Home Blog Page 874

Former All Blacks Sione Lauaki marries in Cook Island

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

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.

Stalemate as independent MPs fail to attend weekend meeting with Democratic Party

By
Kalino Latu
-

Negotiations between the independent bloc and the Democratic Party remain at stalemate after most independent MPs failed to turn up to a weekend meeting.

Saturday’s meeting between independents and Democrats was intended as a bid to discuss a coalition government by the people’s elected MPs.

The meeting was announced by the independents’ elected MPs’ spokesperson ‘Etuate Lavulavu last week.

Lavulavu told Matangi Tonga Online on December 11 the independents would meet with the Democrats on Saturday and the Nobles on Monday.

He said he anticipated that by Wednesday next week it should be clear which group they would align with.

However, only MP Samiu Vaipulu and Democrat Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva turned up to the meeting.

Pohiva said they eventually had a short meeting, but he did not give the details of what he discussed with Hon Vaipulu.

He said they met after he found out the other independents would not make it to the meeting.

When Kaniva News asked Lavulavu this evening whether they still regarded themselves as independent MPs, with all the seven members elected as independents, Lavulavu agreed.

Lavulavu said Pohiva and Vaipulu were supposed to meet at 4pm and then with all 17 elected MPs.

Pohiva said he did not know why all seven independents did not turn up to the meeting.

Representatives

Pohiva said because of difficulties in organising further meetings, the two factions had agreed to each choose three or more representatives to represent them at a meeting this week.

When we asked Lavulavu whether the independents had selected representatives to meet with the Democratic Party he said MPs Vaipulu and Siaosi Sovaleni would deal with the issue.

When asked if it was true some of their independent MPs no longer stood by their group Lavulavu disagreed.

Prime Minister

Lavulavu said he wanted to correct information released by one of the local radio stations last week which said that he had given Pohiva a list that showed Samiu Vaipulu as the independents’ nomination for Prime Minister and Lord Nuku, from the nobility, as Deputy Prime Minister.

Pohiva said he had not been informed of Lavulavu’s claim, but confirmed that Vaipulu had told him he would be the independents’ nominee for the premiership.

Pohiva said the Democratic Party had yet to nominate its candidate for the position of Deputy Prime Minister.

Meanwhile Kalafi Moala, Publisher of the Taimi Network, was quoted by Radio New Zealand last week as saying that three of the nobles and four of the independents were ready to support the Democrats.

The main points

  • Negotiations between the independent bloc and the Democratic Party remain at stalemate after most independent MPs failed to turn up to a weekend meeting.
  • Saturday’s meeting between independents and Democrats was intended as a bid to discuss a coalition government by the people’s elected MPs.
  • Only MP Samiu Vaipulu and Democrat Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva turned up to the meeting.
  • The two factions have agreed to each choose three or more representatives to represent them at a meeting this week.

Tongan family’s heartbreak after father dies and is buried before they arrive to say goodbye

By
Kalino Latu
-

A man who travelled from Auckland to Tonga to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday died and had to be buried before his family could farewell him because there was no refrigerated morgue on the island.

Kaliopasi Kioa, 38, died on December 9 on his home island of Niuafo’ou. He had travelled there with a container of goods and a van as part of his family preparations to celebrate their father Tonga Kioa’s 80th birthday.

Kaliopasi’s siblings had travelled from New Zealand and the United States for their father’s birthday celebration.

His wife, Muna Kioa and their daughter arrived in Tonga from New Zealand on December 11 and were due to travel from Tongatapu to Niuafo’ou later this week to meet with Kaliopasi and his family.

The cause of Kaliopasi’s death is unknown, but his sister-in-law, Tita Nonu ‘Otai, told Kaniva News the dead man had to be buried after the family was told by Niuafo’ou’s health authority they could not embalm the body.

“My sister and their daughter said goodbye to the sand covering the top of Kaliopasi’s grave,” ‘Otai said.

“It is so heart-breaking.”

‘Otai said the family was devastated. This would have been the first time Kaliopasi’s wife and family would have met his family.

Friends and family who paid tributes to Kaliopasi on Facebook described him as a “good character,” with a “smiling face” and “loving.”

Niuafo’ou

Niuafo’ou is in the north of the kingdom and is the furthest from the mainland, Tongatapu, where the capital city Nuku’alofa is located.

Niuafo’ou is 574 km away from Tongatapu and according to the 2006 census has a population of 650.

Regarded as one of the most remote islands in the world, a vessel from Tongatapu arrives at Niuafo’ou once a month with passengers, goods for the shops, petrol and mail.

Flights from Tongatapu on Real Tonga Airline arrive once a fortnight depending on the weather. According to the South Pacific Handbook, the island’s airstrip is aligned so that dangerously strong winds whip across it.

“When that happens, the plane has to fly all the way back to Vava’u, and the people on the island see their long-awaited cargo go back where it came from for two weeks,” the Handbook says.

The main points

  • A man who travelled from Auckland to Tonga to celebrate his father’s 80th birthday died and had to be buried before his family could farewell him because there was no refrigerated morgue on the island.
  • Kaliopasi Kioa, 38, died on December 9 on his home island of Niuafo’ou.
  • His sister-in-law, Tita Nonu ‘Otai, told Kaniva News the family was devastated.
  • “My sister and their daughter said goodbye to the sand covering the top of Kaliopasi’s grave,” ‘Otai said.
  • “It is so heart-breaking.”

Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva calls on people to be patient

By
Kalino Latu
-

Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva says he has high hopes that he and his Democratic Party will form the next government.

In an interview with Kaniva News yesterday he asked the people of Tonga to keep the peace while negotiations were in process to form a government that best for all Tongans. He did not say who the Party was talking to.

Pohiva’s response came after he was asked to comment on the independents’ claim they would not support a Prime Minister nominated by the Democratic Party.

The independents’ spokesperson, MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, told Kaniva News on Monday that if the Democrats would not support the election of an independent MP as Prime Minister, they would align themselves with the nobility to form up the government.

Lavulavu said the independents wanted the Democrats to come to them if they wanted to negotiate. He said the independents did not want to chase the Democrats around and do what they demanded. MP Lavulavu said that was not fair because the independents won the popular vote and the Democrats were a minority.

The MP for Vava’u 16’s revelation came a week after a joint meeting by the Democrats and independents that was applauded by people who commended their willingness to put aside their own political views and stand together to form a people led- government.

However, Lavulavu’s latest statements have prompted heated debates on social media. There have been mixed reactions from both supporters of the independents and the Democrats.

Some Democratic supporters blasted the independents, accusing them of being opportunists who wanted to be given the Premiership and Deputy Premiership before they would work together with the Democrats to form a government led by the people.

Independent supporters have retaliated by saying the independents were elected independently and were not bound to affiliate with a particular political group.

Public reaction

After talking to Democratic Party leader Pohiva, it appears that hopes for a coalition with the independents are increasingly uncertain.

“The only thing I can say now is that I still hope the Democratic Party will be able to form the next government without the full support of the independents,” Pohiva said.

He did not give details of what steps he was taking to make sure the Democrats would form the government, but said he would make a statement as soon as he could.

Pohiva said he understood the independents could have changed their minds after their initial meeting with the Democrats, but the door was still open for more discussions.

He said he was pressured by the concerns raised by his supporters to make sure the Democratic Party would lead the next government.

Pohiva said he wanted the people to understand he was working hard with his Party colleagues to make sure they would form the government.

He said that with 10 MPS, the Democrats were the majority group in the House.

In doubt

Two weeks from now the MPs will submit the nominations for the Prime Ministership, but the relationship between the Democrats and the independents has deteriorated and the hope for a further negotiations is gloomy.

The independents met with the nobles on Monday night, but spokesman Lavulavu declined to give any details, saying negotiation was continuing.

When asked to confirm whether their planned meeting with the independents continued last night Lavulavu denied that any such meeting had been planned.

When Kaniva News attempted to convince him that he was the one who told us on Sunday night from Vava’u that they would meet the nobility on Monday and then with the Democrats yesterday (Tuesday 9) he said the independents wanted a formal request from the Democrats through their spokesperson Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa.

Lavulavu said he had received e-mails from the Democratic Party inviting them to a meeting, but said the independents wanted the Democrats to come to them.

The independents’ spokesman said he had heard the Democrats had met with the people on Saturday at Vaolōloa. He said the independents had been invited, but none of them had turned up.

Lavulavu said the meeting was organised by people who were not MPs.

He claimed that after the meeting the Democratic Party decided they would approach the nobility about forming a new government.

Kaniva News was unable to confirm Lavulavu’s claim with the nobility or Democrats.

The main points

  • Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva says he has high hopes that he and his Democratic Party will form the next government.
  • In an interview with Kaniva News, he asked Tongans to remain peaceful while negotiations continued, but did not say who the party was talking to.
  • The independents’ spokesperson, MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, told Kaniva News on Monday that if the Democrats would not support the election of an independent MP as Prime Minister, they would align themselves with the nobility to form up the government.
  • Lavulavu’s statement came in the wake of a meeting with the Democrats which appeared to indicate they were willing to co-operate on the election of the Prime Minister.

Tongan baby dies after being runover in driveway in Mangere

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

An 18-month-old girl was accidentally run over by a car in her parents driveway and died at the Starship Hospital Sunday 7, according to police.

Vaimoana Mafi suffered serious injuries after she was hit outside the family’s Massey Rd flat on Saturday 6.

Her parents Danny and Lopelini Mafi were preparing to move to a new home in Tennessee Ave, Mangere when the incident happened.

According to Police it was believed Vaimoana was struck after Danny reversed a ute but he did not see his little daughter was  playing on the driveway.

The Tongan community gathered with family and friends since yesterday at the Tennessee Ave house for a service for Vaimoana.

It was understood the baby would be farewelled at a funeral tomorrow.

Independents say they must elect Prime Minister, not Democratic Party or nobles

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s independent MPs have declared that the Prime Minister must be elected by them and not the Democratic Party or nobility.

But they have also warned that if the Democrats don’t support them, then the independents will side with the nobility to form the next government.

Their statement comes as a surprise after they agreed last week to keep talking with the Democrats about forming a government.

The independents had agreed to meet with the Democrats again this week.

Last week’s meeting, in which they agreed to put aside their own political agendas to form a government and agree on a Prime Minister, was described as ‘productive’, ‘joyful’ and ‘warming.’

Democratic Party Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva told the independents he agreed to put aside his Party’s Memorandum of Understanding and policies so they could work together to form the next government.

However, last night the independents’ spokesperson, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, confirmed to Kaniva News they would not support a Prime Minister from the Democratic Party.

He claimed the independents represented the popular vote and said the nobles and Democrats were minorities.

Lavulavu claimed the independents represented more than “26,100 voters” who voted for the independents in the last election while the Democrats were only supported by “11,000 voters”. The nobility was only voted in by 33 nobles. Lavulavu said the independents had the sole right to form the next government and choose the Prime Minister.

Pohiva publicly declared last Saturday in a gathering dubbed ‘the people’s meeting’ at Tupou High School in Vaolōloa that it did not matter whether he was elected Prime Minister or not. He said that what mattered to him most was that Tonga’s next Prime Minister be elected by the people’s MPs and not the nobility.

Pohiva said the people at the meeting made clear they wanted a government led by the people’s MPs and not the nobility.

A week before nominations for the Prime Ministership have to be made, the Democratic Party has 10 MPs, after Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke confirmed he would stick with the Party and MP Sione Vuna Fa’otusia signed the Party’s MOU.

This has reduced the number of the independents to seven, while the nobles have nine members.

The Prime Minister

Pohiva’s supporters want him to be Tonga’s next Prime Minister. They claim he has led Tonga’s opposition for about 30 years and had proved to be reliable and trustworthy in whatever he has promised to the people.

Pohiva has a long history of suing the government leaders, members of the royal family and the nobility, accusing them of using national resources and assets for their own gain.

He has paid for almost all legal costs and expenses, especially lawsuits that involve his New Zealand legal counsel Dr Rodney Harrison.

However, his critics want him to stay with the opposition saying that his strength lies in warning the government from time to time so that leaders could make sure they lead the country on the right track.

Meeting with nobility

The independents will meet the nobles for the second time this evening (December 8).

Last week they told the nobles they would also be meeting with the Democrats. During last week’s the nobility proposed Lord Vaea as their candidate for Prime Minister.

However, the independents rejected this suggestion, saying they wanted the Prime Minister to be chosen by the people’s elected MPs.

Fe’ao Vakatā told Kaniva News this afternoon the nobles expected the independents would reveal their nomination for the Premiership this evening. He did not say who they would nominate as the Prime Minister.

According to Lavulavu, Samiu Vaipulu was a potential candidate, but he said this had not been confirmed.

The independents’ spokesperson said another meeting with the independents was scheduled for tomorrow (December 9).

Lavulavu said if the Democrats did not agree to support their candidate for the upcoming Prime Ministerial election they would then align themselves with the nobility to form the government.

He said the decision had been made by all seven independents, including MP Siaosi Sovaleni (Tongatapu 3), MP Poasi Tei (Tongatapu 6), MP Viliami Hingano Manuopangai (Ha’apai 12), MP Saia Ma’u Piukala (Vava’u 14), MP Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu (Vava’u 15), MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavuavu (Vava’u 16) and MP Fe’ao Vakata (Niua 17).

Two of the independents, Lavulavu from Vava’u 16 and Vaipulu from Vava’u 15 are now under investigation following complaints received by the Election Office that they breached the spending rules limit stipulated by Tonga’s Electoral Act.

The main points

  • Tonga’s independent MPs have declared that the Prime Minister must be elected by them and not the Democratic Party or nobility.
  • But they have also warned that if the Democrats don’t support them, then the independents will side with the nobility to form the next government.
  • Their statement comes as a surprise after they agreed last week to keep talking with the Democrats about forming a government.
  • The independents will meet the nobles for the second time this evening (December 8).

MP Viliami Manuopangai retains his seat after requested recount

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

MP Viliami Hingano won one more vote, while unsuccessful Democratic candidate Moʻale Fīnau’s votes remain unchanged in a recount in the Haʻapai 12 constituency, it has been confirmed this morning by the Office of the Haʻapai Governor.

The recount was called because of the slim vote margin – 3 votes – between Manuopangai and Fīnau, the candidates who received the second and third highest number of votes in Haʻapai election.

However a recount overseen by the Election Commissioner Pita Vuki, Secretary for Haʻapai Governor and a Police Officer has found Manuopangai has won one more vote than the original 535  while Mr Finau vote count stays the same at 532.

MP Manuopangai now has 536 votes while Mr Finau has 532.  The highest votes in Haʻapai goes to Veivosa Taka who won the seat for Haʻapai 13 with 823 votes.

Election: Vavaʻu complaints, Haʻapai recount

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s Electoral Commission’s office received two complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Electoral Act and an application for a judicial recount following the general election last week.

The Election Commissioner, Pita Vuki told Kaniva News this morning they received two complaints from Vavaʻu 15 against elected MP Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu by the unsuccessful candidate,  Tomifa Paea and from Vavaʻu 16 against elected MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu by a group of people.

Vuki said they are investigating and trying to piece together evidences they received from the complainants and those involved. No further details given.

He said if they get enough evidences to prove the Electoral Act was breached his office would refer the case to the Solicitor General for legal action. Meanwhile Vaipulu will remain the MP for Vavaʻu 15 while Lavulavu  holds the seat for Vavaʻu 16.

Separately, Vuki said he is  heading to Haʻapai today for a recount of the Ha’apai 12 election after they received an application for a judicial recount from the unsuccessful candidate Mo’ale Finau.

Finau, a Democratic Party candidate, lost his Haʻapai 12 seat to independent MP Viliami Hingano Manuopangai by three votes.

Democrats and independents agree to form Tonga’s next government

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s independent parliamentarians agreed with the Democrats to form the next government after the independents declined to accept a proposal by the nobility yesterday to propose Lord Vaea to the premiership.

But they said the nobles eventually agreed to help them and the Democrats in forming the government.

Two names were mentioned in this morning’s meeting for the premiership were Samiu Kiuta Vaipulu from the independents and Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva from the Democrats but none of them had been confirmed yet.

Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva in an opening speech told the 14 members of the elected MPs who attended the meeting at the Council of Churches Headquater in Vaolōloa he wished they could all put aside their political differences. He asked the people’s MPs they have to work together and formulate a new agenda that would lead  them all to form the best government for the people of Tonga.

Kaniva News talked to Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, the spokesman for the Democrats and ‘Etuate Lavulavu, the spokesman for the independents this afternoon and they confirmed the meeting went well and it was “a short one”.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said he believed the meeting was short  because they all agreed in the beginning to what Leader Pohiva delivered in his opening speech saying that the idea for a government by the people to be formed in the next few days can only be achieved if  the  independents and the Democrats work together.

“We were all happy with the outcome of our meeting. This is just the information that I can give you at this stage as we will continue to meet and talk this week,” Lavulavau said.

When asked if they had confirmed who would become the Prime Minister,  Lavulavu said he understands the Democrats would propose ‘Akilisi Pohiva to the premiership. He said Vaipulu was a potential candidate from the independents but they have not confirmed it.

“We are still talking about it and nothing confirmed yet. The only thing I can confirm now was that we agreed to work together to form the next government,” Lavulavu said.

He said that  in a meeting yesterday with the nobles the independents rejected the proposal to support Lord Vaea in running for the Prime Minister election.

Lavulavu said they told the nobles they wanted an MP elected by the people to become Tonga’s next Prime Minister.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said, they had a “really good meeting” and they  agreed to work together,  put aside their own individual agendas and policies so that they can form the government.

“This is an ongoing discussion and I think the independents will go back to the nobles before we have another meeting,” Dr Tu’i’onetoa said.

There was something I think they wanted to talk to  the nobles about what we ended up with in our meeting today, he added.

From the 17 elected MPs 14 attended the meeting this morning while MPs Feʻao Vakatā (independent) and Tevita Lavemaau (Democrat) were attending invitations from their  constituencies  and Poasi Tei (independent) has just left for New Zealand.

Tongan independents want government led by the people; could propose own candidate for PM

By
Kalino Latu
-

The independent members of Tonga’s Parliament want a government led by a Prime Minister from their ranks and not from the nobility.

But they have made it clear they will talk to the nobles as well as the Democratic Party to secure their objective.

Last night seven of the independents, including Siaosi Sovaleni (Tongatapu 3), Poasi Tei (Tongatapu 6), Viliami Hingano Manuaopangai (Ha’apai 12), Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala (Vava’u 14), Samiu Vaipulu (Vava’u 15), ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu (Vava’u 16) and Sosefo Fe’ao Vakata (Niua 17), met to discuss the issue.

Independent Sione Vuna Fa’otusia, who signed the Democratic Party’s MOU last week, did not attend the independents’ meeting last night because he now stands with the party.

The independent MPs at the meeting said they wanted a government led by the people that was supported either by the nobles or the Democrats.

They said they held the balance of power and if ‘Akilisi Pohiva and the Democrats did not want to compromise and accept what they wanted, they would seek the nobility’s help.

The independents said it was too early for the Party to say that the independents had agreed to take up the potential ministerial posts they were offered by Pohiva.

The independents said they put Pohiva and the Democratic Party first on their agendas because they wanted the numbers to support a Prime Minister chosen by the people’s elected MPs.

When asked if they had a Prime Ministerial candidate in mind, Fe’ao Vakata, ‘Etuate Lavulavu and Saia Piukala told Kaniva News they were still discussing the issue as they wanted to hear from the nobles and the Democrats first.

They were scheduled to meet with the nobles at 10am today (December 2) and tomorrow (Decvember 3) with Pohiva and the Party.

A total of nine elected MPs declared themselves as independents before the election, but the number decreased to seven after Dr ‘Aisake Eke declared he would still support the Democrats and Sione Vuna Fa’otusia signed the Party’s MOU.

What the Independents want

The independent MPs said they wanted to work with Pohiva but did not want him and his Party to dictate what they should do. They said they were not elected as Party members and they fought a hard battle in trying to defeat the Party’s contestants during the election campaigns.

They said if their voters wanted the Party to lead they would have voted for the Party candidates in their constituencies and not them.

The independents said they could form the government with the Party, but they must be part of the decision making body to formulate a manifesto for them to follow while in power.

They would also have to have a say in making policy decisions for the new government.

It would not be fair to their supporters to just do whatever Pohiva and his Party wanted them to do.

The independents said the fact that only nine of the Democratic Party’s 17 candidates had been elected meant that many people did not approve of all their policies.

Agreement

When asked whether he would take up Pohiva’s offer to become Minister for Infrastructure in a democrat-led government, ‘Etuate Lavulavu said the offer had only been made to him by telephone and he wanted them to discuss the offer in a formal meeting.

“I told the Party we had to meet because I have something to say before any decision can be finalised,” Lavulavu said.

“The clear message I have from my constituency is that they want a government led by a Prime Minister elected from the MPs not the nobility,” Lavulavu said.

When asked whether they could work under Pohiva’s leadership, Lavulavu, Vakata and Piukala said it was possible, but Pohiva would have to agree to certain terms and conditions.

Vakata said the independents wanted to form the best government for the kingdom and that meant discussions among all those concerned, not just the Democrats.

Saia Piukala, who the Democrats announced had agreed to become Minister of Health, said there had been no formal agreement yet.

“We have to talk with Pohiva and the Party members before any agreement is made,” Piukala said.

Piukala said he had not signed the Party’s MOU and did not intend to do so.

He said the independents had just met for the first time and it was important that they stand together and make sure the people who elected them stayed at the top on their agenda.

Piukala said the Democratic Party had to open the curtains and allow everybody, including the nobility, to discuss the form of government that was best for the people.

According to legislation passed in 2010, the Minister for Land and Survey must come from the nobles. Piukala said this was why they wanted to talk to both the nobility and the Democratic Party as there were things that needed the direct involvement of the nobility.

The main points

  • The independent members of Tonga’s Parliament want a government led by a Prime Minister from their ranks and not from the nobility.
  • But they have made it clear they will talk to the nobles as well as the Democratic Party to secure their objective.
  • When asked if they had a Prime Ministerial candidate in mind, independents Fe’ao Vakata, ‘Etuate Lavulavu and Saia Piukala told Kaniva News they were still discussing it as they wanted to hear from the nobles and the Democrats first.
  • They were scheduled to meet with the nobles at 10am today (December 2) and tomorrow (Decvember 3) with Pohiva and the Party.
1...873874875...951Page 874 of 951