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NZDF helping monitor Chinese navy ships sailing off Australian coast

By
Kalino Latu
-

By 1News Reporters

New Zealand is aware of a Chinese naval task group sailing in international waters off Australia and is monitoring it, says Defence Minister Judith Collins.

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang.
People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang. (Source: Australian Defence Force)

The Australian Defence Department said the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser named Zunyi and the Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu have continued sailing down the coast after being spotted to the north east of the country last week, the ABC reported.

British newspaper the Financial Times reported around 12 hours ago the ships were around 150 nautical miles (277km) east of Sydney.

Collins said the New Zealand Defence Force is monitoring the group, in coordination with Australia.

“We have not been informed by the Chinese Government why this task group has been deployed into our region, and we have not been informed what its future plans are.

“We will continue to monitor these vessels.”

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles told Sky News the ships were “not doing anything contrary to international law”. It was an unusual event, but not unprecedented, he said.

A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said they were unable to answer questions about the ships, saying he was unfamiliar with the situation, the ABC reported.

Vehicle hits two houses in West Auckland, driver flees

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By 1News Reporters

Police are searching for a driver who crashed into two properties in Massey, West Auckland before fleeing on foot this morning.

A vehicle entered a driveway and crashed through a fence and into two houses shortly after 4am.
A vehicle entered a driveway and crashed through a fence and into two houses shortly after 4am. (Source: 1News)

Emergency services were called after a vehicle travelling along Don Buck Rd entered a driveway and crashed through a fence and into two houses shortly after 4am.

“Thankfully no one was injured,” a police spokesperson said

Vehicle crashes into two West Auckland homes

Footage taken by 1News showed debris strewn from homes on Don Buck Rd, in Massey.

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.686.0_en.html#fid=goog_355718203Play Video

Vehicle crashes into two West Auckland homes0:34

Footage taken by 1News showed debris strewn from homes on Don Buck Rd, in Massey. (Source: 1News)

“The driver has abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot and inquiries are underway to locate them.”

Footage taken by 1News showed debris strewn from both homes into the surrounding yards.

Footage taken by 1News showed debris strewn from a hole in one of the homes.
Footage taken by 1News showed debris strewn from a hole in one of the homes. (Source: 1News)

Anyone with information was urged to call 105, or provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Appeal after ‘attempted arson’ at Tonga High School  

By
Kalino Latu
-

Reports said an attempted arson incident took place at Tonga High School buildings on Wednesday 19.  

Attempted arson at Tonga High School/ Photos/Supplied

Photos posted to Facebook show black discolouration on room doors, resembling damage caused by fire. 

Former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, who was also the Chair of the school’s alumni association, said the police had been informed of the matter.  

“Early yesterday morning, a fire started at the doors of several classrooms at Tonga High School”, he said in Tongan.  

He expressed relief that the attempted arson was identified and thwarted before significant damage occurred.  

“This terrible act nearly disrupted the education of our students, affecting approximately 1,400 students at THS. 

“We hope this was just a reckless act and not something with a deeper motive. 

“Please support the police and firefighters in identifying those responsible. We do not want such destructive incidents to continue happening”. 

In 2000, the school experienced a huge fire that destroyed classrooms and equipment, with damages estimated at $3 million.

Tonga’s Health Ministry declares dengue outbreak with 10 cases reported

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga is currently dealing with an outbreak of dengue fever, with the Minister of Health confirming 10 cases since last Friday.

Health Minister Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola

Most cases are from Tongatapu, and the age group most affected is 12 – 17.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement the number of positive and suspected cases has increased significantly over the past few days in the island groups of Tongatapu, Vava’u, and Eua.

More cases are expected due to the ongoing rain and adverse weather conditions, which favour breeding sites for the mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of the dengue virus, the statement said.

The Officers in Charge of Health in all outer island groups have been alerted to the situation and encourage their respective practitioners to have a high index of suspicion for early detection and treatment of cases.

The Public Health outbreak response teams have been mobilized to conduct positive case investigations, contact management, robust vector control, and preventative measures.

The Ministry reminds the public that dengue fever is contagious.

It spreads from person to person through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

The public is urged not to panic but to educate themselves about dengue fever and to seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms.

Dengue Fever symptoms include:

                Sudden high fever

                Severe headaches

                Pain behind the eyes

                Joint and muscle pain

                Nausea

                Vomiting

                Swollen glands

                Rash that appears 3-4 days after fever begins

Severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bleeding gums and vomiting blood, require immediate medical attention.

Consultation and dialogue with World Health Organization and other technical partners continues while mobilizing resources to enhance surveillance, community wide clean-up and prevention measures.

Strong wind warning for Tonga groups 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A gale warning has been issued for the Niuas, while the rest of the Tonga group has received a strong wind warning. 


Heavy rain warnings and flash flood advisory remain in force for the Niua Toputapu and Niua Fo’ou land areas. 

Tonga MetService says an active trough of low pressure lies over the Niuas and is associated with cloudy to overcast skies, occasional heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong gusting to gale-force winds for the rest of this week.  

Meanwhile, a fresh to strong easterly wind will continue to prevail over the Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu, and Eua groups. 

For Niua Toputapu, Met said a northwesterly wind of up to 20 – 25 knots, rising up to 30 – 35 knots at times and south to southeast at times tomorrow. Rough to very rough seas (up to four metres). Moderate northwesterly winds (up to three metres). 
Poor visibility due to heavy rain. 
 
For Niuafo’ou coastal waters, it said northwesterly wind of up to 20 – 25 knots rising to 30 – 35 knots at times and becoming south to southwest tomorrow. Rough to very rough seas (up to four metres). A moderate northwesterly winds (up to three metres). 
Poor visibility due to heavy rain. 
 
For Vava’u coastal waters, Met said an east-to-south wind of up to 15-20 knots rising up to 25 knots at times. The winds will become 20-25 and gust up to 30-35 knots at times tomorrow night. Moderate seas (up to two and a half metres) will then become rough to very rough seas by tomorrow night (up to four metres). Moderate northwesterly winds (up to three metres) will also be expected. Poor visibility due to heavy rain. 
 
For Ha’apai, Tongatapu, and Eua coastal waters, east-to-southeast winds are 15-20 knots, rising to 25-30 knots at times. There are moderate to rough seas (up to three metres). 
 
For Tele-ki-Tonga and Tele-ki-Tokelau coastal waters, the authority said easterly winds 15-20 knots. 
Moderate seas (up to two metres). 

Fire badly damages home in north Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By 1News Reporters

A fire has badly damaged a house in northern Auckland and flames have spread to a neighbouring property, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

FENZ were called to the incident at 11.21am.
FENZ were called to the incident at 11.21am. (Source: 1News)

FENZ said it received calls to a house fire in Wainui around 11.20am.

On arrival a two storey home was on fire, with flames encroaching on a next-door property.

Over half-a-dozen trucks were at the scene, with more on the way.

There are no reports of injuries.

Four-and-half years’ jail for Neiufi after meth and $2,800 confiscated 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A man has received a sentence of four-and-a-half years in prison after being apprehended for possession of methamphetamine and $2,800 in cash.  

Kisina Neiufi, 33, was arrested after Police found in his car 3.51 grams of methamphetamine and five empty dealer packs.  

His sentencing means he violated the 12-month suspension imposed for a prior drug conviction, prompting Justice Cooper to activate that suspension. 

The court was told that the police, acting on information received, specifically targeted Neiufi’s car.  

As he approached an ‘api in Vaotu’u, police in two vehicles boxed in his car, and as they moved in to search him and his wife in the front passenger seat.

He was seen throwing an item from the front passenger window, which the police later identified as methamphetamine.  

The police also found TOP$ 2,800 in Neiufi’s possession. Along with the cash, empty ‘dealer’ bags were recovered from his hand. 

A pre-sentence report showed Neiufi was a talented rugby player.  

He married in 2016, and his wife told the Probation Officer that his constant illicit drug use had deeply affected her, their marriage and attempts at a stable life.  

She had tried many times to forgive him, having been assured he had changed, but to no avail.  

They have a child together whom she supports through her hard work.  

Vaotu’u town officer, Mr. Amipeliasi Tu’akoi, told the court Neiufi is not a bad person and as such is not detrimental to their community.  

 While Neiufi maintains his innocence, it is noteworthy he never put forward any explanation for the ‘dealer bags’ found in his possession and were photographed by police, wrapped around some of the $50 bank notes that were found in his hand by the officers.  

“That tends to underline how unrealistic his protestations of innocence are”, Mr Cooper said.  

Weapons ‘arsenal’ found in car as two Tongans arrested after shooting at police in Australia 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Reports said Police in Sydney allegedly found an arsenal of weapons after searching a car linked to two Tongan suspects.   

Paea Tuiniua was extradited from Queensland on 13 charges, including possessing a grenade, pistol and semi-assault rifle.

Sydney Police allegedly found a Glock pistol, a grenade and a semi-automatic rifle in a stolen car after police were shot at during a pursuit through Sydney’s west, with the suspected gunman extradited from Queensland after a week on the run.

A Sydney Morning Herald report said the discovery comes after Paea Tu‘iniua, 20, and Faez Finau, 20, had been arrested after a report of an attempted robbery at a home on Calaria Close in Edensor Park around 1.30am on December 31.  

“When officers located the vehicle on Cowpasture Road in Hinchinbrook and the pair refused to pull over, a pursuit began but was soon abandoned due to the driver’s erratic behaviour”, the report said. 

Another chase was initiated shortly after the car was spotted on St James Road in Varroville.   

Police alleged during this pursuit, Tuiniua leant out of the window and fired multiple shots at a police car.  

One bullet hit the wheel arch and the other hit the car grill. The officers were unharmed.  

Police deployed road spikes, running the car off the road.  

Finau was arrested at the scene while Tuiniua allegedly escaped into nearby bushland, sparking a major police operation with dozens of officers including heavily armed tactical units combing the area.  

Finau was taken to Campbelltown police station and charged with nine offences including possessing or using a military-style weapon without a permit, possessing an unauthorised pistol, possessing a loaded firearm in a public place, and special aggravated break and enter with intent and armed with a dangerous weapon.  

He faced Parramatta court on January 1 where he did not apply for bail and was formally refused it.  

Tuiniua was arrested at Brisbane Airport last month wearing luxury brand Burberry board shorts and a T-shirt and extradited to NSW after he allegedly fled the state following the New Year’s Eve pursuit. 

Photo of immigration officers with Tongan family sparks online outrage  

By
Kalino Latu
-

A photo of what appeared to be New Zealand immigration compliance officers inside a house where a Tongan family lived has ignited heated debates on social media.  

Photo/Facebook

Many users are weighing in on the implications of the image, claiming that law enforcement officers were apprehending a family member due to allegations of visa overstay. 

Immigration New Zealand could not immediately be reached for comment.  

The photo purportedly shows a female officer placing her hand on a man who is hugging a child, believed to be his daughter, with two other officers standing by their side.

While the community agreed that the officers were doing their job, many raised concerns about what they had described as the actions of certain members within the Tongan community, accusing them of allegedly alerting immigration authorities about the address of the person in question.  

Some community members took their actions a step further by sharing photos of people whom they claimed to have reported the man to immigration on Facebook.  

However, supporters of these people have defended them and refuted the allegations of their involvement. 

The news comes after Immigration Compliance officers located six unlawful migrants last year following an investigation into their failure to depart New Zealand in accordance with their visa requirements. 

Steve Watson, General Manager Immigration Compliance and Investigations, said at the time that the legal obligation to leave New Zealand before a temporary visa expires is clearly communicated on visas. 

“Temporary visa holders must ensure that their visa is current. People who overstay their visa are expected to leave New Zealand. Wherever possible, we contact people who overstay their visas through texting, email and – if they fail to depart – Compliance staff may undertake enquiries and if there are no special circumstances to consider, will locate and deport them. 

“When someone is unlawfully in New Zealand, we know it is harder for them to legally engage in society and this means they can be vulnerable to exploitation. Employers are also committing an offence by employing unlawful migrants.” 

Appeal after ‘attempted arson’ at Tonga High School  

By
Kalino Latu
-

Reports said an attempted arson incident took place at Tonga High School buildings on Wednesday 19.  

Photos of attempted arson at Tonga High School. Photos/Supplied

Photos posted to Facebook show black discolouration on room doors, resembling damage caused by fire. 

Former Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, who is also the Chair of the school’s alumni association, said the matter has been reported to the police.  

“Early yesterday morning, a fire started at the doors of several classrooms at Tonga High School”, he said in Tongan.  

He expressed relief that the attempted arson was identified and thwarted before significant damage occurred.  

“This terrible act nearly disrupted the education of our students, affecting approximately 1,400 students at THS. 

“We hope this was just a reckless act and not something with a deeper motive. 

“Please support the police and firefighters in identifying those responsible. We do not want such destructive incidents to continue happening”. 

In 2000, the school experienced a huge fire that destroyed classrooms and equipment, with damages estimated at $3 million.

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