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Golriz Ghahraman resigns from Parliament after shoplifting allegations

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Green MP Golriz Ghahraman is stepping down from Parliament after being accused of shoplifting on three separate occasions.

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillston

In a statement, Ghahraman said stress relating to her work had led her to “act in ways that are completely out of character. I am not trying to excuse my actions, but I do want to explain them”.

“The mental health professional I see says my recent behaviour is consistent with recent events giving rise to extreme stress response, and relating to previously unrecognised trauma,” she said.

She said she had fallen short of the high standards expected of elected representatives, and apologised.

“I have let down a lot of people and I am very sorry,” the statement said. “It’s not a behaviour I can explain because it’s not rational in any way, and after medical evaluation, I understand I’m not well.

“The best thing for my mental health is to resign as a Member of Parliament and to focus on my recovery and to find other ways to work for positive change in the world.”

Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw, in a separate statement, said Ghahraman had been the leading voice in Parliament for human rights, truly independent foreign policy, and electoral reform for six years, but “it is clear to us that Ms Ghahraman is in a state of extreme distress”.

“She has taken responsibility and apologised. We support the decision she has made to resign.

“We are deeply sorry to see Ms Ghahraman leave under these circumstances and we wish her all the best for the future.”

They said she had worked tirelessly on behalf of her communities.

“Nothing detracts from that work and we know she will continue to support those communities in future. We cannot comment on the details of allegations while police investigations are continuing.”

Ghahraman also thanked Scotties Boutique “for the kindness and empathy they have shown me”, and asked for space and privacy so she could get better.

The allegations involved Auckland clothing retailer Scotties Boutique and Wellington clothing store Cre8iveworx.

Police confirmed they were investigating reports of an incident on 23 December. Police repeatedly refused to comment on any second alleged incident.

The Green Party confirmed on 10 January Ghahraman had temporarily stood down from her portfolio roles.

The leaders later confirmed they had been informed of an allegation on 27 December, as well as a second incident at the same store.

They had not said anything at the time, they said, because the store involved did not want it to be made public and was happy to wait for Ghahraman to return from a long-planned overseas trip.

The third alleged incident to be made public – at Cre8iveworx on Wellington’s Cuba Street – was claimed to have occurred on 26 October last year, about a week and a half after the election.

An email was sent from Cre8iveworx to the police-run “Eyes on” crime prevention network on Monday afternoon, naming Ghahraman and including images of her in the store in October.

The email claimed she targeted a “substantial value of goods”, and said it was “beyond disappointing that someone in this position should be targeting a small independent boutique”.

Ghahraman was elected on the Green Party list, ranked 7th. She held 10 spokesperson portfolios, including Justice, Defence, and Foreign Affairs.

Her resignation allows the next person on the list to enter Parliament – former Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

Davidson and Shaw are expected to speak to the media shortly.

Ghahraman has not been charged.

Parker lines up fight with in-form Chinese heavyweight Zhang

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker has got his wish and will return to the ring quickly in a showdown with Chinese powerhouse Zhilei Zhang.

Off the back of his dominant pre-Christmas win over American Deontay Wilder, Parker has agreed to another rich contest in Saudi Arabia, against Zhang in Riyadh on March 8.

It will be the “co-feature” on a card also headlined by the fight between Briton Anthony Joshua and UFC specialist Francis Ngannou, whose only professional boxing fight was a loss to Tyson Fury in October.

Parker, 32, and 40-year-old Zhang are coming off emphatic wins over notable opponents.

The New Zealander revived his career with a unanimous points win over Wilder, showing a renewed dynamism in notching the 34th victory of his career and his fourth in a row since losing to Briton Joe Joyce in 2022.

After the Wilder fight, Parker expressed a desire to fight Joshua.

However, he said if that couldn’t happen, he just wanted to get back into the ring quickly.

“I’d like to get out as soon as I can. March, I’d love to fight in March,” he said.

“So listen, I’m training every day, I’m working hard, I’m eating clean. I’m just enjoying rest time but I know there’s a fight coming or looming very soon.”

Southpaw Zhang exploded into prominence with two knockout wins over the previously-unbeaten Joyce last year, the second coming in the third round in October to improve his career record to 26 wins, 21 by knockout.

A silver-medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Zhang boasts an enormous 1.97m frame and won of the most powerful left-hands in the heavyweight ranks.\

His lone loss was to Croat Filip Hrgovic in a contentious points decision in 2022.

Great Britain’s Anthony Joshua previously described a potential bout with Cameroon-born Ngannou, 37, as a “gimmick fight”.

Ngannou sent the undefeated Fury to the canvas with a left hook before losing in a split decision.

Joshua is keen to put himself in the mix to face the winner of a fight in Februay between WBC champion Fury multiple belt-holder Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine.

Boxing commentators have said the fight against Ngannou represents less risk for Joshua than might be anticipated against Parker – who many had considered an obvious next opponent after his victory over Wilder.

Fiji drug bust: Police chief confirms ‘one of biggest seizures ever’ of meth in Nadi

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

Fiji police have seized over three tonnes of methamphetamine, with the country’s acting top cop confirming it is “one of the biggest seizures ever” in the country.

Fiji meth bust. Photo: Fiji Police

The drugs was stored in 797 medium-sized containers wrapped in brown tapes that were seized from a vacant house currently under construction in Namaka in Nadi, police said via a statement on Monday.

Local police have not put a street value on the haul but, based on the NZ drug trend survey, it could be priced in the hundreds of millions of dollars if it landed here.

Police say the drugs seized are in police custody and investigation into the matter continues.

No further details on the people involved have been released.

RNZ Pacific has contacted the Fiji police for more information.

Acting Police Commisioner Juki Fong Chew said via the press statement their “fight against drugs” continues in the form of “consistent raids” with “more drugs being seized”.

“This is one of the biggest seizures ever and this shows that we are on top of things,” he said.

“The white powder seized was over three tonnes and it was stored in 797 medium size containers.

“Our fight against drugs continue and we are out there trying to make our country free from drugs.”

He said engagements with the organisation’s external partners continues as part of its fight against illicit drugs.

Fiji meth bust. 14 January 2024

Fiji meth bust. Photo: Fiji Police

Govt losing drug war

Last year, the Fijian government made the admission it was losing the fight against the sale and consumption of illegal drugs in the country.

Attorney-General Siromi Turaga was pleading with traditional leaders to work with police to address the drug problem, local media had reported.

Turaga said the use of methamphetamine, which is known by the street name “ice”, had become widespread and affecting people’s lives.

Concern for children

He warned the illegal substance has flooded the community “and even schoolchildren are selling” it.

He said children needed to be protected, as concerns were being raised about children being used to peddle and distribute drugs.

According to Drug Free World Fiji founder Kalesi Volatabu, one in three children on the streets were “highly likely” users of meth and other hard drugs.

Fiji meth bust. 14 January 2024

Fiji meth bust. Photo: Fiji Police

SH1 reopen at Papakura after serious crash

By
Kaniva Staff
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State Highway 1 has reopened from the Beach Road off-ramp to the Great South Road on-ramp after a serious crash.

Earlier, police said they were notified of the crash at 11.13am, which involved multiple vehicles.

“Two people have been seriously injured,” a police spokesperson said at the time.

Waka Kotahi NZTA earlier told motorists to expect significant delays.

Police warn parents after Tongatapu missing 12-year-old girl located

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The police are urging parents and children to be vigilant, following what appeared to be an abduction of a girl in eastern Nuku’alofa yesterday.

Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū

According to report by a family member on Facebook last night, two men appeared to have coerced the 12-year-old into a car, as she was at a swimming spot nearby.

Police said this evening the girl was located and returned to her parents safely.

It did not say whether there was any physical contact between the apparent abductors  and the girl, but it said “the Police are looking to establish the reason for the minor’s action”.

“Tonga Police responded to a report of a missing 12-year-old girl from Fangaloto last night, 10 January 2024, after going for a swim”, the police said in a statement.

It said the young girl was found in the early hours of today, 11 January 2024, and has been returned safely to her parents.

Meanwhile, Tonga Police is reminding parents and guardians to be more alert for the safety of their children.

“It is also wise to always remind children to never talk to strangers and not to accept anything offered by anyone other than their parents and to alert the police should you or your child feel unsafe in any situation.

To report a crime or for assistance from police, call us on 922 or 740-1630 or 740-1632”.

Since she has been found, Kaniva News has removed her name and photo from this article. 

“. 

Desperate search for 12-year-old Tongatapu girl last seen getting into silver car with two men

By
Kaniva Staff
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The girl has been found, Kaniva News has removed her name and photo from this article. 

The police are urging parents and children to be vigilant, following what appeared to be an abduction of a girl in eastern Nuku’alofa yesterday.

According to report by a family member on Facebook last night, two men appeared to have coerced the 12-year-old into a car, as she was at a swimming spot nearby.

Police said this evening the girl was located and returned to her parents safely.

It did not say whether there was any physical contact between the apparent abductors  and the girl, but it said “the Police are looking to establish the reason for the minor’s action”.

“Tonga Police responded to a report of a missing 12-year-old girl from Fangaloto last night, 10 January 2024, after going for a swim”, the police said in a statement.

It said the young girl was found in the early hours of today, 11 January 2024, and has been returned safely to her parents.

Meanwhile, Tonga Police is reminding parents and guardians to be more alert for the safety of their children.

“It is also wise to always remind children to never talk to strangers and not to accept anything offered by anyone other than their parents and to alert the police should you or your child feel unsafe in any situation.

To report a crime or for assistance from police, call us on 922 or 740-1630 or 740-1632”.

Sex education: Govt accused of ‘conspiracy-based thinking’

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

The union representing primary school teachers says there still has not been any consultation or guidance from the Government over planned changes to the sex education curriculum, a few weeks out from the school year starting.

As part of National’s coalition agreement with New Zealand First, the curriculum will be refocused on “academic achievement and not ideology, including the removal and replacement of the gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines”.

The guidelines were introduced in 2020 by then-associate education minister Tracey Martin, who was a New Zealand First MP.

NZEI Te Riu Roa president Mark Potter said they had been developed by specialists in that area, as well as educational professionals, and were designed to be age-appropriate for each stage of children’s growth.

“We’re very worried that they seem to think there’s something that needs to be changed. And we’re not seeing what they’re trying to fix at this stage. We don’t understand why they need to do this,” he said.

Potter said schools already consulted with communities on sex education on an annual or biannual basis, and some parents who were uncomfortable speaking to their own children about sexuality education were happy to leave it to schools.

“They just want to know what is being said to the children. So if something is said to a child, at least the parent knows when the child follows up with a question to their parents when they get home.

“Most commonly, what schools do is if the child asks a question that’s actually really one we’d be expecting older children to be looking into or exploring, that’s where teachers will say ‘that’s something you need to ask your parents about’. Because at that stage, the school is not ready to talk to a child at that age about that area.”

He believed the change was coming from some areas of the community who were putting pressure on schools and the ministry.

“A lot of it is very conspiracy-based thinking, and lots of claims about what schools are supposed to be doing that they just aren’t. Some very untrue statements being made about what children being taught. So we are wondering, who are they pandering to with this kind of move?”

During the election campaign, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters campaigned against “woke ideology” in schools, while National leader Christopher Luxon said sexuality issues should be dealt with in the home, by parents.

In December, after becoming prime minister, Luxon revised his answer, saying the guidelines had been variously interpreted by schools, which had parents concerned.

“All we’re asking for is, because we’ve been caught between curriculum, we want a well defined curriculum agreed to by experts that actually makes sure that the content is age-appropriate, that parents have been consulted, and importantly that parents have an ability to withdraw from the education as well,” he said.

Labour’s education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said parents already had the option to withdraw their children from classes.

But she said the removal of the guidelines, particularly on issues like consent and relationships, was a concern and risked damaging young people.

“We already know that in that area, that young people are facing some serious challenges. There’s way more access to pornography through the internet now than what has ever happened before. And young people get their understanding of sex sometimes, sadly, from those sources.”

She said the Government’s reasoning was “dangerously close” to culture war rhetoric.

“I was really concerned during the election campaign, that I was told by a candidate that we’re just trying to ‘trans-ify’ kids. What on earth does that even mean? I hadn’t even heard of the ‘woke gender curriculum’, I had to look it up, and saw that it was something that was an imported culture war. That really concerns me. Our kids are beyond that.

“We have a really good curriculum in this country. The guidelines are not the curriculum, they are adding to how we can make sure the curriculum is taught well. They are not compulsory, but they are absolutely superb.”

Both Potter and Tinetti said schools have already developed their curricula for 2024, which would have been developed with their communities.

But schools would need time to make the changes, and consult with parents in time for 2025. The sex education changes did not make it into the Government’s 100-day plan.

Potter said so far, there had been very little indication from the Government on what it wants changed in the guidelines, given the coalition agreement also called for a replacement.

“We will be expecting a grown up conversation around what is needed. We want to make sure that politicians don’t interfere with the curriculum where they don’t belong. And what we’ll be looking to see is that there’ll be supporting professionals and developing an inclusive education system for all children,” Potter said.

Lulutai’s new aircraft reported grounded as customers’ complaints about services intensify

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lulutai airline’s newly purchased aircraft was reportedly grounded today, a source has  told Kaniva News.

Lulutai De Havilland Twin Otter

We contacted the airlines chief executive Poasi Tei for comment and asked him to confirm whether it was true the Twin Otter had been grounded and why.

Source said engineers were called to look at the Twin Otter, apparently for mechanical issues.

The incident comes after several complaints about the Lulutai services had been shared on social media, including Kaniva News. 

The news comes in the midst of an ongoing investigation conducted by staff from Australia and the Tonga’s Civil Aviation Division (CAD) to determine the cause of the 36-seater Saab 340 aircraft accident, at Fua’amotu Domestic Airport a month ago.

It is understood the investigators want to find out if the damage is consistent and aligns with the insurance company’s coverage claims policy.

As we reported previously there were complaints of travel chaos caused before Christmas after the Saab 340 struck a cement block  on landing at the Fua’amotu domestic airport.

Flight passengers were then forced to take the inter-island ferries.

The airline has three aircraft including the Saab 340, Y12 Harbin  and the Twin Otter.

It is understood the Y-12 plane was only fixed last week. It was grounded after it veered off the runway during its take-off run on ‘Eua island in July last year and was later hit by a tow tractor at the Fua’amotu domestic airport.

The new 18-seater Twin Otter was forced to fulfil all the inter-island services among ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas after the Saab accident.  

The Prime Minister, who is the chairman of the Lulutai board of directors said two pilots had been accredited to fly the Twin Otter 16 hours a day. He said each pilot flew the plane for eight hours a day in an attempt to cope with the high-demand on the domestic routes during the Christmas holiday season.

The Prime Minister also recently said the Lulutai airlines was struggling to  find another aircraft after an attempt to lease or buy another aircraft. He said none was available and a deal with the Fiji airways to assist the situation had proven fruitless.  

Complaints

A New Zealand-based Tongan resident said this afternoon she was booked to fly from Ha’apai to Tongatapu tomorrow (Thursday, January 11) but was informed today by the Lulutai that her flight had been cancelled.

She was told to stay in touch.

On Lulutai’s Facebook accounts some passengers vented their frustrations and raised their anger directly with the airlines after being told their flights had been cancelled.

One ticket holder wrote: “Why did you guys cancel the Wednesday flight??? I’m in Ha’apai and I’m leaving on Wednesday night back to NZ. There should be some kind of compensation with these kind of rescheduling”.

Another wrote: “I should start swimming. They are known for their no communication and all of a sudden flights are cancelled. We planned before time and yet still cancelled. Just be ready for cancelled flight when you come. Because travelling in Tonga it’s about who you know”.

The national airline also appears to lackof online public relation tips and strategic communication services  to  facilitate its services and reduce customer complaints help them contact its office directly.

Most of the complaints said e-mails and calls to the Lulutai office went unanswered.

“Hello Lulutai Airline Ltd, can you please let me know how I can buy ticket to Vava’u on April 20? Will be much appreciated”, a commented wrote on Luluta’s Facebook account.

One commenter wrote: “I’m gonna go to Haapai in July and afraid of this happening!! How will you get to  (Nuku’alofa) now? Or is there another flight you can take?”

PM Hu‘akavameiliku’s response fails to completely answer questions raised by Lulutai’s inter-island Christmas Day services

By
Kalino Latu
-

COMMENTARY: Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku has still not completely answered questions raised about the legality of the government airline’s Christmas Day passenger flights.

Prime MInister Hu’akavameiliku

The national airline was accused of breaching the Christmas Day trading ban after reports it conducted passenger flights on Christmas Day.  

Businesses and trading services are illegal in the kingdom on Sunday, Christmas Day and Good Friday.

As Kaniva News reported previously, the Neiafu town officer had protested at the Vava’u police station after the police arrested his son for illegally swimming in the sea on Christmas Day.

Vāvā Lapota told the Neiafu police it was unfair for them to arrest and charge his son while at the same time they did not arrest Lulutai’s management for breaching the Christmas taboo by operating between Vava’u and Tongatapu.

The Police did not answer Lapota’s concerns about Lulutai, Lapota told Kaniva News.

A broadcaster asked the Prime Minister during a press conference last week to clarify the rules for Christmas Day and whether it fell within the confines of the Sunday taboo laws.

In his response, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said Christmas Day was a public holiday.

In Tongan he said: Ko e Kilisimasi ko e Public Holiday.

The broadcaster also asked:

So flight services are allowed on that day?

In Tongan the broadcaster asked: ‘A ia ‘oku ngofua pe fefolau’aki holo ia ai?

The Prime Minister did not answer that question directly and appeared to hesitate before he said:

“A provisional permit was issued to Lulutai in case there was any doubt, but according to our schedule Christmas Day is a public holiday. Sunday is Sunday,” the Prime Minister said.

In Tongan, the Prime Minister said: Na’e toe ‘ave pe ngofua provisional ia kapau ‘oku doubt. Ka ko e fakatatau ko ē ki heetau schedule ‘atautolu Christmas Day is a public holiday.

Ko e Sapate ia ko e Sapate.

The Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Police, did not say that under the existing law,  business services are illegal on Christmas Day just like Sunday.

His revelation raised the issue of why a permit was issued if the flights were allowed by the law.

This appeared to contradict his claim that Christmas Days was just a public holiday, implying businesses are allowed.

The Prime Minister also appeared to have ignored the contradiction in the fact that when his Police officers in Vava’u arrested the town officer’s son, they warned people at the beach that Christmas Day must be treated just like Sundays.  

However, Section 6 of the Public Holidays Act grants an exemption which allows the sale of bread, fresh milk, fresh fish and fresh meat, but no later than noon.

The law says:

“Suspension of Business on Christmas Day and Good Friday Order

Made by Her Majesty in Council on 22nd December, 1937.

In exercise of the powers vested in Her by the Public Holidays Act and with the advice of Her Privy Council Her Majesty Queen Salote Tupou, D.B.E., is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered that Christmas Day and Good Friday being days specified in section 2 of the Public Holidays Act shall until further notice be days to be observed throughout the Kingdom as days on which business (other than the sale of bread, fresh milk, fresh fish and fresh meat) shall be suspended in terms of sections 3 and 4 of the said Act.”

The law goes on to say:

“No person shall be compelled to make any payment or do any act upon any of such public holidays which he would not be compellable to make or do upon a Sunday and the making of such payment and doing such act on the day following such public holiday shall be equivalent to payment of the money or performance of the action on such holiday.”

You can also find the law by clicking on this link.

The law sets out the rules for closing businesses:

“It shall be lawful for Cabinet by Order from time to time to direct that all stores, shops and other places of business in all towns throughout the Kingdom or in any one or more of such towns as may be specified in the order shall be and remain closed upon any one or more of the days specified in Section 2 hereof or upon any such special day or days as Cabinet by Order shall appoint to be kept as public holidays.

There shall be excepted from the operation of the last preceding section —

(a) the sale of any drugs or medicines;

(b) the sale of bread, butter, fresh milk, fresh meat, fresh fish and ice not later than noon;

(c) the sale of refreshments in any ice cream stores, tea or refreshment rooms;

(d) the sale of any article required for the burial of a dead body.”

You can also get access to the Public Holidays Act by clicking on this link.

As we reported previously, most of our concerned readers are well aware of Clause 6 of the constitution, which bans any commercial activities on Sunday. However, there is no mention of the Christmas Day and Good Friday in the constitution and this is where most of the confusion came from.

It must be noted that Clause 6 clearly refers to an exceptional law.  That exception refers to the Public Holidays Act, sections 2, 3, 4 and 6 as well as the Suspension of Businesses on Christmas Day and Good Friday regulations which are mentioned above.  

The constitution says that the Sabbath Day to be kept holy:

“The Sabbath Day shall be kept holy in Tonga and no person shall practise his trade or profession or conduct any commercial undertaking on the Sabbath Day except according to law; and any agreement made or witnessed on that day shall be null and void and of no legal effect.”

You can access to this clause of the constitution by clicking on this link.

Opposition charges

The Prime Minister has been accused by the Opposition of showing nepotism towards his former Cabinet Minister Poasi Tei by appointing him as chief executive of the airlines shortly after Tei was convicted of electoral bribery and dismissed from Parliament. 

The Opposition also accused the Prime Minister , who is also the Chairman of the airline of using public money to invest in the airlines without submitting any reports to the Parliament. 

Policewoman who drowned at Laulea beach laid to rest

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Tonga Police force said their last goodbyes to Officer Selomiti Tufui, who’s life was cut short after a tragic incident at a notorious Tongtapu beach.

Selomiti Tufui

As Kaniva News reported last week Selomiti’s brother Mione Tufui had posted a video which appeared to show the victim’s body was pulled from the water and being carried out on a stretcher.

“I love you Selomiti”, he said.

The police said this afternoon that the 22-year-old police constable entered Tonga Police on the September 12, 2020 as a Police Recruit in Recruit Wing 48.

On  January 29, 2021, she became a Probationary Constable and was confirmed to a Police Constable on September 21, 2022.

The police did not release any details about Selomiti’s cause of death.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we write this post. Today, 9 January 2023, Members of Tonga Police along with families, loved ones, and friends of Police Constable Selomiti Tufui laid her to rest from time to eternity at Mala’e Loma, Lapaha”, a police statement read.

Selomiti was working at the Mu’a Police Station until her tragic passing on New Year’s Day.

“Tonga Police offers its heartfelt condolences to Constable Tufui’s parents and families over her tragic loss for it is indeed a great loss to our Tonga Police family. Police Constable Selomiti Tufui’s courage and devotion to serving and protecting our community will always be remembered”.

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.

‘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.

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