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Death of man found in Rotorua natural hot pool prompts safety fears, tributes

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Kelly Makiha of Rotorua Daily Posts. This story appeared on the New Zealand Herald.

Friends say it was not uncommon for Tui Siufanga to end the day with a warm soak in a natural hot pool at Rotorua’s Sulphur Point.

Tui Siufanga died in an area on Hatupatu Drive, Rotorua. Photo / Facebook

His constant companion, a pet dog he adored, was usually not too far away.

Two weeks ago, Siufanga was found dead in the area.

The Rotorua Daily Post understands the man, who has been described as a “quiet bloke” known to sleep rough at times, was found in a hot pool.

In response to Rotorua Daily Post questions, a police media spokesperson would not reveal details about the circumstances of Siufanga’s death other than to say he was found dead in an area on Hatupatu Drive in central Rotorua about 10am on May 11.

The spokesperson said the death was not suspicious and any details would be revealed as part of a coroner’s finding.

Siufanga’s death has sparked concern among those who knew him about the potential dangers of people ignoring warnings and continuing to soak in the natural hot pools at Sulphur Point.

It is the same area where another Rotorua man, James Taikato, was found dead in November 2020.

A coroner ruled Taikato’s death was caused by accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning, not drowning.

Coroner Louella Dunn recommended in her finding on Taikato’s death, released last year, additional signage should be erected in the area that included the danger of bathing alone and that high levels of hydrogen sulphide inhalation could cause fatigue, dizziness, delirium, nausea, loss of consciousness and death.

She said in her finding hydrogen sulphide was a colourless gas and it might irritate eyes and the respiratory system.

Dunn said it was clear inhaling high quantities could produce rapid unconsciousness and ultimately death.

‘It’s a nice, warm spot’

News of Siufanga’s death has saddened a former rough sleeper and those who work with homeless people in Rotorua. They have paid tribute to Siufanga, saying he was a “loner” who liked to ride his bike and hang out with his dog.

Percy Poharama, who helps feed those in need five nights a week from the Papatuanuku Support Services site on Hinemoa St, said Siufanga often used the same pool as Taikato did because rough sleepers considered it the spot to go.

“But the pool turns and becomes toxic. But they don’t worry, they sit in there and have a few ales. These guys haven’t got much. Going down and having a soak is as good as it gets. It’s a nice, warm spot.”

Poharama said Siufanga was known for always having his dog with him and being on his bike. He said sometimes he would use his dog as a “tow engine” by putting a rope on his handlebars and getting the dog, which similar in breed to an Alsatian or German shepherd, to pull him along.

“Tui was a real quiet bloke. We used to talk a lot in general about his life … He kept to himself. Butter was his favourite thing … He would come in and I would grab him some butter because we know how expensive that is.”

A former “streetie”, who did not want to be named because he was now in housing, said he knew Siufanga because he used to stay nearby at EJ’s Dormitel on Victoria St. He said Siufanga would take his dog everywhere.

Discover more

“I invited him back here a few times to drink with me but nah, he always just went back home. I even offered him a sesh [to join him to smoke cannabis] heaps of times but he don’t smoke the green. Anyone would think he did with those big fat natty locks of his. To me he always seemed cool and mellow and just always doing his own thing.”

The former streetie said he understood Siufanga kept getting into trouble because his dog was unregistered and he reluctantly gave his dog to a family member for a period.

“Poor fellow was rolling by himself for a few months until he turned up at the Bottle-O one night with his kuri [dog]. I said ‘oh, chur brother you finally got him back’.”

The former streetie said he was unsure if that meant Siufanga had got the dog registered.

A police spokesman said next of kin had been advised of Siufanga’s death and the dog had been uplifted by Rotorua Animal Control.

The Rotorua Daily Post has attempted to reach Siufanga’s family for comment.

A Rotorua homeless man, who said he did not want his name published, said he knew Siufanga and his death was sad.

“I always saw him around with his dog.”

He said he and others on the streets had been talking about him and they had heard he had died in a hot pool.

EJ’s Dormitel owner Emilyn Dubouzet told the Rotorua Daily Post that Siufanga had lived at her complex as a tenant but she could not remember when and for how long.

She said he had his dog in his room, even though he was not supposed to.

“He could be a handful but he was okay. It’s supposed to be no dogs here. You just navigate with whatever you can and you learn to make the most of the situation.

“I try to give them love and care. That is what they need.”

What the council says

Rotorua Lakes Council community and district development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston said in response to Rotorua Daily Post questions Safe City Guardians regularly patrolled inner city geothermal parks and reserves.

Recent work completed in the Sulphur Point area included new walkways and bridges, as well as additional and replacement fencing built – including in the area where the death occurred, Gaston said.

“The pathway running past this area is fenced on both sides and there is signage warning people to stay on the path and of the specific risks of geothermal features.”

Gaston urged anyone who saw people within fenced areas, or in pools in parks and reserves, to contact the council immediately.

He said if guardians saw people sleeping rough they advised about the dangers associated with active geothermal areas and offered to help connect them to support services.

“People found camping in public parks and reserves that are not designated for this can be trespassed but that’s a last resort. If advised they could be trespassed most leave of their own accord but some will still eventually return.”

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines, sources say

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Osborn (Reuters)

MOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters, saying he is prepared to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond.

Three of the sources, familiar with discussions in Putin’s entourage, said the veteran Russian leader had expressed frustration to a small group of advisers about what he views as Western-backed attempts to stymie negotiations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decision to rule out talks.

“Putin can fight for as long as it takes, but Putin is also ready for a ceasefire – to freeze the war,” said another of the four, a senior Russian source who has worked with Putin and has knowledge of top level conversations in the Kremlin.

He, like the others cited in this story, spoke on condition of anonymity given the matter’s sensitivity.

For this account, Reuters spoke to a total of five people who work with or have worked with Putin at a senior level in the political and business worlds. The fifth source did not comment on freezing the war at the current frontlines.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in response to a request for comment, said the Kremlin chief had repeatedly made clear Russia was open to dialogue to achieve its goals, saying the country did not want “eternal war.”

Ukraine’s foreign and defence ministries did not respond to questions.

The appointment last week of economist Andrei Belousov as Russia’s defence minister was seen by some Western military and political analysts as placing the Russian economy on a permanent war footing in order to win a protracted conflict.

It followed sustained battlefield pressure and territorial advances by Russia in recent weeks.

However, the sources said that Putin, re-elected in March for a new six-year term, would rather use Russia’s current momentum to put the war behind him. They did not directly comment on the new defence minister.

Based on their knowledge of conversations in the upper ranks of the Kremlin, two of the sources said Putin was of the view that gains in the war so far were enough to sell a victory to the Russian people.

Europe’s biggest ground conflict since World War Two has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides and led to sweeping Western sanctions on Russia’s economy.

Three sources said Putin understood any dramatic new advances would require another nationwide mobilisation, which he didn’t want, with one source, who knows the Russian president, saying his popularity dipped after the first mobilisation in September 2022.

The national call up spooked part of the population in Russia, triggering hundreds of thousands of draft age men to leave the country. Polls showed Putin’s popularity falling by several points.

Peskov said Russia had no need for mobilisation and was instead recruiting volunteer contractors to the armed forces.

The prospect of a ceasefire, or even peace talks, currently seems remote.

Zelenskiy has repeatedly said peace on Putin’s terms is a non-starter. He has vowed to retake lost territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. He signed a decree in 2022 that formally declared any talks with Putin “impossible.”

One of the sources predicted no agreement could happen while Zelenskiy was in power, unless Russia bypassed him and struck a deal with Washington. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Kyiv last week, told reporters he did not believe Putin was interested in serious negotiations.

SWISS TALKS

Ukraine is preparing for talks hosted by Switzerland next month aimed at unifying international opinion on how to end the war. The talks were convened at the initiative of Zelenskiy who has said Putin should not attend. Switzerland has not invited Russia.

Moscow has said the talks are not credible without it being there. Ukraine and Switzerland want Russian allies including China to attend.

Speaking in China on May 17, Putin said Ukraine may use the Swiss talks to get a broader group of countries to back Zelenskiy’s demand for a total Russian withdrawal, which Putin said would be an imposed condition rather than a serious peace negotiation.

The Swiss foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“We are ready for discussion. We never refused,” Putin said in China.

The Kremlin says it does not comment on the progress of what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine, but has repeatedly said Moscow is open to the idea of talks based on “the new realities on the ground.”

In response to questions for this story, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said any initiative for peace must respect Ukraine’s “territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders” and described Russia as the sole obstacle to peace in Ukraine.

“The Kremlin has yet to demonstrate any meaningful interest in ending its war, quite the opposite,” the spokesperson said.

In the past, Kyiv has dismissed Russia’s purported readiness to talk as an attempt to shift the blame onto it for the war.

Kyiv says Putin, whose team repeatedly denied he was planning a war before invading Ukraine in 2022, cannot be trusted to honour any deal.

Both Russia and Ukraine have also said they fear the other side would use any ceasefire to re-arm.

Kyiv and its Western backers are banking on a $61 billion U.S. aid package and additional European military aid to reverse what Zelenskiy described to Reuters this week as “one of the most difficult moments” of the full scale war.

As well as shortages of ammunition after U.S. delays in approving the package, Ukraine has admitted it is struggling to recruit enough troops and last month lowered the age for men who can be drafted to 25 from 27.

TERRITORY

Putin’s insistence on locking in any battlefield gains in a deal is non-negotiable, all of the sources suggested.

Putin would, however, be ready to settle for what land he has now and freeze the conflict at the current front lines, four of the sources said.

“Putin will say that we won, that NATO attacked us and we kept our sovereignty, that we have a land corridor to Crimea, which is true,” one of them said, giving their own analysis.

Freezing the conflict along current lines would leave Russia in possession of substantial chunks of four Ukrainian regions he formally incorporated into Russia in September 2022, but without full control of any of them.

Such an arrangement would fall short of the goals Moscow set for itself at the time, when it said the four of Ukraine’s regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson – now belonged to it in their entirety.

Peskov said that there could be no question of handing back the four regions which were now permanently part of Russia according to its own constitution.

Another factor playing into the Kremlin chief’s view that the war should end is that the longer it drags on, the more battle-hardened veterans return to Russia, dissatisfied with post-war job and income prospects, potentially creating tensions in society, said one of the sources, who has worked with Putin.

‘RUSSIA WILL PUSH FURTHER’

In February, three Russian sources told Reuters the United States rejected a previous Putin suggestion of a ceasefire to freeze the war.

In the absence of a ceasefire, Putin wants to take as much territory as possible to ratchet up pressure on Ukraine while seeking to exploit unexpected opportunities to acquire more, three of the sources said.

Russian forces control around 18% of Ukraine and this month thrust into the northeastern region of Kharkiv.

Putin is counting on Russia’s large population compared to Ukraine to sustain superior manpower even without a mobilisation, bolstered by unusually generous pay packets for those who sign up.

“Russia will push further,” the source who has worked with Putin said.

Putin will slowly conquer territories until Zelenskiy comes up with an offer to stop, the person said, saying the Russian leader had expressed the view to aides that the West would not provide enough weapons, sapping Ukraine’s morale.

U.S. and European leaders have said they will stand by Ukraine until its security sovereignty is guaranteed. NATO countries and allies say they are trying to accelerate deliveries of weapons.

“Russia could end the war at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine, instead of continuing to launch brutal attacks against Ukraine’s cities, ports, and people every day,” the State Department said in response to a question about weapons supplies.

All five sources said Putin had told advisers he had no designs on NATO territory, reflecting his public comments on the matter. Two of the sources cited Russian concerns about the growing danger of escalation with the West, including nuclear escalation, over the Ukraine standoff.

The State Department said the United States had not adjusted its nuclear posture, nor seen any sign that Russia was preparing to use a nuclear weapon.

“We continue to monitor the strategic environment and remain ready,” the spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Andrew Osborn in London; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)

China starts ‘punishment’ drills around Taiwan days after new president takes office

By
Kaniva Staff
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China’s military started two days of “punishment” drills around Taiwan on Thursday in what it said was a response to “separatist acts”, just days after new Taiwan President Lai Ching-te took office and called on Beijing to cease its threats.

New Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, center, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, right, and former President Tsai Ing-wen wave during Lai’s inauguration ceremonies in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday 20 May 2024. Photo: AP / Chiang Ying-ying

China detests Lai, saying he is a “separatist”, and it has denounced his inauguration speech on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week called Lai “disgraceful”.

Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future, and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

The Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it had started joint military drills, involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force, in areas around Taiwan at 7.45 am (local time).

The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, the north, south and east of Taiwan, as well as areas around the Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin, the command said in a statement.

There was no immediate comment from Taiwan’s government.

The drills focus on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, precision strikes on key targets, and integrated operations inside and outside the island chain to test the “joint real combat capabilities” of the forces, China’s military said.

“This is also a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces,” the command added.

In August 2022, China launched live-fire military exercises around Taiwan immediately after a visit, much condemned by Beijing, by former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

That series of exercises, the scale of which was unprecedented, lasted for four days, followed by several days of additional drills.

– Reuters

Tonga Development Bank CEO allegedly steps down amid dispute with company over loan for prior project: Reports

By
Kalino Latu
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‘Emeline Tuita has allegedly stepped down as chief executive of Tonga Development Bank (TDB), according to reports.

‘Emeline Tuita

Several local online news outlets and social media sources ran the news citing various sources.

RTTI Livestream news programme, citing unidentified TDB sources and BroadCom FM87.5 Broadcasting , reported a decision by TDB top authorities to stand down Tuita along with its Chairman.

A report by Tonga Independent, citing reliable sources, claimed Tuita and TDB board Chairman Peni Vea had been stood down.

Kaniva News contacted Tuita for comment.

In 2013, Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) reportedly terminated Tuita’s  probation period with the union and to be effective immediately.

TRU in its resolution to cease Tuita’s probationary term said her recruitment did not follow the proper procedure.

In 2018, Tuita’s contract with the Ministry of Tourism as chief executive was terminated amid allegations of misconduct, abuse of power and disobedience in the Ministry.

As Kaniva News reported at the time, strife between the Minister Sēmisi Sika and Tuita during the hosting of the Mate Ma’a Tonga team while they visited Tonga after the 2017 World Cup was also revealed.

Tuita was also accused of using her ministerial position to benefit her own private business.

We contacted Tuita at the time for comment.

READ MORE:

The latest allegation comes in the wake of speculation and controversy surrounding a proposal to construct a luxury centre on royal land  in Tonga.

Latest twist

It has been claimed that a proposal was first raised last year by the Low Company, which sought funding from the TDB.  However, the owners of the Cost Low supermarket are in now dispute with the TDB since the project at the king’s estate in Tufumāhina, has apparently stalled.

Now the TDB has announced the construction of a luxury resort on royal land at Polata’ane. It did not say who was going to construct the project, but the TDB appears to be claiming credit for the project.

According to a report by the Tongan Independent the Cost Low Company has filed an application for an Injunction on a Mortgage Notice issued by TDB.

The dispute appears to date from a meeting in March last year between TBC CEO Emeline Tuita and the head of Royco Group, owners of Cost Low, Charlotte Cocker Tu’i’ile’ila. Cost Low had secured a government construction contract in Tufumāhina. It is understood Cocker wanted to refinance Cost Low, requiring financial support from TDB.

The Independent reported that the proposal involved merging the Royco Group’s debts into a new entity for the project with the bank owning 80% and Cost Low owning 20% to clear Costlow’s debts. The Independent said the decision was officially confirmed in a letter from TDB’s CEO to Royco Group’s directors on March 20.

On March 26, TDB invested $2.184 million into Cost Low. However, on March 27, an unexpected delay occurred when Mrs. Cocker’s accountant came to execute share transfer documents for the new SPV. There was still no progress by April.

Cocker claimed there had been a serious breach of confidentiality related to Cost Low’s banking affairs. She claimed a third party has been making enquiries regarding the contract held by Cost Low.

Cost Low’s legal representative sent letters to the Reserve Bank on April 12, alerting them to the confidentiality breach.

The independent claimed there had been no official response, but on August 8 the Development Bank issued a Mortgage Notice, alleging defaults on securities and saying it intended to take possession of Cost Low’s property.

An internal National Reserve Bank of Tonga document  seen by Kaniva News appears to show it was concerned at the amount of the TDB’s exposure to debt totalling $TP6.6 million through the Cost Low loan.

It said the TDB’s liquidity rate had fallen for, among other reasons, the acquisition of Cost Low assets and development rights at the Tufumāhina property.

The NRBT report said decisions around the Cost Low loan had been taken “without due diligence to protect TDB’s interests.”

According to the former editor of Kele’a newspaper, Mateni Tapueluelu, Cost Low has taken legal action against TDB’s CEO Emeline Tuita. Cost Low has accused the bank and CEO Tuita of failing  to perform their duties under an agreement to process a loan to fund the Special Project Vehicle (SPV) to consolidate the Cost Low and Royco businesses.

Tapueluelu named the first plaintiff is Cost Low director Charlotte Jane Cocker Tu’i’ile’ila, and the second plaintiffs are Cost Low Company Limited, Tuapasio Nufahu Tu’i’ile’ila and Royco Developments Limited.

Tapueluelu said that according to the statement of claim, Cocker submitted her business plan to the TDB and told the bank the royal estate agent had approved in principle the company’s application to lease lands at the king’s estate at Matatoa for 70 years. The lease value was $TP6 million and this was part of the company’s loan.

It was alleged that the bank had paid the TOP$6 million lease to the king from the bank and not from Cost Low, which had applied for the loan. Tapueluelu said the kings’ agent said the payment should have come from Cost Low, not the bank.

It also showed CEO Tuita of the bank insisted the payment was still from Cost Low but since the bank would have shares of 80 percent in the SPV the bank could issue the payment directly to the king.

However, lawyer Edwards for the plaintiffs argued that the Cost Low loan was no longer being processed.  He said the plaintiffs had told the bank the project would be in three phases including three two – storey buildings and, in another phase, a convention centre and other accommodations to be leased out to the government.

However, the TDB’s lawyer, Teimumu Tapueluelu, said the deal had not been approved and the bank has a legal obligation to seize any securities or properties to cover overdue debts.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer has argued the agreements and mutual understanding between the bank and the plaintiffs caused the plaintiffs to begin working on the project and that should be regarded as a mutual agreement.

This month the Tongan Development Bank announced plans to build a luxury centre at Polata’ane, in the royal estate.

The bank said the project would include a conference centre, a restaurant, two luxury villas with 23 apartments and a swimming pool and bar. 

Police swarm Papatoetoe after shooting at Allenby Park Hotel

By
Kaniva Staff
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By newshub

Police officers have swarmed Papatoetoe in south Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland on Wednesday evening following a shooting at a hotel.

A police spokesperson told Newshub they responded to a “firearms incident” on Great South Rd at about 6:30pm.

Nobody has been injured, the spokesperson added.

A section of Great South Rd had been closed earlier, between Puhinui Rd and Carlie St, and the public was asked to avoid the area – but a Newshub reporter at the scene said the road has since reopened.

Despite that, the Allenby Park Hotel, where the shooting happened, remains in lockdown.

One woman whose daughter lives at the hotel complex said she rushed to the scene to check on her welfare.

“My daughter’s in there – she’s got a newborn baby. She told us that there was a shooting,” she told Newshub.

“I’m just waiting to see what happened, to go and check on her.”

The woman told Newshub her daughter heard gunshots and arguments.

“She said that there were police dogs and cops [were] busting down doors.”

Insp Kerry Watson said police received a complaint about a man having a gun.

“As we were driving to the location it was updated that shots had been fired. So we arrived and we entered quite promptly because we were worried about the safety of those persons inside.”

Watson said officers cleared several rooms, and soon after discovered the shooter had fled just before police arrived.

“The immediate scene is safe,” he stressed. “The residents can go about their business as normal. More information as it comes to light will be provided.”

He said it was a “long-barrel firearm”.

An investigation is underway and officers will continue to speak with witnesses at the Allenby Park Hotel, he said. 

Young Tongan father killed by suspected drunk driver in California

By
Kaniva Staff
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By patch.com

FREMONT, CA — A pedestrian who was struck and killed in Fremont earlier this month by a suspected drunk driver was identified by the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau as Taniela Finau Hafoka, a 26-year-old Oakland resident.

A GoFundMe campaign organized to help cover funeral expenses and support his three children identified him as Taniela Finau Hafoka Malekamu.

Hafoka was struck in the 45000 block of Fremont Boulevard at about 11.30 p.m. on May 3.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after unsuccessful medical aid by Fremont police officers and Fremont Fire Department medics.

The driver, 58-year-old Sunnyvale resident Hung Vuu, crashed into a traffic signal pole about a quarter-mile away and suffered minor injuries.

He was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury.

If was the first traffic-related fatality in Fremont in 2024, according to police.

Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance Tonga celebrates 20 years of services

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Sponsored:

Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance (Fedpac) operations in the Kingdom of Tonga celebrated 20 years of service at a cocktail event in the capital Nukualofa.

The celebration was held at Taufa’ahau Budling and attended by the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, members of Cabinet, government officials, private sector partners and Fedpac Customers.  

The Hon Prime Minister gave the key address of the evening touching on the company’s on-going operations and its support of sport, education and tourism initiatives in the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister congratulated the company for continuing to operate despite the many challenges of the last few years and encouraged the company to expand Tonga operations to other islands in the Group.

He issued a challenge to the company to keep growing and bringing a Pacific-grown company to look after the unique insurance and finance needs of the region.

Group Spokesperson and General Manager for Fedpac Insurance, Namulau’ulu Papalii Sami Leota told guests the event was an important milestone for Tonga Operations to celebrate.

“The Group had related companies operating in Tonga since 1994, however Finance and Insurance services began in 2004 with only four staff, but today we have over 25 team members which is a testament to the growth of the Company,” he said.

Country Manager – Fedpac Insurance, Mele Saini Latu said the company has had its share of challenges since establishment, some good and bad times, but the company had weathered them due to the strong partnership between the local team and Regional Support and strong Re-Insurance arrangements.

“We have learned many things in the past 20 years, and we can say that we gained experience and understanding of the communitys’ finance and insurance needs but most importantly, we have various types of risks both in Government and Private sector business.

Federal Pacific Finance is the largest private non-bank finance institution providing small to medium credit opportunities for Tongan people and Tongan businesses.

The Finance branch is run locally by Stanley Mafoa and his hard-working team.

Namulau’ulu said he was grateful that the companys’ claims ability was tested and completed within this period, including four cyclones, a tsunami, volcanic eruption, floods and a riot, as well as the normal claims.

“These claims were put through our usual process and were settled quickly, thanks to the support of our Reinsurance and Regional Underwriting team”.

“Fedpac prides itself in the Pacific as a Company who handled, assessed and paid out all genuine claims promptly”, he said.

One of the biggest challenges Fedpac Insurance faces is to be able to secure good re-insurance treaties. Re-Insurance underwriters see the Pacific as high-risk zone, consequently many who had been writing business in the Pacific region had pulled out, or made terms very costly.

Namulau’ulu said the company has been able to maintain the support of reinsurance underwriters (e.g. Lloyds of London, PWS East Asia) that the company has dealt with from the start and maintains a strong partnership.

“We are grateful to the Government of Tonga for their support of our operations in this beautiful country, when we proposed our business all those years ago, we pledged that we came to stay with the goal of offering alternative and competitive Insurance and Finance products and we are happy to report that is exactly what we continue to do,” said Namulau’ulu.

Namulau’ulu also acknowledged the hard work of the Country Managers, Mele Saini Latu and Stanley Mafoa (Finance) and the dedicated team of local staff.

He was joined at the celebrations by Fedpac General Manager, Fuimaono Malcolm Johnston and Country Manager, Ford Hyundai Samoa, Simon Fruean.

Fedpac Insurance and Finance began trading in Apia in 1999 and have since set up offices in Tonga, Cook Islands, Timor Leste, Fiji and Vanuatu with support provided by Regional HO in New Zealand and London. The company continues to look for more opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Namulau’ulu acknowledged the FPG Board of Directors for support given and in particular, Chairman Papalii Alan Hutchison in continuing to pursue the vision of his late father, and Group Founder Alistair Hutchison.

Hon Prime Minister Remarks.

Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I’m pleased to be here at this evening’s event and to add my congratulations to Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance for reaching this milestone of your operations in Tonga.

Doing business in any country is always a challenge, in Tonga we also have our own unique challenges in doing business, so reaching 20 years of service is no small feat.

Over the past 20 years, Tonga has faced many daunting challenges and as a consequence, we have changed in many ways.

The pressures on our economy brought on by the COVID pandemic and natural disasters such as the tsunami and volcanic eruption were some of the major ones. We have been obliged to change, to become more adaptable to fast changing circumstances for good and bad and to become more resilient in every area of our society.

No one was left untouched by the 2006 riots, the COVID pandemic or the natural disasters that followed. In continuing to operate, businesses such as Federal Pacific Insurance and Finance gave the public some peace of mind in difficult times.

I’m sure the insured public (both business and domestic) would have benefitted from your policies, risk cover and subsequent claims payouts.

I am also mindful of the evolving global challenges, especially those posed by climate change, which will affect insurance premiums.

From the Governments’ perspective, we encourage companies to establish themselves in Tonga for the numerous benefits it has for our people. In particular job creation and economic growth.

At the same time we also make sure that we encourage the private sector growth by creating a friendly environment to operate in, as there is no doubt the private sector is the Governments’ biggest partner and is often referred to as the “engine of growth”.

I was told that you started with four (4) staff members but you now have well over 25 staff and operate not only in Tongatapu  but also in Vavau. Its good that you have expanded your service to Vavau but I hope that you will also reach out to the residents of the other islands.

I note you have also been supporting the Tonga Community through sponsorship in Rugby, Education and Tourism. I encourage your company to continue doing that as that is where your blessings are from.

The test of any insurance company is the payment of claims, so if you are still here after 20 years it means that the insured public is benefitting from your service.

Federal Pacific Finance is the largest private non-bank finance institution providing small to medium credit opportunities for Tongan people and Tongan businesses.

Many members of our community have used this facility over the past 20 years. Thank you Federal Pacific Finance.

I understand that you have offices around the Pacific with an office recently opened in Vanuatu. My challenge to your company is to keep growing because we are in a unique part of the world and we take great pride that we have a Pacific-grown company looking after our insurance and finance needs.

To end I would like again to Congratulate your Chairman, Papaliitele Alan Hutchison and Management, and especially your Tonga staff for reaching 20 years of Service and may the Good Lord continue to bless your Company.

Malo aupito and Faafetai tele Lava..

NZ Army leads building work on remote Tongan island group post eruption

By
Kaniva Staff
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The New Zealand Army has led five weeks’ worth of building work on a remote island group in Tonga which will help the kingdom better respond to natural disasters, and offered dental services to the locals.

NZ Army soldiers have led five weeks’ worth of building work and dental treatment in the Ha’apai island group to help the Tongan islands build resilience. (Photo-Supplied)

The annual Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded Exercise Tropic Twilight was held in Tonga for the second year in a row to support the recovery from the 2022 Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai eruption.

The NZ Army was joined by soldiers from Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan. Over five weeks the 74-strong multinational contingent tackled several projects in the Ha’apai island group.

The work covered four main sites; the Ha’ateiho Community Centre, the Meteorological Centre, Pangai Government Primary School and Koulo Government Primary School.

From new toilets, showers, a kitchenette and playgrounds to upgraded plumbing and electrical work, the projects focused on creating accessible and secure places for people to gather in natural disasters, with durable infrastructure to provide power and clean water.

Senior National Officer on the ground, Major James Brosnan, said the work would support communities for years to come.

“I am immensely proud of the contingent and all they have achieved,” he said.

“From solving the complex problem of getting our people and equipment to the remote location, through to the construction, medical and dental capabilities that have left a tangible impact on the communities in Ha’apai.”

Corporal Maitlin Kakau worked at the troop’s largest site, the Ha’ateiho Community Centre, and said it was different to any job he had run in New Zealand.

“Working with electricians, carpenters and plumbers from different countries was stressful at times – there was a bit of a language barrier to begin with, but we were able to work through it, helped by our similarity in training.

“What we achieved in a short time was amazing. It’s special to know it is going to such a good use.”

A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) dental team saw almost 200 patients, performing fillings, extractions, root canal treatments and hygiene appointments.

Working with field kits out of the old hospital on Lifuka, Captain Amanda Rowe said she was proud of how her team got the job done, especially as they were a lot busier than anticipated.

“We were seeing on average 12 people a day. In the humid conditions with limited supplies, everyone worked together, under the pump, to problem-solve and get the work done.”

Captain Rowe said she joined the NZDF to make a difference in communities that need help.

“When people come in who are in real pain and you can help them, it’s a rewarding feeling,” she said.

Major Brosnan said working on a remote island presented a few challenges; supplies were limited and material sometimes took weeks to arrive.

“However our military training, collaborative approach and can-do attitude allowed us to resolve them to ensure our tasks were achieved to a high standard,” he said.

Tropic Twilight was also a chance for personnel to learn more about the Tongan culture, food, nature and lifestyle.

“Working alongside Tonga’s His Majesty’s Armed Forces meant our units were fully integrated with the local culture. The hospitality and gratitude shown by the community was second to none,” said Major Brosnan.

“It was pleasing to see how quickly the NZDF and our international partners integrated.

“I am confident that if we were required to deploy at short notice in support of disaster relief we could seamlessly integrate with our Pacific partners,” he said.

Warning after fake Tongan banknote used in shipping cargo payment

By
Kaniva Staff
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A private ferry operator in Tonga has warned the public to be vigilant after it discovered what appeared to be counterfeit banknote in its payment services.

Tōfā Ramsay Shipping operator spotted the fake pa’anga note in its payment services this morning. Photo/Supplied

Tofā Ramsay Shipping which operated Tonga’s domestic shipping services made the warning this morning.

Copies of the apparent $50 pa’anga bill were shared on the company’s Facebook account with an accompanied warning in Tongan saying the counterfeit currency appeared to be printed copies of original pa’anga bills.

The counterfeit pa’anga was spotted during the company’s services this morning, a staff has confirmed to Kaniva News.

Tōfā Ramsay Shipping operates the inter-islands service.

It included a barge that can transfer vehicles, cargo and passengers to beaches and islands that do not have wharves.

Tōfā Ramsay Shipping operator spotted the fake pa’anga note in its payment services this morning. Photo/Supplied

In 2022, two men were arrested in the seizure of counterfeit Tongan currency from a home at Popua.

At the time Tonga Police asked the public to report any fake currency in circulation.

Tongan authorities could not be reached for comment.

How to spot fake pa’anga notes?

In 2017, the Tonga National Reserve Bank found $50 notes, prompting a public warning.

It that incident, the bank said it received $50 paánga notes of the new design currency (King Tupou VI series) confirmed to be counterfeit notes.

It also said, these counterfeit notes lack the following security features present in every genuine $50 pa’anga note:

1. the watermark of the King’s effigy which can be clearly seen when it is held up to the light;

2. a shiny silver thread shows as a window on the front of the note but as a more solid silver on the back of the note, showing images of the national medal.

The bank then said: “The public is hereby advised to check all notes particularly the $50 new design note before accepting them. Counterfeit notes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the banks or the Reserve Bank”.

US says it was ‘unable’ to provide Iran assistance after helicopter crash

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Reuters

The United States on Monday (May 20) said it had been unable, due largely to logistical reasons, to accept an Iranian request for assistance following a helicopter crash over the weekend that killed President Ebrahim Raisi, as Washington offered its condolences.

The rare request from Iran, which views the United States and Israel as its main adversaries, was disclosed by the State Department at a news briefing.

“We were asked for assistance by the Iranian government. We did make clear to them that we would offer assistance, as we would do in response to any request by a foreign government in this sort of situation,” spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

“Ultimately, largely for logistical reasons, we were unable to provide that assistance,” Miller said, without elaborating.

The charred wreckage of the helicopter which crashed on Sunday carrying Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and six other passengers and crew, was found early on Monday after an overnight search in blizzard conditions.

Iran has still not provided any official word on the cause of the crash of the US-made Bell 212 helicopter in mountains near the Azerbaijan border.

Asked whether he was concerned that Tehran might blame Washington, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “The United States had no part to play in that crash.”

“I can’t speculate on what may have been the cause,” he added.

The crash comes at a time of growing dissent within Iran over an array of political, social and economic crises. Iran’s clerical rulers face international pressure over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program and its deepening military ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine.

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