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Former sports CEO apologises over behaviour during Tonga-Australia game on July 14

By
Kalino Latu
-

Former Chief Executive (CEO) of Sports in Tonga and the Ministry of Internal Affairs Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi  has apologised for his behaviour at last Friday’s rugby game in Nuku’alofa.

Dr Fotu Kuo Hiko Vāleli Fisi’iahi

Eyewitnesses said that during the match, in which Tonga’s Ikale Tahi defeated the Australian A team 27-21, Dr Fisi’iahi  jumped up and grabbed an Australian flag from a Tongan spectator and threw it away.

The spectator and his friends said they were Tongans living in Australia and were supporting Australia because it had become their new homeland.

Dr Fisi’iahi ‘s behaviour drew immediate criticism with accusations that he had acted badly and did not respect the flag.

It was also said his actions were inappropriate and unprofessional given his positions in the government and education.

When approached by Kaniva News for comment, Dr Fisi’iahi made the following statement.

“It was true there was banter between me and a lad called Sione at the grandstand  and he was holding an Australian flag.

“I  became over excited and removed the flag from Sione’s hand and threw it to the front where a police officer was standing.

“It was unfortunate that this had happened and I wholeheartedly apologise to the supporters of the Australian team as well as those people who were there with us for behaving badly and disrespectfully.

“I do not want to dispute it and wanted to apologise and that would not happen again in the future.”

Dr Fisi’iahi was chief executive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Youths and Sports  before his contract was renewed in May for another four years. However, he resigned last month to run in the Tongatapu 10 parliamentary by-election last week. He was unsuccessful.

Asked whether he would return to his former position as chief executive of the Ministry, Dr Fisi’iahi said he was having a holiday with his family before looking at what to do next.

Dr Fisi’iahi is no stranger to controversy.

In 2016 he was convicted of assaulting another patron at the Cosmopolitan Club in Mangere, Auckland. He was sentenced to six months’ home detention and 200 hours community work. He appealed the sentence, but lost. In its judgement the court noted that he had an immaculate record, had entered an immediate guilty plea, had shown remorse, had undertaken counselling and paid NZ$10,000 compensation.

Trial of mother accused of murdering her three daughters begins

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By rnz.co.nz

The High Court trial of a woman accused of killing her three daughters at their Timaru home is underway in Christchurch.

Lauren Anne Dickason in the High Court at Christchurch on 17 July 2023. Photo: Pool / NZME/ George Heard

Lauren Anne Dickason is charged with murdering her 2-year-old twin daughters Karla and Maya, and their older sister Liané, who was 6, on 16 September 2021.

Her husband Graham, an orthopaedic surgeon, found them dead when he arrived home about 10pm after dining with colleagues at a restaurant.

The family had moved into a property in Timaru’s Queen Street only a week earlier, having arrived in New Zealand from South Africa a month before.

Dickason has plead not guilty to the killings, with the defence to argue insanity and infanticide.

Dozens of witnesses will give evidence during the three-week trial in front of Justice Cameron Mander.

Empanelling of the twelve person jury began in court on Monday.

Opening statements from Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae and Dickason’s defence lawyer Kerryn Beaton KC are expected to follow later in the day.

Woman charged with murder of three daughters. Graham & Lauren Dickason and kids Liane 6 and twins Maya and Karla 2 Dickason

Two-year-old twins Maya and Karla and their 6-year-old sister Liané. Photo: Supplied

With her signed consent, Dickason’s lawyer entered pleas of not guilty to all three murder charges in October 2021.

Beaton confirmed her client was to rely on an insanity and infanticide defence.

Under New Zealand law, infanticide functions as both a stand-alone offence, and as a partial defence to murder or manslaughter.

Graham Dickason was expected to be called to give evidence in the trial from Tuesday.

The Crown was applying for him to give evidence from South Africa via audiovisual link, but this was opposed by the defence.

Suppression orders remain in place on the details of the alleged crime.

Tonga looks forward to rugby clash against Australia A

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

Tongans are expected to pack Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa on July 14 when the ‘Ikale Tahi squares off against Australia A in a celebration rugby union match to honour stars of the past.

The stars are the Tongan players who created history on June 30, 1973 when they defeated the Australian Wallabies 16-11 in Brisbane.

Tonga Rugby Union chief executive officer Peter Harding told RNZ Pacific the rugby match will end weeks of celebrations that has seen the 50th year of that famous win celebrated in different forms around the country.

It will also be part of the TRU’s 100th year anniversary.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a Ulukalala has been confirmed to be at the rugby match, in place of King Tupou VI, who is tied up with other commitments.

Harding said Tonga was a hive of activity right now with Nuku’alofa packed as the Kingdom also celebrates the annual week-long Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga conference, the annual Heilala Festival and the Tonga High School 75th anniversary.

“So right now, Nuku’alofa is very busy and there has been a lot of celebrations,” Harding said.

“On top of that we have had the rugby celebrations to remember the famous Wallaby win and the 100th birthday of the game (in Tonga).

“The rugby clash on July 14 will bring all that to a close and it is certainly something that we are all looking forward to.”

Harding said tying the game down has been a long negotiation and the TRU was grateful that the Australia Rugby Union had agreed to have Australia A play against Tonga in the capital.

He said the Australians will be a tough team as they are made up of fringe Wallabies.

“They have named a strong squad to travel to Tonga for the game and that shows the level of interest they have placed on the game,” he added.

Programmes of celebration over the past week has seen some members of the 1973 team visiting King Tupou VI, attending celebration dinners and being guests at the upcoming rugby match.

Harding said they are excited about Friday’s match, which will see the star-packed ‘Ikale Tahi playing at home for the first time since 2017.

“It’s been a long time coming and having the ‘Ikale Tahi play at home after a long time definitely is something that local fans are looking forward to,” he said.

The ‘Ikale Tahi squad started arriving in Nuku’alofa last week to start preparing for the game and the Pacific Nations Cup series against Fiji, Japan and Samoa later this month.

Star players in the squad include former Wallaby Israel Folau and former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Vaea Fifita and Charles Piutau.

Harding said local fans who have followed the players and their interests to play for Tonga at the Rugby World Cup now could see them play for their national team.

“That alone is a big thing and local fans are buying tickets very quickly too. We expect a packed crowd at the games and hopefully that gives the players the boost they need heading into the World Cup,” he added.

The ‘Ikale Tahi will fly to Fiji after the July 14 match to prepare for their Pacific Nations Cup series against the Flying Fijians in Lautoka on July 22.

Democrats celebrate after Lanumata winning Tonga by-election

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Kapeliele Molitoni Lanumata has won the Tongatapu 10 parliamentary by-election for late Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa’s former seat.

Kapeliele MolitoniLanumata

He won with 870 votes, a margin of 249 votes over Matani Nifofā who had 621 votes, the first runner up.

The second runner up was Fotu Kuo Hiko Valeli Fisi’iahi with 507 votes while Daniel Kimball Fale had 139 votes. Seinimili Tu’i’onetoa Fonua had 122 votes.

Lanumata, from Lapaha, the largest village in the Tongatapu 10 constituency, had been campaigning under the PTOA party’s democratic reforms banner.

The PTOA Party (Democrats) has celebrated the result marking a significant victory for Lanumata as Independent candidates backed by their conservative supporters were underperformed in key poll stations.

The PTOA Party has said that Lanumata is going to deliver for the people of Lapaha and Tongatapu 10. They are confident that he will be a strong voice for the people in Parliament.

The by-election was held to fill the seat that was vacated by the late Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa, who was a former Prime Minister and MP for the constituency. Tu’i’onetoa died in September 2022.

Although Tonga has yet to legalise political party system, the by-election results had been seen as a test of the popularity of the PTOA Party, which is the main opposition party in the kingdom.

COMMENTARY: Does Australian-supported business plan  hold key to Lulutai’s future – and where is it?

By
Kalino Latu
-

COMMENTARY: What is the future of Lulutai airlines?

After Lulutai airlines was given the sole license to fly in Tonga, critics said the government should have left the airlines in the hands of the private sector.

They said the government should assist the private sector in whatever it could do to make it financially viable.

Former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tuionetoa said the government’s interest in the airlines business was to fix it and make sure it was stable before giving it back to the private sector.

However, the government never did this, despite repeated offers from two of the country’s former airline operators to step in.

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku echoed the same policy as Hon. Tu’i’onetoa – to keep the airlines until it is financially viable.

The question is whether an airline in Tonga can ever be financially viable. The previous operator, Real Tonga struggled to remain financially viable and incurred $500,000 after a bird strike on the airlines Saab340. Previous airlines have either failed financially or been the victims of political meddling.

Current government policies may be wishful thinking – and that can be dangerous for an airline.

Now, when Lulutai is in trouble financially, it has been reported that it has incurred $18 million in operating costs and there has been no mention of the government expects to recoup its investment.

The government appears to have guaranteed a loan of $13 million for Lulutai’s maintenance. This means if Lulutai dies tomorrow the government has to repay this loan from taxpayers’ money.

The Australian government has been paying Fiji Airways to run a passenger service seven times a week between Tongatapu and Vava’u. Tonga and Australia signed a financial agreement to help fund the service until at least June 30.

It is presumed that subsidy continues.

Announcing the rescue package in February, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku said additional expenses incurred by the compensation deal would be covered by Australia.

The Australian High Commissioner in Tonga, Rachael Moore, said Australia was donating Aus$500,000 to the rescue package.

“Lulutai will continue to sell tickets. If there is a shortfall in the cost of any of those segments Australia will meet that shortfall to ensure that connectivity domestically for Tonga,” she said.

Australia has also been training pilots and engineers and providing  ground support equipment and aviation weather infrastructure.

Australia clearly has a strategic interest in keeping an airline flying in Tonga because it helps generate much  needed tourism revenue that helps make the kingdom more viable in the long run, but what about the long term? Will Australia really be prepared to keep subsidising Lulutai forever?

Would it be prepared to see  Lulutai become another financial wreck like Royal Tonga, which collapsed owing millions at the beginning of the century?

The answer may lie in a statement buried in the February announcement of the Australian rescue package, which said that Australia would provide technical advice to Lulutai to develop a long-term business plan.

What has happened to that business plan? Does it exist? And if it does, when will it be released?

How could such a plan protect Tonga’s air services and guarantee that the government will be able to meet its multi-million pa’anga financial obligations and recoup its investment? Did the Australian and Tongan governments involve commercial operators in their discussions?

Asked in February whether the government had considered selling Lulutai to a private company, the Prime Minister said that was part of the process to resolve the Lulutai crisis.

The question would be whether the government would let one of the previous operators back in the air or look for an overseas operator to step in, as happened when the New Zealand-based Chathams Pacific ran the domestic service.

Tongans who depend on a reliable airline service to travel and keep their businesses afloat deserve answers to these questions.

Concern over incident at Kaufana airport grows as  government guarantees $13 million maintenance loan   

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office is concerned about yesterday’s incident at Kaufana airport on ‘Eua in which a Lulutai airlines Harbin Y12 veered off the runway during an attempted take-off, Kaniva News understands.

Prime Minister Huakavameiliku (L), Lulutai Chief Executive Poasi Tei

PASO is an international organisation providing aviation safety and security service for Pacific nations.

After the event, which is technically known as a runway excursion, the aircraft returned to the terminal. Eyewitnesses reported that passengers refused to re-board the aircraft.

The flight was then cancelled.

Our source said the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) had not been involved in auditing Lulutai airlines.

Lulutai’s main aircraft, a Saab 340, was taken out of service at the beginning of the year for an engine overhaul. Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni said the government had been told to ground the aircraft.

At the time it was estimated repairs would take three to four months.

Australia has been providing financial assistance and Fiji airlines provided an aircraft until June.

The Saab 340 is derived from a Swedish design which first flew in 1983. Several hundred of the aircraft are still flying. The Chinese-built Harbin Y12 first flew in 1982 and is still in production.

Our source claimed the cost of overhauling an engine for Saab was between US$780,000 and $820,000.

Our source also told Kaniva News that Lulutai’s  record may work against its ability to lease other aircraft.

Financial costs

The concerns about Lulutai come after it was revealed the government had spent about TP$18 million so far on the airlines after it replaced the Real Tonga Airlines in 2020, Kaniva News has learned.

The Tongan government had put TP$10.1 million in its budget 2022/2023  and $3.3 million on its 2023/2024 government budget towards loan guarantees for Lulutai airlines’ maintenance services.

Former Minister of Finance Dr ‘Aisake Eke, and MP for Tongatapu 5, asked the Minister of Finance Tiofilusi Titiuti in Parliament to explain the two figures.

Dr Eke asked Hon. Titiuti to explain why the budget did not bring forward the $10.1 million from the previous budget and add it up with the $3.3 million in the 2023 / 2024 budget.

Dr Eke said it could be that Lulutai airlines had paid off the TP$10.1 million, but as far as he understood the situation that was not possible because the airline had been struggling financially because of Covid and other causes.

The Minister vaguely briefly answered Dr Eke’s questions in Tongan.

The Minister said this was an agreement for the value of the guarantee to be provided in the budget annually, implying that the TP$10.1 million loan by Lulutai was still guaranteed by the government, but was not brought forward in the 2023/2024 budget.

According to the Hansard, the Minister said in Tongan: “Fekau’aki mo hono guarantee ‘o hono hono maintenance, hono maintenance ko eni ko ē ‘o e vaka ka na’e ‘i ai pē ‘a e ‘a e felotoi fakata’u pē fakata’u pē ‘a hono pē ko e ta’u fakapa’anga lolotonga eni ‘oku hā ai ‘a e amount ko eni ko e guarantee ko hono fakahoko ko ē ko ē ‘o e ‘o e hangē pē ‘oku hā atu ‘o hono maintenance ‘o e ‘o e ‘oku tu’u ma’u pē he maintenance pea kapau ‘e ‘osi e ta’u ‘oku ‘ikai ke ngāue’aki pea ‘oku hoko leva ki he ta’u hoko.”.

Hon. Titiuti said the figure for 2023/2024 was shown as maintenance and if the money was not used it would be transferred to the following year.

Since the airline began operations, there has been concern about how much experience the senior management of Lulutai has had in operating an airline and about its financial prospects.

Kaniva News has asked Lulutai chief executive Poasi Tei for comment.

For more information

Real Tonga ready to fill gap left by loss of Lulutai services, says former airline’s boss

Real Tonga ready to fill gap left by loss of Lulutai services, says former airline’s boss

Passengers terrified as Lulutai aircraft struggles to leave ‘Eua’s Kaufana airport

By
Kalino Latu
-

Lulutai airlines flight from ‘Eua was cancelled this afternoon after the Y12 passenger aircraft veered off the runway during its take-off run.

The aircraft spent 20 minutes trying to take off before it returned to the terminal at Kaufana airport.

The incident was filmed and shared on Facebook.

Eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared to have engine problems when it arrived at the airport.

A Tongan resident from Auckland told Kaniva News that when the aircraft touched down, it stuttered repeatedly before making it to the terminal.

The passengers inside the aircraft included a palagi woman and her children.

The man said he was in ‘Eua with a team of surveyors and they were waiting for the flight after the one that did not get off the ground. 

“It’s shocking and the government should look deep into this before something sinister happens”, Saia Latai told Kaniva News in Tongan.

“There are too much politics and this is the results,” he said.

Eyewitnesses said they could see smoke as the aircraft tried to leave Kaufana airport this afternoon about 4pm.

The 19-seater aircraft with passengers was scheduled to leave for Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, before returning to take on board the remaining passengers at Kaufana.

It was then announced the flight was cancelled.

Passengers waiting at the terminal appeared to be terrified and could be heard refusing to board the aircraft again.

They said they would take the ferry instead.

This afternoon’s incident comes after a passenger from New Zealand complained about her experience while flying from Nuku’alofa to Ha’apai last month on Lulutai airlines.

She said she regretted being in the aircraft after she heard a loud noise while they were in the air.

She said she thought the aircraft would crash.

Meanwhile, there were still ongoing complaints about the airline’s poor services, including unexpected cancellations of scheduled flights.

Passengers have complained that they have not received satisfactory answers when they have asked why the airline has not kept to its timetable.

Kaniva News has contacted the chief executive of Lulutai airline for comments on these previous incidents. 

‘It was a long earthquake, it wasn’t a jolt’

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A strong, deep 6.7-magnitude earthquake that hit 134 km from Neiafu has been felt around the group on Sunday.

There was no tsunami warning issued.

The quake, which struck at 11.27pm was centred at a depth of 247 km,  the Tonga Meteorological Service said.

USGS reported that the nearby places to the centre of the quake included Neiafu at 134.4 kilometre south east.

Reports on social media said it was long and it wasn’t a jolt.

“A bit of a shake – an earthquake? The bed was actually shaking”, a commenter wrote on Facebook.

“It is a sign we will have a sunny day tomorrow”, one commenter wrote.

Northland could see 110kph winds, Auckland Harbour Bridge under alert

By
Kaniva Staff
-

This story appears on RNZ.co.nz

Northland may cop squally showers, thunderstorms and potentially “damaging” wind gusts and tornadoes of more than 110kmh on Friday evening, as an active front is forecast to hit the region.

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the region from 8pm to midnight.

It is warning that wind gusts of this strength can cause some structural damage, including to trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous, the weather forecaster says.

Meanwhile, there’s a risk that thunderstorms, tornadoes, heavy showers and hail could also hit Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) today, with speed being reduced on the Auckland Harbour Bridge amid an amber alert for high winds during peak-hour traffic.

“It’s quite showery and windy across Auckland, and this evening the thunderstorms could possibly be severe. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on updates,” MetService meteorologist Kathryn Hodge said.

A strong wind watch has also been issued for Northland between 8pm and midnight.

At about 6pm, both Auckland and Northland have a risk of “small tornadoes” as an unsettled southwesterly flow moves through the area.

In Northland, if any tornadoes occur, they will only affect “very localised” areas, MetService said.

“Strong winds and showering weather is going to be here for a few days to come,” Hodge said.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a strong wind watch has been issued for Hawke’s Bay, south of Hastings, and the Tararua District for nine hours, from 8pm on Saturday to 5am on Sunday.

MetService meteorologist Andrew James said we’re also in for a cold start to the weekend, with temperatures forecast in the single digits right across the country for 5am Saturday, and into the negatives in the south.

“Make sure you’ll be wrapping up,” he said.

The cold weather could also bring with it a “top up” of snow for Ruapehu and Mt Taranaki about 900m.

Weather impacts on the roads

An amber alert has been issued for Auckland Harbour Bridge, where speeds are reduced and some lanes on the bridge may close.

Waka Kotahi said high-sided vehicle drivers and motorcyclists should use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18.

Another amber alert is likely on Saturday morning, with a low risk of brief periods of a red alert.

From Sunday morning, gusts of 75 to 80kmh are still likely, especially with passing showers, Waka Kotahi said.

Heavy snow watches are also in place for Fiordland, from 9am Saturday to 1am Monday, and in parts of Otago, Southland and Stewart Island, from 2pm Saturday to 5am Monday.

Snow is expected to fall down to 100m at times.

Further north, SH1 Dome Valley remains closed for the fourth morning in a row, following a major slip where 30 truckloads of rocks and debris scattered onto the road.

At 7.20am Waka Kotahi said the SH1, between Wellsford and Warkworth, will remain closed on Friday “until further notice”.

Drivers should take alternative routes through SH16, Waka Kotahi said.

*This story was first published by Stuff

Parliament says Taione did not swear as row over alleged comments in House heats up

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Parliament has denied claims that MP Johnny Taione swore in the House.

As Kaniva News reported last night, Taione’s alleged swearing was picked up on a microphone and broadcast.

MP Piveni Piukala (L), MP Johnny Taione. Photo/Johnny Taione (Facebook)

Kaniva News has listened to the audio on Kele’a Voice livestream of the Parliamentary session and this is what it could tell.

At one stage during the uproar Piukala asked: “Ko e hā ‘a e ‘uhinga ke ta’ofi ai au Sea?”. This translates into English as “Why are you stopping me Mr Chairman?”.

It followed with what appeared to be the Chairman warning Piukala by saying “Me’a ki lalo” which translates into English as “Sit down”.

Another person then be heard as what appeared to be Taione swearing and said:

“Ful_’i ki lalo”.

We have decided to publish that part of the audio here for our readers’ information:

This morning Parliament said Taione has submitted a complaint to the House saying the accusation on social media was false and misleading and he did not swear.

The press release from the House also said the staff had reviewed the tape and they did not hear any swearing from Taione. 

The Speaker also said he ordered the tape to be replayed to the House and there was no swearing on it.

However, many of the Tongan online community including Radio Television Tonga International (RTTI) shared a copy of that part of the audio which the alleged swearing could be heard on Facebook.

As of this evening many commenters on Facebook still believe that what they heard was swearing.

The Parliamentary press release said some other MPs in the House, including Mateni Tapueluelu from the people MPs’ bench, as well as Lord Tu’iha’angana  had witnessed they did not hear Taione swearing.

Kaniva News reviewed the tape again after the press release and can confirm what we  heard on the tape appears to be Taione swearing.

What the press release failed to clarify was a detail written record  of the alleged swearing that Kaniva News and other media have listened to and mentioned.

If that was provided it would be an easy way to solve the puzzle of what Parliament officially says it heard and what others say they heard.

The alleged swearing came after Piukala and the Chairman of the Whole House Committee became involved in a heated debate after Piukala claimed the government’s annual budget was falsified.

The Prime Minister and the Chairman, Lord Tu’ilakepa, asked Piukala to tell them which specific pages in the budget were falsified. Piukala asked the Chairman to allow the Tongatapu 5 MP to provide an answer before him.

The Chairman refused and told Piukala if he would not take the floor and clarify his claims about the budget he would not give him an opportunity to speak again.

The exchanges escalated into shouting amid warnings from the Chairman that he would suspend Piukala.

Taione interrupted and told the Chairman to stop Piukala.

Taione and Piukala  then began trading verbal punches before Taione allegedly swore at Piukala. This was carried  live on Parliament’s online streaming service.

The chairman finally announced he had suspended Piukala  for a day for “inappropriate behaviour”.

The public has been quick to condemn Taione’s behavior on Facebook, calling it disrespectful and unbecoming of an MP.

Many believe the Chairman should have suspended Taione instead of Piukala. They have also called on the Speaker to take action against Taione, with some even calling for his suspension from Parliament.

Critics said the Chairman Lord Tu’ilakepa should have been  fair to both Piukala and Taione.

Taione’s insult drew a backlash from many who said they were shocked and disgusted by his demeanour.

“That’s unbelievable. It is better to argue and dispute issues as much as you can, but you can’t swear in the House,” a commentater on Facebook said.

“If our MPs didn’t have good manners, that’s too bad,” wrote another.

Others asked why the Speaker was slow to do something about Taione.

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