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Sidney Tafokitau dies after shoot out with Honolulu police

By
Kaniva Staff
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The gunman at the centre of a police shootout and manhunt across Honolulu, Hawai’i has died while two officers received serious gunshot wounds.

Sidney Tafokitau

The suspect, 44-year-old Sidney Tafokitau, was of Tongan decent.

He was shot after the incident happened around 4.30 pm on University Avenue, reported Hawai’i Now.

The police closed University Avenue from Metcalf to King St., including Dole St as part of an attempt to arrest Tafokitau.

Following his death the CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department thanked the public for their assistance in locating Tafokitau who was wanted for Attempted Murder in the First Degree.

On Monday, January 2, 2024, at approximately 4.14 pm HPD officers located Tafokitau in the Manoa area.

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, at approximately 12.45 am an unknown male suspect who was later positively identified as Tafokitau got into a verbal argument with a group of males on Rose Street in Kalihi.

He subsequently used a firearm to shoot at the group, striking one male, and a knife to cause bodily injury to a second male. On December 21, 2023, multiple no-bail warrants were issued for his arrest.

Today at 11.35 am plainclothes officers attempted to apprehend Tafokitau in a stolen vehicle in Kalihi when he fired multiple times at their unmarked vehicle.

Tafokitau fled on Likelike Highway. Shortly after, he stole another vehicle at gunpoint.

Policewoman drowns at notorious east Tongatapu beach

By
Kaniva Staff
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A policewoman has reportedly drowned at Laulea, a popular Tongatapu beach.

Selomiti Tufui

A sibling has identified the deceased on social media as Selomiti Tufui.

Mione Tufui posted a video which appeared to show the victim’s body was pulled from the water and being carried out on a stretcher.

Mione emotionally paid tribute to his sister in Tongan and asked why she was leaving so soon.

“I love you Selomiti”, he said.

Police could not be reached for comment.

The details of the incident were still unknown.

Laulea beach is one of the most dangerous places in Tonga to go swimming due to powerful rip currents and waves that are known to sweep people out to sea.

In 2018 Viliami Vaka’uta, 24, was presumed dead after he attempted to save her wife in the water.

In 2017 Soane Tangipa ʻAtaʻata died after he went swimming at the beach.

In 2015  ‘Inoke Mapaleve Mo’unga, 32,  of Kolonga drowned at the beach after  visiting there with his wife and friends.

In 2012   Catholic priest, Father Mikaele Mateo , 37, died at Laulea Beach while helping to rescue his five young nephews who were swept out to open sea by the strong currents.

Charity donates $160,000 cash after nurses’ strike and ‘very urgent’ appeal from church President Tevita Havea

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Vaiola Hospital Board of Visitors Charity has donated TOP$160,000 to support nurses who went on strike recently as well as all staff members who are working during the Christmas holiday season at the hospital.

Some of the nurses who arrived at the palace office in Nuku’alofa to submit their petition to the king

The donation on Thursday comes after nurses in Tonga staged a half-day strike before Christmas as a result of their disappointment with the Minister of Health’s handling of their proposal for a pay rise.

The President of the Free Wesleyan Church Tevita Koloa’ia Havea wrote to the Charity in support of the nurses’ strike.

Mr Havea, whose wife is a hospital nurse, said the staff members especially the nurses at Vaiola, Tonga’s largest hospital, are concerned after their urgent needs regarding their duties had been ignored.

In Tongan he said: “Oku ngauta e kau ngaue Vaiola tautautefito ki he kau Neesi he ikai ke tokangaekina enau ngaahi fiemau vivili ki heenau fakahoko fatongia”.

Mr Havea, who is also a member of the Charity, said the nurses are being frustrated by the health system.

One nurse told Mr Havea she worked non-stop for nine days and 12 hours a day.

Mr Havea said some nurses worked extra shifts for 12 hours in a three-day period.

He also said that only two or three nurses had been rostered to look after one patient ward.

President Tevita Kolo’ia Havea

About 100 highly experienced nurses had just left the country to take up jobs overseas, he said.

“The staff members are in a state of burnout and the quality of the services for the nation’s needs is degrading”, Mr Havea said in Tongan.

He said the nurses move to approve their proposal for a pay rise as well as how they are being compensated for extra shifts they do went unheard even by the Minister of Health.

The President reminded members of  the Board that their first and foremost responsibility was to visit the patients but it looks like they shifted their emphasis and focus on developmental projects.

“Such projects are the responsibility of the government, but we do it after requests from the hospital”, he said.

“It is very important for us to also recognise the duties of the staff members who are looking after the patients”.

He said the Board has yet to help those full-time staff.

“I do believe this is more important than building garage and parking projects for the hospital”.

Mr Havea then made the following proposals to the Board members and said  these were “very urgent” for their consideration:

He proposed that the Board include the nurses’ move to ensure pay equity and safe staffing so they could do their duties accordingly, in its agenda.

He also proposed to donate cash as a one-off payment in support of all staff members who had been working during Christmas holidays 2023.

He said that the board should also consider including this donation for all staff members at Vaiola hospital during Christmas holidays in its future budgets.

As we reported previously, the Minister of Health said in a press conference he regularly met with the nurses about their concerns and pay rise proposal. He said he was surprised after he was told they had marched to the king with a petition regarding their pay proposal.

The Prime Minister also said at the time he had yet to see a copy of the proposal but he would consider it.

The donation was expected to be distributed equally among 400 staff members at the hospital.

HM Queen Nanasipau’u is the Patron of the Vaiola Hospital Board of Visitors which consists mainly of church leaders since its establishment in the 1940s.

Police name victim in Hamilton homicide, woman arrested

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police have named the victim of an alleged homicide in Hamilton’s Melville yesterday.

He was Te Reo Wickliffe-Heta, aged 24, from Hamilton.

“Police extend their sympathies to his whānau and loved ones at this difficult time.”

A homicide investigation was launched after Wickliffe-Heta was found dead in the driveway of a Sundown Crescent home.

“Initial enquiries indicate that he had earlier been involved in an incident at another property on Sundown Crescent,” a police spokesperson said yesterday. “A man linked to that address is assisting police with our enquiries.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Terri Wilson today said a woman had been arrested in connection with the incident.

“A 24-year-old woman has been charged with assault and will be appearing in Hamilton District Court. Further charges are likely.

“Police continue to appeal for any residents of Sundown Crescent who may have relevant CCTV footage to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is urged to call 105

Holiday road toll continues to climb, with death in hospital after crash

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

A person has died after being critically injured in a crash, bringing the deaths on the road over the Christmas-New Year period to 12.

(file image) Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Police said the person died in hospital overnight – the second fatality from the crash which happened on State Highway 29, Kaimai on Thursday.

Police are investigating the crash.

The official 2023 Christmas New Year holiday period began at 4pm on 22 December and ends at 6am on 3 January 2024.

Last year, 21 people died on the roads over the Christmas-New Year holiday period.

Meanwhile, a search is ongoing for two people who went missing after a quad bike rolled into a swimming hole on the swollen Waikainga Stream in the Far North on Saturday evening.

Previous deaths

  • A person died after a vehicle fled from a police checkpoint on Beach Road, in Whangārei on 22 December.
  • A person died after a single-vehicle crash on Te Ahu Ahu Road, Waimate North, on 23 December.
  • A person died in a crash on State Highway 32, on Whakamaru Road in the Bay of Plenty on 23 December.
  • A person died after a crash between a car and motorbike on State Highway 25 at the 25A turnoff on the Coromandel Peninsula between Hikuai and Whangamatā on 23 December.
  • A driver died in a single-vehicle crash on the Methven Highway in Ashburton on Christmas Day.
  • A person died after a crash on Birchs Road in Prebbleton, Canterbury, on Boxing Day.
  • A woman died after a quad bike accident in Marokopa at Rauparaha Street. Witnesses reported seeing a person come off a quad bike on 27 December.
  • Brayden Tawa, 27, from Papamoa, died after a crash at the intersection of Aerodrome Road and Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, on 27 December.
  • One person died after a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 69 at Inangahua, in the Buller District on 28 December.
  • A person died after a crash on State Highway 29 in Lower Kamai between a truck and car on 28 December.
  • A person died in a single-vehicle crash about 10km east of Russell on 29 December.

Swimmers warned to stay out of water at Auckland beaches

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Most of Auckland’s beaches have do not swim warnings or are classified at high risk due to sewage overflows.

A public health warning sign at Mission Bay beach in late September, 2023. (Source: rnz.co.nz)

Swimmers have been warned to stay out of the water at 21 places, including Mission Bay, Kohimarama, and St Heliers, Herne Bay, St Mary’s Bay, Beach Haven, Narrow Neck, Mairangi Bay, Milford, Howick, Point England, Taipari Strand, and Chapman Strand.

“Overflows are more common in wet weather, but they can happen in dry weather if pipes are blocked or damaged,” Safeswim’s website states. The region was hit by thunderstorms and heavy rain this week.

Other major beaches have been classified as “high risk” and swimming is not advised, including at Long Bay, Takapuna, Bayswater, Stanmore Bay, Orewa, Red Beach, Te Atatu Beach, Titirangi Beach, Blockhouse Bay, Litlle and Big Bucklands, and Cockle Bay.

Even Waiheke Island didn’t go untouched, with several beaches having a high risk alert, which indicated levels of Faecal Indicator Bacteria breached national guidelines for swimming.

Several areas also have a long-term high risk alert, including at Piha Lagoon and North Lagoon, Bethells Lagoon, Wood Bay, Green Bay, Lynfield Cove, and Coxs Bay.

Long-term alerts are issued when water quality samples taken at a location consistently fail to meet national guidelines.

Water quality at west coast beaches, including Piha and Muriwai, is rated as good.

rnz.co.nz

New Year Honours: New Zealanders recognised for acting, saving lives, writing hymns and more

By
Kaniva Staff
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By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

One of New Zealand’s first film industry stars and a child cancer doctor are among recipients of the country’s top honours.

“It’s a very Kiwi thing, this position of being a jack-of-all-trades just in order to pay the rent,” says award-winning actor, writer and director for stage and screen, Ian Mune.

He was among 151 recipients of New Year Honours, recognised for their achievements or service to their communities.

He’s joined by Dr Scott Macfarlane, also made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for transforming cancer treatment for children, and The Right Honourable Trevor Mallard, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Māori business leader Pania Tyson-Nathan has been made a Dame, along with Samoan New Zealand-born Sarai Bareman, for her services to football governance.

Top from left: Ian Mune, Scott Macfarlane, Trevor Mallard, Sarai Bareman, Pania Tyson-Nathan.

Top from left: Ian Mune, Scott Macfarlane, Trevor Mallard, Sarai Bareman, Pania Tyson-Nathan, recipients of the country’s top honours. Photo: RNZ

An actor with more than 70 screen roles to date, Sir Ian has continued to perform in a variety of film, television and theatre productions, most recently in the mini-series The Pact (2021).

“The one I’m passionate about is the one I’m doing at the time,” he told RNZ. “If I’m acting that’s what I’m passionate about, if I’m directing that’s what I’m passionate about, if I’m writing that’s what I’m passionate about.”

He co-wrote Sleeping Dogs (1977) and Goodbye Pork Pie (1981); and directed Came a Hot Friday (1984), the coming-of-age drama End of the Golden Weather (1991), The Whole of the Moon (1997) and the sequel to Once Were Warriors, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted (1999) – to name a few.

Now 82 years old, he is recognised as a pioneer who developed the theatre and film industry into viable professions in New Zealand.

Three other health professionals have been made Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit: paediatric anaesthetist and intensive care specialist Brian Anderson, specialist anaesthetist Vanessa Beavis and radiologist Graeme Bydder.

Noted New Zealand hymn writer Marnie Barrell has been recognised for her work and made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The music teacher, lay preacher and musician at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Christchurch has been hymn writing since 1986 and estimates she has written “50 or 60”.

She told RNZ she was “incredulous and delighted” to be listed as a recipient – but only after she realised the email wasn’t a scam.

When asked what made a good hymn, she said: “It’s on the edge of poetry.

“It needs to be connected with the historic faith of the Church but also needs to move in contemporary directions.

“The Church’s thinking does evolve a great deal over time.”

Decisions about the recipients were made by the previous government, prior to the 2023 General Election.

Below is the full list of the New Year Honours for 2024.

DNZM: To be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Sarai-Paea (Sarai) Bareman – For services to football governance

Pania Tyson-Nathan (Rongomaiwahine), MNZM, JP – For services to Māori and business

KNZM: To be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Dr Scott Duncan Macfarlane – For services to health

The Right Honourable Trevor Colin Mallard – For services as a Member of Parliament and as Speaker of the House of Representatives

Ian Barry Mune, OBE – For services to film, television and theatre

CNZM: To be Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Professor Brian Joseph Anderson – For services to paediatrics and anaesthesia

Dr Vanessa Shona Beavis – For services to anaesthesia

David Kenrick Beeche – For services to sports administration

Professor Timothy Clinton Bell – For services to computer science education

John Donald Brakenridge – For services to the New Zealand food and fibre sectors and the merino industry

Professor Graeme Mervyn Bydder – For services to medical imaging

Philip (Pip) Maxwell Cheshire – For services to architecture

Clive Ernest Fugill (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Rangi Wewehi) – For services to Māori art

Dale Mary Adeline Garratt – For services to Christian music production

David Reginald Garratt – For services to Christian music production

Clive David (David) Hill, MNZM – For services to literature, particularly children’s literature

Yolanda Lou-Anne Wisewitch Soryl – For services to literacy education

Dr Kevin Edward Trenberth – For services to geophysics

Jo-anne Edna Mary (Lady Dingle) Wilkinson, MNZM – For services to youth

James Ross (Ross) Wilson (Ngāi Tahu) – For services to the trade union movement and workplace safety

Dr Johanna Julene Wood – For services to football governance

ONZM: To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Associate Professor James Gregory (Greg) Anson – For services to exercise sciences and neuroscience

Susan Battye – for services to performing arts education

Professor Francis Harry (Frank) Bloomfield – For services to neonatology

Ereti Taetuha (Letty) Brown (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou), QSM – For services to Māori and early childhood education

Richard Waldron Bunton – For services as a cardiac surgeon

Steven George (Steve) Campbell – For services to Search and Rescue

Dr Rosemary Beatrice Cathcart, QSM – For services to gifted children

Dr Cherie Maria Chu-Fuluifaga – For services to education

Valerie Ann (Val) Deakin – For services to dance

Barbara Helen Dreaver – For services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities

Dr Graeme Peter Elliott – For services to wildlife conservation

Philip Douglas Gifford – For services to broadcasting and sports journalism

Theodora Mary Götz – For services to gymnastics

Anthony Trevor Gray – For services to accounting and Māori business

Detective Inspector Craig James Hamilton – For services to the New Zealand Police and community

Rosemary Alice (Rose) Henderson – For services to social work and health

Robert George Holding – For services to Pacific literature and business

Associate Professor Tristram Richard Ingham (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Porou) – For services to the disability community

Emeritus Professor Edith Marion (Marion) Jones – For services to education

Marie Carmel Celebrado Lindaya – For services to multicultural communities

Frank Lindsay – For services to the apiculture industry

Norah Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Matthews – for services to curling

Hamish John McCrostie – For services to outdoor recreation and Search and Rescue

James Robert Morris – For services to table tennis

Dr Hana Merenea O’Regan (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) – For services to education

Dr Anneliese Ruth Parkin – for services to the Public Service

Jane Frances Patterson, MNZM – For services to sports administration

Kevin Frank Pivac – For services to the deaf rugby community

Mary Jane Rivers – For services to community-led development, governance and education

Dr Caroline Seelig – For services to education

Tania Joy Te Rangingangana Simpson (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Tahu) – For services to governance and Māori

Dr Simon Snook – For services to reproductive health

Larnce Joseph Wichman – For services to the seafood industry and marine conservation

Rosemary Dawn (Rose) Wilkinson – For services to the blind and vision impaired community

Major General Evan George Williams – For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Emeritus Professor Peter Donald (Don) Wilson – For services to obstetrics and gynaecology

Jodi Ann Wright – For services to the arts

MNZM: To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Harriet Bennett Allan – For services to the publishing industry

Margaret Louise (Marnie) Barrell – For services as a hymn writer

Luke Boustridge – For services to the electrical industry and vocational training

Monica Jacqueline Briggs – For services to women and governance

Patrick William Bronte – For services to military history

Barbara Joan Dewson – For services to dental and oral health therapy

Carla Elena Donson – For services to women and the community

Aaron Murray Fleming – For services to the community and sport

Tevita Filisonu’u Funaki – For services to Pacific health

Robert Lawrence Gemmell – For services to martial arts and the community

Pamela Mary (Pam) Hanna – For services to the community and early childhood education

Roslyn Aileen Hiini – For services to women and the union movement

Phillip Terence (Phil) Humphreys – For services to people with disabilities and sport

Christine Mary (Kira) Hundleby – For services to Pacific arts

Richard Geoffrey Keddell – For services to orthopaedics

Trevor John Kempton – For services to the arts and local government

Julie Ann King – For services to education

Joan (Jo) Knight – For services to the environment

Patricia Jacqueline (Jacqui) Knight – For services to Lepidoptera conservation and the community

Philippa Agnes Laufiso – For services to arts and the community

Vivien Lynette Heretaniwha (Heretaniwha) Lee – For services to prisoner support and Māori

Tupe Lualua – For services to the arts

Huhana Te Uru Naomi Anne (Naomi) Manu (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) – For services to STEM education and Māori

Aych Carlin McArdle – For services to the rainbow community

Pearl Naulder – For services to education

Aaron Roger Nicholson – For services to the New Zealand Police and Search and Rescue

Dinah Jane Okeby – For services to the Public Service

Kahira Rata Patricia Olley (Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Toa) – For services to women, youth and the prevention of family violence

Ria Dawn Percival – For services to football

Dr Anne Doloras Perera – For services to food science and nutrition

Anuradha Ramkumar – For services to Indian classical dance

Paul William James Reti (Ngāpuhi) – For services to ju-jitsu

Alexandra Lowe (Ali) Riley – For services to football

Silao Vaisola (Lemalu Silao) Sefo – For services to Pacific health

Susan Jane (Jane) Sinclair – For services to art and education

Prem Singh – For services to multicultural communities

Harold Edgar (Edgar) Spark – For services to railway unions

The Honourable Maryan Street – For services as a Member of Parliament and to human and democratic rights

Dr Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni – For services to education

Yvonne Lenette (Bonnie) Sue – For services to health and Māori

Joyce Alma Talbot – For services to the sailing administration

Professor Yvonne Jasmine Te Ruki Rangi o Tangaroa Underhill – For services to tertiary education and Pacific Development

Makerita (Vaosa ole Tagaloa Makerita Urale) Urale – For services to Pacific arts

Tama-o-Rangi (Tama) Waipara (Ngāti Ruapani, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) – For services to Māori music

David John West – For services to community development

Diane Christine Wilson (Maniapoto) – For services to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association

Senior Sergeant Karl Edwin Rostance Wilson – For services to the New Zealand Police, disaster victim identification and Search and Rescue

Lindsay Macdonald Wood – For services to environmental sustainability and climate change awareness

Honorary

Ismail Kaşdemir – For services to New Zealand-Türkiye relations

The Queen’s Service Order QSO: To be Companions of the Queen’s Service Order

Paul Thomas Gibson – For services to disabled people

The Queen’s Service Medal QSM

Victoria Louise Andrews – For services to heritage preservation and conservation

Lyall Ashley Bailey – For services to the community and local government

David Alan (Ginge) Burnett – For services to multisport

Ian Peter (Peter) Carr, JP – For services to the community

Neville Albert Carter – For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand rugby

Paul Clements – For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community

Ewen Douglas Phillip Coleman – For services to theatre

Lawrence John (Laurie) Counsell – For services to rowing

Alison Eleanor Crawford – For services to the community

Russel George Geange – For services to swimming and rugby

Helen Alison Gordon – For services to the community

Trevor John Hawkins (Ngāti Kahungunu) – For services to the community

Katherine Jane (Katie Terris) Hawley – For services to the community and the arts

Barbara Mary Hay – For services to the community and education

Kristeen Elizabeth Johnston – For services to the community

Eruera Taihaere (Eru) Kaiwai (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) – For services to the community

Allan John Kerr – For services to music

Geoffrey Ramon (Geoff) Lienert – For services to sports administration, particularly cycling and athletics

Te Ao Marama Maaka (Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Wairere a Ngāi te Rangi) – For services to the community

Brian Campbell McCandless, CB, CBE – For services to the community

Desmond Frank (Des) Meads – For services to hockey and the community

Ngahiwi Takamore Meroiti (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tama) – For services to netball

Dr Michael John Hugh Miller – For services to rural health

Manisha Morar – For services to the Indian community

Bruce Alexander Nairn – For services to the community and sport

Hansaben Dhanji (Hansa) Naran, JP – For services to the Indian community

Karen Gaye Ngatai – For services to the community

Joy Margaret Oakly – For services to women and education

Gavin John O’Donnell – For services to the rural community and conservation

Brian Ernest Gladstone Pegler – For services to social work

James Harry (Harry) Piner, MStJ – For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community

Alister Douglas Robertson – For services to people with dementia

Jennifer Mary Mayson Saywood, JP – For services to restorative justice and women

Jennifer Mary Schollum – For services to the community and heritage preservation

Susan Gay (Susan Jordan) Stevens Jordan – For services to seniors and dance

Rowena Ngaio Tana (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu, Te Kapotai, Ngāti Kawa, Te Orewai, Ngāti Te Ara, Ngāpuhi), JP – For services to the Māori community

Rai Vaeruarangi – For services to the Cook Islands community

William Neil (Neil) Walker – For services to outdoor bowls and smallbore rifle shooting

Athula Cuda Bandara Wanasinghe, JP – For services to the Sri Lankan community and cricket

Honorary

Liyanage Sadun Sampath (Sadun) Kithulagoda – For services to the Sri Lankan community

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal NZAM

Dr Megan Ruby Balks – For services to Antarctic soil science

The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration DSD

Lieutenant Commander Louis James Munden-Hooper – For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Lieutenant Commander Makoare Kohupara (Mark) Te Kani (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whakatōhea), MNZM – For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Lulutai airlines silent over its passenger flight services during Christmas Day

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Lulutai airlines is being tight-lipped over questions about its services  between Vava’u group and Tongatapu on Christmas Day while other businesses are  legally prohibited from operating.

Poasi Tei

The revelation triggered heated debates within the online community with many arguing that the law is unfair because it is not applied equally to everyone.   

Under the law, the Christmas Day must be treated as taboo, just like  Sunday, meaning any transportation service is illegal.

Kaniva News had been reliably told that the national airlines conducted five passenger flights between Tongatapu and Vava’u on Monday, which was Christmas Day.

We have also been told Lulutai had applied for a permit to fly, which was allegedly  granted.

The permission normally should have come from the Minster of Police. The Minister of Police is Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, who is also the chairman of the Lulutai airlines board of directors.

We have asked Lulutai executive officer Poasi Tei whether Lulutai airlines was granted a permit to fly on Christmas Day. We also asked him whether it was true the aircraft flew more than once between Vava’u and Tongatapu.

The latest incident will add to the list of complaints surrounding the airline.

Accusation against PM

The Prime Minister has  been accused of continuing to allow himself and his cabinet ministers to remain as members of the board despite the law saying such membership should only be valid for 12 months. Lulutai airlines was founded in 2020.

The Prime Minister has also been accused of hiding millions of pa’anga being invested in the Lulutai in the government budget.

The questions about Christmas flights follows complaints of travel chaos caused after Lulutai’s 36-seater Saab 340 struck a cement block  on landing at the Fua’amotu domestic airport earlier this month.

Its Y12 aircraft was previously grounded after it veered off the runway during its take-off run on ‘Eua island in July and was later hit by a tow tractor at the Fua’amotu domestic airport.

Passengers from overseas complained recently after arriving in Tonga’s main island Tongatapu only to find they could not get their flight to the outer islands  to spend their Christmas holidays with their families.

In Vava’u, Lulutai asked some local passengers to trade their flight schedules with overseas passengers to make sure they did not miss their connection flights back home.

The Christmas flights

The revelation about the Lulutai flights comes after another incident on Vava’u related to the ban on Christmas Day activities. The Neiafu Town Officer confronted the local police after they had arrested his son for illegally swimming in the sea.

Swimming, fishing, listening to or playing hiva kakala or worldly songs are some of the activities which are prohibited on Christmas Day, Good Friday and Sunday in Tonga.

Vāvā Lapota protested at the police attempting to hold his son in prison overnight while they processed the charges against him.  

Lapota told Kaniva News he told the police it was unfair for them to charge his son and remand him in custody while at the same time the Lulutai aircraft was obviously breaching the Christmas Day ban by repeatedly flying between Tongatapu and Vava’u.

He asked the police why they did not arrest the Lulutai authorities for breaching the Christmas taboo, but they did not respond, Lapota said.  

As we reported on Monday, the Police finally released Lapota’s son, but reminded him to expect receiving his charging document after Christmas.

The law

The law banning business activities on Christmas Day and Good Friday in the same way as Sunday was first introduced in 1937 by the late Queen Salote Tupou III.

As we reported yesterday, some people were surprised to learn from our story that Christmas and Good Friday must be observed throughout the Kingdom as days on which business activities are illegal.

However, as part of the Public Holidays Act, Section 6 grants an exemption which allows the sale of bread, fresh milk, fresh fish and fresh meat until noon.

Emergency flights

Kaniva News understands the Minister of Police has the power to grant exemptions in a state of emergency.

A state of emergency is usually aimed at assisting in the resolution of a situation which threatens human life.

In the past this had been done when a patient needed to be flown from the outer islands to Tongatapu hospital. In another case, an aircraft was allowed to fly on Sunday to search a missing person at sea.

The revelation that Lulutai airlines was allowed to fly on Christmas Day to service its passengers appears to fall outside the state of emergency requirements.

If it is true that the Lulutai was granted a permit to fly on Christmas Day, some other business operators may see this as an opportunity for them to apply for permission to operate on Christmas Day as well.

Kaniva Comments:

It is about time to revise the Sunday law to make it fit with the country’s current economic status and people’s social needs. The law was fine in the past 80 years since most people stayed home and worked on their plantations and handicraft houses. Today, many people operate their own private businesses. Allowing only some businesses to operate on Sunday while others are not given the same opportunity is clearly unfair.

More than 50 percent of Tonga’s budget relies heavily on overseas countries as well as Tongans who sent remittances to their family in the kingdom. These countries do not completely prohibit business activities on Sunday like Tonga. In New Zealand only certain business activities and services are closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday and people are free to work or operate businesses on Sunday. It does not make sense for Tonga to rely on overseas countries which do not prohibit Sunday trading, and are happy to receive their money which was earned from the work they did on Sundays as well as Christmas and Good Friday.

Tonga’s Sunday law is flawed in many respects.  

Prisoner arrested after escaping from Hu‘atolitoli prison

By
Kaniva Staff
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A prisoner who escaped from Hu’atolitolu prison has been arrested on Hihifo Rd at Fatai after three days on the run.

Vaha Afimeimo’unga

Vaha Afimeimo’unga, 41, escaped on Tuesday 26 December.

Police reiterated their message to anyone who is found to have been harbouring Afimeimo’unga that they could face prosecution.

As Kaniva News reported yesterday, the authorities believed the prisoner was hiding around at the Lavengamālie College area.

Sangastar Saulala from the school said prison guards had informed him about the incident.

Responding to a post by Saulala on Facebook reporting the incident, a Facebook user by the name Vaha Jr Leka claimed he was the prisoner.

He said he fled the prison after he was allegedly abused by some prison officials.

He said he feared his life after he was allegedly put together with some enemies in the same prison unit.

The prison authority could not be reached for comment.

MV Niuvākai stalled repeatedly during sailing test, but government still bought it for over $1 million, claims first mate

By
Kalino Latu
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Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku was allegedly on board MV St Theresa to check whether or not the old ferry was fit to be purchased, a member of the crew has claimed.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku

Despite repeated mechanical failures during the voyage from Nuku’alofa to the Ha’apai group, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku and his delegation still recommended that the government purchase the vessel about 10years ago, which was re-named the MV Niuvakai. 

The vessel has now been anchored near Pangaimotu island opposite Queen Sālote wharf in Nuku’alofa for about a year.

It is understood it is no longer operational, but there are staff working there as security guards.

The accusations came after the Prime Minister was accused of abusing his power.

He has been accused of corruption after he gave top jobs to two of his Cabinet ministers who had been dismissed after a court found them guilty of electoral bribery.

He had also been accused of disobeying the rule of law by failing to submit to Parliaments financial statements about the Lulutai airlines for which he is chairman of the airlines board of directors.

He has also been accused of falsifying the government’s annual budget to hide millions of pa’anga being allegedly invested in the airlines as well as increasing his overseas traveling budget without first submitting it to Parliament for approval.

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Ngalo’afē ‘Ulupano said he was the St Theresa’s First Mate in 2014 when Hon. Hu’akavameiliku and others from the government’s Friendly Islands Shipping Agency (FISA)  came on board to ensure the vessel was right for all the agency needs.

‘Ulupano said he thought at the time the government would not buy the vessel because they had been struggling to get the engine to work after it repeatedly stalled before they made it  to Ha’apai’s Pangai wharf.

He said the mechanical faults forced the captain to make changes to the ship’s schedule which was intended to call into various ports in Ha’apai before reaching Pangai.

He said a final decision was made for the ship to travel directly to Pangai because of the number of stalls they had experienced.

Ngalo’afē ‘Ulupano. Photo/Supplied

‘Ulupano said when they arrived at Pangai Hon. Hu’akavameiliku, who was not the Prime Minister at the time, and his colleagues returned by plane and left them there to return the ship to Nuku’alofa.

He said he wanted to come forward now and speak up after Kaniva News recently ran a story about the concerns Tonga’s Ombudsman raised about the purchase of the MV Niuvākai recently.

In that story the Ombudsman said a New Zealand-based marine surveyor identified 17 deficiencies in the MV Niuvakai before Tonga’s national shipping line paid three times what the 34 year- old vessel was worth.

The Ombudsman said the Friendly Island Shipping Agency’s board had failed to conduct a proper evaluation of the vessel.

Ombudsman ‘Aisea H. Taumoepeau said that in February 2014, Pacific Royale Shipping sold the St Theresa to FISA for NZ$936,500 or TOP$1,379,572.19.  The vessel was then renamed the MV Niuvākai before it was launched by the king.

Found wanting

Dunsford Marine inspected the vessel on January 21-22, 2014, during which it identified 17 deficiencies. MV St Theresa was found wanting in most capabilities.

The purchase went ahead despite these findings.

On April 5, 2017, three years after the purchase of the vessel, New Zealand Marine Brokers inspected and evaluated the MV Niuvakai as worth NZ$350,000.

The Ombudsman said there was no evidence that the vessel was independently valued before it was purchased by FISA except for the comparative exercise made with the MV Baltic.

The MV Niuvākai has been anchored near Pangaimotu island opposite Queen Sālote wharf in Nuku’alofa for about a year now. Photo/Kaniva Tonga

“It was not clear whether FISA wanted a further valuation or were satisfied with information presented to them,” the Ombudsman said.

The Dunsford Marine report said: “It is noted that even if the MV Theresa complies with the criteria that FISA requires we would still need to conduct a thorough due diligence to ensure that the proffered information is verified.”

The report expressed deep concern about the viability of buying the MV St Theresa.

The Ombudsman said a later report from Dunsford Marine, carried out after the agreement to buy the vessel had been signed, clearly showed deficiencies about the vessel, which were not revealed by her owners. The report from New Zealand Marine Brokers, made in 2017, highlighted more problems.

Controversy

The vessel was owned by the Ramanlal brothers, who were close friends of the late King George V while he was Crown Prince and then when he became king.

In 2017 Kaniva news reported that the Niuvakai had been put up for sale.

The vessel became a financial liability after it became clear there were not enough goods to export.

The vessel was unable to lift the 20 foot (six metre) containers typically used for shipping with its deck crane and was deemed to be unprofitable on voyages lasting more than three days.

FISA created a new company called Tonga Exports Shipping Agency Limited (TESAL) to operate the MV Niuvakai.

FISA Former chief executive Vaka Utapola Vi told Kaniva News in 2014 that FISA only bought the former St Theresa because the price of  other ships they looked at, including one in the Caribbean, were  either too high or because it would have cost too much to bring them to Tonga.

Vi denied FISA bought the ship to help the Ramanlals with their struggle to pay back their loan for the ship.

When he was told a company in Auckland had turned down an offer to buy the ship because it would lose money on voyages lasting longer than three days, Vi said FISA had tested the ship and he had recommended it.

Troubled history

FISA has regularly updated the public since last year, saying the MV Niuvakai’s schedules had been either delayed or cancelled due to mechanical faults.

In 2015, about a year after its purchase, it was anchored in Vava’u for months because of a mechanical failure.

It also became stranded on a reef in 2016.

In March 2016 Vi was suspended and later resigned.

Neither FISA nor the government has revealed why he was told to resign.

We have contacted the Prime Minister for comment.

We have asked Hon. Hu’akavameiliku to confirm whether ‘Ulupano’s claims were true.

We also asked him to tell us whether it was true that the test voyage they conducted was only made up to fulfil the purchasing procedure and that the government had already decided it was a done deal.

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