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‘He taught me how to love’: Young surgeon Colin Latu remembered for love and kindness

By
Kaniva Staff
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A medical doctor at Vaiola hospital in Tonga is being remembered by patients, families and loved ones for his thoughtful and warm bedside manner.

Dr Collin Howard Mana Latu (L) and Yumisan. Photo/Facebook

Dr. Colin Howard Manu Latu died on November 5 in what has been alleged by local media as suspected suicide. Kaniva News was unable to confirm his cause of death.

The Ministry of Health’s chief executive officer and Tonga police have been contacted for comment.

The 29-year-old had worked at the Vaiola surgical ward.

He was laid to rest at ‘Ofa ki Lo’āmanu cemetery at Vainī.

Family and friends of Latu paid tributes to a handsome young man.

His girlfriend Yumisan wrote on Facebook on Monday: “For the past 2 weeks, I have been grieving the sudden loss of the person most dear to me”.

Yumisan, whose profile on Facebook said she was engaged to Latu, said he “was laid to rest last week, fully clothed in a black suit meant for a more joyous occasion”.

 “As I watched him get lowered into the earth, my heart felt so heavy, for I did not want to say goodbye.

“I felt so much anger, sadness, and confusion. But as I visit his resting place each day and reflect on the times we spent together, my heart is filled with so much gratitude for this person.

“In 2019, Colin became an important figure in my life. He became my best friend, and within 2 years, I gave him the easiest “Yes” when he asked if I could make him the happiest man in the world.

“Colin has taught me so much over the years. I learned to listen better, have more empathy, forgive, trust, and compromise, but most importantly, he taught me how to love. Colin knew how to love, and he loved genuinely.

“Even with his passing, I could feel his love through his family.

“Despite all the plans we have set for ourselves, God’s plans for us are far greater.

“You are missed dearly Colin, and how I wish you could hear me say thank you.

“Thank you for your friendship.

“Thank you for your love.

“Thank you for making me the happiest woman in the world.

“Rest well now till that glorious morning.

‘Ofa lahi atu from Yumisan”.  

Latu’s family and friends remembered his kindness, generosity, optimism and caring nature.

““He was kind and generous to every patients he took care of at the hospital”.

Man arrested after woman kidnapped in Tongatapu hotel

By
Kaniva Staff
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A man has been arrested after a kidnapping in a Nuku’alofa hotel.

Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū

Police were alerted to a possible kidnapping on November 16, a statement said this morning.

A 41-year-old man from Fua‘amotu had been arrested for assault and multiple robberies committed at different locations in Nuku‘alofa, Tongatapu, it said.

A 35-year-old Asian woman who was visiting the country was allegedly tied up in her room by the suspect. The victim was occupying a room at one of the hotels in Nuku‘alofa where the suspect was also staying, the statement said.

The suspect, after allegedly tying both the victim’s neck and hands and stuffing some clothing material into her mouth, took off with the victim’s belongings including two iphones, a gold chain and cash.

Police reviewed the CCTV camera at the hotel from which they managed to identify the suspect and immediately initiated the search for him.

While searching for the suspect, Police received another report of robbery on Monday, 20 November 2023, this time from the Small Industries at Ma’ufanga.

The robber threatened the victim, an Asian male, with a knife and took off in the victim’s delivery truck with goods inside.

With the help from the public, Police tracked the stolen delivery truck to a petrol station at Lapaha.

When Police got hold of the truck, it was empty with all the goods missing. After reviewing CCTV footages to identify the truck’s route, Police identified the robber of the truck to be the same suspect from the hotel incident, which took place a few days earlier.

Later, on Monday, 20 November 2023, Police were able to apprehend the suspect from a residence at Halaleva and they found in his possession five packs of methamphetamine and a drug utensil.

Police have managed to recover some of the stolen goods.

The suspect remains remanded until his appearance in court.

Police search for knife in wake of political activists’ attempted murder charges

By
Kaniva Staff
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Police in Tonga have been searching for a knife after two political activists had been arrested.

Vilisoni Tauelangi (L), ‘Asiata Māsima

‘Asiata Māsima, 54, of Ha’ateiho appeared at the Magistrate Court on Friday charged with attempted murder.

Vilisoni Tauelangi, 48, of Pea was arrested last night from his residence at Hoi for alleged offences of attempted murder and conspiracy, the police said in a statement.

It said Tauelangi is the “co-accused of Mr. ‘Asiata Masima who appeared in his livestreaming footage via social media”.

“Both suspects will be appearing in court today.

“Further charges may be laid as the investigation progresses”.

A streamed video seen by Kaniva News appeared to show police officers entered Tauelangi’s house while he was livestreaming. He told his followers the police were looking for him.

The video showed an ununiformed officer suddenly entered Tauelangi’s house and showed him what appeared to be his police ID. He then handcuffed Tauelangi.

Another officer was overheard as asking about a knife which he claimed was in the possession of Tauelangi and his co-accused Māsima.

“Ko fē hele na’a’ mo ō moia”, the officer asked in Tongan about the knife.

Tauelangi denied it and said there was no knife.  

The officer then replied and said they were going to search his property.

Kaniva News understand the arrests came in the midst of a long-standing contentions between two groups of political supporters.

One is the supporters of the PTOA (democratic) Party and the other is an anti-democratic group known as Tū Family.

The rival groups have armed themselves with Facebook and YouTube accounts to incite dares, trade insults and make threats.

Rare mesocyclone caught on camera swirling above Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
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Footage has captured a rare mesocyclone swirling over central Auckland yesterday.

The rare phenomenon was captured on camera yesterday. (Source: NIWA)

The phenomenon was picked up by NIWA’s live Sky Tower camera as the city saw showers bring sweet relief in the sweltering heat last night.

Mesocyclones occur when “air rises and rotates around a vertical axis”, NIWA said on X.

“This one was likely from a combo of decaying sea breezes, Auckland’s varied terrain, and heavy showers in the area causing localised wind shifts.”

The tube-shaped cyclones, which form near severe thunderstorms, can develop into tornadoes.

Petone to Pito-one name change gets backing from Hutt City Council

By
Kaniva Staff
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Hutt City Council has backed a move to change the name of Petone to Pito-one.

Jackson Street in Petone, or Pito-one. Photo: Nick James / RNZ

The Wellington Tenths Trust and Palmerston North Māori Reserves Trust have worked on an application for the name change throughout this year.

The two trusts contacted Hutt City Council to back the move, which was discussed at the council’s Policy, Finance and Strategy Committee on Tuesday afternoon.

In the meeting agenda it stated the evolution of the name Pito-one into its current form, Petone, followed colonial settlement in the region during the latter half of the 19th century. The document said it represented a misspelling of the area’s traditional name.

For any official name change, an application would have to be made to and considered by the New Zealand Geographic Board.

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry will now send a letter to the New Zealand Geographic Board, reflecting the council’s backing.

RNZ spoke to locals in the suburb’s Jackson Street about their views on changing the name.

Vishnu had lived in the suburb for the past 11 months and reckoned it would be a good move.

“Everything should be in their original form, they should not be influenced by other culture and perspective.”

Ian, who had worked in Petone for 15 years, told RNZ it would not achieve anything.

“I don’t think it is important really, I think what’s important is here and now and here now everyone knows this district as Petone – I don’t see the point in changing it.”

He said while he did not back it, he would not stop people who thought it was important.

“If they think that’s fine and they get on there and they make it happen that’s good, but I’ve got other work to get on with, to be honest.”

Leanne believed it would make sense to change it, given it was the original name and would also respect tikanga.

“The name’s just got a whole lot of history with it as well, so it is very important.”

Damien said he did not want it to change since he had always known it as Petone, and noted the cost of making a name change.

“[If] the council wants to spend money on that, spend some money on the roads, eh?”

James wanted it to change, and likened it to when the ‘H’ was added to Whanganui in 2015.

“It didn’t change anything, and it was a bit more respectful like, of what the name should be rather than people just being lazy on not pronouncing the H.”

‘Who knows what the summer is going to bring’: El Niño expected to increase fire risk

By
Kaniva Staff
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Fire and Emergency (FENZ) officials at the scene of Monday’s Port Hills fire are stressing “vigilance” ahead of what is shaping up as an unpredictable summer.

A firefighter at the scene of Monday’s Port Hills fire. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Crews have contained the blaze, which ignited at about midday on Monday, and scorched an area of the northern slopes of the Port Hills, near Hillsborough.

But the emergency has sparked further questions as to whether this could be a sign of things to come, with El Niño predicted to make conditions drier and windier.

One resident, forced to act quickly at the time as flames threatened her land, admitted her neck of the woods at the base of the Port Hills naturally came with risk.

The mountain ranges have been susceptible to fire in recent years, none bigger than the 2017 fires that destroyed nine homes and forced hundreds to evacuate.

A helicopter pilot was killed when their chopper crashed when fighting the devastating blaze.

Another fire broke out in December 2020, forcing dozens of nearby properties to be evacuated.

A cause is still being determined for Monday’s blaze, and although it was largely contained, an area flared up shortly after 5am Tuesday morning.

FENZ group manager Des Irving said crews spent the morning “checking for hotspots and turning the soil over”.

“We are planning for a warm and dry summer. Who knows what the summer is going to bring.”

Irving said locals could allay risk by ensuring grass was cut and firewood not stacked against their buildings. This recommendation extended to local authorities, he said.

Another precaution was checking the weather forecast before burn-offs.

“I think what’s key is that people are vigilant, and if they see any signs of smoke they call 111.”

Scene commanders were hoping to have departed the scene by 2pm.

A woman who lived along Port Hills Road, who did not want to be named, was alerted to the blaze when a neighbour rushed to warn her. She then saw flames threatening a section of trees at the back of her property.

“I basically checked on the animals… it always makes you think if you have to leave in a hurry, what are you going to take.”

Firefighters utilised a track through the back of her section to get access to the fire, as they did back in 2020, she said.

Although she had become accustomed to emergencies, she told RNZ she refused to get apprehensive about the coming summer.

“I’m living next to the Port Hills… there’s dead trees, there’s live trees, there’s pine cones, there’s grass, I would say it’s as much a risk as anywhere in Canterbury.

“We’re coming into summer and it’s getting hotter and the risk is getting higher. But it’s not going to make me go and crawl into a concrete box.”

She was equally worried about the neighbouring industrial area along State Highway 76, which she felt posed a risk.

El Niño effect

Scion wildfire scientist Shana Gross said El Niño would increase fire risk, particularly for eastern parts of the country.

“It will depend on what weather we see, because every El Niño is variable. El Niño is probably only 25 percent of the variability that we see in the weather. But this year is different because the ocean is so warm already.”

Human activities were also seen as the cause of most fire ignitions in New Zealand, Gross said.

“In the Port Hills, there are a lot of grasses which burn pretty readily, and winds will dry them out so they can burn easier.

“Everyone needs to be really aware of the activities that they’re doing.”

Another activist arrested in Tonga following ‘Asiata Māsima’s attempted murder charge: Reports

By
Kaniva Staff
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Another man has been arrested by police after a political activist had been charged with attempted murder.

Vilisoni Tauelangi

Vilisoni Tauelangi has been reportedly arrested after his political associate ‘Asiata Māsima appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted murder.

Māsima and Tauelangi are strong supporters of democratic reform activities in Tonga.

A photo of Tauelangi which appeared to show him being handcuffed with another ununiformed senior police officer Pita Tahitu’a standing, has been shared on social media this evening.

Police could not be reached for comment.

The supporters of the PTOA (Democratic) Party and movement in Tonga alleged the arrest of Māsima was made after a political rival group complaint to the police. The supporters have accused the anti-democratic Tū group’s leader of inciting violence against Māsima.

The supporters of the rival groups have armed themselves with Facebook and YouTube accounts to incite dares, trade insults and make threats.

Police said: “Meanwhile, Tonga Police takes this opportunity to remind all users of social media, to refrain from further comments and engaging in activities on social media that could jeopardize the integrity of the ongoing investigations. Any actions or statements that incite violence, promote hatred, or compromise the safety of individuals will not be tolerated and will be investigated for potential prosecutions.

“Tonga Police is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair and impartial investigation. We will continue to work to gather all relevant evidence and explore any potential links to other individuals or groups involved in these incidents”.

Political activist charged with attempted murder remains in police custody after court appearance  

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan political activist will remain in custody until next Monday  after he appeared at the Magistrate court yesterday.

‘Asiate Māsima (inset)

As we reported last week, ‘Asiata Māsima, 54, of Ha’ateiho was arrested at his residence on Saturday 18.   

Police later said he had been charged with attempted murder and further charges may be laid.

Māsima was a democratic movement activist widely known to his followers on Facebook with his livestreamed videos promoting more reforms to the current political system.

He has been charged with attempted murder after a livestreaming footage via social media, police said.

Police said Māsima was ordered to remain in police custody until Monday, 27 November 2023 and his bail terms will be further reviewed on Wednesday, 22 November 2023.

“Additional charges may pursue after our ongoing investigation into this matter”.

As we reported last week, the supporters of the PTOA (Democratic) Party and movement in Tonga alleged the arrest was made after a political rival group complaint to the police. The supporters have accused the Tū group’s leader of inciting violence against Māsima.

The two rival supporters have armed themselves with social media groups and accounts especially on Facebook and YouTube to incite dares, trade insults and make threats.

Police said: “Meanwhile, Tonga Police takes this opportunity to remind all users of social media, to refrain from further comments and engaging in activities on social media that could jeopardize the integrity of the ongoing investigations. Any actions or statements that incite violence, promote hatred, or compromise the safety of individuals will not be tolerated and will be investigated for potential prosecutions.

“Tonga Police is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair and impartial investigation. We will continue to work to gather all relevant evidence and explore any potential links to other individuals or groups involved in these incidents”.

PM Hu‘akavameiliku says he can still do his job after reports that he fell unconscious at meeting in Washington

By
Kalino Latu
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Prime Minister Hu‘akavameiliku says he can still do his job for the time being.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku. Photo / PM Office (cropped by Kaniva News)

Concerns have been raised about the Prime Minister’s health after reports that he fell unconscious while attending a meeting in the United States recently.

Hon. Hu’akavameiliku was in the United States in late September to attend the U.S-Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Washington D.C.

A journalist asked Hon. Hu’akavameiliku during a press conference on Friday last week in Nuku’alofa to explain his health conditions.

Salamo Tu’iniua told the Prime Minister she had information he did not attend some meetings because he had health issues.

Responding, the Prime Minister said in Tongan that if there were more meetings for him to attend, he would not have been able to return to Tonga.

“As the saying goes, we are trying to get healthier so we can do our job”, the Prime Minister replied in Tongan.

He also appeared to have admitted he had serious health conditions by saying this was “something for the Lord and the doctor to look at.”

“I can still do the job for the time being”, he said.

Kaniva News has been told that the Prime Minister fell unconscious as a result of his alleged diabetic related health conditions.

Given that the Prime Minister’s health is a matter of public concern, we have asked him to respond to these reports.

We asked him whether it was true he fell unconscious while attending a meeting in the US and why this happened.

We have asked him to confirm reports that he is diabetic.

The Prime Minister was also asked whether he believed his Office should have released a full official medical report about his health conditions as has happened in countries such as New Zealand and the US when there have been rumours about their leaders’ health.

The Prime Minister’s office has released photos which show the Prime Minister was among people sitting in a meeting. The photos had no captions.

The question about Hon. Hu’akavameiliku’s health follows a recent call for authorities to consider making health checks obligatory for all candidates running for the Tonga Parliament.

The issue has been increasingly debated after four MPs died in two years while or after seeking medical treatments overseas.

Video of Tonga police arrest angers democratic supporters  

By
Kaniva Staff
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The arrest of a political party activist yesterday on Tongatapu sparked protests in the party’s online community.

‘Asiata Māsima (inset).

‘Asiata Māsima was arrested by Police at what appeared to be his home in Ha’ateiho, according to a streamed video shared by Māsima while he was being arrested.

A police officer was overheard as warning Māsima to stop streaming the arrest and asked him to cooperate.

Māsima had initially rejected police telling him they were going to shackle him but he had finally agreed.

The police handcuffed and led him out of his house before placing him in a police vehicle, according to the video which was widely shared among his supporters on Facebook.

A young girl who appeared to be Māsima’s daughter was seen livestreaming his father’s arrest with a sigh.

“They arrest him for nothing”, she said in Tongan, in the video.

The police could not be reached for comment.

We could not be able to establish the real reasons why Māsima was arrested.

However, supporters of the PTOA (Democratic) Party and movement in Tonga alleged the arrest was made after a political rival group complaint to the police. The supporters have accused the Tū group’s leader of inciting violence against Māsima.

It appears the complaint was part of an ongoing contentions between the two groups on social media.      

The two rival supporters have armed themselves with social media groups and accounts especially on Facebook and YouTube to incite dares, trade insults or make threats.

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