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King names newly acquired MV Niuvakai

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The King of Tonga, Tupou VI has officially named FISA's newly aquired Niuvakai vessel in Nuku'alofa today.

FISA (Friendly Island Shipping Agency)  said the 35 year-old vessel "is a well-maintained and versatile small multi-purpose island supply ship, perfectly fit for transportation of bulk cargo of agricultural produce and bulk livestock in inter-island and outer island services".

It also said, "the required surveys and regulatory procedures to license and certify the vessel was completed by  independent surveyors from New Zealand and the Marine and Ports Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure".

MV Niuvākai, which was previously known as MV Theresa and was purchased for about TP$1.5 million will begin service in March, transporting aid equipment and material to the Ha’apai group.

However, the vessel was at the centre of a dispute in 2011 after the Ramanlal brothers, Sosefo and Soane Ramanlal attempted to force the New Zealand's Reef Shipping company off the route so the MV Theresa owned by their Jaws shipping company could solely serve the shipping operations between Vava’u and Auckland.  

It has been revealed at the time the ship has no lifting equipment that could lift normal sized containers.

FISA today said, the vessel has an in-built chill/freezer in addition to a Cargo capacity of 660 cubic meters and 274.4 cubic meters (274,440 litres) for bulk cargo fuel (diesel fuel). It can also accommodate 10 farm livestock.

"The name Niuvakai is taken from one of Tonga's longest serving ships in the 1960's that facilitated trade not only domestically but also between Tonga and its neighbours.

"The name is to reflect on the work that the Niuvākai will conduct when it begins service in March".

Pahu collision, no 'stop sign'

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The crash that caused four injuries after two cars collided at the corner of the Hala Lelue and Hala Holomui in Pahu this morning was attributed by residents in the areas to “Stop sign” being removed from the intersection.

A child and a driver of a vehicle that hit a power pole suffered leg and head injuries and were taken to hospital.

Another passenger on the same vehicle which was reported to be a child suffrered a minor injury.

The other driver was a woman and she was also injured. Her car after hitting the other vehicle had ploughed through a fence into a property off the intersection.

The two vehicles both received extensive front end damages.

Bystanders who live in the area said contractors who conducted a roadside working at the intersection last year removed the stop sign after they completed the work.

Police have yet to release details and identities of victims.

Wellington bomb scare

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Emergency Services are currently dealing with a bomb threat at the Bolton Hotel in Bolton Street, Wellington.

At 12.45pm a person has rung the Bolton Hotel informing staff that a bomb had been planted in the building.

The hotel has been evacuated while the building is searched by the Police Specialist Search Team and an Explosives Dog. Several streets in the immediate area have been closed while the incident is being dealt with.

A further media release will be made by Wellington Police once the incident has concluded.

Jenny Salesa, a Tongan Labour Party candidate for the Manukau East said on her Facebook she was in a building closed to where the bomb threat was..

"Bomb scare at the Bolton Hotel… I'm working at our Wellington head office today and for about an hour now we've been wondering why the road below us has been closed off, lots of Police cars and Fire Engines… we know now from news reports that there is a bomb scare a few buildings away… We are still working though which is just as well as its raining, windy & cold here today".

Fiji new military commander

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, the Land Forces Commander, will take over today when Frank Bainimarama is stepping down as head of the military, to focus on contesting this year's election.

Bainimarama was reported by Fiji Television as saying that today’s  handover ceremony “was not to farewell him, but to welcome the new commander”.

“His stepping down as head of the military is a requirement under the new Constitution, paving the way for him to contest the upcoming general elections," the Television said.

Bainimarama has served as both Fiji's head of the military and interim prime minister since 2007 after the coup in 2006.

Last year's new constitution makes it illegal  for the members of the Fiji's military to be politically active so Bainimarama announced he would resign to head a new political party. 

He said he will stand in elections expected in September.

Two men wanted over Halaleva death

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Police have released information of two men they say are closely linked to the death of a Chinese shopkeeper in Halaleva on February 20.

Police believe one of the men has a tattoo and wearing a Micky Mouse T-Shirt.

One is in his 30s or 40s and the other is either in his 20s or 30s, Police said.

Dao Jin He, 31, was the victim of an attack and was found unconscious in his shop by a Chinese friend.

He was rushed to Vaiola Hospital on Thursday 20 but died at about 7.30am the next day.

No signs any sharp object were used in the incident, according to Police.

In a separate development,  Maka Latu, 24, of Mataika has been named as the Tongan man Police arrested on February 24.

He was charged with the murder of a 44 year-old Chinese electrician who was found dead in an electronic shop in Kolofo’ou on 15 June 2012. Latu is still in Police custody.

His co-accused, a 33 year-old Asian man will appear in the magistrate court next week.

Prince William, Kate, baby George visit New Zealand, Australia

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit New Zealand and Australia in April, Kensington Palace has announced.

The Duke and Duchess have been invited to visit by the New Zealand and Australian governments.

While The Duke of Cambridge has visited both countries several times, The Duchess has yet to travel to either. The Tour will provide the opportunity for The Duke and Duchess to visit a number of towns and cities across both countries.

Specific events will celebrate Australia's and New Zealand's success in the fields of technology, tourism, sports and the creative arts.

In what is the one-hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War, The tour will also include several opportunities to recognise the sacrifice of members of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces.

Among these, Their Royal Highnesses will attend a ceremony in Blenheim, New Zealand, and the ANZAC Commemorative Service in Canberra, Australia.

Prince William visited Christchurch shortly after the earthquake of February 2011.

On this visit, Their Royal Highnesses will witness the city's reconstruction programme and view its plans for the future.

They will also visit an area of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales badly hit by bushfires in October 2013.

In New Zealand, The Duke and Duchess will visit:

• Wellington (7th April, 9th April, 16th April)

• Blenheim (10th April)

• Auckland (11th April)

• Hamilton and Cambridge (12th April)

• Dunedin (13th April)

• Queenstown (13th April)

• Christchurch (14th April)

In Australia:

• Sydney, NSW (16th, 18th, 20th April)

• Blue Mountains, NSW (17th April)

• Brisbane, QLD (19th April)

• Uluru (Ayer's Rock), NT (22nd April)

• Adelaide, SA (23rd April)

• Canberra, ACT (24th, 25th April)

The Duke of Cambridge last visited New Zealand in March 2011, shortly after the Christchurch earthquake. Previously, he visited in January 2010, when he represented The Queen at the opening of the Supreme Court building in Wellington, and also visited Auckland. The Duke visited privately in 2005 when he followed the British Lions' rugby tour.

• The Duke last visited Australia in March 2011 to visit Queensland and Victoria. Previously, he visited Melbourne and Sydney in January 2010.

• Aged 9 months, Prince William accompanied The Prince and Princess of Wales on their official tour of Australia and New Zealand in March/April 1983.

• The Duchess of Cambridge has not yet visited either New Zealand or Australia.

• The Duke and Duchess's last overseas tour was to Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in September 2012 on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen during her Diamond Jubilee.

• Previously, they visited Canada and the United States in June/July 2011.

– Press Release

Tropical cyclone Kofi is now cancelled

By
Kaniva Pacific
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The tropical cyclone warning is now cancelled for the land areas of Tongatapu, 'Eua and Haapai but remains inforce for the water south of Tongatapu and 'Eua, Tonga Met Service says.

At its advisory number 13 at 12.30pm on Sunday 2 Met says, the gale warning previously inforce for the land areas of Haapai,Tongatapu and 'Eua and nearby islands is now cancellled but remains in force for the waters south of Tongatapu and 'Eua.

A strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava'u and is now inforce for Haapai, Tongatapu and 'Eua.

It says:

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for all of tonga land areas.

An extreme high tide advisory remains in force for all tonga waters.

A heavy damaging swells advisory remains in force for all tonga waters.

Tropical cyclone kofi centre was located near 22 decimal 8 south 175 decimal 0 west 0r 185km south of Nukualofa or 160km south of 'eua at 11am this morning. the cyclone is moving south-southeast at 12kts and away from the group.

On its current track the centre of tropical cyclone kofi is expected to lie about 300km south-southeast of Nukualofa at 7pm this evening.

Damaging gale force winds may affect Ha'apai,Tongatapu, 'Eua and nearby smaller islands from this morning until latter today.

For Ha'apai, Tongatapu, 'Eua and nearby smaller islands:

Northwest winds 20-30 knots with momentary gust up to 35 knots.

Overcast with occassional rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.

Flash flooding including sea flooding in the low lying areas.

High seas with damaging north swells.

For niuas and vava'u:

North to northwest winds 20-25 knots rising up to 30 knots at times.

Overcast with period of rain, heavy at times with squally thunderstorms.

Rough to very rough seas.heavy damaging north to northwest swell with flooding of low lying areas.

For waters south of Tongatapu and Eua. Expect mean 10minute-average winds of 45 knots near the centre of tc Kofi with momentary gust of 64 knots. high seas and heavy damaging swells.

Tide predictions:

low   tide :    02:10pm

high  tide :    08:25pm (extreme high tide)

Mean sea level pressure recorded at fua'amotu airport at 12:30pm was 995.9mb

Storm surge brings flooding as Kofi moves south-southeast

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Lifuka Island experienced flooding from storm surge while some areas in Nuku'alofa are on evacuation alert and swimmers are being warned to stay out of the sea.

Low areas of Lifuka’s waterfronts and Kolomotu'a in Nuku'alofa were flooded as tropical cyclone Kofi is expected to lie about 290km south-southeast of Nukualofa at 7pm this evening.

Police have last night ordered swimmers at the Uafu 'Amelika known as Yellow Pier to leave and warned against the potentially fatal consequences of going into the sea while a cyclone warning remains in force.

Tonga Met Service at its advisory number 12 at 9.30am Sunday 2 says a gale warning remains in force for Haapai, Tongatapu, ‘Eua and nearby islands.

It says:                                               

A strong wind warning remains in force for the Niuas and Vava'u.

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for all of Tonga land areas.

An extreme high tide advisory remains in force for all Tonga waters.

A heavy damaging swells advisory remains in force for all Tonga waters.

The cyclone is moving south-southeast at 12kts and away from the group, according to Met.

Damaging gale force winds may affect Ha'apai, Tongatapu, ‘Eua and nearby smaller islands from this morning until later today.

Police arrived at the Yellow Pier last night to find a number of people swimming in the sea. They were told to leave while residents at Tongata'eapa, 'Isileli and Sopu in Kolomotu’a were informed to evacuate to Tongata'eapa , Longolongo and Halaano community halls if their homes were flooded.

Flood sea water surged into homes at the coastline and roads in Lifuka, Ha'apai but no evacuation reported.  

Tropical Cyclone Kofi heading to Tonga

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga is bracing for another tropical cyclone after the Fua’amotu Cyclone Warning Centre issued its tropical cyclone advisory number six  at 3:00pm 1 Saturday March.

Cyclone Kofi’s centre is expected to lie about 205km west-southwest  of Nomuka or 140km west of Nukualofa about midnight tonight, the Centre says.

The tropical cyclone remains in force for Ha'apai,Tongatapu and 'Eua and is now cancelled for Vava'u.

The  gale warning is now cancelled for Vavau and Niua but remains in force for Haapai,Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

A heavy rain advisory remains in force for all land areas.

An extreme high tide advisory remains in force for Tonga waters.

A heavy damaging swells advisory remains in force for Tonga waters.

Kofi is the second cyclone to visit Tonga after devastating Cyclone Ian that wrought havoc in the Ha'apai group on January 11.

Sexual assault: Tatakamotonga woman stabs intruder

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A 23 year-old woman stabbed a male intruder who allegedly tried to sexually assault her in her house in Tatakamotonga on Sunday 23, police said.

The woman, who was sleeping alone in her house, stabbed the 20 year-old man after he broke in and attempted to rape her, according to Police.

The accused, whose name has not been released, sustained three stab wounds from a knife the woman hid under her pillow.

The suspect fled the scene but police arrested him shortly.

He was taken to hospital and had been receiving treatment.

He was charged with indecent assault and was expected to appear at the Mu’a Magistrate’s Court this week.

The woman escaped charges because she acted in self-defence, according to police.

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