Chief Clerk responds to ‘secret meeting’ concerns, but Lord Fakafanua refuses to answer Kaniva News’queries

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12/09/2023

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The Parliament’s Chief Clerk said a controversial meeting between the Speaker, the Prime Minister and Tongatapu 5 MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke on Wednesday was a normal way of meeting used when an MP had something to raise with the Speaker.

Chief Clerk Gloria Pōle’o. Photo/ Fale Alea ‘o Tonga

She said during the Parliament’s session for the vote of no confidence last week the Speaker met with several MPs on various occasions.

She said the details of such meeting would not be released during Parliamentary sessions in order to allow MPs to feel confident in raising any issues with the Speaker.

Chief Clerk Gloria Pōle’o was responding after Kaniva News asked the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, for comment on what we described as a “secret meeting” between him, the Prime Minister and Tongatapu 5 MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke on the day the House was about to ballot the Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku’s vote of no confidence motion.

Pōle’o denied the accusation raised by the public against the Speaker.

She said Lord Fakafanua was neutral and his responsibility was to direct the Parliament’s operation according to his interpretation of the Constitution and the Assembly’s rules.

“However, not all MPs, media organisations, the people and the Lord Speaker could agree on the same interpretation at all times”, Pōle’o said in Tongan.

Pōle’o confirmed the meeting in question had occurred. She said she attended it. However, she refused to answer any of our queries which were sent to the Speaker.

As we reported yesterday, we asked the Speaker whether the meeting in question was on the agenda. We also asked him who organised and called his meeting with the Prime Minister and Hon. Eke.

We asked him why he did not declare the special meeting when the House returned after their lunch break since the vote of no confidence motion was livestreamed.

We told the Speaker that the Prime Minister’s surprise revelation of that meeting during the House session without giving any details had sparked suspicion and speculation among the public that he was taking sides with the Prime Minister.

Some Democratic (PTOA) supporters interpreted the meeting differently and accused Dr Eke of betraying the Opposition.

Dr Eke was called to the meeting after he submitted the vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Not all MPs, especially the Opposition, were informed about the meeting.

As we reported yesterday, the Speaker was made aware in that meeting that the Prime Minister would move in the House to have his vote of no confidence balloted without a debate.

Since Dr Eke had joined the meeting in question the Prime Minister used it as an excuse in the House to silence the Opposition from arguing that they should be given an opportunity to respond to his answers to the motion of no confidence.

MP Piveni Piukala told the Prime Minister he could not use a meeting held outside Parliament as a defence.

The Opposition argued that the Prime Minister was trying to prevent them from clarifying his responses – which they deemed misleading – for fear that the public might find out more about the truth of his responses.

The Speaker eventually allowed the Prime Minister’s motion for a vote which was carried by 17 – 10.

Pōle’o also confirmed that Parliament was postponed yesterday until further notice to allow the Opposition to file their legal action against the Speaker over his decision not to allow them to debate the Prime Minister’s responses.

Three arrested after gun scare in Auckland’s Te Atatū

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Kaniva Staff

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12/09/2023

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

Three people have been arrested and a school is out of lockdown after an incident in Auckland’s Te Atatū on Tuesday afternoon.

Police were called around 1.26pm to reports of men with firearms.

Freyberg Community School on Roberts Road briefly went into a self-initiated lockdown.

Police located two imitation firearms at an address on the same street, taking three people into custody.

Their inquiries were ongoing.

Police arrest man accused of robbing SkyCity

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Kaniva Staff

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12/09/2023

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Police in Auckland say the man accused of robbing SkyCity last week has been arrested.

Police have arrested a man accused of robbing SkyCity. Phhoto/RNZ

Officers were called to the casino around 12.30pm last Friday.

They say a 56-year-old man entered the venue and demanded cash, while suggesting he had a weapon.

He was found 24 hours later on a bus in Counties Manukau where he was arrested.

In a statement, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Armstrong said the man was well known to staff.

There was no evidence to suggest the man was in possession of a firearm at the time, but the victim was shaken by the incident, he said.

He has been charged with aggravated robbery and is expected to appear in Manukau District Court.

Dr Eke reveals details of secret meeting called by Speaker to stop MPs from debating PM’s response to his motions of vote of no confidence

By

Kalino Latu

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11/09/2023

A controversial meeting outside Parliament session hours showed the Speaker was previously made aware of the Prime Minister’s intention to move to ballot his vote of no confidence without giving the Opposition the chance to debate it.

The meeting was held after a 223-page report of accusations and responses from the Opposition and Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku was read out to the House as part of a motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Mnister.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku defeated the motion by a 14 – 11 vote.

Tongatapu 5 MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke submitted the motion of no confidence with 46 accusations against the Prime Minister. It was supported by 10 MPs.

Most of the Opposition MPs were unaware of the special meeting as they were away from Parliament during lunch time.

Dr Eke told Kaniva News he joined the meeting after the Prime Minister came to him inside the House at the MP’s seats and told him the Speaker wanted to meet with him in his office.

He said the Prime Minister told him the Speaker had something important he wanted to discuss with him.

“I then went with the Prime Minister to the Speaker’s office”, Dr Eke said in Tongan.

He said most of the Opposition MPs had yet to return from their lunch at the time so he had no time to consult with them about the meeting.

“I went to the meeting, but I determined that I must return to our MPs and consult with them about the meeting and would also return to the Speaker and tell him about our MPs’ opinion”, Dr Eke also said.

He claimed that once he and the Prime Minister arrived at the office the Speaker told them he wanted them to agree on what they were going to do after the reading out of the reports of the vote of the no confidence.

Hon. Eke said the Prime Minister told the Speaker some MPs in the government bench wanted to debate, but he stopped them because he wanted the House to ballot the vote of no confidence motion.

Hon. Eke said the Speaker then asked about his opinion.

“I told him if that is the government’s decision I think it would be nice to go ahead with the ballot”.

Hon. Eke claimed the Speaker advised him that when the House returned for session at 2pm, he would direct the MPs on what to do next, and he would leave it for Hon. Eke to move for the House to have the ballot and the PM agreed he would second the motion.

“That’s the end of the meeting”, Hon. Eke told Kaniva News.

He said when he returned and advised the Opposition MPs about the meeting and what had been agreed, the MPs said they wanted to debate the responses from the Prime Minister.

Hon. Eke said he went back to the Speaker and told him the Opposition wanted to debate before the ballot.

He claimed the Speaker said he understood their position, but advised Hon. Eke to inform the Prime Minister about it.

Hon Eke went to the Prime Minister and told him about the Opposition’s decision. He claimed the Prime Minister told him that when the House met he would move for the Speaker to ballot the motion.

Kaniva News has contacted the Speaker for comment.

We asked him whether the special meeting was on the agenda. We also asked him who organised and called his meeting with the Prime Minister and Hon Eke.

We also asked him why he did not declare the special meeting when the House returned after their lunch time since the vote of no confidence motion was livestreamed. We told him the Prime Minister’s revelation during the House session that there had been a meeting about the ballot without giving any details had sparked suspicion and speculation among the public that he was taking side with the Prime Minister.

Some commentators on social media also accused Dr Eke of betraying the Opposition and the Prime Minister of influencing the Speaker because of the lack of information releasing to the public at the time.

We have also contacted the Prime Minister for comment.

We asked him who organised and called the meeting.

We also asked him why he did not wait until the House returned for the afternoon session and let them know about his intention to ballot without debates.

As Kaniva News reported this morning, the Parliament postponed “until further notice” to allow Opposition MPs time to work on legal action against the Speaker.

MP Māteni Tapueluelu told Kaniva News the move was urgent and he and other MPs wrote to the Speaker and let him know they needed to file the legal action against him immediately.

The dispute centred on Clause 62 (2) of the Constitution , which says: “Any member of the Legislative Assembly may, in accordance with its rules of procedure – (a) introduce a Bill in the Assembly; (b) propose a motion for debate in the Assembly; or (c) present a petition to the Assembly, and it shall be dealt with in accordance with the Assembly’s rules of procedure.”

The Opposition believes the Assembly’s procedures and the Constitution clearly stipulate that they had the right to debate the motions after they were read out but the Speaker had blocked it.

Covid-19 update: 3458 new cases, 15 more deaths

By

Kaniva Staff

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11/09/2023

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

There have been 3458 new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand over the past week, and 15 further deaths.

There were 221 cases in hospital with the virus as at midnight on Sunday, with six in intensive care.

Of the new cases, 1517 were reinfections.

The rolling seven-day average of cases was down, to 492.

Last week, Te Whatu Ora reported 3625 new cases and 11 further deaths.

RWC23: Fiji rue missed opportunities against Wales

By

Kaniva Staff

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11/09/2023

By Iliesa Tora of RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

Fiji lost a game they could and should have won as Wales survived a late onslaught to take out their Rugby World Cup encounter, 32-26, in Bordeaux.

It could’ve gone Fiji’s way right at the end. Veteran Semi Radradra could not hold on to a floating long pass from replacement Juisova Tuisova and knocked on with 10 metres to go.

Radradra had only one player to beat but lost the ball as he went to take it.

That moment and referee’s decisions appeared to count against the Flying Fijians.

English referee Matthew Carley disallowed two tries from Fiji, with Eroni Mawi and Mesake Doge piling over in each halves.

Flying Fijian head coach Simon Raiwalui said the referee worked against Fiji.

“Respect their work but there were calls he made that worked against us,” said Raiwalui.

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu was understandably disappointed when he spoke to the media after the match.

“I am proud of my boys,” he said.

But it was the fired up Fijians who took the game to the Welsh in the last 20 minutes of the game and scored two tries, through replacements Doge and Tuisova.

The Welsh then displayed delaying tactics at the restarts after both Fiji’s second half tries as they took their time walking back to halfway, and their efforts were booed by the crowd.

Former Fijian sevens player Seva Waisega said both teams played well but Fiji left it too late.

“It was a great game from both teams. There are some decisions that we totally disagree with,” he said.

“Great comeback from the Fiji team but I think it was a little bit too late,” he said.

Even former Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan shared his disappointment on X, formerly Twitter.

“Rugby is so inconsistent,” he said.

Wales edge first half

Wales led 18-14 at half-time.

Wales managed to hang on as the Flying Fijians turn on the heat in the first spell.

Some questionable calls by Carley saw Fiji losing what looked like a sure try to prop Eroni Mawi who dived over Welsh tacklers beside the post as Fiji looked to regather the lead.

While fans thought that was a sure try, Carley and the TMO team ruled otherwise, saying that the ball was knocked on the try line.

Wales struck first points through flyhalf Dan Biggar straight after kick-off after the Fijians were penalised.

The Flying Fijians attacked right back and drove towards the posts but were penalised for holding the ball on the ground a second time.

Biggar kicked for touch and from the ensuing lineout, winger Josh Adams dotted down in the corner after he was standing out wide.

Biggar and Teti Tela missed their attempts after as Fiji started putting together some phases.

Captain Nayacalevu picked the bouncing ball off the ground after a Fijian attack, and bust his way through the defence to score his side’s first try.

Half-back Frank Lomani converted and Fiji closed the gap to 8-7.

Another good Fijian attack saw flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu run over for his side’s second try which was converted by Lomani.

Biggar kicked another Welsh penalty before big George North ran a straight line and took the ball following a Welsh attack, running in untouched for his try.

Fiji were hard on attack again with Mawi diving over the Welsh tacklers only for the referee to rule a knock-on.

Close second half

Wales’ Loius Ress Zammit got on the scoreboard early in the second spell and Biggar’s conversion put the side ahead 25-14.

Fiji started putting some phases together and worked their way towards the tryline.

However, lanky No.7 Lekima Tagitagivalu was sin-binned for 10 minutes after infringing in the tackle-ruck situation, and Wales mauled their way to the tryline with Elliot Dee scoring.

Biggar’s ensuing conversion saw them lead 32-14.

With prop Liam Williams off the field for 10, the Fijians attacked again.

Tuisova barged his way across before Doge also crashed over.

Tela converted Tuisova’s try as Wales led 32-26 with time almost up.

Then the Fijians made one last attack, Tuisova then firing a long pass out wide to Radradra, who spilled it forward in the last action of the game.

The fast paced, hard-hitting, ethralling match was labaled by the commentators as an instant Rugby World Cup classic.

The statistics show how good Fiji were in some aspects of the game.

For example, Fiji carried the ball over 652 metres against Wales’ 378.

The Flying Fijians made 174 runs, compared to Wales’ 81; gained carries 88 metres over the gain line against Wales’ 46; and made 169 passes compared to 108 for Wales.

The Fijian forwards dominated in the rucks battle, winning 130 over Wales’ 40.

Fiji now prepares to face Australia next week in a must win game they want to get out of the group stages of the competition.

Parl’t postpones to enable MPs to ‘urgently’ file legal actions against Speaker following vote of no confidence dispute

By

Kalino Latu

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11/09/2023

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Tonga’s Parliament has postponed its normal session today “until further notice” to allow Opposition MPs time to work on legal action against the Speaker.

MP Māteni Tapueluelu told Kaniva News this morning the move was urgent and he and other MPs wrote to the Speaker and let him know they needed to file the legal action against him immediately.

The Parliament has confirmed the postponement this afternoon.

A statement said the Acting Speaker Lord Tu’iha’angana had received letters from the Opposition concerning their legal action against the Speaker.

It said the House debated and voted in a ballot to accept the letters which was won by a 19 – 1 vote. It said the Prime Minister and the government bench voted in favour of the letters and to postpone the House to allow Opposition MPs to submit their action.

As Kaniva News reported last weel, the legal action was underway to sue the Lord Speaker, Hon. Fakafanua, after he was accused of breaching the Constitution by stopping MPs debating the Prime Minister’s responses to the motion of no confidence yesterday.

The Speaker and his chief clerks were also accused of failing to immediately make it clear and locate in the Hansard a statement by the Speaker telling the House he would allow them to debate the motions against the Prime Minister.

It came after the Prime Minister survived his vote of no confidence by a vote of 14 – 11.

Hon. Tapueluelu, who was recently granted leave to sue the Parliament in relation to an alleged illegal pay rise, said he believed the Speaker and the Parliament had breached the same clause of the constitution when he handled the motion of the vote of no confidence on Wednesday.

The dispute centred on Clause 62 (2) of the Constitution , which says: “Any member of the Legislative Assembly may, in accordance with its rules of procedure – (a) introduce a Bill in the Assembly; (b) propose a motion for debate in the Assembly; or (c) present a petition to the Assembly, and it shall be dealt with in accordance with the Assembly’s rules of procedure.”

The Assembly’s rules of procedure 84F, which cover a debate of a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister, say at Section 84F (2): “When a motion for Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister is debated in the Legislative Assembly, there shall be no other matter debated in the Legislative Assembly until the Motion is concluded”.

The Opposition believes the Assembly’s procedures and the Constitution clearly stipulate that they had the right to debate the motions after they were read out.

When the House returned after a break on Wednesday to deliberate after the 223-page report of 46 motions and responses were read out, the Prime Minister was the first to speak and move for the Speaker to go ahead and put his vote of no confidence to the ballot.

This was opposed by the Opposition who told the Speaker they needed time to clarify the responses from the Prime Minister because they felt some had been misleading and breaching other clauses of the constitution.

Lord Nuku from the Opposition spoke and gave an example. He said the vote of no confidence motions had accused the government on matters related to its conviction by a court and there was evidence about it. He said the response from the Prime Minister claimed the government did nothing wrong (“ ‘ikai ha me’a ia ‘e hala”).

A heated debate erupted, with more MPs who supported the Vote of No Confidence asking the Speaker to allow them to clarify the Prime Minister’s responses. They believed it was in the public interest to clarify the responses from the Prime Minister and leave it for the public to judge.

Tongatapu 7 MP Paula Piveni Piukala asked the Prime Minister whether he had something hidden in his responses and whether this was the reason he insisted on stopping them from clarifying his responses.

Speaker says the House will debate

Hon. Piukala reminded the Speaker that he had already told the House the day before that he would allow them to debate (“fakamalanga”) the motions and the responses after the clerks read them all out.

MP Piukala insisted that the Speaker should refer to the Hansard and double check what he had told the House.

The Speaker insisted that that debates he had mentioned were meant for the House procedures (“foungs ngāue ‘a e Fale”), but Piukala disagreed and told the Speaker to bring the Hansard to confirm what he was talking about as he believed he was right.

The Speaker asked to pause the meeting before he called his two chief clerks to help him check the Hansard.

After the short meeting the Speaker told the House his recollection was the same as the clerks, that the debate he was talking about the day before was meant for them to discuss the House procedure.

Kaniva News replayed the streamed video which recorded live the Speaker’s statement. Here is what he said about the debate in Tongan:

“ ‘A ia ‘i hono aofangatuku’ ko ‘ene ‘osi pe hono lau’ te u tuku atu e faingāmalie hou’eiki ke mo u fakamalanga mai ki he fokotu’u’ pea mo e tali’. Te tau tauhi pe ‘a e taki miniti ‘e 10 pea ko ‘ene melie pe feme’a’aki’ te u ui leva e pāloti’ pea ko ‘etau pāloti’i ‘a e fokotu’u’ pe ‘oku mou loto ki ai pe ‘ikai.”

In English he said (contextually translated by Kaniva News):

“So in conclusion, after the reading of the motions and the responses, I will give you the opportunity to debate (“fakamalanga”) on the motions and the responses. We will keep to the rule of 10 minutes limit for each MP who wanted to speak and when the debates finished, I will call for the ballot on the vote of no confidence whether you accept it or not.”

The Speaker said later, during the dispute in the House, that he had just located in the Hansard what Hon. Piukala was referring at. He read out that part of the Hansard, as translated above, but he made further comments which made it appear that he was trying to justify what he had said previously, that the debates he mentioned the day before were meant to be about the House procedure.

He did not allow the House to debate the responses from the Prime Minister. He finally allowed the House to ballot the Prime Minister’s motion to go ahead and ballot on his vote of confidence.

The Prime Minister’s motion was carried with a 17 – 10 vote.

Tongan Language Week needs emphasis on practices of faka‘apa‘apa, tapu, veitapui, tauhi ‘eiki and lea heliaki to preserve it for future generations

By

Kalino Latu

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11/09/2023

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Tongan Language Week has been wrapped up this week with its theme ‘E tu’uloa ‘a e Lea faka-Tongá ‘o ka lea’aki ‘i ‘api, siasí (lotú), mo e nofo-‘a-kāingá, which means the Tongan Language will be sustainable if used at home, church and in the wider community.

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples said the word tu‘uloa in the theme had a positive and progressive connotation and meant to continuously grow, nurture, and sustain a valued idea, practice, event, or memory in an enduring way. It said this year’s theme focused on the importance of using lea faka-Tonga. It also said that it impressed on us the need not only to understand lea Faka-Tonga, but to also use it as much as possible at home, church and in the wider community. The various interesting cultural activities created to promote the Language this week centred on the widely shared views known as the four pillars of the Tongan culture. They are fakaʻapaʻapa (respect), loto tō (humility), tauhi vā (nurturing relationships) and mamahi’i me’a (loyalty/passion).

While these four pillars and their accompanying cultural activities had been vital in promoting the Tongan Language Week for years, it appeared that there had been a lack of emphasis and focus on the fundamental cultural practices such as the practices of two significant traditional ways of people’s dwellings known as nofo-‘a-kāinga and nofo feuluulufi or feuluulufi-‘a e-nofo. These ways of how Tongan people settle in a particular area such as a village were a determining factor that significantly influenced almost all Tongan cultural practices. They were the driving force of most Tongan cultural identity such as ‘ilo’i kita (“knowing who you are”). These ways of nofo (“dwelling”) necessitate a type of formal Tongan language known as heliaki. Heliaki means figurative languages or imagery or symbolism in English. It is the most important form of language used to demarcate the various levels of social hierarchy by using of the three types of languages for the commoners, nobility and the royalty.

All commoners, nobility as well as the king speak the colloquial and formal languages whenever they talk in their various levels. However, when the commoners talk to or about the nobility the lea fakahouhou’eiki (“honorific”) are used and lea fakatu’i (“regal”) languages are used for the king or queen. It is regarded as fiematamu’a or ta’efaka’apa’apa (“being discourtesy or disrespectful”) if one uses the languages of the commoners while talking to the chiefs or the king. Here is an example of the three different languages: Let’s take the word kai (“eat”) which is a colloquial word used when talking to or about commoners. The formal word for kai is ma’u me’atokoni or tokoni (“ help oneself to food). The chiefly language for kai is ‘ilo and its regal form is taumafa. All these words are heliaki or figurative in their ultimate sense.

The heliaki language plays two important roles in the traditions of nofo-‘a-kāinga and nofo feuluulufi. One is to maintain the steadfast peace, respect and consideration for the feeling of others among the families and kāinga (“relatives”). The other is to make oral communication sounds mālie (“pleasing”) and thought-provoking when people talk, especially when it comes to cultural and social formality. Nofo-‘a-kāinga and nofo feuluulufi are underpinned by the practices of tapu, veitapui, faka’apa’apa and tauhi’eiki. These practices are synthesised into tauhi vā or keeping the relationship undisturbed at all times by brothers and sisters or cousins. In Tongan all cousins are called brothers and sisters.

Nofo ‘a kāinga refers to the Tongan kinship ties or dwelling together of people as a group with particular relationships. People in nofo ‘a kāinga can either be related by blood (“kāinga toto”) or because they are tenants of an estate or village where the estate holder is a chief. For example, if the estate holder is Prince Tungī the tenants are called kāinga ‘o Tungī. A church congregation is called kāinga lotu (“they are relatives because they belong to same religion or church”). The English word taboo is a loanword from tapu, which occurs in Tongan and other Polynesian languages. Tapu in terms of brothers and sisters refers to cultural restrictions to which they must adhere. A sister can be heard saying ‘Oku ou tapu au mo Sione or I am tapu with Sione. This means she was saying Sione is her brother or cousin and it is an alert to people around her to make sure they do not swear or do something disrespectful as it would breach their tapu rules. The more formal and stronger word is veitapui. Veitapui means mutual tapu (“taboo”). But it is normally a form of gatekeeping process used only to maintain the respect and tapu among the brothers and sisters among siblings, excluding the cousins. The gist of the veitapui or tapu is that the brothers and sisters and cousins must not be exposed to foul language, make body contact or have access to sexually suggestive context.

One of the most significant tauhi vā (“keeping the good relationship”) in the nofo ‘a kāinga is tauhi ‘eiki (“chief”) and tauhi tu’a (“inferior to the ‘eiki”) or keeping and presenting gifts to the chief and the royals as well as superior commoners in the nofo ‘a kāinga. In return, the ‘eiki gave gifts to the tu’a. It is necessary to point out that the meaning of ‘eiki in this sense is not just about the chiefs and royals only, but rather the superior commoners in the nofo ‘a kāinga. For example, in a nuclear family, the father is regarded as the family’s ‘eiki or chief. The girls are the ‘eiki among the children over the boys. At the same time the older siblings are ‘eiki over the younger ones. In the extended family or kāinga, the father’s sisters – especially the eldest – are the ‘eiki of that particular extended family, also known as ‘eiki maama or mehikitanga (“father’s sisters”). The sisters’ children in the extended family are ‘eiki over their brothers’ children. So tauhi ‘eiki is a Tongan relationship which is shared at all levels of the nofo ‘a kāinga from the commoners up to the chiefly and royal levels.

Faka’apa’apa can be deconstructed into the prefix faka and the word ‘apa‘apa. The prefix faka when added to another word indicates causation. ‘Apa‘apa refers to the two matāpule (“chief or king’s attendants”) sitting next to the sovereign, one sitting on each side at a ceremonial kava drinking and acting as joint masters of ceremony. So faka‘apa‘apa suggests when it is used colloquially and as common practice in the Tongan culture, is an imitation of the ‘apa’apa roles at the the kings’s kava ceremony which is a form of respect that has a political aspect. For instance, the special faka’apa’apa to the father is paid because he is the ‘eiki in the family no matter what. This is opposite to the western respect which is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.

Feuluulufi-e-nofo or nofo feuluulufi refers to when the brothers and sisters and cousins of opposite sex as well as close blood relationship are around or living together, triggering an alert of taboo and veitapui and fefaka’apa’apa’aki. Two root words can be detached from feuluulufi. First is the word lufi which means to screen-off. This is common when sisters are sitting in a fakalotofale or gathering inside the fale (“house”). They must sit bending their legs together to stay to the left or right. At the same time they are told to lufilufi’i meaning they have to put further cover on top of their legs because of the presence of their brothers. The other word is ulufi. It appears that ulufi comes from the word ulufia. Ulufia means to infect a wound or limb. From the Tongan perspective, ulufi is a variant of ulufia, and merges with the word feuluulu, which is just a multiplicative indicator implying a larger amount. The meaning of feulufulufi correspondingly fits with the definition of a situation where the way people living could be at risk of being offended, just like when they are risk of being infected by a disease. Contextually speaking, a kāinga or group of relatives – normally a mixture of women and men who are veitapui, tapu and faka’apa’apa living together – are at risk of being hurt by an offence, disrespect, or anything deemed insensitive right in front of them. If someone swears or does something nasty in front of such a group, the offender would normally get an instant warning to the effect of Ta’ofi ‘ena he ‘oku feuluulufi ‘a e nofo or stop it as the gathering or the cousins of opposite sex, brothers and sisters living here are veitapui, tapu or faka’apa’apa. Sometime such offenders are punished.

It is understood that tapu and veitapui as well as tauhi ‘eiki practices are not still strongly practised in New Zealand as they are in Tonga. One of the reasons is because Tongans growing up in Aotearoa enjoy the personal freedom and rights of children which are taught in this society. However, it has been proved on several occasions that Tongans in New Zealand and diaspora still really appreciate and love their traditions if they are taught and educated about them. Their passion about their Tongan cultures is highlighted by many of the students who take part in the Pasifika Festivals every year as well as the cultural receptions of the ‘Ikale Tahi and Mate Ma’a Tonga teams in New Zealand where youngsters are seen wearing ta’ovala and carrying Tongan flags. If organisers of Tongan Language Week expand on these fundamental elements of the Tongan traditions and cultural practices, and put more teaching and practical activities on during future Tongan Language weeks, the language can not only be preserved, but the uniqueness of the veitapui and tauhi’eiki could make it widely practised. We need to do something new next year!

RWC2023: Fiji names strongest possible side for Wales clash

By

Kaniva Staff

-

09/09/2023

By Illiesa Tora of RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission

Flyhalf Teti Tela says he is under no pressure as he prepares to face Wales in the Flying Fijians first pool match at the Rugby World Cup at the Stade de Bordeaux on Sunday night in France (Monday morning NZ time).

Flying Fijians players at the team announcement in Bordeaux on Friday (from left) Isoa Nasilasila, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Temo Mayanavanua and Teti Tela. Photo: RNZ / Iliesa Tora

Named at the pivotal flyhalf spot, following the last minute injury to Caleb Muntz, the Fijian Drua playmaker says he and Muntz had been working well together during the campaign.

He says it was unlucky that Muntz was injured but that means he has to play his A game, with head coach Simon Raiwalui showing faith in him when he announced his team at the Reinassance Hotel in Bordeaux on Friday.

“We’ve been pushing each other throughout so there was always hard work done and definitely no comfort zone for either of us throughout the campaign,” Tela said at a media conference following the team announcement.

Raiwalui has named his maiden Rugby World Cup 23-member squad for the opening match.

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu partners Semi Radradra in midfield and will lead the side.

“We have a good team. We have very good preparation and we’ve had the confidence in the whole squad right from the beginning and we have worked that way so everyone has had their chance,” Raiwalui said.

“It has been a very hard selection.”

Veteran Levani Botia, who has been a revelation at number 7 after he opted to move to the forwards from his usual outside centre role, will start off the bench, his place going to Lekima Tagitagivalu, who has played well during the campaign.

‘The Bus’ Josua Tuisova will also run off the bench and will be used to strengthen the backline in the second spell.

Fourteen players will celebrate their first ever Rugby World Cup appearance while three players will mark their third campaign with the Flying Fijians at the mecca of the 15s tournament.

The front row was packed with experience with Eroni Mawi and Luke Tagi on the props while Sam Matavesi at hooker. The impressive pair of Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta will pair up in the locks while Albert Tuisue and Lekima Tagitagivalu partner up on the flanks. Viliame Mata was at number eight.

Semi Radradra places the ball on the ground as the team prepared for Wales in Lormont, France this week. Photo: Supplied / FRU

Frank Lomani and Teti Tela will share the halves combination while Vinaya Habosi and Selesitino Ravutaumada will provide speed on the wings. Waisea Nayacalevu and Semi Radradra will control the play in the midfield.

Ilaisa Droasese was at fullback. Raiwalui said they expect France to come at them hard and the team remains humbled.

“We go into this game, obviously humble. We’ve worked hard throughout the eight weeks and every weekend and our focus has always been one week at a time, what’s the next challenge, what have we got coming up this weekend,” he said.

“Totally focused on this game, nothing past this game. We understand Wales has a very good team, have a lot of experience and are well coached.

“So we understand the challenge and we are really looking forward to it.”

Captain Nayacalevu said they were excited and ready for the challenge, adding they will continue to depend on the support from fans.

“The boys are ready and can’t wait to play on Sunday,” he said.

“We just ask for your continued support for the team and we will do our best.”

The teams meet at 9pn on Sunday in France, which will be around 7am in Fiji and New Zealand on Sunday.

The Flying Fijians team to face Wales: 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Luke Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Albert Tuisue, 7. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Viliame Mata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Teti Tela, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Semi Radradra, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 14. Selesitino Ravutaumada, 15. Ilaisa Droasese – Reserves:16. Tevita Ikanivere, 17. Peni Ravai, 18.Mesake Doge, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Levani Botia, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Josua Tuisova, 23. Sireli Maqala

Taonga on display for Tongan Language Week

By

Kaniva Staff

-

09/09/2023

By Quin Tauetau, RNZ social media journalist and is republished with permission

Tongan textile treasures were on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum this week in celebration of Tongan Language Week.

Visitors were given the chance to learn more about the history and acquisition of the pieces in private viewings.

The collection ranged from bark cloth mats and handwoven fans, to colourful elaborate kiekies (waist ornaments), skillfully woven with both traditional and modern, unconventional materials.

Kiekie made from VHS tape. Photo: Quin Tauetau

Kiekie made from plant materials. Photo: Quin Tauetau

Tongan ngatu with horse illustration. Photo: Quin Tauetau

Woven baskets on display during Tongan Language Week. Photo: Quin Tauetau

A Tongan fan made of feathers and thread. Photo: Quin Tauetau

The Eternal Thread – Te Aho Mutunga Kore centre community navigator Jasmine Tuiā said the community drop-in was a first for the textile and fibre knowledge exchange centre.

“The event is a crucial one for our communities to share this experience … especially highlighting our Tonga fibre and textile koloa.”

A ngatu (tapa cloth) was for sale in the museum’s gift shop in the 1970s – before proper identification revealed the item’s true worth.

The cloth was then properly preserved and stored.

Two ngatu (bark cloth) on display. Photo: Quin Tauetau

Ngatu with animals. Photo: Quin Tauetau

A toddler’s dress made from tapa cloth. Photo: RNZ / Quin Tauetau

The exhibition also showcased a baby’s dress made with the same material, and was adorned with the Kingdom of Tonga’s coat of arms.

Museum patron Veisinia Moalapau’u Ah Kiau was elated to see the taonga.

”Our koloa faka-Tonga are pieces of our home and heritage, so seeing this display as a Tongan from the diaspora is a way for us to feel connected,” she said.

“It is important to us so that we ‘pukepuke fonua’ (hold on tight to our connection with our land).”

The museum plans to hold similar drop-in sessions during future Pacific language weeks.

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