UPDATED: The disputes involving one of the strongest ex-student associations in the kingdom have escalated to legal proceedings.
Pita Hopoate (L) and ‘Epalahame Taukei’aho
Kaniva News understands that officials within the Mormon Church’s Liahona and Sainehā high school alumni association have sought judicial decision following disputes over the organization’s constitution and the roles of the president, Epalahame Taukei’aho.
According to various reports, Taukei’aho has been accused of making decisions that did not align with the constitution.
Pita Hopoate, the Chair of the Board of Directors, went public last year and claimed they had been trying to contact Taukei’aho to resolve the issues but to no avail.
It is understood Taukei’aho brought the lawsuit against the Board of Directors after he was allegedly demanded to resign.
We have been told that recent meetings between the two parties in Tonga included holding a reconciliation, but it did not work out as they had hoped.
The incident divided the organization’s members, with one report claiming that the association had invested up to TOP$ 5 million.
Some members sided with Hopoate, while others stood by Taukei’aho.
The attack on a man lying motionless in a Tongatapu village has sparked widespread outrage across social media platforms.
Videos and images circulating online show what appeared to be an injured man lying on the ground while receiving assistance from bystanders.
The footage also appears to show that while that assistance was in the process, another man approached and struck the victim with his hand.
Facebook commenters alleged the incident occurred near Makaunga and Talafo’ou villages.
Users have expressed shock at the incident, with many calling for justice and urging authorities to take immediate action.
The incident occurred following residents of the eastern vicinity entertaining the new Christmas lights, which were recently unveiled on their streets.
Streamed videos captured from vehicles on the move showcased that streets were alive with festive spirit bringing joy and a sense of togetherness to the residents of Tongatapu 10,
Commenters on Facebook said it was unfortunate that the incident involving the man detracted from the joyous experience of families and visitors gathering to appreciate the Christmas preparations and displays.
MP Mateni Tapueluelu claimed at the time that this was an advice from the king, which the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lord Vaea, then conveyed to the nobles.
We contacted the Prime Minister and Lord Vaea for comment at the time.
Last month, a leaked internal memo, seen by Kaniva News, purported to have come from the chief executive of the Ministry of Lands claimed the ministry’s minister, Lord Tu’i’afitu, was expected to resign after the king allegedly withdrew his confidence. Hu’akavameiliku later told journalists that he was in discussions with the noble about his resignation.
This afternoon, the caretaker Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu confirmed in a press conference in Nuku’alofa that three Ministers have now resigned.
They were Lord Fohe, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests; Lord Vaea, the Minister for Internal Affairs; and Lord Tu’i’āfitu, the Minister of Lands.
The reasons behind these nobles’ resigning after Hu‘akavameiliku’s resignation are still unclear.
Five ministerial positions, including those held by Hu’akavameiliku, are currently vacant. This does not include the Minister for Fisheries, for which the nominated candidate has been awaiting the king’s approval since last year.
The position became vacant following the death of former minister Semisi Fakahau in October 2022.
New Prime Minister
Tonga is scheduled to elect the new prime minister on Christmas Eve, following a 14-day interval after Hu’akavameiliku’s resignation.
The Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, has invited nominations for Prime Minister Designate to be submitted to his office at the Legislative Assembly of Tonga by 4.30pm on Monday, December 23, 2024.
What do you get when you cross a pharmacist, a lawyer, an accountant, a carpenter, an emergency doctor, an anesthetist, a biomedical scientist, an officer of the New Zealand Defence Force and a dentist?
Ruby Tukia is off to Auckland after graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery on Saturday.
Give up? It’s the Tukia whanau, including Ruby who claimed the dentist title when she graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with credit from Otago on Saturday.
As the ninth child in a family of 11, Ruby jokes that her siblings had already taken her other career preferences, so dental felt like the right choice.
Her journey is rooted in three key pillars: faith, family, and education.
At an early age, Ruby’s family moved to Mount Roskill, Auckland after her father saw the opportunities for a better lifestyle and education in Aotearoa.
“I think the biggest thing, like other Pacific families, was the studying aspect. If you wanted your child to have decent health care or tertiary opportunities, your parents had to be on some type of visa. My Dad saw the study environment here and knew it was better than most countries,” Ruby says.
Her Father, a pharmacist, encouraged his children to pursue careers in healthcare – while seven of them have and one more enters Otago medical school next year, the other three took different, but still reputable paths.
Her interest in dentistry was “driven by the lack of knowledge of it”.
“My initial interest in dentistry was driven by the lack of knowledge of it and that’s a discussion that I had with my parents, we did not know a lot of the industry because there is not really a big push in Tonga.
“So, my brothers and I sat down with my parents and the laid-out options were, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. I then made the decision that I would try a Bachelor of Oral Health to test the waters then I’ll know whether to pursue Dentistry after my three years.”
Ruby Tukia addresses the crowd at the Pacific graduation breakfast on Saturday.
Her Mum has kept the family “humble” and reminded them the “key to everything is faith in God”.
“The major reason why this is possible is praying, God, and having these degrees mean nothing unless you have God in play.”
Her upbringing has also ensured Ruby is no stranger to hard work.
“Most of my siblings went to Tonga High, but I went to Queen Salote. My parents, being strong in their religion, wanted at least one of us to attend that school, so, me and my two younger brothers went to Queen Salote and Toloa – we were the guinea pigs,” she jokes.
“Until you grow up in the Islands, you will never have the same experience of how hard it truly is. We would go into the bush, plant our own kumala (kumara) —it wasn’t easy. My Dad made sure we experienced these realities so that we would know what hard work really is.”
It was working in Oamaru for a short time that confirmed her dentistry pathway.
“I had no idea how large the Pacific population was in this rural area.
“An interaction when greeting an elderly woman in the waiting room of the clinic with ‘mālō e lelei’ completely changed the trajectory of our session and before I began her examination, she opened it up with a prayer, it was an experience that I cannot put into words, it was just different.”
Ruby is contracted to work in Auckland for 2025 and plans to expand her experience to rural areas and then eventually, volunteering in Tonga – giving back to the communities that helped raise her.
“It’s cool because Queen Salote and Toloa have a dental clinic so I would like to volunteer at there, I am not the greatest candidate but even if it’s just to mop the floors or clean the windows, I’ll be there.”
Curiosity from tragedy led Dr Melenia Kaitaeifo to medicine.
Melenia Kaitaeifo graduated on Saturday with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery.
She was just 8 years old when one of her older brothers died at the age of 17 in Auckland, from what they now know was a traumatic brain injury.
“My older brother’s passing was a huge tragedy for everyone who knew him. I wasn’t old enough to comprehend what had happened but what pushed me to pursue a career in medicine was curiosity. Why can’t we save him? Is there anything we can do to save him? What other options do we have? These questions played in my head like a broken record for years,” Melenia says.
Despite the drive of “curiosity and tragedy”, she arrived at Otago still not completely sure that medicine was the right path.
“However, I decided to give it a go, and I am so glad I did because I now stand tall and firm that this is the right path for me.”
Melenia graduated on Saturday with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. She starts work at Middlemore Hospital in the new year where she is determined to start making the system better for Pacific patients and their families.
“I think my family just don’t like going into hospital or being treated in the healthcare system because they don’t comprehend everything. We all seem to have had poor experiences where healthcare is involved or in the way that we’ve perceived the interactions.”
In fact, it wasn’t until Melenia was at medical school that she fully understood what had happened to her brother more than a decade earlier.
“I did all my own research and put together myself what actually had happened. I had to do it all myself because my family walked out of that hospital understanding nothing that the doctors had told them.
“It is a well-known fact that Pacific and Māori people have the worst health outcomes.
“There are a multitude of things that are contributing to this, and a lot of work is needed to help address and improve this and I am so excited to finally join the team and help improve those outcomes,” she says.
Melenia’s cultural identity shaped her approach to work alongside patients everyday, she says.
“I show up as myself, a young Tongan health professional and the way I practice medicine and interact with patients is secondary to my cultural identity. It’s in the way I introduce myself, that I am respectful to the people I interact with, in the way I am able to read body language appropriately.
“Being a community driven person means that I am able to provide holistic care always and have strong communication skills as well as being culturally competent.”
On one occasion she was able to translate for a man who was admitted to hospital. She believes her Tongan presence made his experience more bearable.
“He just kept saying like, malo, malo (thank you) and he just seemed grateful like the whole time. And because he was able to talk to me about everything, he felt more comfortable to ask me questions,” she says.
“I grew up in a household that instilled in us the importance of God being at the centre of everything we do, and secondly, the importance of education. I grew up in a family that was community focused, continually serving others and helping people.
“I would say it is in the scaffolding of my life that has led me to where I am today, and I am forever proud to be a young Tongan female doctor that will finally be able to give back to my people and my family.”
All her “defining moments” during her time at Otago have involved Pacific patients.
“The most beautiful thing is when you see patients progressively get better and can be discharged home. Those are moments that solidify my passion for medicine.”
Melenia Kaitaeifo (middle) pictured with her parents by her side who are all smiles celebrating their daughter’s achievement at medical school.
But she would not have been able to achieve any of this without her faith and the support of her family, she says.
“My family support has been 100,000 percent on. Every step of the way I have been blessed with continuous family support.”
Moving away from family was not a decision Melenia took lightly, but she found family and their support – whether that be advice, home-cooked meals, groceries, company, help during exam time, transport, or a bed – wherever she was in Aotearoa.
“In conclusion, family support looked like paid bills when I couldn’t cover them. It looked like mum flying to Dunedin every exam season so that I could have home cooked meals and clean laundry. It looked like cousin hangouts to unwind from all the uni stress. It looked like free flights home during Covid. The best support was the continuous protection through prayer from the get-go.”
And family is still a priority for Melenia as she starts her career.
“I am indebted to my biggest cheerleader, my sister. She took on all the responsibilities that an older sibling should just so I could execute our vision. So, I plan to spend as much time as I can with my family to make up for my years of absence!
“I have family coming from Tonga, Australia and America and from around New Zealand and I can’t wait to celebrate with them and laugh our way into 2025.”
Melenia has words of advice for any Pacific students considering medicine.
“Don’t be discouraged to step into this space, particularly if you’re like me and will be the first in your family. It can be daunting but embrace your unique qualities as a Pacific person and bring it to the table.
“You are needed and wanted. You have the ability to make a huge impact and influence change. You can be a leader and healer that will uplift and bring hope to our people. We’re all rooting for you.”
In a significant political twist, Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku has officially announced his resignation today, December 9, ahead of a final ballot in parliament to decide his fate.
Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni
The Prime Minister read out his resignation in Tongan while the discussions surrounding his vote of no confidence were taking place in parliament.
It has been revealed that seven accusations had been submitted as part of the Prime Minister’s confidence vote motion.
None has been tabled, and there was no deliberation on the motion.
The Prime Minister was tearful and visibly emotional while attempting to regain his composure.
Using figurative expressions in Tongans, he asked the Speaker to allow him to carry the burden of the Opposition’s concerns.
He said: “Te u fakafisi atu mei he palēmia ‘o Tonga,” which means he is resigning from the prime ministerial role today “according to the constitution Clause 50 (A), Section C”.
He said his resignation was “effective immediately”.
The parliamentary session was streamed live.
Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu strongly opposed the accusations, declaring them “invalid” amid lawmakers engaging in fiery debates about the implications of the vote, which has been a topic of interest since last month.
The Prime Minister previously said the motion could potentially impact the current government and its stability, and he questioned the motive as only 11 months were remaining before the next general election next year.
MP Aisake Eke has brought the challenge, claiming to have the numbers to topple the government.
The House has closed for lunch and is expected to resume its session at 2 pm.
Tonga Police reportedly said they were investigating after the body of a young man was found dead on Tuesday morning in Eastern (Hahake) Tongatapu.
‘Esilani Latu
Esilani Latu. 21, allegedly died from injuries that were consistent with being struck by a vehicle, Police reportedly said. His body was found on Hala Liku Road between Nakolo and Fua’amotu
However, the police were not so sure if this was the cause of death.
A post-mortem report confirmed that the young man was run over by a car.
However, the report also showed other injuries that may have been inflicted elsewhere. The deceased was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
As the investigation was underway, a man who identified himself in a live-streamed video as an alleged witness made an appeal on Facebook.
The live-streamer, who goes by the name Vee Town, has urged a vehicle driver, who he believes might be aware of the incident, to come forward.
Vee Town said that he was intoxicated and seated in the back of the vehicle as a passenger when they appeared to have stumbled upon the scene.
Person of interest
Meanwhile, Police said they had identified a person of interest who was driving but had since left for New Zealand.
They confiscated a vehicle that the driver was operating.
The driver, a New Zealand resident, was scheduled to leave for New Zealand on the same day the incident occurred, the Police said.
The authority appealed to the community to share any information they might have.
Meanwhile, heartfelt tributes to the victim began flooding social media platforms.
Some described the victim as “tamasi’i angalelei”.
Others sent their love with photos of them with the victim.
A funeral plan for Lil-Bouvalu Lyden, who was killed in a car crash in South Auckland on Sunday morning, December 1, has been announced – along with tributes from his grieving family.
The New Zealand Herald reported that the crash happened while Lyden and a friend were on their way to a Rippa rugby tournament.
Details of the funeral were published in a family social media notice on Friday.
The family said: “it is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved son & brother, Lil-Bouvalu Kenneth Lyden”.
A family service will be held tomorrow, Monday, 9 December, at 6 pm at Mangere East’s St Therese Parish, followed by his funeral service on Tuesday at 10.30am.
“After the funeral service, our baby will be escorted one last time to his old stomping grounds, The Otahuhu Rugby League fields then to his junior club, The Mangere East Hawks grounds and then to the school he was so hearty about, De La Salle College before we head to his final resting place”.
His burial service will be held at Manukau Memorial Garden.
The report by the New Zealand Herald “described Lyden as a selfless and inspiring leader who aimed to represent his Samoan and Tongan heritage in rugby league”.
“Lyden played in age-grade representative teams for both countries, starting with Tonga before switching to Samoa and co-captaining their under-16 side for their Queensland tour in October”.
A post on the Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club Facebook page said: “Lil-Bou was a popular player in our U16 Leopards team this season and will be greatly missed. He was often seen doing extras down at the Club field on weekends which helped with his electric playing style.”
The Tamaki Outrigger Canoe Club posted saying Lyden had been a member from 2019 to 2021, and said he was “a very humble, kind-hearted and loving person whose infectious smile bought rays of sunshine on and off the wai on the Tāmaki River.”
