A fake tradie who fleeced customers off by more than $280k will be deported to Tonga after inflicting shoddy and incomplete work on vulnerable homeowners’ properties in Sydney and Wollongong.
Tevita Ungounga
Tevita Ungounga launched a charitable website where people who were interested can buy tickets, and the first prize is cash or a house built by him.
The unlicensed tradie did this online business marketing while spending time behind bars.
His sentence comes after he had faced 50 charges from fraud to illegal work, and was put behind bars for breaching his bail by doing more unlicensed and uninsured jobs.
Ungounga destroyed a man’s house and drained his life savings in one of the worst cases seen on A Current Affair has been exposed as a father who regularly attends church with his family.
Ungounga is well known to Fair Trading and New South Wales Police, but despite multiple public warnings and convictions, the 55-year-old from Moorebank has continued to work and left some homeowners in financial ruin.
One of his victims, Ian O’Connor from Illawong, gave Ungounga $235,000 to build a seawall and renovate his quaint home, Australia’s 9Now reported.
The 68-year-old was left with holes in his walls, unfinished rooms, and two years on still has no running water.
“He’s a pig, a disgusting pig,” Mr O’Connor said.
“He seemed quite nice, very friendly, but I guess you could say most conmen are.”
A dengue fever outbreak will be officially declared on Friday in Samoa.
More than 250 cases have been reported, with the majority on the mainland, northwest of Upolu, where most of the population lives.
The World Health Organisation describes denge fever as a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. Most people don’t get symptoms but for those who the most common were high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash.
Samoa’s Director General of Health Alec Ekeroma says a news conference will be held in Samoa at 4pm local time (3pm NZT).
Earlier he said: “No one has died from it, but the country needs to continue its protection measures, and we are planning a national campaign to clean up and destroy breeding sites for mosquitos.”
Samoa’s last dengue situation report dated March 18 – 24 showed 22 new lab-confirmed dengue cases recorded at the time, adding up to 40 cases in March.
The report noted the most affected age groups were those between 5-9 years old and those over 60.
Northwest of Upolu and Apia urban area regions are reported to be the most affected, but some cases have been reported from all regions including Savai’i.
Aiono said there were 20 different definitions of outbreak and they would decide which definition applied now.
If someone has symptoms of dengue-like illness, Aiono said they have to go to hospital so they can undergo blood tests to confirm if they do have dengue.
A public health alert on dengue fever has already been issued advising and encouraging clinicians to collect samples for testing for all patients presenting with dengue-like illnesses.
A Kawerau man is facing numerous charges after allegedly pointing a gun at police, evading arrest and holding people hostage in their own homes.
A 31-year-old Kawerau man has been arrested. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The “dangerous and unpredictable incident” began when two police approached a “suspicious” vehicle on State Highway 30 in the eastern Bay of Plenty about 10pm on Wednesday.
The occupant fired a gun, then pointed it at the officers before driving off.
“An immediate police response allowed officers to set up cordons and locate the vehicle, preventing the suspect from leaving the area,” detective senior sergeant Paul Wilson said on Thursday.
The suspect stopped at a property on Hydro Road, just south of Edgecumbe, and held two people living there hostage, Wilson said.
He then entered another building where he allegedly assaulted and held a third person, in their 70s, hostage.
Police managed to rescue the first two hostages safely at about midnight.
Shortly after at 12.30am, the suspect gave himself up without incident.
One person was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
A sawn-off .22 rifle was recovered, Wilson said. Police will continue to examine the scenes.
A 31-year-old man has been charged with using a firearm against law enforcement, kidnapping, wounding with intent to injure, aggravated burglary, failing to stop, threatening to kill, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and wilful damage.
He is expected to appear in the Whakatāne District Court on Thursday.
Hydro Road in eastern Bay of Plenty. Photo: Google Maps
“This was a dangerous and unpredictable incident,” Wilson said.
“Three victims have been through a distressing ordeal in their own home, a place where they should feel safe, and two police officers have faced a totally unacceptable threat while going about their duty.
“Police are ensuring the victims and the officers have the support they need.
“I’m proud of the actions of our police, who brought this volatile incident to a peaceful conclusion. Events like this are distressing for our communities; there will be an increased presence in the area and officers will be carrying reassurance patrols.”
Last night, the visiting delegation, made up of members of the United States Congress and the United Nations Foundation (UNF), departed Nuku’alofa, Tonga, following in-depth discussions with representatives from Government and civil society, as well as visits to schools, UN-supported projects, and the Vaiola Hospital.
While in Tonga, delegation met with Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, Acting Prime Minister of Tonga, as well as other Ministers and members of Government – Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti, Minister for Finance, Hon. Siale Ákauóla, Minister for Health, Mr. ‘Isikeli Oko – CEO for Education and Training Mrs. Kilisitina Tuaimei’api – CEO for Finance, Dr. ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola – Acting CEO, Ministry of Health, Mr. Vatulele Tuputupu – A/CEO, MEIDECC, Miss ‘Olita Tupou – Acting Chief Secretary & Acting Secretary to Cabinet, PMO, Miss Ilaisipa ‘Alipate- Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We are grateful to the Acting Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers for receiving us so warmly today. This meeting provides an important opportunity for the Congressional delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Small Island Developing States like Tonga, and to explore collaborative solutions that the US – through partners such as UN – can bring to help address these pressing issues,” said UN Resident Coordinator to Tonga, Mr Dirk Wagener, who was also part of the delegation.
Tonga faces many developmental challenges, all of which are exacerbated by the climate change emergency, COVID-19 and increasingly frequent and intense disasters.
The interconnectivity of economic, health, development, nutrition, and climate challenges in Tonga, combined with its remoteness, all contribute to its classification as the world’s second most at-risk country in the world in terms of its exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards and the unfolding effects of climate change.
The UN-Tonga Country Implementation Plan (CIP) 2023 – 2025, endorsed by the Government of Tonga in May 2023, defines UN assistance to Tonga to achieve its Strategic Development Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With an annual budget for 2023 of USD$17m, the CIP focuses on four pillars – Planet, People, Prosperity and Peace – to contribute to a Pacific region where all people are equal and free to exercise their fundamental rights, enjoying gender equality and peace, resilient to the existential threats and living in harmony with the blue continent.
In total, there are 23 UN agencies working in Tonga, including non-resident agencies.
Melissa Lee has been booted from Cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle.
Melissa Lee. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in Cabinet.
Simmonds was a minister outside of Cabinet.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the changes in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
He said Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith – currently overseas – would take over the Media and Broadcasting role, while Social Development Minister Louise Upston would pick up Disability Issues.
Luxon said it had “become clear in recent months that there are significant challenges in the media sector. Similarly, we have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People”.
“I have come to the view it is important to have senior Cabinet Ministers considering these issues.”
Viliami Tonga, who up until now had name suppression, pleaded guilty this morning to common assault – one week after co-defendant Paula Lavemai was sentenced in the same courtroom to one month’s home detention for the same August 2023 incident.
Although common assault is usually dealt with in the district court, both men appeared in the High Court at Auckland as four other co-defendants have been charged with a murder alleged to have happened shortly after the road rage attack.
Authorities say Tonga and Lavemai were heading to a Pt England reserve in East Auckland to aid Rebels members in a planned confrontation with members of rival motorcycle gang the Head Hunters.
Tonga and Lavemai are both members of the FITUS street gang which aligns with the Crips and the Rebels.
Patched Head Hunter Charles Pongi was shot during the melee inside the reserve and died later that day after driving himself to hospital.
All co-defendants charged with murder have pleaded not guilty and await trial next year.
The road rage incident was at an Ōtāhuhu intersection shortly after Tonga, Lavemai and others left the Rebels gang pad, according to court documents.
“The group accosted [the driver], demanding he get out of his vehicle, kicking door panels and [another co-defendant] smashed the front passenger window with an elbow strike,” according to the police summary of the incident agreed to by Lavemai.
As that was occurring, another vehicle in the convoy pulled up and joined in, occupants kicking the vehicle.
“Get out of the car or I will shoot you”, one person is alleged to have said while brandishing a pistol.
The gang members jumped back into their vehicles as the light changed and drove off, authorities allege.
The attacked driver followed the convoy, trying to memorise number plates, until a passenger of another vehicle in the convoy produced a long, single-barrelled firearm, court documents state.
“F*** off,” the person is alleged to have said as he showed the weapon. The motorist decided to follow the advice, driving home before calling police.
Police arrested Lavemai after finding his fingerprint on the victim’s car. CCTV in the area also filmed the attack, and Tonga was identified by his “distinctive clothing”, authorities alleged.
Although the motorist did not suffer any physical injuries, the psychological effect of the incident has been long-lasting, Justice Graham Lang noted during Lavemai’s sentencing hearing, suggesting his actions were at “the upper end” of what could be considered common assault.
Justice Lang set a sentencing date for next month.
The judge did not immediately enter a conviction, at the defendant’s request, after Tonga’s lawyer indicated they will be seeking a discharge without conviction.
Common assault carries a maximum sentence on one year in prison.
Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand.
Tributes have poured in for former ‘Ikale Tahi, rugby league player and coach Heamani Lavaka, who has died at the age of 55 in Parkes, Australia.
New Forbes coach Heamani Lavaka in action for Parkes Boars in 2013. Photo/Forbes Advocate
Lavaka was first capped for Tonga during the match against Samoa in Apia, on 13 July 1996.
Former ‘Ikale Tahi captain ‘Inoke Afeaki who had also played together with Lavaka was among the first to pay tribute to Lavaka on social media.
“Heart wrenching loss, Rest In Peace Heamani Lavaka one of Tonga’s 2003 Rugby World Cup biggest unsung heroes who did some serious grind work to help catapult an amazing young batch that went on to wow the world in the following 2007 and 2011 RWCs”,
Lavaka also played four matches in the tournament, with the match against Canada in Wollongong on 29 October 2003.
At club level, Lavaka played the Australian Rugby Championship for Melbourne Rebels in the 2007–08 season.
Afeaki described Lavaka as “More than just a talented Rugby Player, he will be missed by his community as an influential Coach at the Forbes Rugby Union Club”.
“Condolences to his beautiful family, immediate and wider Rugby mates who share in the sadness in losing Heamani, we will miss your humour, honesty and your commitment to helping your community”.
Lavaka’s coaching career in rugby included clubs in Sydney.
Lavaka’s daughter ‘Emeline Lavaka posted a heartful message on Facebook.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our Dad’s large and wonderful life. Dad passed away yesterday (Monday 22).
“He fought right until the very end and he was surrounded by so much family, music and love when he took his last breaths. Dad was incredibly peaceful in his last moments.
“We will soon share details of Dad’s memorial. Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support during this time. Your love is very much appreciated”.
A man has been charged after a bus driver was assaulted in central Auckland on Monday.
Police said they responded to reports of the “violent and unprovoked” assault on a bus about 4.30pm in Ponsonby.
“It’s understood the man boarded the bus on Ponsonby Road without tagging on,” Inspector Dave Christoffersen said.
“The driver has then asked the man to get off the bus, and it is alleged he punched and kicked her in response, and when she pulled over he got off the bus and ran up Ponsonby Road.”
Christoffersen said it was a “completely unacceptable” attack on someone who was just doing their job.
A man found a short distance away was taken into custody, he said.
“Police are now providing support to the driver who is understandably very shaken by what has occurred.
“Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.”
Auckland Transport public transport relations group manager Rachel Cara said the agency was saddened by the incident.
“We are working with police and our bus operator to assist with investigations and ensure that the driver is receiving the support they need,” Cara said.
“Safety is our top priority on the network.”
The 39-year-old man has been charged and will appear in Auckland District Court on 26 April.
[2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I – Philippines] Chairman Man-hee Lee: “My mission is to testify to the events of Revelation as I have seen and heard them”
Shincheonji Chairman Man-hee Lee, who is past the age of ninety, delivered a powerful and confident lecture on the book of Revelation in the Philippines, explaining the logic and order of the ‘testimony of the fulfilled reality of Revelation’. Local attendees poured out applause, moved by the message.
“It is the mission of this person (Chairman Man-hee Lee) to convey what has been seen and heard (of the events of Revelation chapters 1 to 22). What I have seen and heard, what I have touched and what exists in reality, that is what I am here to share with you. Now is not the time to say anything and simply agree with ‘Amen’. You need to know the times. This is the era in which the promises have been fulfilled.”
In an indoor lecture hall in the Philippines, applause poured out into the space where thousands of people were seated. The strong voice and a confident lecture came from a man small in stature who is over 90 years old. He made expressions that were easy for even a child to understand. In an instant, the atmosphere heated up. The person who made this happen was none other than Man-hee Lee, the chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
The Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) presented ‘The evidence of the reality of Revelation’s fulfilment’ at the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ held in the Philippines on the 20th of April.
◆Chairman Lee introduces himself first, like the prophets
On the 20th of April, Chairman Lee visited the Philippines. This was his twelfth visit since when he first visited in 2013.
On this day, Chairman Lee kicked off the ‘‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ with a visit to the Philippine International Convention Center. The lecture series begins in Asia (I) and will continue throughout the year in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, and conclude again in Asia (II). The Shincheonji Church of Jesus organized this Word Seminar due to explosive responses and earnest requests from numerous pastors and believers worldwide following the ‘Shincheonji Revelation Word Seminar’.
In a lecture hall that was packed with 4,000 people, Chairman Lee took to the stage and first introduced himself and what led him to faith. It gave an impression similar to how biblical writers would introduce their lineage and era before the main content.
According to Chairman Lee’s introduction, he was born in Cheongdo County, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 1931. Due to the effects of World War II, Korea fell under Japanese colonial rule, and as the Korean War continued, he experienced the tragedy of fratricidal warfare as a combatant on the front lines. Grateful for surviving in a place where not even a single blade of grass could live due to relentless gunfire from both allies and enemies, he prayed to the God of heaven every evening.
Later, guided by a star (a great light), he made a covenant with God through blood and entered the path of faith. Following the star’s guidance, he practiced faith at a church with seven pastors but returned home after witnessing corruption there. He then participated in the Saemaul (New Village) Movement for seven years.
Afterward, he met a spiritual being from heaven again and began his faith journey anew. Initially worshipping in the mountains, he eventually drew followers with the revelation he received, leading to what is now the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
The Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) presented ‘The evidence of the reality of Revelation’s fulfilment’ at the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ held in the Philippines on the 20th of April.
◆ “Jesus Commands the Witness of Revelation to Testify”
Chairman Lee explained the direct reason why he came to testify about the words of Revelation. He stated, “The entire events from chapters 1 to 22 of Revelation were shown by Jesus and given to one person.” He continued, “This one person will speak of everything he has seen and heard up to chapter 22.” He emphasized again that it was “one person who saw everything from chapters 1 to 22 of Revelation,” explaining that when these prophecies are fulfilled, it is not Jesus who testifies, but Jesus commands the witness to testify to the churches, citing Revelation 22:16 and 8. Revelation 22:16 records that Jesus sends ‘my angel’ for the churches, and verse 8 refers to ‘I, John,’ indicating the one who has seen and heard the events of the entire book of Revelation.
Chairman Lee stated, “There is a time for prophecy to be made and a time when it will be fulfilled,” and “when it is fulfilled, we are to see and believe, which is why it was prophesied in advance.”
The Chairman Man-hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji Church of Jesus) presented ‘The evidence of the reality of Revelation’s fulfilment’ at the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent: Asia I’ held in the Philippines on the 20th of April.
◆ “To Enter Heaven, One Must Verify the Reality and be Sealed”
Furthermore, Chairman Lee asserted that this era is ‘the time when Revelation is being fulfilled.’
Chairman Lee declared, “The world is in a deep sleep, not knowing whether the book of Revelation from God is being fulfilled or not,” and asserted, “More than half of Revelation has already been fulfilled.”
Chairman Lee stated forcefully, “Now is not the time to say anything and simply agree with ‘Amen,'” and “You must understand the era of reality. It is the era when promises have been fulfilled.” He stressed, “Revelation includes a beast with seven heads and ten horns, and also seven stars. It’s about understanding what people actually appear,” and reiterated that “when God records the appearance of these people, it is so that today they may be seen, heard, and believed.”
Referring to Revelation 22:18-19, Chairman Lee repeatedly emphasized that one cannot enter heaven if they add to or take away from the Book of Revelation. In doing so, he awakened a sense of urgency in faith by saying, “One must know everything without leaving anything out. Even if you know everything, it is difficult to put it into practice, and if you do not know, you will lose hope.”
Chairman Lee also said that if one desires heaven and eternal life, they must go to the ends of the earth if necessary to find out whether it is a reality fulfilled according to the Bible. Chairman Lee stressed, “Faith is not something you do for the sake of making money,” and “It’s not the time to have faith with the old mentality. One must verify. After verifying, one must decide whether to believe or not.”
He also emphasized once again that one must master the book of Revelation and receive a seal as if being stamped. Chairman Lee asked, “Why do you think it is written in Revelation 22:18-19 that one will not enter the kingdom of heaven and will be cursed if they add or subtract from it?” He answered, “It is because these words are to be fulfilled as if stamped with a seal.”
Chairman Lee stressed the importance of engraving the words in one’s heart, becoming a ‘walking Bible’ and a ‘living word.’ He mentioned that those who do so become the sealed ones spoken of in Revelation 7, who are saved. Chairman Lee declared, “There is no talk of salvation except for the 144,000 who are sealed and the great multitude in white; anyone who is not sealed becomes like a clump of soil, having nothing to do with it. Only those who are sealed can enter the kingdom of heaven.” He also firmly stated, “Those who are sealed can live in heaven, have eternal life, and be part of God’s family, but those who are not, have no relation to God.”
To the local people, Chairman Lee frequently conveyed greetings such as “I have a deep connection with the Philippines,” “The Philippines was the first place I came to testify after receiving the word,” and “I hold affection for the Philippines.”
In fact, the Philippines has maintained a relationship with Chairman Lee for over a decade. Apart from his religious activities, as the representative of the non-governmental international organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), he visited the Philippines and mediated the first civilian peace agreement in Mindanao, which had been in conflict for over 40 years. Following this, peace was established in the region, and this news received global attention.
Meanwhile, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 when borders were closed, Shincheonji Church of Jesus held an online Word Seminar and shocked religious communities worldwide. After being exposed to the words of Shincheonji, numerous other denominations flooded them with requests for exchange, leading to MOUs for word exchange with 443 domestic churches and 9,462 churches in 77 countries overseas. In particular, after the exchange of words, 1,382 churches in 38 countries abroad changed their signs to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus announced, “Due to the explosive response and earnest requests from numerous pastors and believers worldwide, we will host the ‘2024 Shincheonji’s Bible Seminars by Continent’ starting with Asia (I) on April 20th. The Word Seminars are scheduled to take place throughout the year in Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, and Asia (II). The seminars will be live-streamed in multiple languages on YouTube for anyone around the world to watch.”
The Supreme Court has ordered that Paula Ma’u’s appointment as Acting Chief Executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be suspended.
Tonga Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet.
The court also ordered the Public Services Commission to not advertise for or recruit a Chief Executive Officer of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs lodged an application on February 19 for leave to commence judicial review proceedings and an interim injunction relating to the creation of position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and recruiting a Chief Executive Officer to that role.
Clause 39 of the Constitution empowers the King to appoint his “representatives to other nations according to the custom of other nations.”
The court was told that the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was appointed by the King to a role that encompassed diplomatic functions. To appoint a CEO would impinge on the role of the secretary and therefore impede His Majesty’s prerogative under the constitution.
Appointing an Acting CEO would likewise duplicate tasks and functions already allocated to, and undertaken by the Secretary.
A claim was also made that appointing an acting CEO, who in turn had functions that included diplomatic duties, usurped His Majesty’s prerogative to appoint a diplomatic officer under the Constitution.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs also claimed that the appointment of an Acting CEO was unlawful.
In their defence, the Public services Commission, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and acting CEO Paula Ma’u argued that contract under which the Secretary was employed was unlawful.
This was because Lord Dalgety KC signed off on the contract and had no power to so do pursuant to Privy Council resolution 28 November 2011.
The defendants claimed that the appointment of the SECFO did not confer diplomatic functions upon him as Clause 39 of the Constitution was limited to appointments made in respect of “representatives to other nations according to the custom of nations”. They argued that this was a clear reference to diplomatic posting overseas.
In his ruling, Judge Cooper said the appointment of an Acting CEO may have the potential to undermine the years-long established arrangements for diplomatic engagement.
“In considering overarching considerations of societal and legal stability, I note the Plaintiff’s Action essentially is to revert to the arrangements that have been in place for some years,” the judge said.
“By its nature, that means following what has become an established practice in the Kingdom insofar as the role of SECFO.
“At this stage, allowing that to continue seems to me to maintain constancy by reverting to the established order.”
He therefore ruled that until further Order of the Court, the Public Services Commission was restrained from proceeding to advertise and recruit a Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and
Paula Mau’s appointment as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was suspended.
