A driver is in “shock” after his vehicle was involved in a serious crash in Auckland’s Te Atatū on Saturday, which left three people injured.
The crash occurred on Te Atatū Rd on Saturday morning. (Source: 1News)
Emergency services were called to the collision between two cars and a bus on Te Atatū Rd, near McLeod Rd and Roberts Rd, at around 11.35am Saturday.
Hato Hone St John responded with two ambulances, one rapid response, and one manager.
One person was transported to Auckland City Hospital in a serious condition, while two others in a moderate condition were taken to Waitākere Hospital, a spokesperson said.
The driver of an SUV involved in the crash told 1News he was driving north on Te Atatū South Rd when an oncoming vehicle collided head-on with his.
Police said it received reports of the crash at around 11.35am Saturday. (Source: 1News)
There were multiple people in his car at the time of the crash, he said, including an 8-year-old child.
The door to his SUV was jammed shut after the collision, forcing him to exit from the passenger side.
Everybody in the vehicle was okay but had gone to hospital for a checkup.
He said the incident had left him in “shock”, saying “it all happened so fast”.
The bus was parked at the time of the incident.
Photos from the scene showed two wrecked cars in the middle of the road. One was smashed in the front, while the other was missing its driver’s-side doors and was against the bus.
(Source: 1News)
Multiple police officers were at the scene, with debris strewn across the road.
Auckland Transport told 1News there were two passengers and the driver on board the bus at the time of the incident who were uninjured.
“They have been transferred to another bus and have continued their journey,” said an AT spokesperson.
Fire and Emergency NZ responded with two crews from Te Atatū and Henderson. The Henderson trucks had departed by 12.10pm.
A local business owner told 1News they had seen police and ambulance drive past.
The road was closed following the crash but had since reopened, Auckland Transport said.
Nuku’alofa— The Land Court has rejected an application by the Tonga Development Bank (TDB) to strike out a land claim by Vila Malia Vaka’uta, ruling that the case raises issues that must be properly examined at trial.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Tupou KC, rejected the Bank’s argument that the claim was filed outside the legal 10-year limitation period.
The dispute centres on Lease No. 5442 in Ma‘ufanga, Tongatapu, which was registered in Vila’s name in 1993. Her husband Sione Lilo Vaka’uta had borrowed money from the Bank and allegedly used the property as security.
When the loan fell into arrears, the Bank obtained a default judgment in 1992 for more than $113,000 against both husband and wife.
Consent Order Grants Possession
In May 1997, a consent order was issued allowing the Bank to take possession of the land until the debt was fully repaid or until October 12, 2043. This order effectively placed the property under court authority, giving the Bank legal control over the lease subject to those conditions.
It was not until February 14, 2023, that Vila said she became aware of the situation, after receiving a letter from the Minister of Lands informing her that the property was subject to a court order.
The judgment then outlines a key issue in dispute, stating that the land was not mortgaged to the Bank and that she remains in possession of the original lease.
The timing of that notification appears linked to the Bank’s attempt to transfer the lease to Jian Jun Zheng, who, according to the court judgment, is the current occupier of the land.
According to the judgment, the Bank applied to have the land transferred to Zheng, but the application was withheld because the plaintiff still held the original lease document. This attempted transaction likely prompted the Ministry of Lands to review the legal status of the lease and notify Vila.
Claims Eviction and Damages
She subsequently filed proceedings seeking several orders, including eviction of the current occupier, cancellation of the proposed transfer, and damages exceeding $100,000 for loss of use of the land over more than 20 years.
The TDB applied to strike out the claim under Order 8 Rule 8 of the Supreme Court Rules, arguing that it disclosed no reasonable cause of action because it was time-barred under the Land Act. The Bank said the limitation period began in May 1997 when the consent order was issued, and expired in 2007.
Vila opposed the application, maintaining that she had no knowledge of the proceedings or the consent order until 2023, that she had never been properly served, and that the application was premature.
Strike-Out a Last Resort
In considering the application, Justice Tupou emphasised that striking out a claim at an early stage is a measure of last resort and should only be granted where a case is clearly “hopeless.”
The Court found that determining whether the claim was time-barred was not straightforward. While the consent order dated back to 1997, it allowed the Bank to retain possession until the debt was fully repaid or until 2043, meaning the timing of any limitation period could depend on when the debt was actually settled.
Justice Tupou identified several unresolved questions that can only be addressed at trial, including whether the plaintiff had notice of the consent order, when the debt was repaid, whether the Bank retained any rights after repayment, and whether it was entitled to transfer the land to a third party.
“These questions may be determined only by way of a full hearing and tested evidence,” the Court said in its ruling.
The Court concluded that it could not say the claim was certain to fail. It agreed with the plaintiff that the strike-out application was premature and dismissed the Bank’s application.
Vila was awarded costs, to be fixed by the Registrar if not agreed between the parties.
Ms T. Tapueluelu and F. Vaihu appeared for the TDB, while Miss A. Kafoa represented the plaintiff, Vila Malia Vaka’uta.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested after two people were stabbed in central Auckland.
Emergency services were called to an apartment building on Greys Avenue just after 10:30pm on Friday, where a man and a woman were found with stab wounds.
Both were taken to hospital with moderate to serious injuries, police said on Saturday.
The man was arrested at the scene.
A resident at a Kāinga Ora housing complex, Angus Jowitt, told RNZ he heard a commotion in the complex about five minutes earlier.
“It’s not uncommon to have a disturbance in Greys Ave at this part of the week, Friday night, however, this one seemed to me to be particularly intense, so I stopped what I was doing and went out and had a look on the balcony. There was a couple of people kind of running around and screaming,” Jowitt said.
“You could clearly hear someone yelling ‘I’ve been stabbed, I’ve been stabbed, call the police’.
“It seemed very, very drastic, so I went downstairs.”
Jowitt said the Te Mātāwai supported living development complex was staffed 24-7 and he saw workers running outside with phones in hand.
He said his neighbours reported seeing a man stabbing another person on a balcony in one of the complex’s three buildings.
At least a dozen police officers and about four or five police cars, along with an ambulance, attended the scene, Jowitt said.
“[It’s] quite a sad thing to happen in the neighbourhood. I don’t know who it was, but I’m sure we’ll hear in the coming days,” he said.
Police said a man is scheduled to appear in Auckland District Court on Saturday, charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Wests Tigers are reportedly considering a move to sign former Manly Sea Eagles hooker Manase Fainu once he is released from prison later this year, in what would be one of the most controversial comeback stories in recent NRL history.
Fainu, 26, has been incarcerated since December 2022 after being convicted over a violent incident that occurred at a church event in Sydney in 2019.
The former NRL player was found guilty of stabbing a Mormon youth leader during a dance, an attack that shocked both the rugby league community and the wider public.
According to reports, Fainu, who is of Tongan and Māori descent, is eligible for parole in October, opening the door for a possible return to professional rugby league.
Tigers Leading Signing Race
As reported by Code Sports, the contract is reportedly worth about $2.75 million, with the Tigers understood to have beaten several Sydney clubs to secure his signature.
While there has been no official confirmation from the club, the speculation highlights ongoing discussions within NRL circles about whether Fainu could rebuild his career after serving his sentence.
Before his conviction, Fainu was regarded as one of the most promising young hookers in the NRL. He made his debut for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2019 and quickly impressed with his speed, agility, and attacking flair around the ruck.
In his breakout season, Fainu scored several tries and played a key role in Manly’s push to the finals, earning praise as a future star of the game. However, his career was abruptly halted following the charges linked to the church dance incident later that year.
The Sea Eagles terminated his contract following the conviction, bringing an immediate end to his time in the NRL.
Tigers’ roster considerations
The Wests Tigers have been rebuilding their squad in recent seasons and are understood to be exploring options to strengthen key positions, including hooker. The potential signing of Fainu—if it eventuates—would represent a high-risk, high-reward move.
Supporters and critics alike are likely to be divided on the prospect. Some may view it as an opportunity for rehabilitation and a second chance, while others may question whether a player with such a serious criminal conviction should be allowed to return to the professional game so quickly.
Any attempt for Fainu to re-enter the NRL would almost certainly be subject to strict scrutiny from the league’s integrity unit. The NRL has implemented increasingly stringent policies around player behaviour, and a return in these circumstances would require extensive review, including risk assessments and potential conditions on his participation.
It is also expected that any club seeking to sign Fainu would need to demonstrate that appropriate support systems are in place to facilitate his reintegration into both the sport and the community.
A woman in Tonga is being sought after a complainant in the United States reported losing contact with her following payment for a kiekie that was allegedly never delivered.
The woman pictured is alleged to be linked to the scam and was photographed with cash believed to be part of the $300 payment.
‘Iva Fāʻotusia said she paid $300 after seeing the woman advertise on Facebook that she could make traditional kiekie.
She instructed the woman to collect the payment from lawyer Fatai Vaihū’s office in Nuku’alofa, where the transaction was completed.
A photo shared with Kaniva News reportedly shows the woman with $20 notes in front of her, which Fāʻotusia said was taken by Vaihū as evidence of payment.
The woman allegedly promised to complete the kiekie within one week, but failed to deliver.
Fāʻotusia said repeated attempts to follow up were met with excuses before the woman stopped responding altogether.
In a Facebook post by Faʻotusia seeking help to locate the woman, Vaihū also joined the discussion, sharing the photo in the comments as evidence.
A screenshot of the Facebook account’s profile
The woman is believed to be behind a Facebook account named “Kiekie Kaka Fakatau Atu”, with a listed contact number of 8440291, though no confirmed identity has been established.
The case follows a series of similar incidents involving Tongans overseas who have responded to advertisements for koloa faka-Tonga and services offered from Tonga.
Kaniva News recently reported a case involving the weaving service Lalanga Taʻovala Aunoa, where a customer—following this outlet’s intervention—eventually received the taʻovala, but not at the agreed quality.
In a separate incident, a Tongan sewing service in Mildura, Australia left a customer frustrated after delivering poorly made garments.
New religious histories are currently being published, while a university lecture delivered last week in New Zealand highlights Tonga’s preparations to mark 200 years since Christianity was firmly established in the kingdom, following earlier failed missionary attempts.
Dr Paula Onoafe Lātū
Rev’d Dr Paula Onoafe Latu is revisiting the history of the Methodist Church in Tonga and last week delivered a lecture at the University of Otago as part of the commemorative initiatives.
The research and publication programme is overseen by a committee chaired by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu, with members including Free Wesleyan Church President Dr Tevita Havea, Secretary General Rev’d Feleti ‘Atiola, and Dr Latu, who are developing a six-volume book series for the celebrations.
Dr Latu told Kaniva News he is working on the book series from his Takanini residence in New Zealand, with support from colleagues, including his daughter.
Wesleyan and Methodist both emerge from the same Christian tradition founded by John Wesley, an 18th-century English Anglican cleric and theologian who co-founded the Methodist movement.
However, Wesleyan typically refers to the early missionary movement and its theological emphasis, while Methodist serves as the broader term for the churches that later developed from that tradition.
The anniversary marks the introduction of Christianity by early missionaries, beginning with the London Missionary Society in 1797, followed by Wesleyan missionaries in 1822 and Catholic missionaries in 1840.
In a tribute within his Otago paper, Dr Latu wrote: “We remember with condolences the families of Harper, Bowel, and Gaulton, along with an English sailor from Great Britain, who lost their lives during the civil war of 1799, bringing an end to the short-lived mission of the London Missionary Society in Tonga.”
He described these missionaries as “the first martyrs of Christianity in Tonga.” Drawing on the words of early Christian writer Tertullian, Dr Latu noted: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
He further reflected that their sacrifice became the foundation for the spread of the Christian Gospel and faith in Tonga over the past 200 years. Lest we forget — Rest in God’s love.
Assessing Missionary Legacy
Although early British missionary efforts faced challenges and were not without flaws, Dr Latu’s research and forthcoming publications aim to evaluate the achievements of the Wesleyan mission in Tonga.
These missions laid the foundations of a faith that would reshape Tongan society and identity over the next two centuries.
In his Otago presentation, Dr Latu said Christianity not only transformed the spiritual life of the people but also played a central role in shaping Tonga’s political development, legal system, and national unity.
The presentation marked not only the historic anniversary but also the establishment of a new partnership between the University of Otago and the Free Wesleyan Church’s Sia’atoutai Theological College, where Dr Latu serves as principal.
Christianity and Royal Reform
The paper also highlighted King George Taufaʻāhau Tupou I’s pivotal role in embracing Christianity—alongside his wife, Queen Sālote Lupepauʻu—and using its influence to modernise Tonga, beginning with the 1862 emancipation of the people from chiefly and royal control.
The document notes that King Taufaʻāhau I’s establishment of the 1875 Constitution, grounded in Christian principles, stands as one of the most significant outcomes of this legacy, helping Tonga preserve its sovereignty and avoid colonisation.
Churches and schools established by missionaries also drove widespread literacy and education, with Bible translations into Tongan playing a key role in shaping both language and national identity.
Tree of Life
Dr Latu describes the growth of Christianity in Tonga as a “Tree of Life,” beginning with the planting of the Gospel seed, taking root in the hearts of the people, and eventually bearing fruit in social progress and spiritual maturity.
This transformation extended beyond Tonga’s shores, with Tongan missionaries being sent across the Pacific and the world since the 19th century, continuing the cycle of spreading the Christian faith.
The anniversary is expected to unite churches, communities, and the Tongan diaspora in a shared celebration of faith, identity, and resilience.
Why 1826 Marks the Start
According to Dr Latu, early missionary efforts by the London Missionary Society (1797–1799) and later by the Wesleyan leader Walter Lawry (1822–1823) recorded no conversions.
The turning point came with the arrival of John Hutchinson and John Thomas in 1826, who established a mission base at Kolovai, including a church and school known as Nazareth. This marked the beginning of a sustained and structured Christian presence in Tonga, even though the first recorded Tongan convert, John Lolohea, did not occur until 1829.
Despite early resistance—including the suppression of the church in Kolovai in the Hihifo district by Chief Ata in 1829—the mission began to gain momentum. Following this setback, Chief ‘Ahome‘e escorted Mr Thomas from Kolovai to King Aleamotu‘a in Nuku‘alofa.
LMS missionaries from Tahiti, accompanied by local and regional helpers, arrived in Nukuʻalofa en route to Fiji, but were instructed by Aleamotuʻa to remain and establish the mission there, underscoring his belief that Christianity must first take root in Tonga before spreading beyond, according to Dr Latu.
This led to the construction of the first church at Sia ko Veiongo in Nukuʻalofa, while the continued efforts of Wesleyan missionaries such as Nathaniel Turner and William Cross from 1828 further strengthened the mission.
Growing Converts, Expanding Mission
By 1829, the number of converts had begun to grow, with seven early baptisms recorded. Requests for missionary support also increased, notably from Taufa‘āhau, the Tu‘i Ha‘apai—who later became King George Tupou I—to whom Mr Thomas and the Tongan convert Pita Vī were subsequently sent.
From this point, the Wesleyan mission developed consistently and spread throughout the kingdom, laying the foundation for the nationwide acceptance of Christianity.
For this reason, 1826 is recognised as the starting point of Christianity’s enduring establishment in Tonga—marking not its first arrival, but the beginning of sustained growth, organisation, and eventual transformation of the nation.
Prime Minister Fakafanua says it is likely that illegal vessels have entered Tonga’s waters undetected in the past due to limited monitoring capacity, as the government rolls out new maritime tracking technology aimed at strengthening surveillance of the kingdom’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
His comments come amid ongoing concerns over Tonga’s illicit drug crisis, which has fuelled persistent questions about how drugs are entering the country and whether weaknesses in maritime monitoring may have enabled unauthorised vessels to operate undetected.
The revelation also coincides with repeated detections of vessels suspected of illegal fishing activity in and around Tonga’s EEZ by regional surveillance operations and fisheries authorities.
Reports from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have identified multiple vessels of interest during monitoring operations across the region, highlighting the challenges Pacific nations face in policing their maritime boundaries.
Limited Maritime Surveillance Capacity
Speaking at a press briefing last week, Lord Fakafanua indicated that Tonga’s limited maritime surveillance capacity may have previously allowed illicit vessel movements within its waters to go undetected.
“I will not provide details, but let’s just say that illegal vessels may have entered our waters in the past and we were unable to detect them,” he said.
He said newly deployed technologies now being used by Police, Customs and Fisheries authorities have significantly strengthened Tonga’s surveillance capabilities, enabling authorities to detect vessels entering the kingdom’s waters and monitor maritime activity more effectively.
He said the new surveillance systems can now detect vessels entering Tonga’s waters, making it far more difficult for those involved in illicit drug trafficking or illegal fishing to operate undetected.
Although Prime Minister Fakafanua did not disclose the specific technologies being deployed, media reports indicate that maritime agencies across the Pacific are increasingly using advanced surveillance tools to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and transnational smuggling.
These include artificial intelligence-powered satellite monitoring, radio frequency (RF) detection systems, and autonomous maritime drones capable of tracking vessel movements across vast ocean areas.
The technologies can help authorities identify and monitor vessels even when they attempt to evade detection by switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders and effectively “going dark”.
The alleged operator of the collapsed BG Wealth Sharing scheme—linked by authorities to a fabricated “Professor” persona—has appeared to acknowledge its demise for the first time, posting a series of farewell messages before communication channels fell silent.
A supposed image of “Professor Stephen Beard,” now believed by authorities to be a fabricated persona used to promote the BG Wealth Sharing scheme.
Regulators have not confirmed a total recovery figure, but on‑chain analysis indicates the scheme may have involved around $150 million, with at least $41.5 million seized as it collapsed.
Driven by multilevel marketing tactics, the scheme stripped victims of significant sums, culminating in a final “12% tax” on fictitious account balances—an advance‑fee trap that left users locked out entirely.
Despite prior warnings from authorities and international media coverage, including Kaniva News, some Tongan participants continued promoting the BG scheme on social media, firmly rejecting concerns it was a Ponzi-style cryptocurrency scam.
Even days after US authorities announced the seizure of BG’s website domain, some Tongan promoters continued to circulate a purported registration document on social media, claiming it proved the scheme’s legitimacy in Colorado. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions had previously discredited the document.
Farewell Message Signals Collapse
In a screenshot of messages allegedly posted via BonChat, Professor Stephen Beard shared a pinned message stating, “This isn’t the end of the meeting. It’s goodbye.”
The remark signalled a stark shift in tone, coming after months of assurances that the platform was legitimate and not a scam.
A BG Wealth Sharing participant and promoter who shared the screenshot with Kaniva News said this was the first time Mr Beard admitted the scheme was a scam.
“It is over—no more,” the participant, who we chose not to name, said.
In earlier posts shared in the same group chat, Beard suggested the separation was final, writing: “Although I’m very reluctant to part with everyone, this is where we are going. If fate allows, we will meet again.”
He also urged members to “keep warm, and don’t catch a cold,” in what many have interpreted as a parting message to followers.
The comments have been taken by victims as a clear acknowledgement that the scheme has come to an end, contradicting his repeated denials amid growing scrutiny before its collapse.
The participant estimated that around 900,000 people worldwide may have been involved in the scam.
Fabricated Professor Claim Exposed
One of the key claims used by Tongan promoters to attract participants was that the scheme was legitimate because it was supposedly overseen by a professor.
However, authorities have stated that “Professor Stephen Beard” is a fabricated persona used as the face of a large international cryptocurrency Ponzi and pyramid scheme.
Some regulators have described him as a “fake CEO” and a self‑proclaimed professor with no verified identity or credentials
The character is believed to have been created using AI or portrayed by an actor following scripts.
Multiple regulators, including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), issued cease‑and‑desist orders against the operation after the platform ultimately collapsed.
Seventy-three years ago, Her Majesty Queen Sālote Tupou III stood with grace and dignity at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, marking a moment that forever linked the Kingdom of Tonga with the United Kingdom.
Queen Sālote Tupou III
Her presence on 2 June 1953 remains one of the most memorable highlights of the historic ceremony, a statement by the Bristish High Commission in Tonga said.
Queen Sālote had been in London for two weeks before the coronation day arrived. Dressed in a long gown, adorned with a named fine mat—Lālanga-‘a-‘Ulukilupetea—and wearing her mantle and British honours, she also carried symbols of her chiefly rank with a comb of Lave‘i Tavake feathers in her hair. She travelled to Buckingham Palace before transferring to a carriage shared with the Sultan of Kelantan.
Seated prominently in a gallery overlooking the coronation chair, Queen Sālote was among the first to arrive and observed dignitaries as they gathered. Reflecting on the ceremony later, she described her heart as “deeply touched” by the dignity, rituals, and religious significance of the occasion. She was especially moved when the Archbishop proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II as the rightful sovereign and when the young Queen made her vows.
She also recalled the solemn moment when the Queen’s crown was removed during the Sacrament, noting the “inner glow” that radiated from her face despite exhaustion. For Queen Sālote, the ceremony revealed the unity of nation, land, and church in support of the Crown, leaving an impression that extended beyond its grandeur and beauty.
After the service, Queen Sālote was served tea, sandwiches, and cake in an annexe at Westminster Abbey. As rain began to fall, she chose to keep the carriage hood down during the return procession, determined not to miss any part of the day. Though both she and the Sultan of Kelantan were soaked, she later said the experience brought happiness and was “a treasure.”
Images of Queen Sālote smiling in the pouring rain captured the admiration of the British public and greatly boosted her popularity. Upon returning to her residence, she changed from her wet clothes but remained grateful for the warmth shown by the people, emphasising that her joy came from the occasion itself rather than the attention it drew.
“The coronation was a great occasion, and the memory of it will never die,” she later said, despite having been drenched. Journalists gathered that night and the following morning to ensure she had not fallen ill, while that evening she attended a grand coronation dinner alongside Sir Winston Churchill, whom she greatly admired.
Her schedule continued with official engagements, including laying a wreath at the cenotaph, attending the Coronation Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, witnessing Trooping the Colour, and joining garden parties at Blenheim Palace and Lambeth Palace.
Today, Queen Sālote’s unforgettable presence at the 1953 Coronation remains a treasured chapter in Tonga’s history. Her actions that day symbolised humility, pride, and the enduring place of Tonga on the world stage, proving that even the smallest nations can shine with extraordinary light.
Tonga Rugby Union has selected its first ‘Ikale Tahi squad for the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup campaign.
The new Nations Cup is a biennial international competition starting this year, involving 12 teams from six continents. Matches will be played across the July and November international windows, with each team scheduled to play six games.
The tournament will begin on 4 July 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the host nation will face Georgia in the opening fixture.
The July matches will be staged across the Americas.
Under the competition format, teams will compete in pools, with the top-ranked side in each pool crowned champions.
The Nations Cup is designed to provide more consistent international competition for emerging rugby nations as they prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Which unions will be competing?
A total of 12 unions will compete, all of whom have qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
Samoa were the final team to qualify following their 13-13 draw against Belgium in the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai last November.
Pool A (Americas and Pacific)
Canada
Chile
Samoa
Tonga
Uruguay
USA
Pool B (Europe, Africa and Asia)
Georgia
Hong Kong China
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Zimbabwe
The competition follows a round-robin format across two windows, with each team playing six matches – three in July and three in November – against opposition from the opposite pool.
All results feed into the standings, with the highest-ranked team in each pool crowned champions at the end of the tournament.
Unlike the Nations Championship 2026, there will be no finals day. Instead, the format guarantees regular, competitive fixtures for all participating teams, supporting development and consistency ahead of Australia 2027.
The Team: Representing Villages, Islands, and Heritage
