There are long queues outside shopping centres in the New Caledonian capital Nouméa, amid unrest in the French territory.
The unrest comes amid proposed constitutional changes, which could strengthen voting rights for anti-independence supporters in New Caledonia. Photo: Screengrab / NC la 1ère
There are long queues outside shopping centres in the New Caledonian capital Nouméa, amid unrest in the French territory.
The unrest comes amid proposed constitutional changes, which could strengthen voting rights for anti-independence supporters in New Caledonia.
A Nouméa resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, told RNZ Pacific people have started panic buying in scenes reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“A lot of fire, violence…but it’s better. I stay safe at home. There are a lot of police and army. I want the government to put the action for the peace (sic).”
Authorities have put in a curfew for Nouméa and its surrounds, from 6pm tonight to 6am tomorrow.
Airports are closed due to protest action.
Public services and schools in the affected areas announced they were sending staff and students home on Monday, and that they would remain closed for the next few days.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, who is on a five-country Pacific mission this week, has cancelled his visit to New Caledonia due to the unrest.
Peters and a delegation of other ministers were due to visit the capital Nouméa later this week.
Incumbent All Black captain Sam Cane has announced his retirement from international rugby.
Sam Cane Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Cane, who is currently playing for Suntory in the Japanese Top League, said the decision was “a very hard one”.
“I love playing for the team that I represent here in New Zealand. But that won’t be the case … ultimately we made the decision to sign with Suntory, I really enjoyed my first year here.”
Having played 95 tests (27 as captain), the 32-year-old has decided to sign a long-term contract with Suntory in Tokyo. Cane said that his family situation was the main motivating factor for the decision, with wife Harriet expecting another child soon.
“If I was a single bloke then I could just solely worry about myself, probably stick around in New Zealand and go another (World Cup) cycle … but I have to start thinking about others … once you hit that 30-year-old mark you start thinking about life after rugby and how I’m going to provide for my loved ones.”
Incoming All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said: “After discussing this at length with Sam, I fully understand the reasons behind his decision and support him. The position he plays asks a lot of you mentally and physically – both of those things ramp up when you are captain. So to do what he’s done over such a long period is an incredible feat. I fully respect him taking this opportunity.”
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson also acknowledged Cane’s contribution.
“Sam is a special member of the All Blacks family and we have huge admiration for what he has achieved in the game. He has made significant contribution to New Zealand Rugby, and we are fully supportive of his decision to be with his family,” Robinson said.
32-year-old Cane’s last test for the All Blacks was the 12-11 loss to the Springboks in last year’s Rugby World Cup final in Paris. He was sent off in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Bok centre Jesse Kriel.
It capped off a tumultuous tenure in charge of the All Blacks for Cane, who also oversaw the team’s worst loss ever when they went down 35-7 to the Springboks at Twickenham last August, before rebounding to put on one of the greatest individual performances in the black jersey in the All Blacks’ 28-24 win over Ireland in the World Cup quarter final.
Cane has recently been out of action for Suntory for 10 weeks with a back injury.
Police are investigating fresh complaints in connection to “historical incidents” at the notorious central Christchurch bar Mama Hooch.
Photo: David Walker / Stuff
Brothers Danny and Roberto Jaz were sentenced last August to lengthy jail terms after they were found guilty of nearly 70 crimes, including rape, sexual violation and stupefying.
The pair used their positions at family businesses, including Mama Hooch and neighbouring Colombo Street restaurant Venuiti, to commit the slew of acts.
A police spokesperson said since the Operation Sinatra trial last year, they had received three complaints relating to historical incidents at Mama Hooch.
“Police won’t comment on the specifics of the complaints but they are continuing to investigate.”
One survivor of the case said there could be more women yet to come forward.
Sophie Brown said she was unsurprised new allegations had surfaced.
It was great to see complainants find the strength to come forward, as only a fraction of sexual assault cases get reported to police, she said.
Victims advocate Ruth Money said cases like this, which resurface when new allegations are made, can be a catch-22 for survivors.
“The trial itself was very triggering for a number of people particularly, of course, those ones who were the survivors who had disclosed at that time, but also these new ones who hadn’t disclosed yet.
Five people have been arrested and more than 1.36 million illicit cigarettes, firearms, and a “substantial amount of cash” has been seized following searches in Auckland in recent days.
More than 1 million illicit cigarettes seized by Customs. (Source: NZ Customs Service)
The New Zealand Customs Service carried out a search on Auckland’s North Shore this morning, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old man and the seizure of illicit cigarettes and a “large quantity of cash”. He was due to appear in the Auckland District Court this afternoon.
Today’s confiscations and arrest followed searches by Customs, assisted by police, on Friday involving three homes, a private catamaran, and a storage facility on the North Shore, as well as a commercial business in Greenlane.
Three men and a woman, aged between 35 and 45, were arrested and appeared in the North Shore District Court on Friday.
A substantial amount of cash, two firearms, ammunition, and further evidence was found at one of the residential properties, Customs said. Customs investigators also found 286 black rubbish sacks containing more than1,300,000 uncustomed cigarettes in the self-storage facility. The cigarettes equated to approximately $2 million in revenue evasion.
Ammo seized by Customs. (Source: NZ Customs Service)
The group members were facing multiple charges, including defrauding Customs revenue, possession or custody of uncustomed goods, sale of uncustomed goods, and participation in an organised crime group. Further charges were being considered.
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said the investigation, dubbed Operation Montreal, began in February 2024 in relation to a network of people believed to be responsible for the large-scale distribution of uncustomed cigarettes across Auckland.
Cigarettes seized by Customs. (Source: NZ Customs Service)
“Customs has a specialist investigations team that’s focused on tracking down smuggled tobacco to both combat tax evasion as well as other associated crimes and the serious consequences this can have on our communities,” he said.
“This issue is bigger than smuggling or selling cheap cigarettes. Customs is increasingly seeing that well-resourced organised criminal groups are often involved — with cigarette profits potentially being used to fund more serious crimes.”
A firearm and ammo seized by Customs. (Source: NZ Customs Service)
Anyone who knew or suspected someone was involved in illegal smuggling was been asked to call Customs on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768), a 24-hour confidential hotline, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Customers of some money and shopping transfer outlets in Tonga have expressed frustrations after waiting for long periods and experiencing delays in receiving money or goods from overseas.
Some Mother’s Day shoppers in Nuku’alofa alleged their money has been sent from overseas, but one outlet in particular claimed it has yet to receive it.
Videos posted to Facebook since yesterday appeared to show people queueing outside LWS Trading.
LWS Trading could not be reached for comment, and we were unable to independently verify whether it has link to the complainants or not.
The video also showed what appeared to be outrageous customers trying to find some shade under nearby trees and power poles outside the outlet while waiting for their money and shopping.
A raft of complaints shared on Facebook included clients who claimed they were told by the outlet a staff was at the bank to withdraw their money. The clients said they had to return home due to long waiting hours with no sign of the staff before they left.
Some complainants on a Tongan Facebook groupalleged they were sent money from their families overseas on Monday and Tuesday but the outlet kept telling them up to Friday it has yet to receive it.
It appeared the hardest hit complainants were those who left their online shopping and money transfer until last minute.
Some good Samaritans offered supports and advised complainants to look for reputable money transfer companies such as MoneyGram and Western Union to minimise the risk of any delivery issues.
The Supreme Court has found former Cabinet Minister Etuate Lavulavu guilty of contempt of court.
‘Etuate Lavulavu
He has been fined TP$15,000 and ordered to remove the offending material from the internet.
Lavulavu and his wife were convicted on charges of financial irregularities surrounding an educational institution they ran. The Court of Appeal quashed the convictions and sentences in October 2022. The trial attracted much media attention.
The court was told that VPON Media and Broadcasting ran a total of 10 programmes of interviews with Lavulavu to discuss the case. The programmes were live streamed via Facebook and YouTube.
In his summary of the trial, dated May 8, Acting Lord Chief Justice Tupou said that during a live streamed program on October 26, 2022, the Defendant, in response to a question from the interviewer, said:
“Yes I believe that is what happened and it was not just me who saw them. I was very surprised ……. But they are political figures, two of them and others who are higher level than the Judge …. I really felt that he believed these people who were trying to mislead him from the side and that’s where the truth was lost … “
It was determined that there was a prima facie case of contempt against Lavulavu for the statement, which imputed that the trial Judge’s decision was influenced by political figures and persons of high rank.
The prosecution said the statement struck at the core function of a Judge and his oath to perform truly and with impartiality, his duties as a Judge. The statement had been widely published in Tonga and abroad.
Lavulavu had maintained his not guilty plea throughout the proceedings and the statement had severely affected the judiciary and undermined public confidence in the administration of justice in Tonga.
Judge Tupou said allegations that a Judge was partial or biased were calculated to bring that Judge into contempt and had been considered by this court as serious because they undermined confidence in the basic function of a Judge.
“Advanced technology has made the creation and publishing of content by any person at any time widely accessible and at very little to no cost,” the judge said.
“Such advancements, when used safely, of course benefits society. Similarly, its user friendly nature makes it susceptible to misuse and/or abuse. And when used in the latter, damage to individual’s rights, privacy, reputation and institutions such as the courts in this case is at the click of a button to an infinite audience. It is disappointing that the offending programme is still up and available on YouTube.”
The judge said the incident of contempt was a direct allegation of bias against the trial judge. “Bias, if proven, may fall under judicial misconduct,” she said.
“The allegation is that serious. It seeks to question the credibility of His Honour’s decision not only on this matter but potentially to all other matters on which he presides. In a small jurisdiction, where the Supreme Court bench consists of three judges, the damage inflicted on the administration of justice is critical.”
Lavulavu was fined TP$15,000 to be paid within four weeks. The court ordered that if he failed to pay the fine within the specified time he would be jailed for a fortnight.
Judge Tupou said the offending programme must be removed immediately. Lavulavu was to file a memorandum with the court confirming its removal within seven days from sentencing.
A bank teller working at Tonga Development Bank (TDB) branch on Vava‘u has been sentenced after embezzling $$72,857.60 from a church account.
Tonga Development Bank. Photo/Kalino Lātū
‘Eva ‘Ailolo also known as ‘Eva ‘I Pomana Tau’ese, 28, stole from an account held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ (LDS) Wards of Ha’alaufuli, Ta’anea and Holeva.
She was caught after Duran Ormond, a manager of the LDS, Pacific Division based in Utah, USA, spotted a problem with the account, prompting an investigation.
The enquiry was in relation to cash deposits expected to be made into LDS Church account number l50325-S40.
The unaccounted amount was $3,765.00 deposited on 28 December 2021, $1,580.40 on 5 September 2022, $4,260 on 3 October 2022, and $345 on 28 October 2022 at the TDB Vava’u Branch.
These deposits were cash from Sunday church tithe offerings collects by the LDS Church Wards of Ha’alaufuli, Ta’anea and Holeva.
The TDB head office investigated the matter and they realised they could not locate their copies of the receipts for the said deposits.
Upon internal investigation it was established ‘Ailolo was responsible for the missing money.
‘Ailolo wrote letters to her supervisors to apologise including one which to inform them that she wrongfully kept the receipts for the cash deposits she received, and she did not post the funds into these accounts. She kept this from everyone because she was scared but never attempted to destroy the receipts.
However, she alleged during her cross-examination that some contents of her letter of 2 December 2023 are false.
She showed no remorse for her action which is indicated by her not guilty plea and her allegation that her letters of apologies to TDB were coerced by TDB officer Kolokesa Paunga.
‘Ailolo has not repaid any of the aforesaid amount to the bank or customers.
As mitigating factors, Justice Langi considered ‘Ailolo’s no previous conviction. She is young and if given a second chance would take it towards rehabilitation.
Mrs Langi said the offending was out of character for she was a trustworthy employee at her current employment.
On the count of embezzlement ‘Ailolo was convicted and sentenced to one year and nine months imprisonment.
The final twelve months is suspended for two years on the following conditions:
She is not to commit any further offences punishable by imprisonment for a period of 2 years.
The accused is to serve nine months of imprisonment.
A letter showing that an airline operator was interested in taking over local flight services, despite the Prime Minister claiming no operator was interested, can now be revealed.
Fly Niu owner ‘Atu Finau. Photo/Kalino Lātū
The Fly Niu airlines expression of interest letter dated January 18, 2023 was adressed to the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. It provided the government with a three-part offer.
The revelation came after Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku appeared to be responding to the king’s concerns the previous day questioning the Government’s managing the airline in “secrecy” and failing to recruit experts in civil aviation to assist with the controversial national airlines.
The revelation comes after Lulutai CEO Poasi Tei confirmed to Kaniva News earlier this week he has been in contact with the former domestic airline operator Air Chathams in an attempt to lease an aircraft from its fleet.
We understand Lulutai airlines is in desperate needs of more aeroplanes after its largest aircraft, the Saab 340B, crashed in December. Air Chathams has two of the Swedish-built airliners in its fleet.
Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Finau told Kaniva News he made contact with Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku after sending him the letter last year and he was still awaiting a response.
The expression of interest said Fly Niu would firstly provide a six to 12 month Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) back up aircraft lease.
“The minimum utilisation capacity for this lease aircraft [would be] three daily TBU/VAV/TBU (Fua’amotu International airport/Vava’u/Fua’amatu) trips”, the letter said.
It would follow with a 12- month management contract for Fly Niu to restructure and operate the airline to ensure Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) compliance, scheduled aircraft maintennce programme and the airlines long-term vialbility.
The third part of the offer was to have an agreed price to purchase an agreed percentage of the airline’s shares within 12 months from the commencment of the management contract.
The Prime Minister has been contacted for comment.
Fly Niu airline was forced out of Tonga 20 years ago when the government passed a one airline policy that gave the sole right to operate domestic flights to Peau Vava’u, an airline co-owned by the Late King George Tupou V and his business partners, the Ramanlal brothers. It replaced the bankrupt Royal Tongan Airlines.
Peau Vava’u flew from mid-2004 to the end of 2006 when its offices were destroyed in a fire.
Chatham negotiations
The Tongan government’s recent attemtping to restore its bitter relationship with Air Chathams appears to show Lulutai’s desperation for planes to meet its services demands.
Lulutai CEO Poasi Tei told Kaniva News he was trying to get planes leased from Chathams because of the upcoming peak season for the flight services.
We understand Tei has also been in contact with other avaition experts, including Finau, in his attempt to get more planes for Lulutai. The airlines is now operating with two small aircraft, its new 18 seater Twin Otter and the Y12 plane, which, as reported by Kaniva News, has experienced a number of mechanical issues.
Air Chathams operated Tonga’s sole domestic airline under the name Chathams Pacific, but pulled out in 2011 after the Tongan government decided to set up its own airline in partnership with Real Tonga airlines.
Air Chathams was not happy with the decision and announced that it was closing its doors.
Chatham’s owner, Craig Emeny expressed his disappointment following an announcement by Samiu Vaipulu, who was then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Aviation, that a new Chinese MA 60 aircraft would arrive in Tonga as part of the government’s plan to set up a new airline to compete with Air Chatham.
Emeny said at the time he was concerned that “Tonga simply is not large enough to support two airlines”.
He also said Hon. Vaipulu, who is now one of the directors of Lulutai airlines, “did not include or consider my airline in anyway”.
“I am not able to maintain financially viability in the Tonga market with the introduction of another airline operating a 50 seat (MA-60) and a 17 seat (Y12) aircraft in competition to me,” he said.
Air Vanuatu
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Pacific, another national carrier, Air Vanuatu, has cancelled all its international flights. It is understood the airline has been trying to service all of its international flights with one aircraft – a Boeing 737 – which is reported to have had mechanical problems..
According to RNZ, the Vanuatu government is considering putting the airline into administration. Hundreds of passengers, many from New Zealand and Australia, have been stranded. Earlier reports suggested the airline was facing bankruptcy.
Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been sentenced to one year in prison, Fiji media are reporting.
Bainimarama, alongside suspended Fiji Police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the High Court in Suva for their sentencing hearing for a case involving their roles in blocking a police investigation at the University of the South Pacific in 2021.
Qiliho has been sentenced to two years jail.
Bainimarama, the 69-year-old former military commander and 2006 coup leader, had been found guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Qiliho had been found guilty of abuse of office by the High Court Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, who upheld the State’s appeal.
Bainimarama and Qiliho walked out of the High Court in Suva in handcuffs, and were escorted straight into a police vehicle.
“The former PM and the suspended COMPOL were found not guilty and acquitted accordingly by Resident Magistrate Seini Puamau at the Suva Magistrates Court on 12 October 2023,” the Office of the Direcotr of Public Prosecutions said.
“The State had filed an appeal against their acquittal where the Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo then overturned the Magistrate’s decision and found the two guilty as charged. The matter was then sent back to the Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.
“In sentencing the duo, Magistrate Puamau announced that both their convictions would not be registered. The former PM was granted an absolute discharge while the suspended COMPOL received a conditional discharge with a fine of $1500 on 28 March 2024 by the Suva Magistrates Court following which the State had filed an appeal and challenged the discharge
for a custodial sentence.
“The Acting Chief Justice quashed the Magistrate Court’s sentence and pronounced the custodial sentences respectively.”
Qiliho walks out of the Suva High Court and escorted by police officers to the be taken to jail. 9 May 2024 Photo: Screengrab / Facebook/Fiji One News
Earlier on Thursday morning, local media reported an increased police presence outside the Suva court complex.
“There is more pronounced police presence than usual with vehicles being checked upon entry. A section has been cordoned off in front of the High Court facing Holiday Inn,” broadcaster fijivillage.com reported.
State broadcaster FBC reported that police only allowed close relatives and Bainimarama and Qiliho’s associates, along with the media, to sit in the courtroom.
MPs from the main opposition FijiFirst party in Parliament, including opposition leader Inia Seruiratu, Faiyaz Koya were present in court.
Brief timeline:
The duo were sentenced by the Magistrates Court on 28 March.
Magistrate Seini Puamau gave Bainimarama an absolute discharge – the lowest level sentence an offender can get and no conviction was registered.
Qiliho was fined FJ$1,500 and without a conviction as well.
The 69-year-old former military commander and 2006 coup leader was found guilty of perverting the course of justice in a case related to the University of the South Pacific; and suspended police chief Qiliho was found guilty of abuse of office by the High Court Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo.
Magistrate Puamau’s judgement had left many in the legal circles and commentators in the country perplexed.
The State – through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution – had appealed the sentencing straightaway to the High Court.
They were back in court 7 days later – during the court appearance at the High Court, the Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo, gave time until the 24 April for the respondents to file their submissions and for the State to reply by the 29th.
The sentencing hearing was last Thursday, 2 May.
Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo sentences Bainimarama to one year in jail and Qiliho for two years.
Bainimarama’s attempt to pervert the course of justice charge had a maximum tariff of five years while Qiliho’s charge of abuse of office carried a maximum tariff of 10 years.
