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New CEO for Tonga’s Internal Affairs

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs has appointed Mrs ‘Ana Bing Fonua as its new Chief Executive Officer effective September 9.

Mrs. ‘Ana Kanume Bing Fonua’s employment by Government is for a period of three (3) years.

Mrs. Fonua began her career in the private sector where she held various positions at the Bank of Tonga, Western Union Money Transfer, Polynesian Cultural Centre in Hawaii and Star Cinemas from 1998 to 2006.

Later in 2006, Mrs. Fonua joined the Office of the Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa as Office and Finance Manager and later continued as Program Manager from 2007 until early 2013.

In February, 2013 Mrs. Fonua was contracted as a Procurement Specialist and later the National Team Leader under the Tonga Strategic Program for Climate Resilience funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). In October, 2014 Mrs. Fonua was engaged by the Ministry of Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Disaster Management, Meteorology, Information and Communication as a Program Coordinator under the Climate Resilience Sector Project (CRSP) and Cyclone Ian Recovery Project (CIRP) prior to taking up her appointment as Chief Executive Officer for Internal Affairs.

Mrs. Fonua is also involved in various community programs which includes her role as the Young Women President for Youth of the Nuku’alofa Central Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mrs. Fonua also participated in the First Practice Parliament for Women in Tonga whereby she was appointed as ‘Mock’ Prime Minister and No. 1 Noble Representative for Tongatapu.

Mrs. Fonua holds a Master Degree in Sustainability (2012) and a Graduate Diploma in International Development and Environment (2011) – both from Monash University, Australia. Mrs. Fonua also holds a Bachelor of Science (2010) from Brigham Young University, Hawaii.

Fundraisers must make sure money for ‘Ikale Tahi is wisely managed, Sika warns

By
Kalino Latu
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Any fundraising for Tonga’s national rugby union team while they are in England for the World Cup next week must be wisely managed, Parliament has been warned.

The Whole House Committee Chairperson Hon. Sēmisi Sika told Parliament on Monday that any money raised must be spent on its intended purpose.

Hon. Sika made the comments while telling the House about a national fundraising campaign for the the ‘Ikale Tahi, who face Georgia in a Pool C game in Kingsholm, Gloster, on September 19.

The fundraising event will be held in Nuku’alofa this Friday.

Hon. Sika warned that in the past Tongan sport teams competing overseas had not received most of the money raised because the events were not well planned and managed.

Hon. Sika, who is the chairman of the Tonga Rugby League Committee, referred to two fundraising campaigns in Auckland in 2011 and 2013.

He said: “Ko e motu’á ni ‘oku fuoloa mai ‘eku fa’a poupou ki he ngaahi me’a pehé ní. Ko ‘etau ‘osi kotoa atu ko ia ki ‘Okalani ‘i he 2011, na’a tau kau atu ki he ngaahi feinga pa’anga na’e fai aí. Na’e ‘i ai e feinga pa’anga ia na’e tānaki e 1 kilu pea ‘osi pea to e ‘alu pē kilú ia ki he ngaahi fakamole ko ia na’e faí”.

(Translation: “I have been involved in supporting fundraising such as this one for a long time. We were all in Auckland in 2011 and we participated in fundraising there. One fundraising campaign raised NZ$100,000 and nearly all the money raised went on paying for the expense of holding the activity.”)

Hon Sika said that in 2013 he was in Auckland with the Mate Ma’a Tonga rugby league team and a committee in New Zealand staged a fundraising for the team before they flew to England.

He said once again most of the money raised went to paying for the expenses of organising the fundraising event.

Hon. Sika said it appeared this pattern of unsuccessful fundraising was common among the Tongan community in Tonga and Tongans overseas.

He said people should take notice of previous failures so they would not be repeated when raising money for the ‘Ikale Tahi.

Prince Taufa’ahau takes the lead

Hon. Sika said the royal family had been informed about Friday’s activity and young Prince Tau’ahau already bought five tickets.

He told the House all money raised on Friday would all go to the ‘Ikale Tahi team, except for some minor expenses that had to be paid from the money.

This would be limited to necessary equipment such as chairs and tables hired to be used during the fundraising and nothing else.

Hon. Sika said there had been plans to ask some of the members of the public to help pay for these items so they could save money.

However, given that people had only recently paid for their kavenga (obligations such as presenting gifts) during the coronation of His Majesty, he thought it might be better to use part of the money raised to pay for the equipment and the rest would go the ‘Ikale Tahi players.

Fundraising in Auckland

In 2011 a committee in New Zealand was set up to raise fund for the ‘Ikale Tahi. The committee was believed to have raised about NZ$100,000 dollars, but most of the money was used to pay expenses such as the hotel in the city where the fundraising dinner was held.

It is believed that not all the money owing for the NZ$1000 per table tickets could be collected.

The fundraising in 2013 for the Mate Ma’a Tonga was held at the Otahuhu Rugby League Club.

Kaniva News attended the fundraising night and witnessed people standing outside the door complaining that they had pre-paid for tables at the dinner, but when they arrived all tables were fully occupied.

When they complained to the organiser, they were told the tables had been taken by people who arrived earlier and paid at the door.

The issue was widely discussed on social media the following day. Many people believed the main problem was that people who did the fundraisings were only volunteers and Good Samaritans who were willing to help, but did not have the skills or knowledge to organise such events.

The main points

  • Any fundraising for Tonga’s national rugby union team while they are in England for the World Cup next week must be wisely managed, Parliament has been warned.
  • The Whole House Committee Chairperson Hon Sēmisi Sika told Parliament on Monday that any money raised must be spent on its intended purpose.
  • Sika made the comments while telling the House about a national fundraising campaign for the the ‘Ikale Tahi to be held in Nuku’alofa this Friday.
  • Tonga play Georgia on September 19.

Keleʻa loses defamation appeal; must pay former Deputy PM Vaipulu $10,000

By
Kalino Latu
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In picture: L-R: Lautala Pōhiva Tapueluelu and Māteni Tapueluelu. Photo/Soane Gallagher Niukapu

Tonga’s Supreme Court has thrown out an appeal by Keleʻa newspaper against an order by the Magistrate’s Court that it pay $10,000 to Former Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu.

Lord Chief Justice O.G.Paulsen dismissed the appeal by Keleʻa Publications, its editor Māteni Tapueluelu and Publisher Lautala Pōhiva Tapueluelu on September 1.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Tapueluelu had made a serious allegation against Vaipulu and was “ignorant,” “not in good heart” and “malicious” when he wrote the article.

He said the editor had failed in his duty to obtain all the facts surrounding the article and had not allowed Vaipulu to have his say.

The Lord Chief Justice’s decision means the Magistrate’s Court order against Keleʻa and the Tapueluelus stands.

On January 16, 2012 Māteni Tapueluelu ran an article in Tongan in Keleʻa accusing Vaipulu and Lord Nuku of misusing a TP$80 million (NZ$50 million) grant from China to help renovate roads in Tonga.

The editor also claimed that Vaipulu, who was also the then Minister of Works, had a quarry that was used by construction operators to buy gravel to be used for the renovation of the roads.

Vaipulu denied the claims in the article and after exchanging legal documents with the publication in an attempt to gain a retraction, he took Kele’a and the Tapueluelus to court.

In the original trial, the former Deputy Prime Minister told the Magistrate’s court the article was false and that he did not own a quarry. He also said he had never received any money from the road construction project.

Māteni claimed his story was based on statements made in Parliament while the House discussed a Parliamentary Resolution.

However, he failed to submit any evidence that there had in fact been a Parliamentary debate of the issues raised in his article.

Magistrate Paula Tatafu ruled against the Tapueluelus and Keleʻa and fined them $10,000 and ordered them to pay costs of $5,348.50. The Tapueluelus then appealed Tatafu’s decision.

In the appeal before Justice Paulsen, ‘Ofa Pouono represented the Tapueluelus and Kele’a while William Clive Edwards Jr acted for Vaipulu.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Supreme Court has thrown out an appeal by Kele’a newspaper against an order by the Magistrate’s Court that it pay $10,000 to Former Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu.
  • Lord Chief Justice O.G.Paulsen dismissed the appeal by Kele’a Publications, its editor Mateni Tapueluelu and Publisher Lautala Pohiva Tapueluelu on July 21.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Tapueluelu had made a serious allegation against Vaipulu and was “ignorant,” “not in good heart” and “malicious” when he wrote the article.
  • He said the editor had failed in his duty to obtain all the facts surrounding the article and had not allowed Vaipulu to have his say.

Man from Haveluloto dies after diving with hookah rig

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 33-year-old man from Haveluloto died after a dive using a hookah rig breathing apparatus offshore of Mānima island near Patangata on Friday morning at about 3am, according to Police.

The deceased was last known to have lived in Pātangata and he was with five others while on the fishing trip, according to Police Communication Officer, Telesia Adams.

The diving practice is illegal. Last year Police charged a man in connection to the death of a hookah diver from Navutoka who died while diving at Kelefesia Island in Tongatapu.

Soldier dies after fall from vehicle in Haʻateiho, driver charged

By
Kaniva Staff
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The person appeared in the image has been identified on Facebook as Pita Tonga. Photo/’Isileli Latu Tangulu (Facebook).

A 26-year-old serving soldier died after an incident involving a vehicle he was a passenger in at Haʻateiho Saturday 5.

Telesia Adams from Police Communication Unit at Longolongo  said the deceased was identified as Pita Tonga  from Vavaʻu and he was serving in His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Adams said Police believed the deceased died after falling off the back of a moving pick up truck on a road in Haʻateiho.

A 48-year-old man from Halaleva was arrested and charged with reckless driving causing death. When the incident happened Police said the driver stopped and helped rush Mr. Tonga to hospital where he died later.

Adams said Police investigation was ongoing and further information would be released once they become available.

Man shot in Maʻufanga petrol station armed robbery

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 37-year-old man was being treated in hospital with an apparent gunshot wound following an armed robbery Friday morning September 4 in Maʻufanga.

Police said the alleged armed robber entered the Kinikinilau service station in disguise while carrying a gun.

He threatened the staff before shooting him, Police Communication Officer Telesia Adams said.

Adams also said that this was the only information she could release to Kaniva at this stage while Police investigation was ongoing.

Hon. Eke denies claim government will hike electricity bills to raise money for 2019 Games

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Minister of Finance, Hon ʻAisake Eke has denied claims the government plans to increase electricity bills to raise money for the 2019 South Pacific Games.

Hon. Eke made the denial in the wake of claims by former Law Minister Clive Edwards that the government planned to increase electricity charges by imposing a six cents per kilowatt levy.

Kaniva News contacted the Minister for a response to Edwards’ allegations.

In response, Hon. Eke said: “Oku ikai ha mea pe he ia…oku teeki aupito ke omai ha fktuu pe he ia ki he Kapineti. (Translated: There is nothing like that….there was no such proposal submitted to Cabinet”.

In a letter written to Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva on August 28, Edwards said it was obvious the government planned the increase as way of accumulating money for the Games.

Edwards demanded Hon. Pohiva confirm whether his allegation was true or not.

He told Hon. Pohiva the planned electricity rate hike would be a financial burden to the poor people of the nation.

Edwards also asked the Hon. Pohiva about the Democratic Party’s pre-election promise of a 15 percent decrease for electricity charges.

He said it was apparent the Party had not delivered its promise since it came to power eight months ago, nor was the cut included in the government’s 2015/16 budget.

Kaniva News has asked Edwards if he can provide us with the source of his allegations, but we are still waiting for his response.

Kaniva News has reliable information that when the Party won the election and formed the government it sought advice from experts on the possibility of reducing electricity charges as promised.

However, it was advised that a 15 percent cut was impossible as it would cost Tonga Power millions of paʻanga when there were hardly any other sources from which income could be raised.

One source suggested that if the government made its promise Tonga Power would lose up to tens of millions in income.

Before Tonga’s general election last November, the Democratic Party promised to cut rates for water and electricity by 15 percent.

The Party promised the following in its long term goals:

  • Cutting water and power prices by 15%
  • Increasing the provision of solar power to villages
  • Reviewing government board memberships
  • Implementing tax cuts
  • Reducing tax charges on freight from Tongans living overseas
  • Charging taxes on local flea markets to balance the reduction of charges on cargo from Tongan overseas.
  • Paying civil servants’ salary on time
  • Increasing the budget for fisheries by TP$1.3 million (NZ$834,000)
  • Reinstating the Planning Department and bringing it under the Prime Minister’s Office
  • Reviewing laws for subleasing of land by lease holders
  • Mortgaging of land to be limited to 15 years
  • Creating laws to control all government national assets
  • Reviewing the current electoral systems
  • Reviewing Asian immigration policy
  • Forming laws to control Chinese depositing money overseas.

Hon. Pohiva also announced that if the party was elected, within six months of achieving government it would take action in the following areas:

  • All government vehicles would operate only within working hours
  • All public servants and ministers would travel economy class when going overseas.
  • Overseas travel that had already been paid from overseas sources would not be paid for again by the government
  • All payment for government travel would be made by the Treasury
  • Taking control of ministers’ overseas travel to reduce spending
  • Reviewing government board members’ meeting policy that a one-hour meeting deserves payment for a whole day.
  • Banning fishing for sea cucumbers
  • Authorising villagers to look after their coastlines and beaches
  • Establishing a marketing authority to sell local produce and products overseas
  • Ensuring overseas fishing vessels have valid licenses
  • Reviewing government portfolios that come under one ministry

The main points

  • The government has denied claims it plans to increase electricity bills to raise money for the 2019 South Pacific Games.
  • Tonga’s Minister of Finance, Hon ʻAisake Eke, made the denial in the wake of claims by former Law Minister Clive Edwards that the government planned to increase electricity charges by imposing a six cents per kilowatt levy.
  • In a letter written to Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva on August 28, Edwards said it was obvious the government planned the increase to as way of accumulating money for the Games.
  • He told the Prime Minister the planned electricity rate hike would be a financial burden to the poor people of the nation.

Artist creates shoe from coconut leaves

By
Kalino Latu
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A coconut leaf shoe that has been welcomed to Facebook as a bit of fun and some have asked what sizes are available so they could order a pair. Photo/Facebook

As Tongan Language Week comes to a close, social media users have been praising a picture of a shoe  made of coconut leaves that has appeared online.

The photo was posted to Facebook by Ngaluafē ‘Ulupano. He has yet to respond to our request for comments.

The idea surrounding the creation and the design and who made it is unknown to Kaniva News.

Although it’s quite obvious the shoe is not intended to be worn, the work of art received several approvals on Facebook.

Many said its appearance came at the right time as Tongans in Aotearoa mark Tongan Language Week.

The theme of the Tongan Language Week is “to enrich Aotearoa with Tongan arts”.

The creations and designing of art using coconut leaves is not uncommon in Tonga and other Pacific Islands.

Islanders can make items out of coconut leaves such as fans, eye-glasses, whistles, baskets and many others, but the shoe design is new to many.

The coconut leaf shoe was welcomed to Facebook as a bit of fun and some have asked what sizes are available so they could order a pair.

The Tongan Language Week will be concluded today and a free public talk is scheduled for this evening in Onehunga led by Professor Hūfanga ‘Ōkusi Māhina and others to mark the end of the historical week.

The main points

  • As Tongan Language Week comes to a close, social media users have been praising a picture of a shoe made of coconut leaves that has appeared online.
  • The photo was posted to Facebook by Ngaluafe ‘Ulupano.
  • The idea surrounding the creation and the design and who originally made it is unknown to Kaniva News.
  • Some commentators said its appearance came at the right time as Tongans in Aotearoa mark Tongan Language Week.

NZ Agree to accept 100 more refugees

By
Kaniva Staff
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Syrian refugees. Warning: this article contains image that readers may find distressing

John Key’s government has bowed to pressure and accepted 100 more refugees from Syria to come to New Zealand.

The news has been revealed by the UNHCR spokesperson Ariane Rummery this morning to the The Nation. 

However critics said Hon. Key did not do enough with Opposition Leader Andrew Little saying the Government’s response to the refugee crisis must reflect the scale of the massive humanitarian disaster unfolding in Europe.

Hon Little said:  “the response must be proportionate to what New Zealand can offer these families who are fleeing for their lives with little more than the clothes on their backs.

The Green Party was disappointed and its Co-leader James Shaw said: “We understand from the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that New Zealand will take 100 extra Syrian refugees on top of our regular quota of 750,”

“If reports are accurate, an extra 100 refugees to tackle such an enormous situation is a start, but a very disappointing start, unfortunately.

“Our quota allows for +/-10 percent already ie a maximum of 825. Therefore, an extra 100 refugees is only an extra 25 people on top our existing quota.

Child
Young boy found lying face-down on a beach near Turkish resort of Bodrum was one of at least 12 Syrians who drowned attempting to reach Greece. Photo/Reuters

“Once again, National is trying to look like it is doing something, without actually doing anything of significance.

“New Zealand needs to increase its quota permanently, not just do the bare minimum for just this year.

“On Tuesday, the Green Party will be seeking leave of Parliament to introduce Denise Roche’s Member’s Bill which will permanently increase our quota to at least 1000 refugees a year.

“It is heart-breaking to see children and their families fleeing a terrible situation with nowhere to go. We need to do more as a country.

“As an emergency response, 25 extra people is far too little, we prefer Labour’s Bill which will bring an additional 750 refugees into New Zealand this year,” said Mr Shaw.

Sacramento Police search for Tongan suspect following campus deadly shooting

By
Kaniva Staff
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Sacramento police said they were still searching for a sole suspect, whom they described on Twitter as a “male Tongan, white shirt/beige cargo shorts, last seen fleeing (on) foot from the shooting.”

The gunman opened fire on the busy Sacramento City College campus Thursday afternoon killing one person and left two  people with serious injuries.

Sacramento Police Department spokeswoman Traci Trapani said the attack appeared to be an “isolated incident” rather than a campus shooting spree.

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