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Rats tests still vital, but NZ gov’t needs to find alternative use for millions of expired tests

By
Kaniva Staff
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Covid-19 has not gone away and testing and treatment are still vital to protecting New Zealand from the pandemic.

However, the government has now found itself sitting on millions of expired tests. They were bought in 2022 with a different environment and different version of the disease,  but have not been used.

New Zealand Health is sitting on nearly two million expired rapid antigen tests and another 16 million that are nearly at their expiry date.

The Rats tests were bought to provide people the opportunity to test themselves, but changes in the  nature of the epidemic and responses meant they were not used.

The unused tests are worth about $160 million.

Health New Zealand is trying to work out what to do with the tests.

A Health spokesperson said large quantities of Rats were first purchased in late 2021 and early 2022 during the Delta outbreak and in preparation for the new strain that became Omicron.

Rats tests were then in short supply and it was expected they would become central to testing at home and work.

There was a lot of pressure to re-open its borders allow New Zealand to remove restrictions.

The spokesperson said Te Whatu Ora was “actively scanning the market” for ways to promote “re-purposing, alternative uses or recycling” of the tests.

“When the Rats were purchased, there was a global shortage and no crystal ball to know how much we would need – and it was important that we were prepared for a variety of different possibilities,” Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

Rats tests still play a vital role in detecting the virus and protecting families. As recent  reports have shown, people in New Zealand are still dying from the disease.

For information on how to get a free Rats test and how to use them, go to  https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-isolation/covid-19-testing/how-to-get-a-covid-19-test/#where-to-get-a-test

Covid-19: Two children under 10 among 36 deaths, 7702 cases

By
Kaniva Staff
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‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

There have been 7702 Covid-19 cases reported in New Zealand over the past week.

The numbers cover the week from Monday, June 19 to Sunday, June 25.

Case numbers continue to fall, with the latest numbers coming after 8544 cases were reported the week before.

As at midnight Sunday there were 181 people in hospital with the virus.

Five people were in an intensive care unit as at midnight Sunday.

Thirty-six more people with the virus have died.

Two were less than 10 years old, one was in their 40s, three were in their 50s, four were in their 60s, seven were in their 70s, 13 were in their 80s and six were aged over 90.

Seventeen were women and 19 were men.

Of the 36 deaths reported today, seven were from Auckland region, six were from Canterbury, four were from the MidCentral District, three each were from Northland, Waikato and Nelson Marlborough, two each were from Bay of Plenty, the Lakes District, Whanganui and the Southern District, and one each were from Taranaki and the Wellington region.

The total number of deaths confirmed as attributable to Covid-19, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing factor, is 3117.

FAKAMATALA FAKATONGA

Kuo ‘i ai ha toko 7702 ko e keisi Koviti 19 fo’ou ia kuo lipooti ‘i  Nu’u Sila’ ni he uike kuo ‘osi’.

Ko e fika ‘eni mei he Monite Sune 19 ki he Sune 25.

Oku hokohoko atu pe holo ‘a e fika pea ‘i he uike atu ko e toko 8544 na’e lipooti.

I he tu’upō Sapate ko e toko 181 ne ‘i fale mahaki ma’u ‘e he vailasi’.

Ko e toko nima ne ‘i he ‘initenisivikea  pea mate toko 36 ‘a ia ko e toko ua ne na ta’u 10, toko taha ta’u 40 tupu, tolu ne ta’u 50t fa ko e ta’u 60t, fitu ko e ta’u 70t, toko 13 ko e ta’u 80 pea toko ono ko e ta’u 90.

Ko e toko 17 ko e kakai fefine pea toko 19 ko e kakai tangata.

Ko e toko 36 ne mate he ‘aho ni ko e toko fitu ai mei Aokalani, ono mei Canterbury, fa mei he  MidCentral District, tolu mei he Northland, Waikato mo  Nelson Marlborough, ua mei he  Bay of Plenty, the Lakes District, Whanganui mo e  Southern District, pea taki taha ‘a Taranaki mo  Wellington.

Kuo fakapapau’i ‘eni ko e kotoa ‘a e kau mate’ ko e toko 3117  ‘a ia ka hala pe ne ‘i ai honau mahaki tauhi ko ‘enau mate’ ne kaunga lahi ki ai ‘a e Koviti 19.

Calls on Speaker to punish MP Taione after swearing caught on hot mic and after MP Piukala’s suspension

By
Kaniva Staff
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Critics have called on the Speaker to suspend MP Johnny Taione after the Chairman of the Whole House Committee Lord Tu’ilakepa threw MP Piveni Piukala out of Parliament for a day.

Taione and Piukala began trading verbal punches in Parliament this morning before Taione swore at Piukala.  

MP Johnny Taione. Photo/Fale Alea O Tonga)

Taione’s alleged insult was made live on Parliament online streaming.

“Ful_’i ki lalo”, Taione’s swearing in Tongan can heard which was picked up and broadcast.

As Kaniva News reported earlier, Chairman Lord Tu’ilakepa had suspended Piukala for “inappropriate behaviour” after he accused the government’s new annual budget of being allegedly falsified.

A heated debate erupted in the House after Piukala made the allegations.

The Prime Minister and the Chairman along with others from the government bench asked Piukala to tell them which specific pages in the budget that contained the alleged falsification. in response, Piukala asked the Chairman to allow Tt5 MP to provide an answer before him in which the Chairman had declined it.

Taione interrupted and told the Chairman to stop Piukala in which Piukala challenged him to a fight.

However, Lord Tu’ilakepa finally announced that he has suspended Piukala.   

The Chairman’s failure to take action against Taione had been widely criticised on social media.

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

Many believed 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.

The Speaker has yet to comment on the incident.

Critics said the Chairman Lord Tu’ilakepa should be 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 commenter on Facebook said.

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

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

Fist-fight challenge in Tonga Parliament; MP Piveni Piukala suspended over ‘inappropriate behaviour’

By
Kaniva Staff
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MP Piveni Piukala was suspended from Parliament for a day after he was involved in a heated debate with the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Whole House Committee this morning.

Paula Piveni Piukala

Piukala had accused the government of falsifying the annual budget, and when the Prime Minister asked him to point out the specific pages that contained the alleged falsification, Piukala refused to do so and instead demanded more time to explain.

The Chairman Lord Tu’ilakepa allowed Piukala to speak, but he continued to be disruptive and refused to comply.

Piukala argued that the constitution stipulates that it was the duties of the MPs to check and scrutinise the budget.

“The king and the people are listening and waiting for us”, he said in Tongan.

Another MP, Johnny Taione, intervened and asked the Chairman to stop Piukala, but Piukala challenged Taione to a fight.

The Chairman then ordered the House security to remove Piukala from Parliament.

Lord Tu’ilakepa said if he submitted a formal report to the House on Piukala’s “inappropriate behaviour” he could be suspended for 14 days. Lord Tu’ilakepa said he decided to suspend him for just one day instead.

The incident highlights the tensions that exist in Tongan politics, and it raises questions about the role of Parliament in holding the government accountable.

Tongtapu woman charged for selling medication without licence

By
Kaniva Staff
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Fisi’itiutina Fine’isaloi, the operator of the Fale Koloa Famili Tonga USA Trading store at Haveluloto, has been reportedly charged for selling medication without a licence.

The charges came after Police officers, together with inspectors from the Ministry of Health, raided the premise and confiscated the medication last month.

The company, which is based in Utah, Salt Lake City, claimed on Facebook that its goods being regularly shipped from the Unites States to Nuku’alofa are of “top quality” and prices were considerate.

It said thousands of customers shopped from their store.

However, the Ministry of Health said that the medication that was confiscated was sold without a license.

Fine’isaloi is due to appear in court soon.

It is illegal to sell medication without a licence in Tonga.

The Therapeutic Acts says “Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of this Act could face a fine not exceeding $2,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both; and in the case of a continuing offence, to a fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part of a day during which the offence has continued”.

The Pharmacy Acts states that only registered pharmacists are allowed to sell medication.

“Any person who fails to comply could face a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both; and in the case of a continuing offence, to a fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part of a day during which the offence has continued.

Convicted Vanuatu funds manager quits following public pressure

By
Kaniva Staff
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By RNZ.co.nz

The General Manager of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) Parmod Achary has resigned, a week after his guilty verdict was announced.

Parmod Achary

Achary was found guilty of five counts of indecency without consent and five counts of breach of the Leadership Code Act.

He pleaded not guilty in the trial, but the Supreme Court found him guilty of all charges.

Achary resigned ahead of a decision from the Fund’s board.

He confirmed his resignation to the Daily Post.

“I resigned to protect the name of the institution. The institution is more important to me than myself.

“I have worked very hard to build the institution since I came to Vanuatu,” he told the newspaper.

Achary initially resisted a request by the Finance Minister to quit.

He said he changed his mind and decided to step down following public pressure.

The minister responsible for VNPF John Salong said Achary resigning was the right thing to do.

“It is his personal behaviour that does not qualify him to be a leader and it is only proper that he resign. He knows the right thing to do is to resign,” he said.

Salong said the board has taken the decision to seek two independent legal advices regarding the general manager’s contract to avoid going to court for lawsuits.

Regarding his performance, Salong said a lot of good initiatives have been accomplished under Achary’s leadership.

He said a new replacement will be hired in the coming days.

The VNPF Board appointed Achary to lead the organisation in September 2017. He was reappointed in September 2020 for four more years.

According to the Daily Post, Achary is on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on August 2 for sentencing.

THS ex-students hold prayer vigil after former classmate died  after suffering  medical emergency behind the wheel

By
Kaniva Staff
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Dozens gathered Sunday at a prayer vigil in Nuku’alofa to honour and mourn the man who died on Monday.

As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, Litili Kaufusi, 39,  died in a car accident after suffering a medical emergency while driving on Taufa’āhau road.

Litili ‘Ofanoa Jr Kaufusi. Photo/Supplied

Authorities were called to the scene of a road accident following reports a car had crashed onto another vehicle near the Basilica of St Anthony Padua.

The deceased was with a passenger in the car at the time of the accident, Police said.

It appeared the passenger was unharmed.

The cause of Kaufusi’s medical emergency is not yet known.

The vigil was organized by the Tonga High School Ex-Students Association 1998.

In a Facebook post, the association said that Kaufusi was a “loyal and dedicated” student and that he will be “remembered most fondly” by his classmates.

Kaufusi’s death is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time, it said.

His death came as a shock to his friends and family, especially as he was actively participating in activities preparing for the school’s 75th jubilee next month.

The prayer vigil was held at  Vaiola hospital’s morgue.

Body found on Orewa beach after man didn’t return from dinghy trip

By
Kaniva Staff
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A body was found at a beach in Auckland’s Orewa after a man on a dinghy trip was reported overdue.

St John Ambulance

Police were called to Orewa Beach at around 2.30pm yesterday afternoon after the man failed to return to shore when he was expected.

At 11.45pm his body was located on the same beach.

His death has been referred to the coroner.

Man dies after police arrest at Auckland intersection

By
Kaniva Staff
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A man suffering a “medical event” died yesterday after being arrested by police for trying to open the doors of cars stopped at a busy Central Auckland intersection.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified, and police will make enquiries into the death on behalf of the coroner, a police spokesperson said.

Police said officers were called to the incident at 5.45pm yesterday with “reports of a van parked in the middle of the intersection of Mt Albert Road and Dominion Road.

“Callers also advised that a man was walking on the road and had been attempting to open the doors of cars stopped at the intersection,” police said.

“Police located the man on Dominion Road a short time later and took him into custody for unlawful interference with a vehicle.”

A police spokesperson said officers took the man to Auckland District Custody Unit “however, on arrival, officers became concerned for the man’s welfare as he appeared to be suffering a medical event.

“Officers immediately transported the man to hospital,” police said.

“Sadly, he passed away a short time later.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”

Fundraiser set up for Tongan father, son who died in US crash; two other sons survived

By
Kaniva Staff
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An online fund raising  set up to offer support to the family of the father and his son who died in a crash in Sacramento has raised more than $4000 so far.

(L-R): Taniela Kata, Heneli Kata and Mo’ui Kata

Taniela Kata and his son Henelī Kata died following a vehicle crash in a Californian high way about a week ago.

It can be revealed now that four of the family were in the vehicle and two other sons had survived the crash unharmed.

Taniela died in hospital about three days before the family decided to remove Heneli out of the ventilator few days later.

A GoFundMe page set up by Mo’ui Kata, the wife of Taniela and mother of Heneli says the pair had passed away and their funeral will be held next week.

The Kaniva news has not been able to verify whether the page is genuine.

The online fundraiser was launched on Thursday with the goal of raising US$30,000.

The victims “had gotten into a horrible accident“”, the text on the page, which apparently come from Taniela’s wife, Mo’ui Kata, read.

It also said: “My husband and our three sons were driving back home. On their way home they had gotten into a horrible accident. Two of the sons made it out fine. As for my husband and one of our sons, they were both injured. Sadly they had passed away and is in a better place now. Their Funeral would be held Next Week and Any donations for our family would be very helpful. Thank you for the love and support towards my family!”

It is understood the victims, from Tonga’s Houma village, Tongatapu main island, lived in Oakland, California and were heading back from Salt Lake City when the crash occurred.

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