Silakivai Vaea, a male teacher at Tonga High School, took his own life last week.
Police have yet to release details surrounding the incident but a family member has confirmed Vaea committed suicide.
His brother Henelē Vaea told Kakalu-ʻO-Tonga newspaper, the family regret Silakivai’s death. He said the family should have provided more care to Silakivai’s life conditions because they knew he suffered from “puputuʻu” (depression) for about 10 years now.
Henelē rejected rumours that Silakivai committed suicide after his marriage proposal was turned down.
The deceased was described as good character, quiet and a loner.
Henelē and his brother ʻAuka flew to Tonga from Auckland on Monday 20 to attend Silakivai’s funeral, the paper reported.
Registrations have closed at 3.00pm today with 106 candidates registered to contest Tonga’s 17 electorates , The Election Office has confirmed.
Sixteen women candidates run for Parliament this year and the total number of candidates shows a decrease from 2010 election which it had 144 registered candidates.
The candidates are:
TONGATAPU
TONGATAPU 1 :
1.  ‘Ilisapesi Tau’akitangata Seli Baker – Tu’atakilangi
2.  William Cocker – Kolomotu’a
3.  Soloni Lutui – Kolomotu’a
4.  Mosese Teu-ki-Veiuto Manuofetoa – Kolomotu’a
5.  ‘Emeline ‘Uheina Tuita – Kolomotu’a
6.  Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva – Sopu-‘o-Taufa’ahau
7.  ‘Ana Kanume Bing Fonua – Hala’ovave
8.  ‘Eliesa Fifita – Tufuenga
TONGATAPU 2 :
1.  Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika – Haveluloto
2.  Soane Patita Vakautafefine Fifita – Haveluloto
3.  Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu – Fanga-’o-Pilolevu
4.  Sione Tu’itavake Fonua – Kolofo’ou
TONGATAPU 3 :
1.  William Clive Edwards – Mataika
2.  Gabriella Renne Blake ‘Ilolahia – Fasimoeafi
3.  Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni – Ngele’ia
4.  Mesuilame Simote Vea – Kolofo’ou
5. Â Paula Lavulo – Pahu
6.  Tevita Palu – Fasimoeafi
7.  Mele Teusivi ‘Amanaki – Ma’ufanga
TONGATAPU 4 :
1.  Poli Tuaileva – Ma’ufanga
2.  ‘Etuate ‘Eniti Sakalia – Ma’ufanga
3.  Felise ‘Ulupano – Houmakelikao
4.  ‘Etika Koka – Houmakelikao
5.  Tominiko Setefano Folaumotuita Kama – Houmakelikao
6.  Tevita ‘Ita Koloamatangi – ‘Anana
7.  Mateni Tapueluelu – Houmakelikao
8.  Seketi Fo’ou Fuko – Ma’ufanga
9.  ‘Isileli Pulu – Fangaloto
TONGATAPU 5 :
1.  Lia Manatu Faoa – Kanokupolu
2.  ‘Aisake Valu Eke – Vaotu’u
3.  Viliami Kini Tukia H. P. Mangisi – Ha’avakatolo
4.  Maliu Takai – Fo’ui
TONGATAPU 6 :
1.  Sione Tatafu Angakehe Tafuna – Matangiake
2.  Siosifa Tu’itupou Tu’utafaiva – Ha’akame
3.  Salesi Finau Hu’ia Fotu – Houma
4.  Poasi Mataele Tei – Hofoa
TONGATAPU 7 :
1.  ‘Amanaki Paea Molitika – Tofoa
2.  Sione Sangster Saulala – Tofoa
3.  Pinomi Prescott – Ha’ateiho
4.  ‘Atalasa Misilemoti Pouvalu – Tofoa
5.  Sione Vuna Fa’otusia – Ha’ateiho
6.  Siosifa Filini Sikuea – Tofoa
7.  Mavaetangi Manavahetau – Tokomololo
8.  Sipola Fakaanga Havili Halafihi – Ha’ateiho
TONGATAPU 8 :
1.  Semisi Fakahau – Folaha
2.  Mafile’o Mataele – Folaha
3.  Tevita Tu’i Uata – Vaini
4.  P. Sione Havea Taione – Vaini
5. Â Sipaisi Kutu – Folaha
TONGATAPU 9 :
1.  Samipeni Uaine Finau – Fatumu
2.  Tomavilanova Tu’ipulotu – Fua’amotu
3.  Vika Fusimalohi – Tatakamotonga
4.  Tevita Tupu ‘Ofa – Fua’amotu
5.  Lemasingo Tania Nai – Fua’amotu
6.  Penisimani ‘Epenisa Fifita – Tatakamotonga
7. Â Falisi Tupou – Tatakamotonga
TONGATAPU 10 :
1.  Seini Teu – Navutoka
2.  Daniel Kimball Fale – Lapaha
3.  Semisi Palu ‘Ifoni Tapueluelu – Talafo’ou
4.  Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa – Makaunga
5.  Faka’osilea Kaufusi – Navutoka
‘EUA
‘EUA 11 :
1.  Sunia Manu Fili – ‘Ohonua
2.  Tevita Lavemaau – Petani
3.  Silivia Loumaile Mahe – Angaha
4.  Suliasi Pouvalu Fonise ‘Aholelei – Futu
5.  Taniela Fusimalohi – ‘Ohonua
HA’APAI
HA’APAI 12 :
1.  Vili Manuopangai Hingano – ‘Uiha
2.  Mo’ale Finau – Hihifo
3.  Pita Faiva Taufatofua – Hihifo
4.  Pita Vi – Pangai
5.  Tu’ivaita Ueleni – Felemea
6. Â Latiume Kaufusi – Hihifo
HA’APAI 13 :
1.  ‘Anau ki Lifuka ‘Anau – Nomuka
2.  Samiuela Takapuna Fangaloka – Lotofoa
3.  Veivosa Light of Life Taka – Faleloa
4.  Sosaia Langitoto Helu – Lotofoa
5.  Sione Talanoa Fifita – Ha’ano
VAVA’U
VAVA’U 14 :
1.  Tongovua T. Toloke Appleton – Hunga
2.  Taniela Fakalolo Kivalu – Nuapapu
3.  Matini Fatanitavake Ma’afu ‘o Veikune Tu’i Tonga Veikune – Longomapu
4.  Saia Ma’u Piukala – Pangaimotu
5.  Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo – Longomapu
6.  Tu’amelie H. Faitu’a Kemoe’atu – Falevai
7. Â Latu Niua Lepolo – Falevai
VAVA’U 15 :
1.  ‘Alekisio Kaita’eifo – Toula
2.  Alwyn Thomas Moa – Neiafu
3.  Viliami Kaufusi Helu – Neiafu
4.  Henele Tu’ulau Fononga – Neiafu
5.  Tomifa Paea – Fungamisi
6.  Sione Sosefo Fitu Mailangi – Neiafu
7.  Samiu Kuita Vaipulu – Neiafu
8.  ‘Elieta Sapate Toke – Fungamisi
9.  Kukufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield – Neiafu
10.  Keuli Pasina Lavaki – Neiafu
11.  Viliami Pasikala – Neiafu
12. Â Salesi Kauvaka – Makave
VAVA’U 16 :
1.  Tupoulahi Manuofetoa – Holonga
2.  ‘Ikani Loneli Taliai – Ha’akio
3.  ‘Ipeni ‘Alamoni Siale – Ta’anea
4.  Viliami Lolohea – Houma
5.  Viliami Uasike Latu – Leimatu’a
6.  ‘Aisea Silivenusi – Leimatu’a
7.  ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu – Leimatu’a
ONGO NIUA
ONGO NIUA 17 :
1.  Sosefo Fe’aomoeata Vakata – Vaipoa, Niuatoputapu
2.  Vatau Hui – Falehau, Niuatoputapu
3.  Sione Peauafi Haukinima – Vaipoa, Niuatoputapu
New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan hymn ” ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua” which was recorded and is now on Youtube.
Salesa’s interviews with Kaniva News showed she strongly believed in the Tongan saying – “Ko e lotu eni Ê»a e fanga kuÆ– “It’s the grandparents’ praying that led me to now reach one of the top positions in the New Zealand government.â€
Tongans believe that every contribution and attention by parents to religious activities must be returned as good luck through their children and grandchildren.
So whenever a member of the family achieves something or become successful, especially on the international level, it is a huge thing for the
Jenny LÄtÅ« Salesa (sitting infront). Standing: His parents SÄmiu and LÅketi TuÊ»inukuafe LÄtÅ« (centre)
family.
The family and the kÄinga then have to be formally informed about the achievement.
The response would mostly be “Kuo tali e lotu ‘a e fanga kui†– “The grandparents prayers had been accepted.â€
This is the Tongan custom of Tala KÄinga or informing the kÄinga (relatives) and letting them know about what has been achieved.
In the past theTala KÄinga was relayed by somebody from the house of Ê»UlumotuÊ»a (head of the clan) who was sent from place to place to inform familes.
When the kÄinga were informed the identity of the achiever also had to be revealed as some of the kÄinga may have not known him or her.
Nowadays the Tala KÄinga no longer involves informing the individual members of the clan.
Today the public can be informed via the radio or it can be posted on social media.
Salesa performed the Tala KÄinga for her achievement through Kaniva News.
“I would like to attribute the glory and gratitude to God our Lord the Almighty for He has treasured us with this new duty,†Salesa told Kaniva News.
“I took my oath in Parliament [yesterday morning and it] was a really big day for me, my family and the many volunteers who helped me during this journey.
“My other oath endures, to serve the people of Manukau East and all New Zealanders to the best of my abilities.
“I am truly humbled to enter New Zealand’s Parliament to represent and advocate for and on behalf of the good people of Manukau East.
“I am also humbled as the daughter of Mr SÄmiuela LÄtÅ« and Mrs LÅketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu, born and raised in the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga to have made it this far.
Her father served as a public servant in Tonga for 36 years and he was Tonga’s first pharmacist.
“Many of my fanga kui (grand parents) were faifekau (church ministers) and I have a number of them who are my uncles from both the Latu and Tukutau families of the Free Wesleyan Church.â€
Salesa said  the ‘ulumotu’a (head of the clan) of her mother’s family came from the village of Pea from the Tu’inukuafe’s family. This meant she was related to the Rev Lopini Filise, the Superintendent Minister at Tuingapapai Free Wesleyan Church in Mangere.
Her mother’s uncles include the Rev ‘Ahokava Latu, former President of the Church of Tonga. Her mother was cousin to the Late Bishop Patelesio Finau, Leader of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Fr Lava Enosi who once the Catholic Church’s Vicar general.
Her mother, LÅketi Tu’inukuafe Manulevu’s, parents were Manulevu Tonga and Meleseini Tu’inukuafe.
Her father’s parents were Mr. ‘Alifeleti LÄtÅ« Tangulu of Lotofoa, Ha’apai and Mrs Ê»Ema Ê»Amalani LÄtÅ«
The Tangulu clans originally from Tefisi, Vava’u.
She congratulated her husband Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa for his hard work during her campaign. He is a professor at the University of Auckland.
“I had an allocation of two guests for the State Opening of Parliament and another Labour MP let me have their guest tickets so yesterday I had my husband and both my parents.â€
Sepuloni’s father was full Tongan and she was the first to be listed by the Labour Party and New Zealand Parliament as a Tongan MP of Tongan descent in 2008.
Sepuloni stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in 2011, but won the Kelston electorate in last month’s elections.
Click here to listen to Jenny Salesa’s Maiden Speech
The main points
New Zealand’s first Tongan speaking MP, Jenny Salesa, wore formal Tongan dress to the opening of Parliament yesterday and opened her maiden speech with the fakatapu– the formal introduction when speaking in Tongan asking for a permission to speak in front of a formal audience.
Her speech was followed by the popular Tongan popular hymn ‘ ‘Oku ‘i ai ha ki’i fonua.’
Salesa represents Manukau East.
Her parents and husband were in parliament to hear her maiden speech.
Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho attended a reception held by Australian Foreign Minister, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP, for the women Ambassador in Canberra on October 22.
The event was an opportunity for the ambassadors to meet and dialogue with female Members of the Australian Parliament and Senate on issues of importance, particularly the empowerment of women. Also attending was the speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP.
There are 14 female Ambassadors accredited in Canberra, out of a total of 103 Ambassadors.
Hon Julie Bishop and the Princess
“Women empowerment and gender balancing concerns are pressing issues the Princess has advocated for since she took up the ambassadorial role in August 2012.
“Australia is the largest bilateral grant donor to Tonga with an aid budget of AUD$30.3 million for 2014/2015.
“Australia works closely with the Government of Tonga to deliver on the strategic objectives of the Partnership for Development. The Partnership is a joint Tonga–Australia agreement to reduce poverty, promote economic opportunities and improve the lives of the people of Tonga”.
The 19-year-old male teenager stabbed to death in Haʻasini on Monday night has been named by Police as Matangi Fakavā.
The deceased allegedly went to a residence to see a woman, claimed to be a sister of the accused Police said.
The woman was not there and the victim left after an argument with the accused.
Police alleged that the accused followed the victim with a knife.
The victim was later found with deep injuries that consistent with stabbings.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Sālote Tonga said Fakavā was found injured on a road in Haʻasini about 8.50 pm on Monday. He died while he was rushed to Vaiola Hospital despite attempts to resuscitate him.
The accused was remanded in custody at his first appearance at the magistrate court.
Tonga’s court of appeal has appointed a Tongan to its panel, the first in Tonga’s history.
Lord Tevita Tupou of Kolofo’ou was appointed in Nuku‘alofa last week along with Hon Justice Rodney Hansen of New Zealand to join the panel of judges that would review 16 appeals including nine criminal, six civil cases and one land case.
The appointment was announced by the Appeal Court’s Vice-President Hon Mr Justice Peter Salmon during the court of appeal opening session this week.
The judges for the Court of Appeal of Tonga were usually foreign nationals selected from Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Throughout his career Lord Tupou of Kolofo’ou, who was formerly known as Tevita Poasi Tupou, was Tonga’s first attorney general in 1988 but before that he was the crown solicitor.
He was appointed as interim speaker of Parliament in 2010 by His Late Majesty King George V.
Tonga’s Democratic Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva has cleared his way to Parliament before the November general election after he paid his TP$22,000 legal costs, ordered by the Supreme Court in Nukuʻalofa, yesterday.
The payment was confirmed today by the Registrar Office at the Supreme Court.
Minister of Justice, Hon Clive Edwards said: “‘Akilisi paid the full cost ordered by Salesi Mafi to the Supreme Court on Monday, 20th October 2014 to await the hearing of his application on the 7th November 2014.
“‘Akilisi has an application for Judicial Review on the decision of the Magistrate, Salesi Mafi, which requires leave to be granted. ‘Akilisi will need to have that argued before the Supreme Court to determine whether he is entitled to review the decision of Salesi Mafi or not.
“Because his application does not stay or overrule the order of Salesi Mafi, he applied to the Court for an order to stay (stop) the order from taking effect because it would bar him from running in the forthcoming election. The argument in support of his application turned on whether he should be treated differently from everybody else”.
Chief Justice Michael Scott ordered Pōhiva to pay the money no later than today October 21 after Pōhiva appealed Police Magistrate Sālesi Mafi’s decision ordering him to pay legal costs for three legal counsels.
The legal counsels were Tonga’s Minister of Justice Hon. Clive Edwards, Legal Counsel William Clive Edwards Jr and Legal Counsel Stephen Stanton. The trio represented four respondents namely Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano, Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Hon Clive Edwards and the Friendly Islands Sattelite Company after Pōhiva took them to court but eventually lost his claims.
The Tongan consitution stipulates that a candidate for Parliamentary elections has to get a written clearance from the Supreme Court and Magistrates Court showing he or she has no record of outstanding order before he or she can register to become a candidate.
Pōhiva said he settled the full amount of the legal costs today while he and his legal counsel appeal the Supreme Court decision in the Court of Appeal.
“I have to pay the amount of TP$22,000 so that I will still be eligible to become a candidate in the November election. If the court of appeal rules in favour of my submission the respondents’ legal counsels have to pay back my money,” Pōhiva said.
A planned industrial action by Tonga’s public servants as part of an ongoing row over pay rise has been called off.
Members of the Public Servants Association (PSA) were due to stage strike action next week beginning Monday 20 – one month before Tonga’s general election holds on November 27.
In a statement, the PSA said its executive in a meeting on Friday last week had decided to “withdraw” the strike action claiming it was because the Minister of Justice, Hon. Clive Edwards announced the government will “declare Tonga as state of emergency if it reach to a stage that the strike goes ahead”
“The priority to PSA is the safety of the public servants and their families as the Emergency Powers does not allow political meeting of 5 people or more and they can use the military to take them to prison without a warrant”, PSA’s Secretary General, Mele ‘Amanaki said in the statement.
However in a statement issued to Kaniva News, Hon Clive Edwards denied government planned to declare emergency law or “issued any threats to anyone” if civil servants would go on strike.
“It is unfortunate that the Minister of Justice has to deny the false allegations that Cabinet will activate Emergency Powers to prevent the Public Service from going on strike,” the statement says.
The claim by PSA against the minister came after the minister was interviewed by Radio FM89.5 on Friday.
Following the interview PSA released a statement through internet saying, “The Minister of Justice, Mr. Clive Edwards, confirmed to radio 89.5FM news today that Cabinet will activate the Emergency Powers! Cabinet will now resort to use guns to prevent the public servants from exercising their Constitutional Rights.”
The PSA release, which was also sent to Radio 89.5FM, was quickly corrected by the Radio claiming it was “misleading” and “incorrect”.
The managing director of the Radio, Katalina Tohi, in an email to ‘Amanaki said: “…according to the minister government is prepared to provide needed services at any time during any strike even if it’s needed to declare a state of emergency. I cannot interpret for the Minister’s comment and everyone is free for his or her own interpretations but my interpretation is calling for help like recruiting volunteers locally or internationally”.
PSA
The PSA demanded a 20 percent cost of living allowance (COLA) citing the 40 percent increase of the consumer price index since the last pay rise in 2005.
In the government’s financial budget 2012/14 a 5 percent COLA was granted and 1 percent was granted in the 2014/15 budget.
The PSA recommended 6-10% for the 2014/2015 to be paid in the 2015/2016 or 2016/2017 budgets in which cabinet refused to accept.
The PSA claimed the government has failed in its responsibility to abide by the memorandum of understanding signed following the largest ever industrial action held in the country in 2005.
“When resolving this strike, the Government agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with those who were on strike that the salaries will be reviewed every two years to avoid this problem from happening again. The Government did not abide by its promise”, the PSA statement says.
Government
The Secretary for Finance in a statement says the government does not have the money to financially meet the pay increase PSA demanded
The Parliament passed a resolution in August 2014 allowing the government not to grant further higher COLA for the civil service because of its “tight fiscal situation in 2014/15”.
The government agreed to talk with PSA authority and in October 3 Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu met with PSA team saying they would negotiate a deal that could satisfy both sides.
On October 9 however the negotiators returned to the negotiation table but this time the government team which included the Finance Minister Hon. Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke told PSA the government has already done enough after it granted the 6 percent COLA in its budget 2013/14 and 2014/15.
The PSA disagreed and threatened it would go on strike on October 20.
