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Dr Tukuitonga SPC’s new Director-General

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Dr Colin Tukuitonga took up the post of Director-General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) on January 23, 2014.

He will be based at SPC’s headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Dr Tukuitonga, who is from Niue, has a first-hand appreciation of the development challenges facing the Pacific and more than 27 years’ experience working in a variety of roles, including as a clinician, academic, programme manager and consultant adviser.

Recent roles as Director of SPC’s Public Health Division since December 2012 and earlier as a member of the team that carried out an independent external review of SPC in the first half of 2012 have given him a sound understanding of SPC’s operations.

He has worked in Niue, Fiji, New Zealand and Switzerland in senior roles including Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs of the New Zealand Government; Associate Professor of Public Health and Head of Pacific and International Health at the University of Auckland; Director of Public Health in the New Zealand Ministry of Health; and Head of Surveillance and Prevention of Chronic Diseases with the World Health Organization in Geneva.

Dr Tukuitonga takes over leadership of SPC from outgoing Director-General, Dr Jimmie Rodgers, who has just completed eight years in the position. He thanked Dr Rodgers for his outstanding contribution to SPC and the region during his term in office and wished him every success in future endeavours.

Van plunges into sea at Uafu 'Amelika

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A boy managed to get out of a Nissan Elgrand he plunged off a pier in Nuku‘alofa yesterday afternoon, said an unconfirmed source of information.

He was allegedly unscathed and no one else was in the van when it was driven into the water, the source said.

Police could not be reached for comment but sources said the boy allegedly ‘borrowed’ the keys from his father.

The van was later recovered from the sea by crane after divers secured a cable to it.

 

Tongan Westpac bank fugitive released on bail

By
Kalino Latu
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A former Westpac  Bank employee who was extradited from New Zealand for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars was released on bail January 27.

She will reappear in court on February 17.

Heleni Vi was charged with 16 counts of forgery, embezzlement and theft worth more than $8,000 while working at the bank in Nuku’alofa.

Vi’s lawyer, Fatai Vaihu, persuaded Magistrate Folau Lokotui to set a reasonable bail amount for her client, arguing she had remained in custody since she arrived from New Zealand.

Vi was released on TP$2,000 bail and told to her to surrender her passports to the court. She was also ordered to report to Nuku’alofa central police every Friday at 4pm.

Westpac bank had laid a fraud complaint against Vi.

The court was told Vi left for New Zealand the same day police were to serve her with her prosecution notice.   

Lokotui asked the Police Prosecutor how Vi was allowed to leave Tonga when police knew she was facing criminal charges.   

Police Prosecutor Mema Latu said there was no court order to prevent Vi from leaving Tonga and she left on a visitor’s visa.  

Vi allegedly fled to New Zealand in July 2013 but was deported back to Tonga by New Zealand Police on January 18.

Pacific people say National out of touch

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Samoan community has seen right through John Key’s political manoeuvrings in appointing Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga outside cabinet, says Labour’s Spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs, Su’a William Sio.

“I heard today during my weekly radio slot with Samoa Radio 1593am that the community has interpreted Peseta’s ministerial appointment as a political sleight of hand, appointing him as a minister, but keeping him outside of Cabinet.

“People are reading this as a National Government being disingenuous and that National doesn’t take Pacific peoples seriously. These actions reflect how out of touch they are with Pacific peoples and our aspirations and dreams for our children and New Zealand as a whole.

“Mr Lotu-Iiga’s very first utterance as a Minister speaks loud on how out of touch he and his Government are on Pacific peoples in business.  Not only do we have Pacific people in small businesses, but we’ve got Pacific people who own and run big multi-million dollar businesses. He only needed to speak to the Pacific Business Trust to know this.

“He is also parroting the former minister’s belief about Pacific languages and he is also washing his hands from supporting, encouraging and protecting Pacific languages.

“Many in our community recognise that Peseta is well qualified to be a Minister but when they learnt he is outside of Cabinet, have aired their disappointment and are now wondering if he is simply a puppet for the Puppet Master,” said Su’a William Sio

PSA fights for 22% cost of living adjustment

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan Public service Association has submitted a new proposal for a 22 percent cost of living allowance.

The PSA submission was made to Finance Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke on January 24.

Hon Eke said he will submit it to cabinet, according to PSA.

The Tongan government recently approved a five percent allowance.

The PSA said its claim was a compromise between the 23% calculated by National Reserve Bank CEO Dr Ngongo Kioa and the 20% recommended by the Ministry of Finance, which was based on the rate of inflation since 2005.

PSA secretary Mele ‘Amanaki said the Finance Minister agreed with their figure. If the government did not approve a 20-23% COLA now it would have to spend more money in the future.

After a six week strike by PSA officers in 2005 the Tongan government announced pay rises of 60-80 percent, funded by cuts in government services.

Approving the five percent COLA early this month, Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Samiu Vaipulu, said the government initially approved 20 percent, but the World Bank advised against this, citing the country's financial difficulties.

The PSA secretary claimed the IMF and World Bank reports only looked at quick ways of cutting expenditure. They did not give advice on government spending.

A World Bank spokesperson told Kaniva News: “As part of the World Bank's financial and technical support process to Tonga, we have an on-going dialogue with the Government on any upcoming fiscal and economic pressures and challenges.

“In this particular case, the World Bank's role was to provide technical analysis examining the costs and budget implications of different pay scenarios in order to inform the Government's decision making process.”

The PSA has made a number of recommendations to the Public Service Commission about areas from which funds could be recovered or increased.

It said the money paid to Tongasat – an issue first raised in Parliament and the subject of a series of legal battles involving Opposition leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva – should be returned. The money was transferred in two tranches of TP22 million ($NZ14 million) and TP32 million ($NZ21 million) in 2008 and 2011 .

The PSA recommended that all revenues from sale of the Tongan passports to foreigners in the past 15 years be collected.

It also said share dividends from profitable public enterprises should be increased from 10% to 50% from it in order to return profits to the people of Tonga.

‘Amanaki said the PSA supported the high level of benefits paid to employees in public enterprises, even though these were higher than those paid to pubic servants.

However, it did not support the level of benefits paid to members of the enterprise’s boards of directors, who, she said, only worked during board meetings and at official social functions.

The main points

  • The Tongan Public service Association has submitted a new proposal for a 22 percent cost of living allowance.
  • The PSA submission was made to Finance Minister Dr ‘Aisake Eke on January 24.
  • The Tongan government recently approved a five percent allowance.
  • After a six week strike by PSA officers in 2005 the Tongan government announced pay rises of 60-80 percent, funded by cuts in government services.
  • The PSA has made a number of recommendations to the Public Service Commission about areas from which funds could be recovered or increased.
  • These include recovering money from the sale of Tongan passports and returning the TP54 million paid to Tongasat.

L-R: PSA Secretary Mele 'Amanaki, Finance Minister Hon 'Aisake Eke and Vili Vete a PSA Executive Member. Image Source: PSA

Woman flees when her $50 fake pa’anga spotted

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongan police arrested a man with a $50 fake note yesterday while searching for a woman who fled after a shop keeper in Havelu was examining a TP$50 the woman gave for shopping.

Police said the woman went to the shop with a TP$50. While the shopkeeper scrutinised the pa'anga the woman fled.

Police took the pa’anga from the shop and they have confirmed it is counterfeit.

Tonga National Reserve Bank has also warned the public after it obtained a $50 counterfeit pa’anga note.

Police said counterfeit currency is currently in circulation and have issued a warning to shopkeepers and members of the community to be aware of it.

Police investigation continues.

How to Spot a Fake Note:

You can spot a counterfeit note with a quick examination;

  *   The feel of the paper and raised print – many fake notes are flat

  *   The watermark – is it present, does it look genuine?

  *   The metallic thread – is it present?

Counterfeit notes are worthless. It is a criminal offence to hold onto or pass on counterfeit notes. If you suspect a note is counterfeit, take it to the police as soon as possible.

Ha’apai: no need to fear water scarcity

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Nuku'alofa, TO – Tonga Water Board said there is no need to concern about water supply in Ha’apai after it installed a water distillation plant in Pangai this week. 

This will provide thousands of Ha'apai residents with enough water to survive up to July.

It says this was part of the work done by the board’s workers to areas affected by the cyclone last month.

“A new water distillation machine has been set up on the island.  This can turn up to 20,000 litters of seawater into drinking water,” Radio Tonga quoted Tonga Water Board’s CEO Saimone Helu as saying.

“When we left at the weekend the available water supply processed through the plant was almost 60,000 liters. That is going to be ongoing and that means we will have more water available for the people.

However the amount of drinking water is lowered to 10,000 liters a day in order to maintain the distillation machine. At the moment there is no concern of insufficient water supply in Ha’apai, unless an unexpected problem occurs,” the radio said.

Te'ekiu disaster response & community centre

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Nuku'alofa,TO – A new community and disaster response centre in Te’ekiu built by the NMCB 3’ Construction Civic Action Detail seabees is expected to be completed in few weeks' time.

The 710-square-meter structure will provide Te’ekiu residents a safe place to shelter during storms and hold community events.

Joint by the Tonga Defence Force, US seabees  share construction techniques and strengthen friendships while building the estimated $700,000 project.

“Our community doesn’t have the money to pay for things like this,” said Tevita Tau'aho, a Te’ekiu resident and father of three. “During a hurricane or something like that we would gather in our chapel. Now, with this new center, we feel much safer. My family is very thankful to the Navy.”

The solid cement structure is framed in high-density steel with a concrete foundation. Its construction took a wide range of engineering trades that required efficient teamwork between the TDS-Seabee team.

“They’ve become our friends,” said Equipment Operator 3rd Class Elizabeth Andrews. “We communicate really well, we help each other without having to ask and when it comes to laying block — which is more than half of our project — they’ve been doing it for years. It’s been a really great experience.”

CAPTION: Tonga Defense Force Lance Cpl. Saili Laisolo and BU3 Paige Abernathy, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3's Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) in Tonga, give each other a high five after completing a row of block. Photo by MC1 Chris Fahey / NMCB 3

Tonga police seize drugs

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongan Police Officers on January 28 searched and seized about 41 cannabis plant, 5 packets of cannabis leaves and one packet of approximately 218 cannabis seeds at a tax allotment in Fua’amotu

They also arrested and charged a 17 year old man with possession and cultivation of these drugs and is detained until he appears at the Magistrate Court on Monday 3rd February, 2014. 

Police have gathered information relating to this tax allotment for sometimes and on Tuesday have gathered enough information to conduct the search warrant.  

The street value of these drugs if it was sold on the market is approximately at around TOP$100, 00.00.  Further Investigation continues. 

On Wednesday 29th January, 2014 Tonga Police Officers from the Criminal Investigation Unit while conducting a Search Warrant at Houmakelikao on a different case, seized 5 Cannabis palnts and 8 small packets of Cannabis leaves. 

They also arrested and charged two male ages 47 and 23 from Houmakelikao with Possession and Cultivation of Illegal Drugs and are detained until they appears at the Police Magistrate Court on Monday 3rd February, 2014.  Investigation Continues.   

McCully to visit Tonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will visit Tonga for two days this week.

Mr McCully will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Lord Tu’ivakano, as well as other cabinet ministers.

“This is a timely visit in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Ian. 

New Zealand is committed to supporting the Tongan Government as the recovery and reconstruction effort continues,” Mr McCully says.

“This visit is also an opportunity to discuss further development work and engage with the local business community.”

 

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