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Mate Maʻa Tonga must perform their best

By
Tevita Katoa
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The message is simple and clear but the task is huge, as Tongan saying, “ʻOku ʻeiki e fatongiá”, meaning that the assigned task is nobler than the bearer. Mate Maʻa Tonga has to perform their best against other tough opponents now and then to really make it for a title shot with whoever team that needs to claim the best of the best. Mate Maʻa Tonga team holds high expectation but it’s hard to really rely on that because of the team history of not living up with the expectation.

Mate Maʻa Tonga seems to only play well when they are influenced by an unknown force. They are able to play exceptionally well or below expectation. Anyway, the Head Coach, Charles Tonga and the management team believe that this team is unstoppable. After two months of practising and preparing the spirit among the team members are building up from strength after strength and appeared to solidify the individual personal beliefs and trust in each other.

In 2008, the coach Charles Tonga recalled, him and his mates drove all the way from Brisbane to Sydney to support Mate Maʻa Tonga in one of the well-remembered game of that Rugby League World Cup, although Mate Maʻa Tonga went down to Samoa 20 – 12. Since then, he could not believe that he is going to coach his national team at this RLWC.

"I drove all the way to Sydney with my mates. I was standing in this corner just being a spectator, just watching the game," he says, while gazing out over Penrith's headquarters in Sydney's west.

"I had no idea I'd be coaching my nation at the next one."

Tonga was in the coaching box to witness one of Tongan rugby league's greatest moments, and he has been back in Penrith over the past month preparing his side for this month's World Cup, in the UK, Ireland and France.

He was initially reluctant to succeed Jim Dymock as national coach, even though he maintained a strong affinity with his home, despite immigrating to Australia as a baby.

The relationship between the coach, Tonga, and the Mate Maʻa Tonga started immediately after the 2008 World Cup. He helped to develop the code and identify talented youngsters. He loved to develop talented individuals and equip them with alternatives in order to maintain their goal and their lifestyle and also not to forget their families back home.

"The passion and the love was always there for my people, but there's always politics in the Islands, mate," he said.

"It's awesome the board have really given me trust to be able to do the work properly. That was probably the biggest thing for me."

Mate Maʻa Tonga ranked 10th in the world after 2008 RLWC. Tonga can approach their group games against Scotland, the Cook Islands and Italy with a degree of confidence after that surprising win at Centrebet Stadium on April 20. Hopefully they will qualify for the 2014 Four Nations but they have to finish as the highest-ranked Pacific Island Team.

However, the talking is over. The goal has been devised and the team has to perform accordingly and only need one step at a time. Mate Maʻa Tonga has to deal with the Scottish first before their next assignment.

For sure of course, the World Cup won't be a walk in the park. But, the team has experienced players like Brent Kite, Sika Manu, Fuifui Moimoi, Willie Manu and Mickey Paea are the veterans to complement the flair and enthusiasm of Konrad Hurrell, Glen Fisi'iahi and NRL grand final try-scorers Jorge Taufua and Daniel Tupou.

Mate Maʻa Tonga must perform against Scotland, the Scottish has proved tough and hard to go past after they upset England in their warm-up match. So, Mate Maʻa Tonga must take this opportunity to make their mark early in this competition and then gradually progress further.  

TONGAN SQUAD Sosaia Feki (Cronulla Sharks), Glen Fisi'iahi (NZ Warriors), Mahe Fonua (Melbourne Storm), Daniel Foster (Penrith Panthers), Sydney Havea (Liahona Old Boys, Tonga), Siliva Havili (Warriors), Konrad Hurrell (Warriors), Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles), Samsoni Langi (Sydney Roosters), Siuatonga Likiliki (Newcastle Knights), Willie Manu (St Helens), Sika Manu (Penrith), Nesiasi Mataitonga (Cronulla), Fuifui Moimoi (Parramatta Eels), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Wests Tigers), Mickey Paea (Hull KR), Patrick Politini (Cronulla), Nafe Seluini (Roosters), Ukuma Ta'ai (Huddersfield Giants), Jorge Taufua (Manly), Jason Taumololo (North Queensland Cowboys), Peni Terepo (Parramatta), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Siosa Vave (Parramatta). 

Pōhiva to sue government – 7000 Tongan passports sold in 1990s

By
Kalino Latu
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MP ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Leader of the Tongan Parliament’s Opposition Party, vowed he will again take the Tongan government to court.

He said a legal action will be filed against the government because it issued Tongan passports to Chinese citizens without going through the legal process.

Applicants are required by law to hold a naturalisation certificate before obtaining a passport.

Pohiva said he found evidence that Chinese nationals who were issued with Tongan passports in 2001 to 2012 do not hold any naturalisation certificate.

Recently Pohiva declared two Chinese couples acquired 15 passports without holding any naturalisation certificates.

This week his newspaper listed another 12 Chinese with numbers of their Tongan passports saying they do not hold Tongan naturalisation certificates.

Concerns built up within the opposition party after Tonga government agreed with China last year for a visa-free access deal to allow their diplomatic officials to obtain free visas without going through the normal procedure. But the free visa package gave the Chinese who would come to Tonga more benefits by allowing them to obtain three Tongan passports including official, service and diplomatic passports.

The opposition said they fear the visa free deal would ostensbly re-open the passport scandals in 1990s given that this form of  government Tonga has does not have the balance of power, a mechanism that upholds accountablity and transparency.

The Prime Minister’s Office could not be reached for comment but the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu said in Parliament the visa free deal with China was to facilitate Chinese diplomats and officials who come to Tonga for certain purposes. He said that includes those who were contracted to construct the St George Palace in Nuku'alofa, a Chinese funded project set to begin in 2014.

Tonga's constitution says, "any foreigner after he has resided in the Kingdom for the space of five years or more may with the consent of the King take the oath of allegiance and he may be granted Letters of Naturalization and all naturalized subjects shall have the same rights and privileges as native born subjects of Tonga with the exception that they shall not be entitled to the rights of hereditary tax allotments".

Pohiva filed a lawsuit against the government in 1989 but decided not to pursue the matter in court after the government hold an emergency parliamentary session in 1991 to amend the constitution. The amendment was made to legalise the illegal selling of the passports to Asians in 1980s.

Seven Thousand passports sold

Since the amendment of the constitution in 1991 to legalise selling of the Tongan passport the government decided to terminate it in 1999. The Police Minister at the time, Hon Clive Edwards told  Radio New Zealand  the Government of Tonga collected nearly $40 million by selling passports to Asians before it was stopped in December that year.

Edwards said 7,000 passports were sold before the project ended.  The proceeds from the sale were deposited to “provide the Government with foreign reserves to back the economy”.

He said he understood the people raised concerns that Asians especially Chinese “might migrate to Tonga” after buying the Tongan passports.

But he claimed “fewer than 200 of the Chinese who originally came to the Kingdom under the passport project currently remain in Tonga. More than half departed, he said, after spending just a few months in" the Kingdom.

Today Hon. Edwards is one of the government’s ministers. It would be interesting if he  could come out and explain to the people what Tonga now has experienced since the passport project, a ministry under his control was responsible for in 1999.

The money lost

The sale of the Tongan passports can be traced back to 1980s when the king approved a Hong Kong businessman, George Chen, to sell Tongan citizenship and special passports.

The Asians were targeted in the passport project because the Hong Kong Chinese during that period were worried about Hong Kong’s handover to China.

The king decided the money needed to be invested overseas saying if it was deposited in Tonga “the government would only spend it on roads”.

The money was then invested in the Bank of America. An employee in the bank known as Mr Jesse Bogdonoff after spotting Tonga’s millions deposit project flew to Tonga and persuaded the king to allow him to invest it.

In an attempt to obtain an official position in the Tongan government to help him recognised by the American investors, the king issued a royal decree declaring  Bogdonoff as his Court Jester.

Bogdonoff then invested the money in what they described as a mysterious company. In 2001 the government admitted the US$26 million dollars collected from selling of the Tongan passports to Asians plus additional $11 million estimated to be accrued interest disappeared.

Two cabinet ministers who were trustees of the investment scheme since the beginning were accused of negligence and not taking enough care to make sure the money was securely invested. They  were Hon Tutoatasi Fakafanua and Hon Tevita Tupou. The duo were forced to quit their ministerial positions.

Tonga Government sued Mr Bogdonoff in an American court but settled out of court in February 2004 for about £530,000 and equivalent of about US$1 million dollars, “…closing an affair that made the country the laughing stock of the Pacific”.

Pohiva welcomes the loss

At the time Pohiva publicly told the people the money was meant to be lost. He described the millions of US dollars obtained from the illegal selling of the Tongan passports as dirty money. And that dirty money is not good for a nation and people who deemed themselves Christians, Pohiva said.

Just last week two Chinese citizens arrested after police found they came to Tonga on fake passports.

The Tongan law says if a person is found to have breached the passport law he could be made to pay up to TOP$50,000 or imprisoned no more than 10 years.

‘Ananā kidnapping accused appear in court

By
Kalino Latu
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Five men have appeared briefly in the Fasi-mo e-Afi Magistrate Court Monday last week charged in relation to the abduction of two Chinese men at the village of ʻAnanā on July 24.

The victims, who are father and son were invited to a meeting at a residence in ʻAnanā.

They were kidnapped during the meeting and remanded at a place out of Nuku’alofa. The family of the victims had been allegedly paid $400,000 to the kidnappers as ransom.

Police recovered two cheques which amount to T$325,000 but could not be able to find the balance which was in cash.

Chen Zhining of Haveluloto, Rui Shong of Pātangata, Defeng Mo from ʻAnanā, Mana Lātū of Pātangata and Sione Lātū Ngahe of Puke are each charged with conspiring to rob the victims  on July 24 and conspiring to kidnap a person on the same date.

Magistrate Similoni Tuʻakalau ordered that all men will reappear in court on November 18.

Armed robbery is one of serious offences in Tonga which is punishable for 20 years’ imprisonment.

Vote for PM & noble bills' debates reveal dictatorial attitudes

By
Kalino Latu
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Two bills setting up real democracy for Tonga were submitted to Parliament in July proposing to allow people to elect the Prime Minister and the Nobles but fell at the first hurdle.

A Private Bill proposing for the people to elect the Prime Minister, by MP ‘Aisake Eke, Tongatapu 5 was defeated in Parliament Thursday 24 at its first reading, 15 votes to 6.

A Private Bill provided for voters to elect nobles’ nine seats in parliament, by MP Mo’ale Finau in the name of Ha’apai 12 has been returned for further review.

Both bills were supported by the people of various constituencies according to a report submitted to the Tongan Parliament.

PM to be elected by the people

The deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu claimed the bill was deliberately proposed because some of the Opposition Party craved power to lead the nation.

Hon. Siosifa Tu’utafaiva, the Minister of Police,  who had crossed the floor from the Democratic Party to the government plainly revealed his objection to the bill saying he was suspicious about the ethics involved. 

The Speaker of the Full House Committee summed up the debates against the bill by nobles and ministers of government into a question he put forward to MP Eke.

Speaker MP Sunia Fili asked Eke in Tongan: “Please Honourable Member of Parliament, the point is, those who debated against the bill questioned whether there was any ‘evil spirit’ that helped guide you while you initiated the bill?”

There were also claims from the government that they wanted to see the bill has the supports of the people of various constituencies.

Responses from opposition

MP Eke in his reply pointed out the spirit that helped guide him while he was drafting the bill emanated from the fact the government in the last three years came through various adversities.

He figuratively compared the government to a ship that travelled on the sea. Throughout its times in power the ship leaked, he said. There were times the ship apparently had rammed into reefs, and thankfully the ship steered towards other reefs but managed to escape, he added. 

MP Eke then indirectly reminded the House the bill if passed would safeguard future governments and prime ministers, from misusing their position and power.

MP ‘Isileli Pulu responded to the accusation by the government that the bill did not have the support of the constituents.

Pulu told the House the people of various constituencies including MP Eke's expressed their approval of the bill for voters to elect the Prime Minister when parliamentarians met them during the 2013 Parliamentary Visit.

He reminded the House the meetings were recorded and it would be read to the Parliament.

MP Eke also submitted a proposal that a care taker government should be put in place to rule the country during next year's election and until a new government is formed but was also rejected by the House.

He said, however it has been proved there were major problems arisen during the transitional period before the power was handed over to the current government and they were included in the NDC report submitted to the Parliament this year. Eke said those problems he referred to involved government positions and huge amount of public funds.

Dictatorship

While the bill for the people to elect the nobles was debated in Parliament the government repeatedly pushed for the Speaker to put it into vote. The Minister for Finance, Hon Lisiate ‘Akolo asked the House to vote on two bills including MP Finau’s private bill and then would proceed with other matters.

But MP Finau immediately told the House that for obvious reasons, he feared to put his bill to a vote because it would definitely result in a defeat.

He said the nobles insisted that his bill would cause chaos in society but he instead believed the opposite. This was a law that would bring people and nobles together, MP Finau added.

Leader of the Opposition ‘Akilisi Pohiva joined in, and told the Speaker if they did then vote on the bill the government would definitely win and that would be the end of this important private bill.

He told the Speaker the push from government and nobility to vote on the bill reflected a dictatorial attitude in the House.

Democracy

Pohiva’s claim that the government and nobility were dictatorial when they pushed for the bill to be voted knowing fairly well they would win, was quickly responded to by Minister for Finance Hon Lisiate ‘Akolo.

Hon ‘Akolo told the Speaker for Pohiva that what he claimed as dictatorship, was the result of democracy Tonga endeavoured to get and now has.

But Pohiva responded, that the current political system Tonga has is not a democracy because the people do not elect all the Member of Parliament. Hon. Akolo gave in and told the Speaker that was another issue to be discussed later.

Pohiva said if the House would vote on the bill proposed for the people to elect the nobles then they would be killing a baby that about to be born.

He poetically reminded the House in Tongan that, “this bill had been impregnated by the constituents of Ha’apai 12. They gave it to their MP to bring it along and show it to you (the Speaker and members of parliament), today we are going to abort it!”

MP Finau finally accepted a suggestion by the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Vaipulu to return his private bill for further review and return it to the House for discussion at a later date.

Folaha villagers promote close relationship in Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
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This weekend, the Lufe’s kāinga from the Loutokaiano present sport, entertainment and religious activities to mark what they call, Folaha Day. This is to get the Folaha community in Aotearoa to value their identity as people who grew up in that village in Tonga.

“It is to appreciate that we belong to Folaha, our village of origin, and for the last three years here in Aotearoa, the Folaha Development Society appears to have achieved many of its goals to get our children to know each other,” said Dr Opeti Taliai, the chairperson of the FDS.

The Folaha Weekend is part of a program organised by the FDS to promote friendship and unity amongst villagers.

Throughout various sporting events held from 10am till 3pm on Saturday at the Walter Massey Park, excited youths couldn’t stop flocking together in the field, playing volley ball and rugby union.  

Elders have been taken on a tour around Auckland mainly at One Tree Hill, Mission Bay and the Auckland Memorial Museum, Soana Muimuiheata, the secretary told Kaniva News.

The programme continued today with a pohiva, a singing night where the villagers are divided into various groups, and each has to perform religious songs.

Strong Tongan rugby league team to contest RLW Champs

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Mate Ma’a Tonga Rugby League team will field a strong starting line-up against Scotland in their opening Rugby League World Cup Tuesday 29 at Derwent Park, Workington.

 Tonga's first taste of international Rugby League was in the 1988 Pacific Cup and in 1992 when they actually made the final of the same competition.

In 1995 Tonga took part in the Rugby League World Cup for the first time. Tonga also participated in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, where they performed poorly in pool games against France and Papua New Guinea and again missed out on a quarter final place.

At the 2008 World Cup, Tonga were favourites to reach the semi-final and started well enough by beating Ireland in their first pool game. The second match, against Samoa, was one of the matches of the tournament, but that was no consolation to the Tongans whose defeat ultimately proved costly.

With a strong squad in this yearʻs world cup, "Tonga will push for a quarter-finals finish. Led by Brent Kite, Tonga have some solid forwards, such as Sika Manu, Willie Manu, Fuifui Moimoi and Ben Murdoch-Masila, and are blessed with some speed out wide. Konrad Hurrell, Glen Fisiiahi , Mahe Fonua, Daniel Tupou, Jorge Taufua and Sosaia Feki complete an attacking back line. Panthers signing Kite will lay the foundation up front.

Such was Taufua's form this season, he could have easily been playing for Australia at this year's tournament. He was also mentioned as a possible NSW Origin winger. The Manly player has developed into one of the best dummy-half runners in the game and is a handful for defenders on kick returns".

Team Line-up (likely)
1. Glen Fisiiahi
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Konrad Hurrell
4. Sosaia Feki
5. Jorge Tafua
6. Samsoni Langi
7. Daniel Foster
8. Brent Kite (c)
9. Nafe Seluini
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Willie Manu
12. Jason Taumalolo
13. Sika Manu

14. Ukuma Taai
15. Siosa Vave
16. Peni Terepo
17. Patrick Politini

Concerns mount over SUTT name patent

By
Kalino Latu
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A group of Tongan Free Wesleyan Church members in New Zealand have obtained the official right to be the only persons to make, use or sell the name SUTT.

SUTT is an acronym for the Siasi Uēsiliana Tauʻatāina ʻo Tonga, the Tongan translation for the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.   

The group, which are church members at the Free Wesleyan Church of Tuingapapai, in Mangere, Auckland included Sione Fono Latu, ‘Isileli Tonga and Siulolo Malamala, Kakalu 'o Tonga Newspaper reported.  

Lawyer Nalesoni Tupou who appeared for the group wrote on Facebook and confirmed to some concerned members the name SUTT has already been registered by a group of people.

“If one wants the name, he or she will have to ask the owner of the name to use the name. The name is the property of the people who have registered this name and nobody else,” Lawyer Tupou wrote.

The group endeavoured to reserve the name as it was left unpatented, meaning the church’s headquarter in Tonga has not attempted so far to claim patent for the name SUTT themselves.

The biggest Methodist denomination in Tonga is now registered in New Zealand as a trust board under the name Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

The Free Wesleyan Church’s pastor at Tuingapapai, Rev Lōpini Filise reportedly said they have talked to the group members about what they did regarding the name.

Rev Filise implied the SUTT Church is not interested in the matter.

“The name does not matter. It is the prayer that matter….the church’s name has already been registered but this group of people only wanted to reserve the right to it,” Rev Filise told the paper.

But the big question put forward by many was why the group spent money to acquire the patent for the name and not pushing for the SUTT church to do it as it is the owner of that property?

Would they be demanding money from the SUTT church in the future before giving the name back, a concerned member on Facebook asked.  

The move was strongly condemned by the Free Wesleyan Church lawyer in New Zealand, Mataitini Fotu.

Fotu expressed his fears that the people who have claimed the name, SUTT, would in the future tell the church to stop using it.

He reminded that the name was originally and traditionally known to belong to the SUTT church in Tonga and it should remain so.

 Fotu reportedly described the situation as “It would just like the proverb – dog in the manger”, meaning a person who stops other people from enjoying what he or she cannot use or does not want.  

History

Lawyer Tupou in his attempt to clarify the issue to a number of concerned members of the Siasi Uesiliana Tauʻatāina ʻo Tonga on Facebook wrote: (some punctuation marks edited by Kaniva News).

“Perhaps if I can be permitted to elaborate further this very interesting subject and the name known as Siasi Uesiliana Tau'ataina o Tonga also known as SUTT from hereon. In the mid 1970's here in Auckland and in the Tongan Community there was a trainee Church Minister of the SUTT from Tonga who was studying in the College for the Ministry.

"His name is Rev. Taniela Moala. Also here in Auckland during that era was another fascinating character Rev Sisosia Tuipulotu, who later helped to form the and be a Minister for the newly formed Uniting Church Of Tonga in NZ. Rev Taniela Moala was then appointed as the Faifekau for the Tongans who attended the Methodist church here in Auckland.

"Later the Setuata Lahi of the Tongans within the NZ Methodist his name was Kautau Lavulo. Mr Kautau Lavulo resign from his position as the Setuata Lahi and became the President of the breakaway group now known to be known as the Uniting Church of Tonga in NZ. However, there was another interesting character from Teekiu here in Auckland. His name was Mr Mateitalo Amato also known as Sefita Uia.

"He was the Setuata for the Otahuhu district in South Auckland. For many years Mateitalo Amato always put forward the idea that as he was baptised by his parents in Tonga to be a member of the SUTT he claims he is still a baptised member of the SUTT and not the NZ Methodist Church. But there was no SUTT here in NZ. Mateitalo raised that issue at the Quarterly Meeting in September 1982.

"There were strong words expressed by a lot of people at this meeting including people such as Mr Liuaki Saulala when he was still a member of this Congregation spoke emotionally about this subject. One community leader said that nobody and that means nobody will be able to register the name SUTT here in NZ and for matter here in NZ or the world.

"I can remember that vividly because that was when I was still a Law student in 1982 at Auckland University. I had learned that one can register such name and formulate a constitution into that named organisation. Welll..we'll..That is what happened I personally registered the name SUTT with the Registrar of incorporated Society part of the Justice Ministry here in Auckland.

"After obtaining the registered name I later gave it to Mateitalo Amato to formulate a Constitution with the help of his lawyer Mr Clive Edwards. That was how the name has travelled throughout the years until I recently earlier this year found out that the current church organisation situated at Tuingapapai was using the name known as Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

This means that the group purported to use the name SUTT was not in fact using the name SUTT? They were using the FWCT. They have discard the name SUTT into the rubbish bin. So that is what happened. I grab the name SUTT and assist other people who were very keen to keep the name. And they have registered the name to be their own property. That is intellectual property !!!Enough for now. Vahevahe atu ena pea liliu Kia nautolu ke tokonii…Maloo.."

Tafolosa Bloomfield jailed on embezzlement charges

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tafolosa Kaitapu Bloomfield stole $204,033 from the Forum Travel Ltd, a travel agency that had to be sold because of the financial hit.

Bloomfield, a senior travel consultant was arrested and charged in May 2010, after the Forum Travel management discovered irregularities and deficiencies in her daily balance.

The former Miss Heilala was sentenced to three-years and four-months imprisonment.

In handing down his verdict, Judge Charles Cato said:

“It saddens me to think that a mother of four children and a wife of a person holding a responsible position in Tonga with all the advantages that this should bring should engage in conduct of this kind

“It is very surprising to me that she seems to have dismissed from her mind the adverse consequences to her family when her fraud would be detected.”

“This case is by far the worst of its kind I have encountered here. The fraud was systematic, frequent and carried on over a lengthy period of a mature person who could only be regarded as a trusted and senior consultant.”

“Without trust businesses cannot efficiently function and flourish and without viable businesses there will be limited employment and commercial opportunity in Tonga. Embezzlement damages the integrity of business.

Judge Cato however gave Bloomfield credit for lack of previous convictions also the fact that she was remorseful.

As a result she was given eight months reduction and imposed on her four years and four months imprisonment for embezzlement.

He also suspended the sentence of imprisonment for a maximum term of 12 months

‘Akilisi Pohiva announced "Defender of Democracy Award 2013"

By
Kalino Latu
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‘Akilisi Pohiva, 73, one of the Pacific's most revered politicians, received the Defender of  Democracy Award for 2013 by the Parliamentarians for Global Action PGA, it was announced today.

As Tonga’s Opposition Party leader, a letter from PGA was read in the Tongan Parliament this morning pronouncing his award to be received at a ceremony in December 9-10 in Bogota, Colombia.

The announcement of the award bound members of the House together after passing a decision to fund a parliamentary delegation to accompany Pohiva when he will attend the award ceremony.

Pōhiva, who fought for years since 1980s to bring democracy to Tonga, had been referred to by a Tongan respected scholar, Professor ‘Okusitino Mahina in his book, 16/11 Tonga he Fepaki – Tonga in Crisis,  as the Maui Kisikisi of Tonga – the Maui believed to have brought the fire from Pulotu – the underworld to Maama – the World. It is a Tongan mythological and poetic name that selectively ascribed to a real heroic figure.  

Tonga dramatically reformed its political system in 2010 with some who deemed it as a full democratic change hailed the late King George Tupou V a hero for introducing democracy to his feudal kingdom. 

That reformed political  system,  is not a democratic form of government according to Pohiva, claiming that  the power to rule the country and run the government still stays in the hands of only nine nobles in Parliament elected by the 33 nobles of Tonga and not the majority of the taxpayers.

These nine noble seats in the Tongan Legisilative Assembly are strongly backed by five people’s elected candidates who crossed the floor to side with the nobility, after they were promised ministerial positions in government, making the nobles the majority and the powerful party in the House.

 “Since 1996, PGA has held the Defender of Democracy Awards in conjunction with its Annual Parliamentary Forum. The Defender of Democracy Award is presented to individuals who, through their own commitment and active engagement, have made significant progress in strengthening democracy and democratic practices.”

Former recipients of the Defender of Democracy Award include, Rt. Hon. Helen Clark (New Zealand), Prime Minister (2004),

 Rt. Hon. Don McKinnon , Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth (2008).

Dr. Nafis Sadik (Pakistan), physician and then Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General and Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (2006). Most recently, she spoke out forcefully against the attack on Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who was shot because she championed education for girls.

Mrs. Mary Robinson (Ireland), President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative (2005). Former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights. Sra. Estela Barnes de Carlotto (Argentina), Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo (2000), whose daughter was kidnapped and murdered by the military in Argentina.

The Hon. Bella S. Abzug (1998), awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Eye problems in Tonga: warning sign of other issues

By
Kaniva Staff
-

An Auckland ophthalmologist warns the eye conditions of many older Tongans are placing a burden on the local youth, as they care for their relatives who are unable to work.

Dr Brent Gaskin, of Auckland Eye, says young Tongans are under pressure as they support family members whose impaired vision or blindness limits their ability to live independently.

“This can place a great demand on young people both economically and emotionally, as they spend time looking after older relatives who can’t see. The eye problems of the older generation can have a significant impact on the whole family’s quality of life,” he says.

Dr Gaskin is part of one of several eye specialist groups who visit the island nation annually. His group performs up to 100 eye surgeries, and conducts up to 800 eye checks in Tonga each year.

He says impaired vision among the local people in Tonga can be particularly detrimental to society given their lifestyles.
“Manual work is extremely common in island countries like Tonga, so locals’ vision is fundamentally important to ensure their financial stability.

Also, with many working outdoors, the glare of the sun in Tonga’s warm climate can cause big issues for those with cataracts,” he says.

Dr Gaskin says a significant number of the country’s small population suffer from eye problems that cannot be treated by local health professionals due to a lack of adequate training.

“Hopefully with time, local eye care professionals will up skill and take on the delivery of more of the surgical treatment needed. In the mean time, like many nations in the pacific, Tonga relies on help from trained specialists from overseas,” he says.

“Many patients in Tonga will have visual impairment far beyond what we typically see at home in New Zealand, and some will have waited months for treatment, as prioritisation means only the severely impaired are treated. This would be rare in most developed countries, due to modern demands like driving, and also the relative ease of access to top quality eye care.”

Dr Gaskin says while older Kiwis often develop eye conditions such as cataracts beyond the retirement age, Tongans tend to develop such eye problems earlier.

“I would think 90% of those we operate on when we visit Tonga are over the age of 45, with children and young adults making up only 10% of those we see. In New Zealand, problems like cataracts tend to occur over the age of 60, however Tongan patients experience such conditions when they are often much younger,” he says.

Dr Gaskin says during his trips to Tonga he and his team-of-four may perform up to 100 cataract surgeries and 100 laser procedures.

He says the prevalence of diabetes in the island nation is a significant issue underlying the incidence of eye problems suffered locally.

Dr Gaskin will make his fifth trip to Tonga through the international charity VOSO (Volunteer Ophthalmic Services Overseas) this month.

He says the annual trip is an important contribution to global eye health.

“It is a rewarding experience to be spread your skills around, and it makes sense to begin by helping those closest to home,” he says.

“There are hundreds of Tongans who need our assistance in our own backyard each year, and it is a pleasure to be able to use my knowledge and expertise to improve their quality of life.”

Tongan’s Poor Eye Sight Economic Burden for Next Generation – NZ Expert by

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