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Petition to the king following revelation new chief judge’s gay lifestyle might violate Tongan laws against sodomy

By
Kalino Latu
-

A petition is currently being organised to urge the king to revoke his appointment of the new Chief Judge after it was revealed that his LGBTQ lifestyle might violate Tonga’s law, which prohibits sodomy.

Anthony Vander Woerd (L) and Chief Justice of Tonga Malcolm Bishop

Malcolm Lesley Bishop, 79,  KC of Wales, UK, has been appointed as Tonga’s new Chief Justice.

He is expected to start his new role on September 1, this coming Sunday.

The petition stems from the revelation that Mr Bishop and his late partner, Anthony Vander Woerd, another man, lived together as a gay couple for 51 years.

Woerd, 71, a businessman, was shot and killed in front of Mr Bishop on a Caribbean island in 2019 during a robbery, according to Gloucestershire Live.

Following the homicide, Mr Bishop sustained injuries to his forehead and nose. He and his partner were rushed to a nearby medical facility for medical attention.

The Legal Futures website reported earlier this month that Mr Bishop is an LGBTQ barrister, and he is open about his sexual orientation and gender identity.

The online legal news source also reported Barrister and TV personality Rob Rinder as saying that he had previously named Mr Bishop as his LGBTQ hero.

Rinder also reportedly said that in 2021, Mr Bishop “was an out gay barrister when I arrived in chambers over 20 years ago” and described him as “somebody that I looked up to, who was quite literally modelling a life that I aspired to”.

Same-sex marriages have been legal in England and Wales since March 29, 2014.

Churches and legal stakeholders in the kingdom were planning petitions and marches to the king, urging His Majesty to rescind Mr Bishop’s appointment.

Tongan sodomy law

Lawyer Clive Edwards said Mr Bishop’s gay lifestyle, in the eyes of the law of Tonga, was regarded as committing sodomy.

Tonga’s Criminal Act  section136 about Sodomy and bestiality says:

“Whoever shall be convicted of the crime of sodomy with another person or bestiality with any animal shall be liable at the discretion of the Court to be imprisoned for any period not exceeding ten years and such animal shall be killed by a public officer. (Substituted by Act 9 of 1987)”.

In 2016, the then-former Chief Justice Charles Cato sentenced and jailed Sione Iketau with the final 12 months being suspended after the prisoner was convicted of sodomising a child under the age of 12.

“That’s man and man living as a married couple”, Mr Edwards said of Mr Bishop in Tongan.

According to Mr Edwards, Mr Bishop, as Chief Justice, is considered a public figure, which means that he can be criticised by the public.

“He is the head of the third branch of government in Tonga,” Mr Edwards told an interview with FM87.5 Broadcom.

“He is breaching the law of Tonga”.

Mr Edwards was uncertain whether Mr Bishop could be impartial when presiding over cases involving sodomy in his capacity as a judge.

Auckland-based Tongan lawyer Nalesoni Tupou said Mr Bishop’s appointment heralded what appeared to be a transformative period for Tonga.

“Oku fakaofo e moui Foou oku oatu ehe Eiki Fakamaau Lahi he oku moui fakasotoma”, Tupou wrote in Tongan on Facebook against Mr Bishop’s LGBTQ lifestyle.

Mr Bishop could not be reached for comment.

He has 56 years of experience as a barrister, but he reportedly did not apply for the job. He said he was approached earlier this year.

According to the protocol, the king’s Judicial Panel, led by Lord Ramsay Dalgety of Scotland, selects the Chief Justice before seeking the king’s approval for the appointment.

Kaniva News was unable to reach Lord Dalgety for comment.

Mr Bishop’s appointment as LCJ is for a fixed term of four years, and although he would not reveal the salary, it was “reasonable”.

He added that he was “well outside” the statutory retirement age of 75 for judges in England and Wales (he is 80 this year), but Tonga “was not ageist”.

Christian life

After attending Ruabon Grammar School near Wrexham in Wales, he pursued theology studies at Oxford University.

More recently, he started translating the New Testament into modern English, much of which was done during Covid, and had recently published The Gospels – a lawyer’s translation from the original Greek. He said his translation of the whole of the New Testament would be published by the end of the year.

Tyre blowout sent truck through barrier in triple fatal crash on SH1

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

A truck blew a tyre, crashed through a barrier and hit a van carrying six people – along with two other cars – in collision that killed three people, police say.

The three who died in the crash on State Highway 1 in Auckland on Monday were killed on impact, Counties Manukau road policing manager, inspector Tony Wakelin, told media at a press conference on Tuesday.

They were aged 45, 37 and 32-years-old, he said.

The other three occupants in the van were taken to hospital, where a 21-year-old male remained in a critical condition and two other men aged 42 and 39-years-old had moderate injuries.

Wakelin said formal identification was continuing but those in the van were seasonal workers due to return home to Samoa later this week.

“The truck driver was treated for minor injuries and has since been discharged from hospital,” he said.

“This was a horrific crash and we’re continuing to provide support for everyone affected, including our staff who attended the scene.”

Emergency services at the scene of a horror crash on Auckland's State Highway 1 near Ramarama on 26 August 2024.

Emergency services at the scene of the crash on Auckland’s State Highway 1 near Ramarama on 26 August, 2024. Photo: SUPPLIED

“It’s indescribable … Our staff are sadly, used to attending these sorts of incidents but when it gets to this sort of magnitude and this number of people involved, the number of fatalities, and the extent of the injuries, it’s a really horrible for them to attend.”

Anyone who witnessed the crash or had videos of it on dashcams was being encouraged to get in touch with police.

“Every single element, including road factors, driver’s factor, vehicles, everything that forms the final outcome of the crash will be investigated to the nth degree and if there’s any learnings from that, or any culpability, then that’s something we’ll be bringing to our investigators,” Wakelin said.

He applauded members of the public who jumped in to help, but he was highly critical of people who had filmed the aftermath of the crash.

“I thought that was disgusting. It really was. I saw some of the footage. It was filmed before emergency services arrived,” he said.

“I say to the people who were doing that: ‘How would you feel if that was your family?”

SH1 in Auckland reopens after crash kills three

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Two victims of the fatal crash on Auckland’s State Highway 1 were young men in New Zealand as seasonal workers, Samoan media report.

Three people died in a crash and three more people are hospital, one with critical injuries.

Samoa Global News said two of the deceased had been identified by their families in Samoa and were due to return home in two days time.

Another passenger, also a seasonal worker, was among the injured. Lying in a hospital bed he was seen on a Facebook live in tears, describing the accident to his colleagues, the report said.

The stretch of SH1 where the crash happened has reopened. Lanes were closed between Bombay and Ramarama following the collision of a truck and three other vehicles shortly before 2pm on Monday.

Tamati Cassin, a motorist who arrived at the scene about 30 seconds after the crash, said he saw three bodies in a van as well as three other people with injuries.

As he approached the scene in his car, Cassin said he saw a “big dust cloud” across the motorway and the wire from a metal barrier was strewn across the lanes.

“I had to pull over and I got out of my car – I wish I didn’t now, I wish I didn’t see the bodies.

“There were several cars involved but the van was the worst and even the truck was pretty smashed up on the cab it’s a tragic, tragic accident.”

Cassin said everyone got out of their cars to try and help the injured and dead but it was “chaos” and no one was sure what to do.

“I just really feel for the driver of the truck and the people who have passed, I get to go home to my partner and kid but they won’t get to.”

Counties Manukau road policing manager Inspector Tony Wakelin confirmed all three people who died were travelling in the same vehicle.

Emergency services at the scene of a horror crash on Auckland's State Highway 1 near Ramarama on 26 August 2024.

A huge number of emergency service staff attended the crash scene. Photo: SUPPLIED

“This many fatalities at once is shocking and our thoughts go out to all those affected.

“Incidents like this are hard on everyone involved and we are making sure there is support in place for those involved, their families, and our staff who have attended the scene,” he said on Monday.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact police, especially if they have dashcam footage.

Overnight, road crews put in a temporary steel barrier on the median strip, replacing the damaged wire rope barrier.

Waka Kotahi Auckland systems manager Paul Geck told Morning Report the barrier destroyed in the crash was an older type.

“There are different types of barriers. The newer ones are definitely better at stopping trucks and vehicles and this one was more of an older type.”

Geck said he had no concerns about the integrity of the wire rope barrier.

Auckland motorway closed after serious crash at Ramarama

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

An eye witness to a multi-vehicle crash on Auckland’s State Highway 1 claims three people have died at the scene.

Police earlier said there were “multiple people” with critical injuries in the crash near Ramarama that was reported at 1.47pm on Monday and which has closed the highway in both directions.

No further information has been released by police.

Asked at today’s post-Cabinet media briefing about the accident, Tranport Minister Simeon Brown said “Obviously it’s a very tragic incident, there’s been a number of fatalities but obviously there’s an investigation and closure in place.”

Were you a witness? Email RNZ at iwitness@rnz.co.nz.

Tamati Cassin, a motorist who arrived at the scene about 30 seconds after the crash, said he saw three bodies in a van as well as three other people with injuries.

As he approached the scene in his car, Cassin said he saw a “big dust cloud” across the motorway and the wire from a metal barrier was strewn across the lanes.

A crash involving multiple cars and a truck has closed SH1. Photo: SUPPLIED

“I had to pull over and I got out of my car – I wish I didn’t now, I wish I didn’t see the bodies.

“There were several cars involved but the van was the worst and even the truck was pretty smashed up on the cab it’s a tragic, tragic accident.”

Cassin said everyone got out of their cars to try and help the injured and dead but it was “chaos” and no one was sure what to do.

“I just really feel for the driver of the truck and the people who have passed, I get to go home to my partner and kid but they won’t get to.”

He said over an hour later, he was still in traffic trying to get home to Papakura.

St John said it sent 10 vehicles to the scene, including a helicopter, at 1.45pm and treated eight patients in varying conditions.

Six patients were transferred to “various destinations” including Auckland City Hospital and Middlemore Hospital.

A crash involving multiple cars and a truck has closed SH1. Photo: SUPPLIED

Of the eight patients treated, St John said one was critical, three were moderate and four had minor injuries.

NZTA said all lanes on SH1 between Bombay and Ramarama are closed due to the significant crash.

Speaking to Checkpoint, NZTA Auckland systems manager Paul Geck said the worst case scenario would be the road remaining closed until 5am on Tuesday.

At this stage, Geck said the closure will “go into tonight” but he could not give an exact time.

Geck said there were “reasonable queues” on the motorway and traffic was slow on the detour route through Great South Road.

He said parents should still be able to get to local schools but there would be “significant delays”.

Geck said people should check NZTA’s social media updates and travel times before they travelled – and plan to delay travelling both north and south in the area if possible.

A livestream video from the scene of the crash showed a van and a car which appeared to be badly damaged, along with a truck which was off the side of the motorway.

A crowd of people could be seen helping those involved in the crash, and giving first aid to a person lying on the ground.

There was debris strewn across all four lanes.

Those travelling south will be diverted at Ararimu Road, Ramarama and northbound motorists will be diverted at Mill Road, Bombay.

People should expect delays.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

More to come…

All Blacks to play Springboks in daylight amid safety fears in Johannesburg

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Jamie Wall, in Johannesburg

Ellis Park has a fearsome reputation as a hostile environment and intimidating stadium. And that’s just for the spectators, given that the 94-year-old venue sits in the middle of a city synonymous with crime. The Doornfontein suburb where Ellis Park sits is no exception to the challenges the city faces.

It’s why games there kick off in the afternoon, rather than at night, so fans don’t have to leave the area once it’s dark.

However, things are changing in Johannesburg. A new rail link connects Ellis Park (known officially as Emirates Airlines Stadium for sponsorship purposes) with the rest of the city, with two local train services joining forces to ensure fans can go to and from the game safely. On Sunday those services organised a trip for media on the link, which ended with a walk on the famous stadium’s pristine playing surface.

“The city of Johannesburg has grappled with the issues of safety for the longest of times,” former mayor and local government representative Kabelo Gwamanda said.

“Safety is our main concern, so that our patrons can enjoy the game without having any other worries. We have ensured with local law enforcement that we will mitigate any form of threats that will be associated with the game.

“Having a game of this magnitude, we can expect it will attract the wrong kinds of element. So in our state of readiness those are some of the critical issues we needed to address…so that our patrons can enjoy the game without the worry of being mugged.”

It is strangely refreshing to hear a politician be so upfront about crime, but really Gwamanda can’t downplay the 2500 homicides that happen in Johannesburg every year. For context: that’s double the entire homicide total of New Zealand this century.

Sam Cane lifting the Freedom Cup after beating the Springboks at Ellis Park, 2022.

Sam Cane lifting the Freedom Cup after beating the Springboks at Ellis Park, 2022. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Still, the rail link is a positive step for the area. Hishaam Emeran, chief executive of the Passenger Rail Agency South Africa, proudly boasted that train wi-fi networks were on the cards as people didn’t feel as worried about being on the phones or tablets while commuting.

Many on the government-organised trip on the link said it was quite incredible that this level of cooperation had been achieved, and it gave hope for future infrastructure projects in Johannesburg.

“It is always an opportunity for the city to showcase our improvement. For a long time we’ve had challenges, but as we improve it’s important to demonstrate that we have world class events,” Gwamada said.

Ellis Park chief executive George Stainton, who first took over the job from the colourful and controversial Louis Luyt, said the stadium was a special place.

“Ellis Park has a reputation for not being the safest and Kiwis have concerns about that – which is totally understandable,” said Stainton, after pointing out the spot where Joel Stransky kicked his famous winning drop goal in the 1995 World Cup final.

“We’ve worked on the transport side…it’s seamless so in any of the areas you can come to within 100 metres of the stadium entrance.”

There are around 100 All Black fans who have travelled over for the test match this weekend, all staying in the relatively safe Sandton area to the north of the city. Many of them are finding out the hard way that paying for goods in cash is a quick way to annoy a bartender or shopkeeper, who simply don’t want to carry rand notes around with them for fear of being robbed.

Stainton hopes that the 62,000 fans who will descend on Ellis Park for the test will get there early, especially the All Black fans who will experience Ellis Park for the first time.

“In South Africa braais are a must. Out on the Ellis Park outer fields there’s food, music, stuff for the kids, everything has been sorted out for the entertainment experience. It’s amazing, I was very fortunate to be here for the World Cup final in 1995. It’s electric, when you hear the South African national anthem, it really lifts everything up.”

As for the game itself? Unsurprisingly both the stadium chief executive and former mayor of the city are picking a Springbok victory.

Springboks v All Blacks

Kick-off: 3am Sunday 1 September (NZT)

Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport

Earthquake 6.9 rattles opening day of Pacific leaders’ summit in Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
-

UPDATED: A 6.9-magnitude earthquake rattled Tonga, with residents on Tongatapu, where the Pacific Forum leaders’ meeting is taking place, reporting that they felt it.

There is no tsunami threat after the quake struck at around 12.40pm Tongan time.

Tonga Met Services said the earthquake struck at 20km south of Tonga’s ‘Uiha, Ha’apai at depth of 124km.

There have been no reports of damage or injuries.

Reports on social media said it was “quite a sharp jolt” and long.

There was concern about the tsunami siren not being activated. This concern stemmed from a comparison between today’s 6.9 magnitude earthquake and the 6.7 magnitude earthquake in May, which resulted in a tsunami alert being triggered after the tsunami sirens sounded throughout Tongatapu.

“The above magnitude is provisional and may be increased or decreased as more seismic data becomes available”, Met said.

The news comes after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattles large parts of NSW, Australia.

Thousands of people have reported feeling an earthquake over an area spanning hundreds of kilometres from south of Sydney to the NSW mid-north coast.

The 4.8 magnitude quake hit Denman, around three hours north of Sydney in the upper Hunter region, at 12.02pm on Friday (local time).

More than 2000 people had reported feeling tremors in the following hour, including many residents more than 200km away in Sydney.

Heavy rain dumps on Tonga sparking concerns of potential flooding at the housing areas for Pacific leaders

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Tonga is currently being hit by heavy rain, raising fears of catastrophic floods at housing areas recently built for leaders and guests who are currently attending the Pacific Forum meeting in Nuku’alofa.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had the honour of meeting with the Honourable Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku during his inaugural visit to Tonga. Photo/PM Office

The meeting was kicked off in Nuku’alofa yesterday with church service.

Leaders from 18 countries including the USA and Taiwan were expected to discuss concerning issues, including unrest in New Caledonia, climate change, and growing geopolitical rivalries in the blue continent. These issues are likely to weigh on leaders across the PIFLM program, which climaxes on Thursday at the leaders’ retreat.

In his opening remark this morning the UN Secretary General António Guterres said he was glad to address the Pacific Islands Forum.

“We meet at a turbulent time for our world”, Mr Guterres  said.

“Raging conflicts; an escalating climate crisis; inequalities and injustices everywhere and the 2030 Agenda is faltering.

“But this region is a beacon of solidarity and strength, environmental stewardship and peace.

The world has much to learn from the Pacific and the world must also step up to support your initiatives”.

Potential flooding

Tonga Met Services said flood and flash flood warnings and alerts are also in place, including a warning for all flash flood-prone areas, small streams and low-lying areas for the whole of the Tonga group.

Some schools on Tongatapu were closed this morning due to adverse weather that has affected these areas.

The severe weather continued this morning from last night, creating ongoing difficulties at the summit and raising concerns about potential flooding in the swampy areas at Pātanga and Sopu. These areas at the Nuku’alofa waterfront, designated for the accommodation of 90 newly constructed prefabricated houses for the leaders and their staff, are particularly susceptible to inundation.

Reports on social media since this morning indicated that Tongatapu residents are worried about potential flooding in the two villages.

Tongan Met Services said an active trough of low pressure from the west was approaching Tonga this morning.

Associating clouds with heavy occasional rain, strong gusty winds, and thunderstorms will affect the group until tomorrow noon, it said.

This system is expected to move eastward and away from Tonga by tomorrow.

Revealed: Politically charged tobacco policy document that NZ First Minister Casey Costello tried to hide

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Guyon Espiner of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

A politically charged document arguing for tobacco tax cuts was sent to health officials by a NZ First minister – even though she says she has no idea who wrote it or how it ended up in her office.

Associate Health Minister and NZ First MP Casey Costello in front of screenshots of notes sent from her office.

Casey Costello says she does not know who wrote, or how she even got, a politically charged document about tobacco policy which she sent to health officials with instructions. Photo: RNZ

In December 2023, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello gave health officials the document which claimed “nicotine is as harmful as caffeine” and argued Labour’s smokefree generation policy was “nanny state nonsense”.

Earlier this year, Costello denied the document existed. Now, she has released it with parts redacted even though she says she does not know who wrote it.

Costello has consistently said she has had nothing to do with the tobacco industry.

Labour’s health spokeswoman, Ayesha Verrall, said Costello’s actions gave the opposite impression.

“Surely a bit of transparency would help the minister. But instead, she’s hidden documents, claimed not to know where they came from, [and] misrepresented them in Parliament. That’s not the behaviour of a minister who has got nothing to hide.”

Read more: RNZ’s analysis of the parallels between the document Casey Costello sent to Ministry of Health officials and language used by the tobacco industry

The document that wasn’t, until it was

In December 2023, RNZ asked the newly appointed minister Costello to release all documents relating to tobacco and vaping policy under the Official Information Act. She refused to hand over any information at all.

RNZ had been leaked a document on tobacco policy that her office had sent to health officials which was highly political in tone and content. It described the previous Labour government’s smokefree policies as “ideological nonsense that no other country had been stupid enough to implement” and said New Zealanders were “guinea pigs in their radical policy experiment”.

In February, Verrall asked in a written parliamentary question who wrote the document, and Costello responded: “There was no specific document written. A range of information was provided to officials, including material like Hansard reports, the Coalition Agreement and previous NZ First policy positions.”

RNZ sought an investigation by the Chief Ombudsman who ruled Costello had acted “contrary to law” in withholding the information and forced her to apologise and release the documents.

Costello now acknowledges the document existed but says she does not know who wrote it – only that the author does not work in her office.

“The document you have referred to was not generated or collated by any members of my office and was only received as a hard copy on December 6,” she wrote in response to RNZ’s OIA request.

She said she still did not know who wrote the document or even who gave it to her.

RNZ also asked Costello whether she could rule out tobacco industry involvement in the mystery document if she did not know its author, and also why she would give a document to officials without knowing its origin.

She did not address specific questions but said she had no links to the tobacco industry and no involvement with it.

Verrall said that given the significance of the document, it was implausible Costello did not know its origin.

“I don’t think it’s the sort of thing that you can credibly say you don’t know where it came from,” she said.

“This lady’s past career was as a detective. I don’t see how the New Zealand public can reasonably be expected to believe something as tenuous as that.”

Screenshots of notes sent from the office of new Associate Health Minister and NZ First MP Casey Costello

Photo: RNZ

What Costello hid from the public in the mystery document

While Costello released the document with parts of it hidden, RNZ has the original, unredacted document and so can compare the versions.

The redactions in the documents released under the OIA by Costello included censoring all the material pushing for tobacco tax cuts and the claims that nicotine is no more harmful than caffeine and that the last government’s policy was “nanny state nonsense”.

It argued strongly for tax cuts for Heated Tobacco Products – although this too was redacted.

“Smokeless tobacco is a vaping product, it does not combust and should not be taxed like combustible cigarettes, but instead like other vaping products that are not subject to excise,” the original document said.

“Giving up smoking should also mean giving up paying huge excise taxes. Excise tax is a tool to discourage use, we want to encourage smokers to use these products and one of the best ways to do that is to make it cheaper than cigarettes.”

Costello recently cut the excise tax on HTPs by 50 percent and set aside a contingency fund of $216 million to cover the tobacco tax cuts.

She did this despite health officials saying there was no strong evidence either that they worked as a smoking cessation tool or that they were significantly safer than cigarettes.

Ministers have to cite specific grounds for withholding information. Costello said redactions were made under a clause of the OIA which protects the “confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials”.

Costello’s office did not address questions from RNZ about how she could use this clause if she did not know who wrote the document.

Gov’t criticised after celebrating new housing for Pacific Leaders while Hungas’ Tsunami survivors still waiting for new homes

By
Kalino Latu
-

The government faces criticisms after commemorating the completion of its new housing project for Pacific leaders meeting while survivors of Hungas’ tsunami were still waiting for their new homes.

Several dozen tsunami survivors on Tonga’s outer islands of Nomuka and Fonoifua are still living in temporary shelters almost three years after the devastating January 2022 tsunami washed away their homes.

Unfinished houses and building materials abandoned on the island of Nomuka. Photos/ Samuela ‘Akilisi Pōhiva Jr.

A plan to build nearly 50 permanent houses for the islands has crept behind several deadlines.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano’s catastrophic eruption triggered tsunami waves as high as 15 meters, hitting Tongatapu, Eua, and Ha’apai. Significant damage occurred in Ha’apai’s island of Tungua, and two minor injuries were reported there. Two people died from the tsunami, one on Nomuka Island and the other on Mango.

We have previously reported a number of problems with the recovery housing projects for tsunami survivors on Nomuka Island including ‘Atatā Si’i. In the Nomuka report, we said that unfinished houses and abandoned construction materials were left scattered in open areas on the island, which raised concerns about wasted, costly materials that may never be used for their intended purpose.

Our report came after the Ministry of Infrastructure announced the beginning of the building of houses for the Nomuka tsunami survivors in September 2023.

Housing project for Pacific Leaders

The government swiftly constructed about 150 prefab houses in different locations on Tonga’s Tongatapu main island to accommodate about 1000 guests who joined the meeting in Nuku’alofa this week. The construction began in May of this year and was completed last week, in just three months. The action stands in stark contrast to the delayed housing projects for the tsunami survivors.

In its report on July 26, the Ministry of Infrastructure attributed the success of the housing projects for the Pacific Forum meeting to their ability to swiftly adapt and anticipate challenges, likening it to the Tongan idiom “lele ‘i matangi” (running before the wind).

It said that it was building 16 new prefab houses at Vaha’akolo Road, 40 at Kausela Road, Kolofo’ou, 60 at Pātangata and 30 at Sopu.

The houses at Pātangata were officially launched on Saturday, 17 August by HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala who unveiled a plaque, revealing the name for the project as Niu Lodge.

The swift address of the urgent housing needs for the Pacific Leaders, while some of the housing for tsunami survivors remained unresolved for years, has raised questions about the government’s priorities.

Grassroot level needs

Samuela Akilisi Pohiva Jr, the son of former Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva, has publicly criticized the government leaders for what he described as disregard for the diligent citizens who contribute taxes to fund governmental expenses.

He said that the government’s handling of the two housing projects using different care approaches demonstrated how Tongan society is hierarchically classified.

Pōhiva said in Tongan, “The leaders were always slow to address the needs of people at the grassroots level whose duty was to pay the taxes and fund most of the government budgets.

“On the other hand, they were very quick to address any needs of the aristocracy and the rich”.

Completed housing projects

Last month, the government and residents of Tungua island celebrated the handover of keys to 17 new houses under the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Recovery Project.

60 new prefab houses built for the Pacific Forum Leaders meeting. Photo/Tonga Government

In its update on April 30, 2024, the Ministry of Infrastructure said 17 new houses were being built at Atatā Si‘i for the tsunami survivors.

That comes on top of new houses built for twenty-two displaced families from the same island in December 2023.

A new town Hall for the village was under construction and the survivors were still using tents for their Sunday church services

In its most recent update on July 31, the Ministry reported that the 14 houses currently under construction for the Mango tsunami survivors at Tā’anga, ‘Eua, are still incomplete. Some houses have yet to have walls erected, it said.

Lack of transparency

The government’s handling of the housing project for the tsunami survivors had been marred by politics and lack of transparency.

As Kaniva News reported, the MP for Atatā, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, previously accused the Minister of Infrastructure and his staff of failing to give the public correct information about the tsunami construction works.

Dr Eke’s claim came in the wake of the relocation of the ‘Atatā tsunami victims from a hall at Kolomotu’a to the newly created village of ‘Atatā Si’i towards the end of last year, more than a year after the tsunami struck.

We reported that the survivors were told to move into tents at Atatā Si’i just as the cyclone season began.

They do not have bathrooms and toilets. They were told by the government to share the ‘Atatā Si’i’s residents’ bathrooms and toilets.

Following our report, the Ministry said on its Facebook page this week that it had shown (“fakanofonofo”) the victims who had been living in the hall at Kolomotu’a their new homes at ‘Atatā Si’i. However, it did not say that these people were living in tents, and they were told to share toilets and bathrooms with people who first settled at ‘Atatā Si’i.

It also said the Ministry of Lands and Survey, together with the estate holder’s agent, were still working on land for the recently relocated victims, implying there would be no construction on these lands until the Ministry finalised the question of ownership of the land.

Dr Eke said the tsunami reconstruction was slow because local construction contractors were disappointed with the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Sevenitiini Toumo’ua. 

He said the contractors were unhappy after Hon. Toumo’ua fixed the contract for each new house at what was claimed to be an undervalued price.

He said these contractors submitted a petition to the Parliament before a Parliamentary committee was selected to work on it. The Select Committee members included Dr Eke, Hon. Toumo’ua, MP Tevita Puloka and MP Lord Tu’ivakanō.

Dr Eke said Hon. Toumo’ua was uncooperative and failed to provide important information from his Ministry to the committee.  

He said the Minister refused to provide the Ministry’s bill of quantity so that the Committee could compare it with the contractors’ costs and estimate.

Dr Eke said the Ministry should have reimbursed the companies.

“The Ministry, especially the Minister, had been underperforming (“ta’efakafiemālie”) in handling the tsunami construction project”, Dr Eke said.

“The information they released to the public was not reliable.

He said the construction should have been conducted without delays.

“There was enough fund donated by from overseas donors for the construction and there is TP$95 million of government’s cash reserve funds”, he told Kaniva News.

“There are funds for other various projects that could be postponed and redirected them for the housing construction.

“There is enough money, but the construction works are slow for various reasons”.

Kaniva News contacted the Ministry of Infrastructure for comment.

Pacific leaders have ‘incredibly crowded’ agenda at Tonga summit, as locals welcome much-needed economic boost

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By Lydia Lewis of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Handy craft stall owners in Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa are hoping that the economic activity generated by delegates attending the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Summit (PIFLM53) this week will boost their incomes, as ordinary Tongans continue with their daily grind to recover from the impacts of the 2022 earthquake and tsunami.

Tonga handicraft on display.

Tonga handicraft on display. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

More than 1000 people are heading to the Kingdom for the annual event, where 18 Pacific leaders come together each year to make big decisions as a Pacific family.

Issues to be talked about a numerous, including the climate crisis, the ongoing crisis in New Caledonia, United States territories America Samoa and Guam’s bids to become associate members, the seasonal worker brain drain, freer travel around the Pacific, making it easier for Pacific island nations to access climate finance to prepare for disaster, human rights issues in Indonesia’s West Papua, deep sea mining, and an update on PIF regional architecture.

But for locals, Tonga hosting the summit means it offers a much-needed cash injection to the nation, which is still recovering from the Hunga-Tonga Hunga Ha’apai eruption and tsunami.

Linda Vahai Alatini, 49, who was taught how to make taʻovala, fine Tongan mat worn around the waste, by her great grandmother, now teaches her children and sells goods at Nuku’alofa’s Talamahu Market.

Alatini, who spoke to RNZ Pacific with Amelia Taufa, 65, said they were looking forward to sharing her art with the PIFM53 guests.

Tonga handicraft on display.

Tonga handicraft on display. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

But Alatini said she also wanted to remind Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni – incoming PIF chair – to make decisions in the interests his people.

“We want the government to help us here in the market”, she said, adding “we make our own handicraft here so [the government needs to] pick us to go and sell” the locally made products when they attend overseas expos to promote Tonga.

Another vendor, Betsy Lori – a single mum of eight works six days a week at the market to support her children in higher education.

She sells kiekie, a traditional Tongan garment worn by women made out of plant fibres from pandanus, hibiscus and coconut.

She said the busiest time for her small business to “make a big income” was December during Christmas holidays when Tongans overseas send money back home to their families, and while she did not know the nitty-gritty of what PIFL53 is about, she hopes the influx of guests will boost profits.

Tonga PM, Hu'akavameiliku, middle in red, with the FSM, left, and Nauru, right, presidents.

Bety Lori at the Talamahu Market. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

“It’s so tough to stay here in Tonga. So, we were so happy to see [delegates] here…because when they will spend money, and you know help our economy.”

When asked what changes Pacific leaders could make to support Tongans, Lori said visa free travel would ease the burden greatly.

She said she has spent a lot of money and time applying for visas to Australia, New Zealand, and the US.

Several Pacific leaders are already in Tonga, while other will be arriving tonight in the coming days. Among the high-level attendees are also the United National secretary-general Antonio Guterres and the Commonwealth Secretariat head Patricia Scotland.

New Zealand is sending three delegates to the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Week.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti will attend the first half of the week, with prime minister Christopher Luxon attending the second half.

Peters said New Zealand’s high-level participation in Leaders’ Week reflects the importance the government places upon deepening its relationships in the region.

Tonga handicraft on display.

Tonga handicraft on display. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

‘Incredibly crowded’ summit

A Pacific politics says regional leaders will have their dance cards full at the Forum.

Massey University security studies associate professor Anna Powles told RNZ Pacific this year will be the first time since the pandemic that dialogue partners, like the US and China, get to meet face to face with PIF leaders.

“It’s going to be incredibly crowded, busy meeting.” -Massey University’s Anna Powles duration8′ :24″ 

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“It’s going to be incredibly crowded, busy meeting.” -Massey University’s Anna Powles

She said: “It’s going to be incredibly crowded, busy meeting”.

But top of the agenda will be the ongoing unrest in New Caledonia, she said.

“It will certainly be an issue that will be discussed in terms of how to plan forward and the role of the forum moving forward, with respect to New Caledonia,” she said.

“It is also an opportunity for the New Caledonian government delegation to talk about the issues with forum members without France in the room.”

Powles said other big-ticket items for the meeting will be Japan’s Fukushima treated nuclear wastewater release and climate change, with Guterres expected to make an appearance, the review of the regional architecture and the Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s ‘zone of peace’ proposal.

She said the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty was expected to be a talking point, “but that’s likely to be low key at this stage, whilst there’s broader consultation and support being built for it”.

Griffith Asia Institute’s Pacific lead, Tess Newton Cain said it will be interesting to what the leaders decide on the Guam and American Samoa’s associated membership bid.

She said the PIF regional architecture is under review and that includes the its membership structure.

“It would be a very bad look, diplomatically, if they were to allow [Guam and American Samoa] to become associate members and then in a couple of years and say, ‘oh, we’ve changed the rules now and you no longer qualify’,” Tess Newton-Cain told RNZ Pacific.

The meeting officially starts on Monday.

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