself.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has not been attacked, his office said last night.
  • The Prime Minister’s communications unit was responding to speculation that a photograph of an injured Hon. Pohiva proved he had been attacked at home.
  • The photo first appeared on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints’ new website in New Zealand and has been widely circulated online.
  • However, Hon. Pohiva’s office said the injuries were the result of a mishap while dealing with a pig that had been attacked by his dog.

Tongan government will ban sea cucumber harvesting amid claims expert advice ignored

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan government will ban harvesting and processing sea cucumbers for three to five years.

Tonga’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Semisi Fakahau, has  told Parliament a bill will be submitted to the House soon to alter the current law governing the harvesting of sea cucumbers.

Hon. Fakahau’s comments come after the previous government was charged with ignoring expert advice that the sea cucumber population was declining alarmingly.

The former government was also accused of being pressured by local Asian sea cucumber exporters into repeatedly lifting bans on harvesting beche-de-mer.

Most beche-de-mer from the Pacific is exported to Hong Kong and then goes to mainland China.

Hon. Fakahau said all sea cucumber business operators currently registered with the ministry would have their registration cancelled.

Hon. Fakahau was one of the leading critics of the former Tongan government’s relaxation of the ban on sea cucumber fishing.

He told Parliament the law must be altered to give the right of harvesting, farming and processing sea cucumber to people who lived by the beach in the area where sea cucumbers were harvested.

These areas would be labelled as marine protected areas.

This meant people who were not from those areas would not be allowed to farm sea cucumbers there.

They could only harvest sea cucumbers outside these protected areas.

The government would help residents process and marketing of the beche-de-mer, the minister said.

According to a report by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, The Status of Tonga’s Sea Cucumber Fishery, the beche-de-mer plays a significant role in the kingdom’s economy.

The report said 360 tonnes of beche-de-mer were exported in 2009 and 318 tonnes in 2010. The estimated value to fishers and processors from the two seasons was about US$7 million (TPS$13 million) per season.

A separate report by the international Food and Agriculture Organisation says that in many parts of the Pacific, high value species have been depleted and the viability of many sea cucumber fisheries is a matter for concern.

You can download both these reports using the links  below.

In the run-up to the 2014 election, the previous Tongan government announced it would ban the harvesting of sea cucumbers for five years.

Radio New Zealand International quoted the then Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sangster Saulala, as saying in October that the Government would also conduct a scientific survey to review the health of the sea cucumber fisheries.

The main points

  • The Tongan government will ban harvesting and processing sea cucumbers for three to five years, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Semisi Fakahau.
  • Fakahau’s comments come after the previous government was charged with ignoring expert advice that the sea cucumber population was declining alarmingly.
  • The former government was also accused of being pressured by local Asian sea cumber exporters into repeatedly lifting bans on harvesting beche-de-mer.
  • Fakahaui said all sea cucumber business operators currently registered with the ministry would have their registration cancelled.

For more information

The Status of Tonga’s Sea Cucumber Fishery (Secretariat of the Pacific Community)

Population status, fisheries and trade of sea cucumbers in the Western Central Pacific (Food and Agriculture Organisation)

Tonga to suspend harvesting of sea cucumber (RNZI)

Bloomfield new ceo ministry of revenue and customs

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Cutoms has appointed Mr. Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield of Neiafu, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Statement from Prime Minister’s office said “Mr. Bloomfield shall be employed by the Government for a period of three (3) years with effect from 30 March, 2015.

“Mr. Bloomfield holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Economics (2009) and a Bachelor of Science (1992) from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.  He has extensive knowledge and work experience in International and Regional Trade organizations.  In 2006, he was the Head of the Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat, based in Suva, Fiji.  He has had professional affiliations with renowned Trade Organisations such as the World Trade Organisation and PICTA.  Mr. Bloomfield has been with the Government before, working as a senior official for over 20 years, particularly at the Ministry of Revenue and Customs prior to his engagements with other regional/international organisations.

“The Public Service Commission welcomes Mr. Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield’s appointment as the new CEO for the Ministry of Revenue and Customs and wishes him success in his term in Office”.

Dateline Hotel demolition begins

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Works to renovate and refurbish Dateline Hotel in Nuku’alofa has been started with its demolition process beginning yesterday.

It is understood the work on the refurbishment will take 24 months before the hotel will reopen as Tanoa International Dateline Hotel”.

The  new owner, Tanoa Hotel Group, has  10 hotels in the South Pacific countries including  Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand.

The International Dateline Hotel was established in 1966 and became the largest hotel in Tonga. It is located in the capital of Nuku’alofa and  has 126 rooms.

Noble applauds transparency as House debates auditors’ report

By
Kalino Latu
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Former Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Tu’ilakepa, has praised the government for its transparency after it debated a report that said the former Auditor General had used practises that were open to abuse.

This was the first time Parliament had debated the Auditor General’s report.

The Auditor General gave details answers to questions from the Members of the House.

Member for Vava’u 15, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, asked about a claim in the report that former Auditor General, Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa used to deposit overtime payments of his staff into a private account.

The report said the use of a personal account by Hon. Tu’i’onetoa opened the door for cheating.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa, who is now Tonga’s Police Minister, Tourism and Labour and Commerce,   said that in 1986 the auditing of non-government boards was up to four or five years late.

The backlog was huge and civil servants were reluctant to work extra hours because the overtime rates were so low.

He said the then Prime Minister, the late Prince  Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake, ordered that all boards’ accounts must be audited and submitted before fixed dates.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa said he approached the Prince and suggested that he talk to non-government boards and ask them to set reasonable rates that would encourage civil servants to do overtime.

He said the Prince accepted his idea and the system had been used from 1986 until the present day.

Tu’i’onetoa said the money was then deposited into a personal account under his name before he paid it out to his staff.

He said none of his staff had ever complained or raised any issues with him about their overtime payments.

The  main points

  • Former Speaker of the Tongan Parliament, Lord Tu’ilakepa, has praised the government for its transparency after it debated a report that said the former Auditor General had used practises that were open to abuse.
  • The report said former Auditor General Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa’s use of a private account to make overtime payments to his staff opened the door for cheating.
  • Tu’i’onetoa, who is now Tonga’s Police Minister, Tourism and Labour and Commerce, said the practice was part of an effort to overcome a huge backlog in audits of non-government boards.
  • It had been used since 1986 and none of his staff had ever complained about the practice.

For more information

In May 2014 Kaniva News published a letter in Tongan in which Hon. Tu’i’onetoa attached the cabinet decision that authorise him to exercise the practice.

The former Auditor General’s letter in Tongan can be found here – Fakamahino ‘Atita Seniale Vahe ‘Ovataimi ne fakahu he ‘akauni taautaha

Here is the copy of the cabinet decision made on September 24, 1986.

C.D. No.1373           24 September 1986

“Recommendation approved:

The Auditor General, during the course of audit on non-Government bodies, be allowed to agree with them on special overtime rates to be paid by non-government bodies to audit staff that are required to work over and above the normal official working hours.”

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