Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Newsletter
Support Kaniva
Home Blog Page 185

Government not interested in any competition for troubled Lulutai airline says Fly Niu CEO

By
Kalino Latu
-

A statement from the Ministry for Infrastructure about the government’s troubled Lulutai airline means there is no hope of replacing it, an aviation industry leader said today.

Minister of Infrastructure and Civil Aviation Seventeen Toumo’ua

The letter, which was leaked to Kaniva News, signed by the Ministry’s chief executive (CEO), Lōpeti Heimuli, contains just three sentences.

“There is currently an ‘Open Markett’ for domestic air services in Tonga. The policy is restricted to Tongan-based air operators.

“As such, the Ministry will not be liable or responsible to any person(s) who may rely on the information provided therein.”

The letter is addressed ‘To Whom it May Concern’ and is dated February 27.

The CEO of Fly Niu, ‘Atu Finau, said of the letter: “It means they will not approve any other airline to compete with them”.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Sevenitini Toumoua, is also Minister for Civil Aviation.

Real Tonga Airlines CEO Tevita Palu said the letter stated there was an open sky policy in Tonga, so anyone could apply to operate an airline in Tonga, but this was restricted to an air service provider who was based  in Tonga. He asked whether this meant Lulutai and Real Tonga.

“The person who wrote and signed the letter was under direction from the responsible policy maker, in this case the Minister of Civil Aviation,” Palu said.

“The writer of this letter also made a statement which contradicted the first statement by saying that the Ministry was not responsible and liable to what already stated on this letter.

Fly Niu chief executive ‘Atu Finau (L), Real Tonga Airlines chief executive Tēvita Palu

“Basically, he said do not rely on information provided by Civil Aviation of Tonga. In other words, he said do not count on advice by the Ministry.

“I am disappointed, but not surprise to read such a letter”

Palu said there was a conflict of interest between the airline policy maker and the regulator, who also happened to be the airline operator.

“We need a Government that is transparent, accountable and responsible for their actions and directions,” he said.

As Kaniva News reported recently, Finau and Palu have said they would work together to provide an airline service to replace Lulutai.

In 2020 veteran Tongan journalist Kalafi Moala reported that Finau and Palu’s companies could have put a service into the air in a few days if there had been a joint venture with the government.

“Real Tonga has the expertise and experience, as well as the equipment, and with Government’s deep pockets, there is a high probability of a successful public/private venture,” Moala said.

“But it became clear by the day that Government did not want a joint venture. They wanted to start their own airline.”

Lulutai’s twin-engined Saab passenger aircraft undergoing lengthy repairs and Australia is funding a replacement service operated by Fiji Airlines.

This has reignited questions about the airline’s safety which surfaced when it abruptly replaced Real Tonga.

At the time of its launch Moala alleged that claims by the government that the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO)  was involved in certifying Lulutai were false. He said PASO had denied any involvement

Tongatapu 2 MP, Sēmisi Sika questioned the safety of the airline’s aircraft to provide commercial flight in Tonga.

Hon. Sika asked Cabinet about the safety of the airline’s airworthiness. He said he was surprised to learn it took only three months for Lulutai Airline to be issued with an AOC.

The former government issued a press release quoting Finance Minister Tevita Lavemaau saying Lulutai was “safe and reliable to provide air services in Tonga.”

The press release said Lulutai had undergone testing flights, which were required to demonstrate that it could provide safe and reliable flights.

The then Prime Minister, Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, said the new airline would be issued with an Air Operation Certificate (AOC).

For more information

Real Tonga, Fly Niu CEOs meet, agree to collaborate if government sells Lulutai airline

More lies, safety and security looming as Lulutai Airlines takes to the sky

Roading contractors file new civil case against Ministry of Infrastructure, go to court in July

By
Kalino Latu
-

The three roading contractors involved in a drawn-out dispute with the Ministry of Infrastructure have filed another civil case.

Minister of Infrastructure Seventeen Toumo’ua

The Minister for Infrastructure, Seventeen Toumoua, told Talaki newspaper a court appearance had been set for July.

He would not go into details, saying only that the contractors wanted the court to make a decision on what he described as things to which they have rights.

These proceedings are different from the contempt of court case which  Kaniva News reported recently. That will go to court in April.

The Minister told Talaki the Ministry had won a case against a contractor who claimed he was owed $TP1.9 million by the previous government.

The Ministry’s internal auditor reviewed the contractor’s invoice and decided that the Ministry should only pay $TP900,000. The contractor disagreed and took the Ministry to court. The court ordered to pay the contractor only $TP826,000.

Two of the contractors, who had been hired by the previous government, were terminated by the court.

It is understood they were Inter Pacific Ltd owned by ‘Etuate Lavulavu, who had lost his political position and the Island Dredging Ltd owned by former Minister of Police Lord Nuku’s son.

 It is believed that Island Dredging Ltd quarry ran out of rocks and Lavulavu was then in prison so his company was inoperative. The Ministry did not terminate the remaining company , the City Engineering and Constructions Ltd since it was still operative. The Ministry paid  TP$150 to this contractor rather than the original $TP70 agreed.

The Minister said that under the original contract the government was paying $TP70 for a truck load of rocks, which was too little.

He said he met Miska Tu’ifua, who represented one of the three contractors and told him the government wanted to continue the roading works. Miska suggested increasing the price to $TP150 and the Ministry agreed. The contractors wanted to alter the original contract, which was approved by the former Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa’s government. The Minister suggested to Tu’ifua they should agree to a new contract of their own. After this, negotiations stalled.

The government then turned to the other quarry companies and purchased rocks from them, paying $TP200 per truckload to one company and $TP300 to another.

The three original contractors who signed with the former Tu’i’onetoa government then took the Ministry to court.

The Minister said the Ministry had complied with a Supreme Court order to reinstate the two contractors. The Minister said he then wanted the contractors  to measure each truck load of rocks to make sure it agrees with the contract which said it must be a five tonne load of rocks or 3.8 cubic metre. 

The Minister also wanted the contractors and the Ministry to reconcile the number of trucks on a daily basis. The Minister said he told the companies not to leave it long before they submitted their number of trucks to be paid to the Ministry.

The Minister confirmed that the original contract allows these contactors to provide rocks only for the government’s roading works.

Severe rains flood homes relocated as tsunami victims in ‘Atatā complain about lack of drainage

By
Kalino Latu
-

Displaced families of ‘Atatā Island, who were affected by the 2022 January volcanic eruption and tsunami, faced catastrophic floods this morning.

Homes were flooded and people had no way out of their houses. Photos/Supplied

The newly built homes had been affected by an extreme weather event.

A resident took to Facebook to vent her frustration after her property was overwhelmed by the flooding.

Tolofi Folauhola Folau said she had messaged the Ministry of Infrastructure’s chief executive and invited him to have a chat about the situation.

She asked why the Ministry had removed so much soil and left the area in a pit.

She said the place was “flooded”.

“Although we were in an island, it was clear we lived on dry land”, Folau said.

She said living in their new village during the flooding was just like living in the sea.

She invited the chief executive to look at the photos taken at the flooded scene.

“Thanks for the assistance but it is not safe,” Folau said. 

Folau described her reaction to the negative impact of the flooding in Tongan as “I remember Egypt with the straw”, referring to the complaint by the Israeli in the Holy Bible in which they told Prophet Moses it would have been better if the Lord had just killed them in the land of Egypt rather than taking them out into the desert to make them all die from hunger.  

Commenters on Folau’s post on Facebook were concerned.

Car stuck in the flood. Photo/Supplied

“The government should urgently address this. And there should have been drainage, spillways and outlets in place. That should have been included in the plan designed for the place”, one commenter wrote.

The commenter said this showed the careless type of works commonly seen in Tonga when it came to incidents like this.

The new village at Masilamea on Tongatapu, on land allocated by the estate holder Prince Ata, was opened in December 2022.

It was 11 months after the destruction caused by the natural disaster before 22 displaced families started moving to this new village.

At the time, the Prime Minister said: “The government has worked with partners and all stakeholders to try and provide homes for the people of ‘Atata”.

Funding came through the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai Reconstruction budget from overseas donors and partners, in partnership with the Government of Tonga.

The Atatā islanders have also received fishing boats to help recover their livelihoods.

The flooding affected most of Tongatapu main island and images uploaded to Facebook showed flood waters entered houses in some other places. 

There was no report of injuries.

The flooding came after Tonga Met Services warned earlier during the day that heavy raining and flooding would affect Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai and Vava’u.

It announced this evening (March 28) that the weather warning had been cancelled.

People have been upset by a word, but it would be a disgrace not to report on late PM’s fall

By
Kalino Latu
-

It appears that many of our readers are deeply unhappy about the choice of words in the headline of our story reporting the death of former Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa.

Former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kaniva Tonga News

In particular, they were upset by our use of the word “disgraced.”

Kaniva News has been attacked and  accused of disrespecting Hon. Tu’i’onetoa because of our headline. Unfortunately, some Tongans have wrongly interpreted the word to mean that Tu’i’onetoa brought disgrace to the country.

This is what the word means: Having fallen from favour or a position of power or honour; discredited.

This is not the first time Kaniva News has used the word “disgraced” and certainly not the first time we have used it to describe the late Hon. Tu’i’onetoa. In this case we have been wrongly criticised by people who thought the word only has one definition which means to discredit or to bring shame

READ MORE:

Kaniva News stands by its headline. There is no better word to describe Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s tenure as Prime Minister, his fall from power and the loss of people’s respect than “disgraced”. While he was  Prime Minister we clashed fiercely on a number of issues, especially when it came to his controversial policies. Things reached a point where his political advisor, Etuate Lavulavu, swore at Kaniva’s Editor. The Editor treated his behaviour  ethically and professionally.

We have already responded in Tongan on our Facebook account and explained our side of the story, but since some people shared their comments to other Tongan Facebook groups, we thought it would help to explain what we have done here.

Our critics have reacted emotionally to our story. That is their right and they have a right to express their views.  The fact is that the former Prime Minister fell from his position in the premiership election and lost the public respects he had received when he was a Prime Minister. However, that was an issue that affected him, not anybody else. His actions did not bring shame or discredit on any other individual, family member or the kingdom.

We understand that the former Prime Minister’s friends and those who were closest to him may feel upset by our use of the word disgraced. We believe we were simply telling the truth. It would be unethical, unprofessional and untruthful for us to pretend that Hon. Tu’i’onetoa had not fallen from grace, that many of his actions had been questioned and that major issues like the roading project had not been mired in controversy.

We do not judge Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa as a man or as an individual. That is a privilege reserved for  those closest to him. However, Kaniva News is entitled – and as a news organisation is obliged – to report on Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa as politician and Prime Minister and to pass judgement on how well he discharged his office.

Snapper in Hauraki Gulf found with milky white flesh syndrome, scientists investigating

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

NIWA has been called in to investigate evidence of snapper in the Hauraki Gulf suffering from milky white flesh syndrome.

A fish affected by milky white flesh syndrome showing a skinny tail. Photo: NIWA / Rikki Taylor

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said the syndrome had been affecting snapper in the Hauraki Gulf and East Northland areas, and were reports of it in other finfish species, such as trevally. The condition can cause nutrient deficiencies.

A report from Biosecurity New Zealand, obtained by Newshub, said some snapper were showing signs of prolonged starvation.

MPI has contracted NIWA to investigate commercial catch samples, and recreational catch is also being monitored.

NIWA fisheries scientist Dr Darren Parsons said there had been reports of the syndrome in halibut in Alaska, but it was relatively new in New Zealand.

In August 2022 fishers began reporting the flesh of snapper was white, opaque and in some cases mushy and even slimy, he said.

“We can see externally, when looking at extreme cases of these fish, they’re visibly skinny, the tissue has sunken away.”

Though some have suggested trawling or sediment runoff was to blame, Parsons said the cause wasn’t yet known.

“I don’t see fishing having changed in a way that would contribute to this, but it’s speculation at this stage.”

There was less commercial fishing in the Hauraki Gulf than five years ago, while the syndrome had been reported recently, he said.

One possibility was that it was the result of El Nino and La Nina climate cycles, which change the water mixing and availability of nutrients.

Food safety tests had not shown up any reason why the fish would be unsafe to eat, he said.

“From what I’m hearing from fishers, though, they’re not as palatable … and as a result the commercial fishery has moved away from the areas where these fish have been most commonly caught, which at this stage is the Hauraki Gulf, especially the inner Hauraki Gulf.”

The East Northland coast and a little of the Bay of Plenty were also affected, but snapper stocks on the west coast of the North Island and Nelson were not.

11,171 Covid-19 cases last week, 37 deaths

By
Kaniva Staff
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

The number of new Covid-19 community cases has remained steady over the past week, while there are 37 more virus-related deaths.

The numbers cover the week from Monday, March 21, to Sunday, March 27.

The rolling average of new daily cases is 1605, as compared to 1593 the week prior. A total of 11,258 new community cases have been reported – up slightly from 11,171 in the previous period.

Thirty-seven more people with the virus have died – compared to 24 deaths last week.

Of the people who have died, one was in their 30s, two were in their 40s, one was in their 50s, two were in their 60s, eight were in their 70s, 13 were in their 80s, and 10 were aged over 90.

Of these people, 18 were women, and 19 were men.

Two were from Northland; 10 were from Auckland region, one was from Bay of Plenty, one was from Lakes, one was from Tairawhiti, one was from Hawke’s Bay, two were from Taranaki, two were from MidCentral, one was from Whanganui, four were from Wellington region, nine were from Canterbury, one was from South Canterbury, two were from Southern.

The number of deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor, is 2662.

Last week’s positive cases are located in Northland (301), Auckland (950), Waikato (757), Bay of Plenty (431), Lakes District (239), Hawke’s Bay (352), MidCentral District (361), Whanganui (116), Taranaki (296), Tairāwhiti (84), Wairarapa (146), Capital and Coast (740), Hutt Valley (353), Nelson Marlborough (440), Canterbury (1970), West Coast (139), South Canterbury (157) and Southern District (1217).

As of midnight Sunday, there were 211 people in hospital with the virus.

Seven people were in an intensive care or high dependency unit.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

‘I he’ene a’u mai ko ia ki he uike kuo ‘osi, ko e toko lahi ko ia ‘o e kau puke ‘i he Kōviti – 19 ‘i he komiunitī ‘oku kei toko lahin pē. pea ko e mate ai ‘e toko tlungofulu mā fitu [37] ‘oku ‘i ai ‘enau fekau’aki mo e vailasi.
Ko e toko lahi ko ia ‘oku lau ia mei he Mōnite 21 ‘o Ma’asi ki he Sāpate 27 ‘o Mā’asi ai pē.
Ko e toko lahi leva ‘o e kau puke fo’ou faka’aho ko e toko tahaafe onongeau mā nima [ 1605], pea ‘i hono fakattau ki he uike kimu’a ko e toko tahaafe nimangeau hivangofulu mā tolu [1593]. Ko e toko tahamano tahaafe uangeau nimangofulu mā valu ia ‘o e kau puke fo’ou ‘i he komiunitī kuo lipooti mai, ‘a ia ‘oku nga’unu hake ai ki ‘olunga mei he toko tahamano tahaafe teau fitungofulu mā taha ‘i he fo’i vaa’i taimi peheni pē kimu’a.
Ko e kau pekia, ko e toko taha na’e ta’u tolungofulu tupu, toko ua ta’u fāngofulu tupu, toko taha ta’u nimangofulu tupu, toko ua ta’u onongofulu tupu, toko valu ta’u fitungofulu tupu, toko hongofulu mā tolu ta’u valungofulu pea toko hongofulu ta’u hivangofulu tupu.
Ko e toko hongofulu mā valu ‘o e kau pekia ko ‘eni ko e kakai fefine pea toko hongofulu mā hiva ko e kakai tangata.
Ko e toko ua mei Northland, toko hongofulu mei ‘Aokalani, taha mei he Bay of Plenty, toko taha mei he Lakes, taha mei Tairawhiti,, taha mei Hawkes Bay, ua mei Talanaki, ua mei MidCentral, taha mei Fanganui, fā mei Uelingatoni, nima mei Kenitapeuli, taha mei saute Kenitapeuli, pea ua mei Southern,
Ko e toko uaafe onongeau onongofulu mā ua [2662] ‘a e toko lahi ‘o e kau mate kuo fakapapau’i na’e fekau’aki ia mo e Kōviti – 19, ko ‘enau mate tu’unga ‘i ai pe ‘i ai ‘ene fekau’aki mo ia.
Ko e kakai ‘e toko tolungeau mā taha [301] na’e ma’u kinautolu ‘i Northland, toko hivangeau nimangofulu ‘i ‘Aokalani, fitungeau nimangofulu mā fitu ‘i Waikato, fāngeau tolungofulu mā taha ‘i Bay of Plenty, uangeau tolungofulu mā hiva ‘i he vāhenga Lakes, tolungeau nimangofulu mā ua ‘i Hawkes Bay, tolungeau onongofulu mā taha ‘i he vāhenga MidCentral. teau hongofulu mā ono ‘i Fanganui, uangeau honofulu mā ono ‘i Talanaki, valungofulu mā fā ‘i Tairawhiti, teau fāngofulu mā ono ‘i Wairarapa, fitungeau fāngofulu ‘i Capital mo e Coast, tolungeau nimangofulu mā tolu ‘i Hutt Valley, fāngeau fāngofulu ‘i Nelson Marlbough, tahaafe hivangeau fitungofulu ‘i Kenitapeuli, teau tolungofulu mā hiva ‘i West Coast, teau nimangofulu mā fitu ‘i saute Kenitapeuli, tahaafe uangeau hongofulu mā fitu ‘i he vāhenga fakasaute.
‘i he tuapō ko ia ‘o e pō Sāpate, na’e ‘i ai ‘a e toko uangeau honofulu mā taha ‘i falemahaki ko e ma’u ‘e he vailasi.
Ko e toko fitu leva na’e ‘i he ‘iuniti tokanga’i makehe 

Do not trade with ‘dishonest and misleading’ investment company says financial authority

By
Kalino Latu
-

The New Zealand Financial Market authority has issued another warning about investment company Validus.

The FMA said it was aware that seminars had been held in New Zealand to promote the company’s products and services.

“We are concerned that Validus is operating in breach of the New Zealand financial markets legislation, in particular, Validus is providing financial services in New Zealand without registration as a financial service provider as required by the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008,” the FMS said.

“We strongly recommend that investors do not trade or invest with entities that are not registered and/or licensed in New Zealand.”

The FMA said Validus had contacted it to claim it was not connected to the website teamsvalidus.com or Validus-team-official.com.

As we reported earlier this year, Validus’s services had been popular with some Tongans in New Zealand, Tonga and Australia.

It is understood Validus has arrived in Tonga and promotions of its services have been shared  on social media for the kingdom.

The Tongan community has already been affected by scams, including pyramid schemes in which people have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In February Stuff reported that Validus was holding a meeting in South Auckland.

In February the FMA issued an interim Stop Order to Validus International LLC (registered in Delaware, USA). This prohibited the company from   making offers, issues, sales or other acquisitions or disposals of financial products, accepting applications for financial products, or accepting further contributions, investments, or deposits .

The FMA said Validus and its staff appeared to be dishonest and misleading.

“The public should exercise caution in dealing with this company and its associates,” the FMA said.

The FMA warning is the latest in a series of glo bal warnings about Validus.

Last year the Australian securities and Investment Commission described the company’s activities as suspicious.

“Do not deal with, or transfer money to this entity,” ASIC said.

ASIC warned that Validus was not licensed to operate in Australia and said its claims of high returns were unrealistic.

For more information

Financial authority issues ‘interim stop order’ against Validus company

Financial authority issues ‘interim stop order’ against Validus company

WARNING: Validus | Financial Markets Authority (fma.govt.nz)

FMA issues interim stop order to Validus and its associated persons | Financial Markets Authority

FMA issues interim stop order to Validus and its associated persons | Financial Markets Authority

Negative excess mortality sign NZ got it right with Covid-19 response – Sir Ashley Bloomfield

By
Kaniva Staff
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

Sir Ashley Bloomfield said the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic appeared to be over – three years on today from Aotearoa’s first lockdown.

Sir Ashley Bloomfield says it feels like we are out the other side of the pandemic. Photo: 2021 Getty Images

But he said lockdowns “may have a place” still in the future.

More than 2,250,000 people have been infected with the virus here, despite New Zealand stopping most community transmission in 2020 and 2021.

The former director-general of health – who is now a population health professor at the University of Auckland – told RNZ on reflection: “It’s clear, we’re past the worst of the pandemic, it feels like we’re out the other side, and that’s the sense I have both in Aotearoa New Zealand, but also internationally.”

He said it had been “a pretty bumpy journey” but recent travel overseas had shown him: “Everyone’s sort of life’s getting almost back to completely normal. So that’s a good thing.”

Sir Ashley said he was greatly satisfied that three years on from the first lockdown, Aotearoa still had negative excess mortality.

This metric predicts the number of expected deaths every year in a country, and compares it to current totals.

“What we found in Aotearoa – in 2020, 2021 – we had less deaths than you would have predicted based on the previous years. And whilst once the Omicron variant came along, yes, we did see Covid-related deaths, the numbers have climbed. Still, if you look over those three years, cumulatively, we’re still not back at the level, the number, you would have expected.

“That is unique, virtually unique around the world,” he said.

“Lockdowns were an important tool in the overall response and not one we had anticipated using, but one now that we do have experience with and know that if we are in a similar situation in the future, with that same degree of uncertainty, while we understand the virus better – and while a vaccine has been developed – it is a tool that we can deploy,” Sir Ashley said.

“It’s hard to know what the likelihood of future lockdown is … lockdowns may have a place.

“It is dependent on the nature of the virus and of course, the speed with which we act.”

The former director-general also said he was proud of the collective efforts New Zealanders had made as well as compliance.

“Some people say ‘oh Kiwis are just kind of more compliant and more likely to do what the government asks them than other countries’. Well, actually, I don’t think so. That’s not my experience in everyday life.

“But I think what was effective about our first lockdown, especially, but even subsequently, of course [is], you cannot police a lockdown – it requires the vast majority of people to understand and own and act on the request.”

He has had uplifting feedback from overseas health leaders – but does not take credit for how New Zealanders worked collectively upon request.

“Dr Mike Ryan, he’s from Ireland originally, he’s been involved in health emergency response for many years … And he said, ‘Look, I’m not just saying it because you’re here [at the World Health Assembly] Ashley, but we in WHO do think of New Zealand’s response as one of the best in the world and really setting an example for other countries.”

Sir Ashley has also welcomed the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Aotearoa’s pandemic response.

“I am also really pleased that we are having a Royal Commission because that gives us a chance to really have a look and see – not a ‘Spanish Inquisition’ about every single decision – but actually what do we need to do to be even better prepared for the next time.”

The Royal Commission of Inquiry is expected to be completed in June 2024.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Kuo fakaha ‘e Sir Ashley Bloomfield ko e kovi taha ‘o e Koviti kuo ngali mavahe ia ta’u ‘eni ‘e tolu mei he loka ‘a ‘Aotealoa.

Ka ne ne pehē ‘e kei lava pe ke kei ‘i he kaha’u pe ‘a e vailasi ni.

Ko e toko 2,250,000 ‘a e kakai kuo pihia ‘i he vailasi heni neongo hono ta’ofi ‘e Nu’u Sila ‘a ‘ene mafola ‘i he kominitii’ ‘i he 2020 ki he 2021.

Na’e fakahā ‘e he talēkita ki mu’a ko eni ‘a e Potungaue Mo’ui ki he RNZ kuo mahino ia kuo tau paasi mei he kovi taha ‘o e Koviti’.

Na’a ne pehe ko e fononga ne ‘ikai haohaoa ka ‘i he ngaahi folau ki mui ki mui ni mai ne ha kiate ia ‘i he’ene vakai ngali kuo foki a e mo’ui ‘a e kakai ‘o nomolo.

Na’a ne pehe ‘oku kei fakafiemali pe ‘a e tu’unga ‘o e lahi ‘o e kau mate ‘i ‘Aotealo.

‘Oku vavalo’i ‘e he Koviti ko eni ko e lahi ‘o e kau mate ‘i he ta’u taki taha pea fakahoa ia ki he tokolahi lolotonga’.

Ko e me’a kuo tau ‘ilo ‘i Aotealoa i he 2020 , 2021 ne si’i ange ‘a e mate ‘i he me’a ne tau fakakaukau ki ai ‘i he ngaahi ta’u ki mu’a’. Pea ne hu mai ‘a e ‘Omikoloni io mahino pe ne kaka ‘a e mate ka ‘i he fakahoa ki he ngaahi ta’u ki mu’a ‘oku ‘ikai toe foki ia ki he fika ko ia’.

Pea ‘oku makehe ia pea mei makehe ‘i ha toe fonua ‘i mamani.

Oku mahu’inga ‘a e loka’i ‘i hono talia ‘a e faingata’a pea ne ‘ikai ke tau anga ha me’a pehe ka kuo tau taukei ‘eni ‘i hono ngaueaki ka toe hoko mai ha me’a pehe ‘i he kaha’u.

Oku faingata’a ke ‘ilo pe ‘e he fefe ha toe loka’i ‘i he kaha’u.

Ka ‘e fakafalala pe ‘i he natula ‘o e vailasi’.

Na’e polepole ‘a e Talekita ki mu’a ni ‘i he ngaue fakataha ‘a Nu’u Sila mo talangofua’.

Man killed in US shooting was Tongan, Sione ‘Amanaki still on the loose

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The 21-year-old man who was killed in a shooting Tuesday at a Concord strip mall, California was Tongan man Eric Cavazos, police and relatives said.

Cavazos’ stepfather who is also a Tongan was wounded in the shooting.

Loved ones identified Eric Cavazos, 21, as the man fatally shot at a Concord strip mall on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

A woman by the name Haley Sparks Hadsell, 19, of Martinez was taken into custody, after fleeing the shooting scene at Solano Way and Broadmoor Avenue, Concord police Lt. Mark Robison reportedly said.

The other Tongan suspect Sione ‘Ono’ ‘Amanaki was still at large.

The 21-year-old victim was shot in the head and his body lay underneath a tarp at the mall. The second victim was taken to the hospital, police said.

A law enforcement source said the victims had pulled up in their car and parked outside Payless Cigarettes and that Cavazos was confronted by a man with a rifle.

The two men began struggling over the weapon, and the victim fell to the ground and was shot, the source said.

Concord police scoured the neighbourhood for the assailants and processed the scene for evidence.

Relatives and family tributes on social media to the deceased appeared to show his mother and his step father were both Tongans.

Sione “Ono” ‘Amanaki still at large

“It’s truly a pity that a Tongan killed a Tongan. Love heaps to you sister Elasi Siokapesi Maile for the distressful situation you have experienced after the death of your son while your husband was in a critical condition. RIL Eric the short time you spent with us in Salt Lake City is unforgettable. Speed recovery Sione Maile”, a relative tribute was shared on Facebook.

“It’s a shame one lost his life and another lost his freedom”, a commenter wrote.

“Love you so much Eric. RIP. It is so heart-breaking to think of your mum Pesi and the difficulties she has gone through”.

PM Hu‘akavameiliku silent over questions about apparent removal of electricity subsidies

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku has yet to release a statement about questions over what appears to be customers being asked to pay for the government’s electricity subsidy.

The Prime Minister told a press conference on March 16 that the government had not removed the subsidy.

He assured the press during the meeting, which was livestreamed, that he would ask the Treasury and Tonga Power to provide him with details about the matter.

He said he would then make a press release to clarify the issue. 

The Prime Minister was responding after a journalist asked him why the government had stopped paying the energy subsidy.

A copy of a power bill dated June 2022 seen by Kaniva News shows that the Tonga Power company told electricity consumers the government had made two financial contributions to help them in paying for their bills.

The invoice says:

“Government Policy Obligation (GPO) subsidised at 0.0683 per kWh reducing new tariffs from 0.9791 to 0.9108 per kWh.

“Government Lifeline Tariff Scheme provides a 17.91 seniti per kWh rebate for all customers who use 150 kWh or less per month.”

Reporter Melemanu Fiu Bloomfield, who raised the question during the press conference, told the Prime Minister the government’s sole electricity supplier had recently told customers when they were paying their bills that the government no longer paid the subsidy.

Bloomfield said the power company told consumers it had reversed the subsidy charge adjustments and told consumers to pay them back.

A copy of an electricity power bill invoice on February 28, 2023 seen by Kaniva News showed two extra payments customers must pay on top of their monthly bills. They appeared as two adjustments in the invoice which are described as  “Adj – Government Subsidy Reversal.”

It appeared the charge backs were made to cover what is thought to be the government’s failure to pay its subsidy to the Tonga Power.

The Prime Minister told the press he was unaware of the charge backs.

“I do not know about the reversal. As far as I know we have not stopped the subsidy. I will get back with a press release on that”, Hon. Hu’akavameiliku said.

The Prime Minister said it could be that the adjustments were a result of “a double payment or an under payment.”

It is presumed that as an electricity consumer Hon. Hu’akavameiliku must have received a power bill invoice in February showing the adjustment charges.

Bloomfield told Kaniva News she had followed up her question with the government, but had received no response.

The news came amid electricity consumers’ ongoing complaints on social media about the electricity costs which they deemed it as extremely expensive.

There have also been complaints about recent power outages in Tongatapu which the company said were mostly due to maintenance issues.

1...184185186...912Page 185 of 912
© Copyright 2025 Kaniva Tonga News & Entertainment