Democratic Leader Sāmuela ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was elected the 2nd Prime Minister of Tonga today Monday 29 under the kingdom’s new political system of government since it was first introduced in 2010.
The election of Mr. Pōhiva marked the first commoner to be elected as Tonga’s Prime Minister under its new democratic system.
He won the ballots by 15-11 against rival MP Samiu Kuita Vaipulu voted by the 26 elected Members of Parliament for the next four Parliamentary terms, 2015 – 2018.
Pōhiva, 72, has 28 years experiences in Parliament after he was first elected to the House since 1987.
Tonga will elect its new Prime Minister for 2015-18 next week Monday 29 at 10am at the Parliament House in Nukuʻalofa.
The new Prime Minister would be elected in a secret ballot by the 26 elected MPs.
Chief Clerk for the House, Gloria Pōleʻo said: “After the secret ballot, the ballot papers will be collected into the ballot box and the meeting will adjourn to allow the ballots to be counted by the Chief Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and the Acting Auditor General in the presence of the Interim Speaker”.
“If the result of the ballot gives a candidate a majority of votes (more than half of the votes), that candidate has won the election.
“The Interim Speaker will report the result of the election to His Majesty before it is announced to the elected Representatives at the resumption of the meeting.
“If the ballot does not provide a winning candidate (with majority of the votes), the meeting will adjourn to another day to conduct another secret ballot and the date and time for that meeting will be announced by the Interim Speaker”.
Erwin Makafana, 8, has been killed after concrete slabs fell on him while playing at an under construction Tongan community church site in Sydney two days before Christmas.
The incident happened on December 23 at 1.30pm. According to reports it appears some of the blocks had toppled, crushing the boy.
Daily Telegraph report says, Erwin “was playing among slabs stacked at the rear of the recently built Sydney Tongan Adventist Church while his father and brother Alalate, 17, helped to construct a fence around the property”.
“We heard one of the men call out that someone was trapped,” Alalate told the Telegraph.
“We ran down there and when I saw it was my brother I just started crying.”
It says paramedics and police arrived to find Erwin was unconscious before he was rushed to hospital but died shortly after.
Pastor Sitiveni Fine Teaupa of the Tongan Adventist Community church in a statement said all work on the church hall construction site had been suspended until a thorough investigation was completed.
“I am devastated by this accident. Our whole community is heartbroken. There is nothing more precious to us than our children,” Teaupa said in the statement.
“Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. We are all in deep shock.”
Inspector Mick Pearsall said.: “Apparently there was a number of people out there with children, the children were playing as children do, they have wandered over to the materials”
“Unfortunately as kids do they played and didn’t realise the danger in these things, and a number of these blocks has trapped one of the children.”
They found the eight-year-old and immediately began CPR on him before rushing him to Liverpool Hospital.
A second nomination was received today at about 9.30am from Dr. Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, People’s Representative for Tongatapu 10.
Tuʻiʻonetoa is a Democratic Party’s Member of Parliament. The Party is led by Leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.
Gloria Pōleʻo, the Chief Clerk of Parliament Office, has confirmed in a statement this morning the Office of the Interim Speaker of the Legislative Assembly received two nominations for Prime Minister designate before it closed today at 4.30pm.
The first nomination was received yesterday at the Parliament Office at about 2pm from Vili Manuopangai Fakaʻosiula Hingano, People’s Representative for Haʻapai 12.
Pōleʻo said both nominations remained in sealed envelopes, which will only be opened on the day when the elected MPs will meet to elect the Prime Minister.
She said the date and time of the meeting to elect the Prime Minister designate will be officially announced and released to the public and media at 9am tomorrow, Wednesday 24 December 2014.
MP Vili Manuopangai Fakaʻosiula Hingano, people’s representative for Haʻapai 12 has submitted a nomination for the Prime Minister designate Tuesday 22.
The nomination remains in a sealed envelope which has been placed into a secure box for collection of nominations, Gloria Pōleʻo, Chief Clerk for the Parliament Office says in a statement.
She says the envelopes containing the nominations will be opened to reveal the names of the nominees for Prime Minister on the day of the meeting of all the elected Representatives to elect the Prime Minister designate.
The date and time of the meeting to elect the Prime Minister designate will be officially announced after nominations close this evening Tuesday 23 at 4.30pm.
Lord Vaea has told Kaniva News in an interview last week all nine noble elected representatives have agreed to support the seven independent elected MPs with their nomination of Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu to the premiership.
The Democratic Party has yet to submit its nomination but it was understood it would nominate Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
The people of ‘Uiha Island conducted a prayer service and presented gifts at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa yesterday as part of Hon Makahokovalu Malupoo’s courtship of Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka.
Wearing black clothes, as a sign of respect for the royal family which is still mourning the loss of a family member, the ‘Uihans took baked goods, root crops such as yams, plantain and tui kakala (fragrant flowers made into necklaces and sisi – ornamented girdles).
The island of ‘Uiha belongs to Makahokovalu’s father, Lord Maupō.
Yesterday’s occasion was a preliminary event to be followed by the presentation of the cultural Christmas card (known as kaati) to the Princess next Tuesday, December 23.
A reliable source told Kaniva News yesterday’s event also included taking ‘ilo (food to be eaten by the nobles or royals) to Princess Pilolevu.
Princess Pilolevu is Princess Lātūfuipeka’s mehingtanga (paternal aunt – a social status that traditionally can make a final decision in a wedding proposal).
Next Tuesday Malupoo’s kāinga (relatives and villagers) will present the kaati and there will be another presentation of fine mats, ngatu, pigs, money and food. A māʻuluʻulu dance will also be performed.
Most of the gifts were donated by the people of ‘Uiha. Each ‘Uiha man was told to donate two yam crops for the presentation on Tuesday.
Yams are traditionally regarded as regal crops and are culturally significant, especially the yams classified as kahokaho, which are presented at formal social and cultural activities.
On Wednesday next week the ‘Uihans will present taumafa (food to be eaten by the queen or the king) to the Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mataʻaho. Princess Angelika was named after her grandmother, the queen mother.
Her Royal HIghness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Napua Okalani Tuku’aho
Banter
Lord Nuku’s eldest son Fakaʻosifono Valevale and his kāinga from Kolonga presented his proposal early this year in February to Princess Angelika.
Hon. Makahokovalu will present his proposal to the Princess in March next year.
According to the kingdom’s constitution, it is up to the king to declare who is going to marry his daughter.
The courtship of the two suitors for the princess’s hand has caused exchanges of friendly teasing between their kāinga on social media, a cultural action that was intentionally made to heighten the honour and the prestige of the suitors.
If this was not done critics would say that the suitors and their supporters were admitting their proposal would be rejected.
The Uihans have been practicing the māʻuluʻulu for a month.
When photos from the dance practices were uploaded the captions combined phrases like ‘tue tue’ (to shout out in exultation) and ‘ tue tue’ ( while the shouter beckon with the hand).
Photos of Hon. Makahokovalu and Fakaʻosifono were also uploaded to Facebook and they quickly stirred discussion and gave their supporters the chance to sing their praises.
However, some of the commentators were warned by the princess’s close family not to overstep the boundaries and say things that might anger the royal family.
Her supporters said the princess could not be compared to her suitors because she was attractive, was the only daughter of the king and had obtained two Masters in Business and Management from the National University of Australia.
The comments were intended to express the princess’s prestige and honour.
The main points
The people of ‘Uiha Island conducted a prayer service and presented gifts at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa yesterday as part of Hon Makahokovalu Malupoo’s courtship of Princess Angelica Lātūfuipeka.
The ‘Uihans presented baked goods, root crops such as yams and plantain, tui kakala (fragrant flowers made into necklaces) and sisi (ornamented girdles).
Yesterday’s occasion was a preliminary event to be followed by the presentation of the cultural Christmas card (known as kaati) to the Princess next week.
The event also included taking ‘ilo (food to be eaten by the nobles or royals) to Princess Pilolevu.
Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu, has been accused of breaching election regulations.
The accusations against Hon Vaipulu, who won the seat for Vava’u 15 in the recent elections, have been made by unsuccessful candidate Tomifa Paea.
Paea filed what he described as an “election petition” with the Supreme Court of Tonga against Hon Vaipulu on December 18.
Paea claimed MP Vaipulu hosted free lunches at his resident for about three weeks in breach of Section 21 (Bribery) and Section 24 (Campaign Expenses) of the Electoral Act.
The defeated candidate also claimed that electoral officers, supervisor and returning officers attended these free lunches even though they had been sworn in on November 17, 10 days before the election.
The defeated candidate lodged an earlier complaint with the Election Commission on December 3. He claimed the police were involved in the investigation.
Election Commissioner and Supervisor Pita Vuki said his office was investigating Paea’s complaints.
He said he was not aware a suit had been filed with the Supreme Court, but said Paea was entitled to take this action under the law.
Paea said his legal action against Samiu Vaipulu for breach offences under section 21 (bribery) and section 24(5) (election expenses) was registered at the Supreme Court as Case No. CV91/2014.
He said the Solicitor General and Attorney General should look at the outcome of investigation.
Kaniva News was unable to contact Hon. Vaipulu for comment.
The main points
Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Samiu Vaipulu, has been accused of breaching election regulations.
The accusations against Hon Vaipulu, who won the seat for Vava’u 15 in the recent elections, have been made by unsuccessful candidate Tomifa Paea.
Paea filed what he described as an “election petition” with the Supreme Court of Tonga against Hon Vaipulu on December 18, alleging Hon Vaipulu had breached Section 21 (Bribery) and Section 24 (Campaign Expenses) of the Electoral Act.
He lodged an earlier complaint with the Election Commission on December 3.
The seven elected independent MPs and nine elected nobles agreed in a meeting last night they would nominate MP Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu as Tonga’s next Prime Minister, Lord Vaea has confirmed this to Kaniva News this afternoon.
But he was cautious and said he understood negotiations were ongoing between the Democratic Party and the Independents and there was a possibility their premiership nomination could not stand when it comes to the election of the Prime Minister. Vaea said the decision to nominate Hon. Vaipulu and to form a government led by the nobles and the independents, however, was confirmed and they would hold on to it until the election day.
The meeting was attended by all members of elected nobles and the seven elected MPs, Vaea said.
He said the nobility since the nobles’ election results were announced two weeks ago nominated him as their nominee for the Prime Minister election and the nomination stood throughout five meetings they had until last night they all decided to support the nomination of Hon Vaipulu as Tonga’s next Prime Minister.
“We thought it was time for us to give the opportunity to lead the country to the people’s representatives and so we decided to support the nomination of Samiu Vaipulu by the independents,” Vaea said.
He said all other ministerial posts including Deputy Prime Minister would be announced after the premiership election.
Lord Vaea was asked why they did not bring the Democratic Party to the negotiation table together with the independents if they believed it was about time to give the country’s leadership to the people’s elected MPs. In his response he said they sent negotiators from the nobility to the Democratic Party and based on information they returned with the elected nobles decided to just align themselves with the seven independent MPs.
When he was asked whether they knew complaints had been lodged against Hon Vaipulu for alleged breaches of the election spending limit stipulated by the Electoral Acts, Vaea said the issue has been raised in the meeting last night but they were satisfied with the information they received from the Election Office regarding the complaints.
Leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva
Democratic Leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva said he was informed this morning about the decision made by the nobles and the independents to nominate Samiu Vaipulu as the Prime Minister but his Party was still negotiating with the independents.
He said he was optimistic and believed the nomination of MP Vaipulu to the premiership was not fully supported by the seven elected independents.
“It was just my feeling and personal view based on what I have heard when talking to some of the independents,” Pōhiva said.
The Democratic Party wants four more independent MPs so they can form the government.
If the nobles and the independent MPs nomination wins on election day Hon. Vaipulu, who was only elected by 747 voters of Vava’u 15 would become Tonga’s next Prime Minister.
The Democratic Leader said three representatives from the independents bloc were meeting with three representatives from the Democratic Party today at 2pm.
The independents’ reps were MP Samiu Vaipulu, MP Siaosi Sovaleni and MP Saia Piukala while the Democratic Party was represented by Leader Pohiva, MP Dr Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa and MP Semisi Fakahau.
The New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that a Tongan lawyer who practised law in New Zealand be struck from the roll of Barristers and Solicitors.
An investigation was conducted and found Ilaisaane Valu Pome’e guilty of eight charges, including two charges of misconduct, on 1 December 2014.
A statement from the New Zealand Law Society says, “Ms Pome’e acted as counsel for her clients in Family Court proceedings and agreed to adopt their niece and make an application to Immigration New Zealand for a permit to allow the niece to remain in the country. She failed to renew a temporary permit that was granted, which resulted in the niece being unlawfully in New Zealand.
“Ms Pome’e made false representations to her clients concerning the niece’s permit application and failed to respond to directions from the court. This led to adoption proceedings being struck out.
“She made a further application to Immigration New Zealand for another permit without instructions and made false representations in support of that application.
“New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore says it is unacceptable for lawyers to mislead clients and third parties.
“The overriding duty of a lawyer acting in litigation is to the court concerned. A lawyer must not act in a way that undermines the processes of a court.”
Former All Blacks Sione Lauaki has married his Cook Island fiancée Stephanie Mataroa.
The wedding was celebrated at the Crown Beach Resort and Spa in Cook Island Wednesday 7 according to Cook Island News.
It was attended by current All Blacks Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, NZ Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei and Lauaki’s brother Epalahame, also a former NZ Warrior and Kiwi test player.
The 33-year-old Tongan-born flanker / number eight made his debut for the All Blacks in 2005 against Fiji.
His final match for New Zealand was in 2008 against Samoa. During his time with the All Blacks he was capped 17 times and scored three tries.
