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PM says government spent reasonable time and millions on campaigning for CEDAW

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva said the government had spent millions of paʻanga on campaigning and consulting the community in Tonga about the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The Prime Minister was responding to a statement by Cardinal Mafi of the Catholic Church who said he wanted the government to give more time for the public and churches to discuss whether Tonga should sign CEDAW or not.

Pohiva said he respected Cardinal Mafi’s point of view and said the cardinal was doing his job as a religious leader.

However, the government had already made it clear that Tonga had reservations about CEDAW’s position on the right to abortion, same sex marriage and the status of Tonga’s Land Act regarding the succession to the throne and nobility.

Hon. Pohiva said the government funded non-profit organisations in Tonga such as the Women and Children Crisis Centre Tonga, The Tongan family support organisation Ma’aFafine and Tonga’s Civil Society Forum and had asked them to consult with the public about CEDAW.

He said the campaign and consultations had lasted several years, which was enough time for the Tongan public to understand the CEDAW convention.

The Prime Minister’s Private Secretary, Poʻoi Pohiva, said the leaders of these non-profitable organisations were members of the local Catholic and Free Wesleyan churches.

The Prime Minister said previous governments had spent millions on the information and consultation campaign.

Cardinal Mafi said he feared the government’s move to sign CEDAW would open the door for Tonga to accept same sex marriage and abortion in the future.

The Prime Minister recently told Kaniva News in Auckland that Tonga could not stay by herself when most countries had adopted conventions like CEDAW.

The Tongan government has agreed to sign CEDAW convention and is now processing it through the United Nations.

The main points

  • Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akihisi Pohiva said last night the government had spent millions of pa’anga on consulting the community in Tonga about the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.
  • Pohiva was responding to a statement by Cardinal Mafi, who said he wanted the government to give more time for the public and churches to discuss the issue.
  • He said the government had made it clear it had reservations about CEDAW’s position on the right to abortion, same sex marriage and the status of Tonga’s Land Act regarding the succession to the throne and nobility.
  • The campaign and consultations had lasted several years, which was enough time for the Tongan public to understand the CEDAW convention.

For more information

UN agencies welcome Tonga’s decision to ratify CEDAW

Women’s advocate: Tonga’s CEDAW ratification a disaster (RNZI)

Tongan Police arrest fugitive who held woman captive for weeks

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tongan Police said they have arrested the fugitive accused for unlawful imprisonment of a 20-year-old woman from Vaini in a hut in a plantation in the village of Puke in February.

Police said they have arrested Sione ‘Afa Teisina, 28, of Navutoka last week Friday, May  1 at 10pm at Mataki’eua in Tongatapu after working on a tip off.

He is now in Police custody and he was charged with causing serious bodily harm and more charges are expected after he would appear in court today according to Police Media & Communication Officer, Sia Adams.

Teisina allegedly beat and held Tapaita Finau captive for several days without giving her any food.

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

She was taken to hospital where she receive medical assistance before she was released.

Lord Tupou honoured with IOC Olympic Order

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The former President of TASANOC, Lord Tupou was honoured with the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the Welcoming Ceremony of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) General Assembly at the Grand Pacific Hotel held in Suva, Fiji last Friday evening May 1.

The Order was awarded by IOC President Hon. Tomas Bach in recognition of the work and contribution carried out by Lord Tupou through sports during his involvement in the past 40 years.

The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is awarded particularly for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.

The ceremony was special for four members from our region, Oceania, and they were Rosie Blake (Cook Island), Joe Carlo (Vanuatu), Lord Tupou (Tonga) and Helen Brownlee (Australia).

According to Secretary General, Takitoa Taumoepeau, the “ceremony was very warming and uplifting, especially it is the first for Tonga and TASANOC, as Lord Tupou is a former President and a Life Member. He is the first Tongan to receive such prestigious award.

Takitoa added, “it was also fitting for Lord Tupou who had been instrumental in the drive and changes to TASANOC, particularly with his legal background and experience in Government circle as well”. Also presence and join at the ceremony was wife, Saane and eldest son, David Jnr.

The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was Chief Guest and he was proud with the achievements by the four recipients from Oceania.

Missing 6-year-old boy in south auckland found

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A Tongan family  in South Auckland can now enjoy the rest of the weekend after their boy returned home safely.

Korotangi Lalahi, 6, was reported missing yesterday after he failed to return after playing in a friend’s house.

His family became worried for his well-being and they contacted Police.

Korotangi was found at a friend’s address on Saturday morning and the cause of his disappearance was a miscommunication of addresses, Police said.

 

 

 

Tongan: Concerns mount for missing little boy

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Concerns are growing for a 6-year-old boy in South Auckland after he failed to return home from a friend’s place in Mangere yesterday, police say.

A search and rescue team’s being called out this morning to search for Korotangi Lalahi in south Auckland after he failed to return from playing at a friend’s house last night.

Korotangi Lalahi was last seen around the Yates Road, Tennessee Ave area.

He is described as of Tongan and Maori decent, of average build, 100cm tall and with short dark hair.

He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and shorts, and riding a blue and black scooter.
“Korotangi’s family are concerned for his safety due to his age and vulnerability and want him to return home,” police said.

Anyone with information that could assist in finding Korotangi was asked to contact Counties-Manukau police 09 2632700, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

Missing girl 'Lavinia Nonu' has been found

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Victoria Police said last night the “missing Cairnlea teenager, Lavina Nonu has been found”.

“She presented to Sunshine police yesterday afternoon. Thanks to all who shared”, Victoria Police said.

Lavina was last seen near Goldsmith Avenue, Delahey about 3.20pm on Tuesday.

Police and her family were concerned for her welfare as it was out of character for Lavina not to come home.

Lavina was described as Pacific Islander in appearance with long black hair. She was identified on Facebook as Tongan.

Police search for missing Cairnlea girl ʻLavinia'

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police in Melbourne, Australia are appealing for public assistance to help locate missing 15-year-old Cairnlea girl Lavina Nonu.

Lavina was last seen near Goldsmith Avenue, Delahey about 3.20pm on Tuesday.

Police and her family are concerned for her welfare as it is out of character for Lavina not to come home.

Lavina is described as Pacific Islander in appearance with long black hair.

She was last seen wearing a school uniform.

Police have released an image of Lavina in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information regarding her whereabouts.

Massey doctorate in nursing awarded to  one of Tonga’s first male nurses

By
Kalino Latu
-

Dr Sione Lavenita Vaka has become the first Tongan male nurse to acquire a doctorate in nursing.

He was awarded his PhD from Massey University.

Dr Vaka said the sacrifices he made to complete his doctorate had paid off because he achieved his goal.

He was one of Tonga’s first male nursing recruits in 1993 when the Ministry of Health opened the profession to men.

He said he and a friend at Tonga High school decided to become nurses because they thought it might be a good way to meet girls.

In the beginning it was just for fun because in Tonga nursing was regarded as women’s work and male nurses were ridiculed.

However, he soon discovered he had a talent for nursing and was awarded a full scholarship to study in New Zealand.

He obtained a Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing and a Master of Nursing from Auckland University. He also has a Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching from AUT.

Challenges

Dr Vaka said one of the most challenging things he came across while doing his doctorate was that nobody had done similar work so there was no example of research or writing for him to follow.

His field was psychology and psychiatry.

Having English as a second language meant he faced many challenges in writing up his thesis.

He said he did his research in Tongan and translated his work into English.

The problem was that when Tongan was translated into English the meaning and the context of the words were not fully maintained.

“It was long and difficult work, but I did it,” he said.

Dr Vaka said he managed to persuade the University to accept some Tongan ways of doing things that he thought would work for his research.

One of these was the Tongan way of talanoa (talking or dialogue).

Talanoa replaced the western way of using interviews and questionnaires in research.

“In talanoa there is a chance to talk [with the interviewees] about different areas and not just focus on what the interviewer or questionnaires want,” he said.

Speaking in Tongan, Dr Vaka said: “After gathering all the information I would pick only the most important things and reconstruct them to fit what the university required.”

“It was a long process, but it enabled me to engage effectively with our Tongan people and get to the core of the issue. Sometimes, our people are put off by interviews and questionnaires.”

Commitment

Dr Vaka had to balance work on his doctorate against his commitment to his family, his church and community.

However, he also plays the acoustic guitar and music always became a temptation during the week when he was required to do assignments and study.

He sings Tongan hiva kakala and plays with his group during kava sessions.

“I stood by my philosophy in times like this and used my hobbies such as kava drinking and music to reward my study during the week,” Dr Vaka said.

“I strictly dedicated my time during the week to my study and determined that if I achieved my weekly plan, say, to finish reading certain chapters of a book before the weekend, I would spend Saturday drinking kava and playing music and would return home almost at daylight.”

Dr Vaka said he wanted to encourage anybody who wanted to follow his footsteps.

He said he believed one of the best way to become successful in study was to have everything as simple as it could be and not pretend to be someone else.

He said the English language he used for his thesis was simple to understand. He did not believe in using technical words and terms to impress examiners or lecturers.

“I did almost everything in my own way,” Dr Vaka said.

“I did not want to imitate our Tongan scholars in the way they write things and express their thinking.”

He said he used the Tongan way of thinking and practices in his research and arguments and only used western theories and practices to back up his reasoning.

Dr Vaka said his thesis was returned twice by his supervisors for changes, but he had heard some theses were sent back for corrections up to nine times.

Study meant the scholar would have to go through many challenges, but that would be for a short time and the rest of his life was to share the joy his success in education has provided him, he said.

Background

Dr Sione Lavenita Vaka studied at Longolongo Government Primary School and continued his secondary school at Tonga High School.

He completed Form Six in 1991, Tonga National Form Seven in 1992 and was recruited as Tonga’s first male nurse in 1993.

Dr Vaka’s father was Malakai Vaka from Neiafu, Vai-ko-Lelea, Vava‘u Lahi, and  Lōfanga, Tokomea, Ha‘apai Veu.

His mother is ‘Asilika Fifita Vaivai Tātuila Vaka from Lapaha, Kolokakala, Mu‘a, Tongatapu.  His wife is Olaka‘aina Tupouniua-Vaka from Vava‘u Lahi and Sia-ko-Veiongo from Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu.

They have a son Ma‘afu Tu‘i Lau Vaka.

The main points

  • Dr Sione Vaka has become the first Tongan male nurse to acquire a doctorate in nursing from Massey University.
  • He was one of Tonga’s first male nursing recruits in 1993 when the Ministry of Health opened the profession to men.
  • Dr Vaka said he used the Tongan way of thinking and practices in his research and arguments and only used western theories and practices to back up his reasoning.
  • He said he wanted to encourage anybody who wanted to follow his footsteps.

For more information

Nurse, Pacific style (Central Leader)

King Tupou VI’s week-long coronation celebrations set to cost TP$1 million

By
Kalino Latu
-

His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu’s coronation celebrations will begin on June 27 at a cost of TP$1 million.

Details of how the coronation budget will be spent have not been revealed.

Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva officially announced the coronation yesterday. The celebrations will run from June 27 until July 7.

The 11 days’ celebration will begin with the Royal Kava Ceremony on Saturday, June 27.

The coronation will be held at the Centenary Chapel in Kolomotu’a on Saturday, July 4.

King Tupou VI, 55, assumed his title in March, 2012,  after the death in Hong Kong of his brother, King George V.

His Majesty King Tupou VI is the 24th Tuʻi Kanokupolu (King of the Kanokupolu royal line).

The budget for King Tupou’s coronation is a 10th of the money spent on George V’s ceremony, which cost TP$10 million (NZ$6.6 million)

The government has allocated TP$5.46 million (NZ $3.6 million) budget for the king in its financial estimates for 2014/15. It says the money is for His Majesty’s “leadership” and “advice”.

The Minister for Finance, Dr ʻAisake Eke, would not tell Kaniva News how the TP$1 million coronation budget would be spent.

Hon. ‘Eke would only say that it had been included in the 2014/15 government’s estimate.

He said the government would check from time to time to make sure it was covering the costs of the celebrations.

The announcement of the coronation by Hon. Pohiva was a historical event in itself, according to  the Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr Palenitina Langaʻoi.

Dr Langaʻoi said that traditionally the announcement of coronations was entrusted only to members of the royal family and the nobility.

She said the coronation of King Tupou VI was the first to be announced by a commoner.

Speaking on Radio and Television Tonga, the Prime Minister said he wished that in God the kāinga and the houʻeiki of Tonga would share the joy of the celebration in a gathering marked by prayer, happiness, peace and unity.

Details of the celebrations

On Wednesday July 1 a cultural performance including various Tongan dances will be performed by school students at Teufaiva Stadium Park.

On Thursday, July  2, a Tongan cultural performance has been organised to celebrate Their Majesties’ coronation. It will be followed by a royal luncheon for invited guests prepared by the nobles of the realm.

On the evening of Friday, July 3, Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa has organised a royal reception to welcome overseas and distinguished guests.

On Saturday, July 4 there will be a royal luncheon at the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa and a Royal dinner at His Majesty’s Armed Forces’ headquarters at Touliki in Maʻufanga.

There will be a tupakapakanava or traditional torch lighting ceremony after sunset. Students will light  bark torches to create a line of fire around the coastline and there will be fireworks displays later in the evening.

On Sunday, July 5, the programme will begin with a prayer service followed by a royal luncheon prepared by Princess Angelika Latūfuipeka Halaevalu Mataʻaho.

On Monday, July 6, there will be a military parade by His Majesty’s Armed Forces at Pangai Lahi followed by a royal luncheon prepared by the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers.

The main points

  • His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻuʻs coronation celebrations will begin on June 27 at a cost of TP1 million.
  • Details of how the coronation budget have not been revealed.
  • The 11 days’ celebration will begin with the Royal Kava Ceremony on Saturday, June 27.
  • The coronation will be held at the Centenary Chapel in Kolomotu’a on Saturday, July 4. 

The Coronation Programme

Saturday 27th June 2015

10:00 am – Royal Kava-Ceremony (Taumafa Kava)

                    Venue: Pangai

Wednesday 1st July 2015

10:00 am-12:00 noon– Education Day

Host: Minister of Education

Venue: Teufaiva Stadium

Thursday 2nd July 2015

12:30 pm– Welcome Luncheon

Host by Nobles of the Realm

Venue: Pangai Seaside

2:30pm– Traditional Entertainment

Venue:  Pangai

 Friday 3rd July 2015

6:30 pm-8:00pm– Official Welcome Reception

Host by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala

Venue: Fa’onelua Convention Centre

Saturday 4th July 2015

10:00 am- Coronation Service and Ceremony

Venue: Free Wesleyan Church Centenary Church,

1:00 pm– Coronation Luncheon

Venue: Fangatapu: Royal Palace

7:00 pm– Formal Dinner

Venue: Masefield Naval Base

Followed by the Traditional Torchlight ceremony (Tupakapakanava)

                        and Fireworks

Sunday 5th July 2015

10:00am – Thanksgiving Service

Venue: Free Wesleyan Church Centenary Church

12:30pm         – Luncheon

Host: HRH Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho

Venue: The Villa

Monday 6th July 2015

10:00am– Coronation Military Parade

Host: Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces

Venue: Pangai

12:30pm         –           Royal Luncheon

Host by Hon Prime Minister

Venue: Pangai Seaside

Tuesday 7th July 2015

7:00pm           –           Military Tatoo

Host: Chief of Defence Staff

Venue: Pangai

 

Two police officers cleared of ‘Inoke Pepa manslaughter 

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s Supreme Court has cleared two Police Officers of a manslaughter charge after ‘Inoke Pepa, 20, of Vaini died in 2012.

Justice Charles Cato acquitted Sosefo Masalu, 27, and Samisoni Taufa, 32, of all their respective charges of manslaughter, the alternative charges of causing grievous bodily harm and common assault.

The Supreme Court held that the Crown was unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had caused the death or severe injury suffered by the deceased on the morning of 16 November 2012.

The Supreme Court rather held that the accused had used reasonable and proportionate force under section 100(1) of the Tonga Police Act, when they were exercising their lawful duties to arrest the deceased and some other boys, who were very intoxicated and disturbing the general peace at Vaini village.

The Court also held that it was satisfied that the accused Masalu was trying to grab hold of the deceased whilst the deceased was running away, and this had caused the deceased and Masalu to both fall on the road, and the deceased’s head hitting the hard surface of the road, causing the skull fracture which he eventually died from.

The Court also held that the evidence on the alleged kicking of the deceased’s head by the accused Taufa left the Court in some doubt as to the credibility of the evidence, given the uncertainties and inconsistencies in the evidence, and so it could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the Accused Taufa had kicked the Deceased’s head.

After delivering his judgment the Hon Justice Cato commented that the Crown had done the right thing in bringing these charges against the Accused, especially when there was prima facie evidence of the allegations that an individual had died due to excessive use of force by the Police.

The Court stated that it is in the public’s interest that such allegations are tried in an open and transparent manner before the Courts.

The Court commented that the public has seen situations overseas where there has been civil distraught due to the non-transparent handling of allegations of excessive use of force against the Police.

The Court also stated that this was a difficult trial which involved difficult issues to determine, and also evidence being heard for three weeks, and he commended both the prosecutors and defence counsel in conducting the trial.

The Crown was represented by Mr ‘Aminiasi Kefu and Mrs Susana Fineanganofo, and the accused were represented by Mr Siosifa Tu’utafaiva and Mr Sione Havea Taione.

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